How to Add a Signature to a PDF

The Three Types of PDF Signatures

When people say "sign a PDF" they usually mean one of three things, and they're quite different technically:

• Electronic signature (e-sign) — an image of your handwritten signature placed on the document. This is what most people need for everyday signing — contracts, letters, forms. It's legally valid in most countries for standard documents.
• Digital signature (cryptographic) — a mathematical certificate embedded in the PDF that verifies the signer's identity and detects tampering. Required for regulated industries, legal proceedings, and some government forms.
• Typed signature — your name in a signature-style font, treated as an electronic signature. Often used on web forms and quick documents.

For most everyday use — job offer letters, rental agreements, consent forms, school documents — an electronic signature (image of your handwriting) is fully sufficient and legally recognised in Singapore, the UK, the US, Australia, and the EU under eIDAS.

Method 1: Draw Your Signature

Drawing gives the most natural result — your actual handwriting as you'd sign on paper.

1. Go to rifixpdf.xyz/sign
2. Click Open PDF and select your document
3. Click the Signature tool in the left panel
4. Select Draw — a canvas appears
5. Sign with your mouse (desktop) or finger (mobile/tablet)
6. Click Use Signature
7. Click anywhere on the PDF to place it
8. Drag to reposition, drag the corner handles to resize
9. Click Export PDF when done

Method 2: Upload a Signature Image

If you already have a photograph or scan of your signature saved as a PNG or JPG, you can use it directly. This is useful for consistent, professional-looking documents where you want to reuse the exact same signature image every time.

1. Scan or photograph your signature on white paper
2. Crop tightly around the signature
3. In Rifix Sign, choose Upload Image instead of Draw
4. Select your signature file — PNG with a transparent background works best
5. Place and resize on the PDF as above

For a clean transparent background on your signature image, use a free background remover tool or simply ensure your original signature is clean black ink on white paper — Rifix handles the transparency automatically.

Method 3: Type Your Signature

Typed signatures work well for quick internal documents, email confirmations, and forms where a handwritten appearance isn't required.

1. In Rifix Sign, choose Type
2. Enter your name
3. Select a signature font from the dropdown
4. Click Use and place on the PDF

Adding Multiple Signatures and Initials

Many contracts require both a full signature and initials on each page. In Rifix:

• Place your full signature on the signature line
• Create a second signature (your initials only) using the same method
• Navigate to each page and place initials at the bottom
• Export — all signature placements are embedded in one file

Is an Electronic Signature Legally Binding?

In most everyday situations, yes. Electronic signatures are legally recognised under:

• Singapore — Electronic Transactions Act (ETA)
• EU — eIDAS Regulation (simple electronic signatures)
• USA — ESIGN Act and UETA
• UK — Electronic Communications Act 2000
• Australia — Electronic Transactions Act 1999

For court filings, land registry transfers, wills, and certain regulated financial documents, a qualified digital signature (with a certificate from a trusted authority) may be required. Check with your legal adviser if in doubt.

After Signing — What to Do with the File

Once exported, your signed PDF can be emailed directly, uploaded to a document portal, printed, or stored. If the file is large, compress it first before attaching to email.