Have you ever needed to sign a document but didn‘t have a printer handy? Or wasted time printing, signing, and scanning back in a document? With a Mac computer there‘s an easy way to add legally valid digital signatures directly to PDFs.
In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll walk you through:
- A brief history of how PDF digital signatures have evolved
- An overview of your signing options and their key capabilities
- A step-by-step Preview app tutorial with videos
- Tips for choosing the right signing method for your needs
- Answers to frequently asked questions
So if you ever need to approve an agreement or certify a document digitally, this guide will get you started!
The Growing Popularity of Signed PDFs
Over the past 30 years, the ability to sign PDF documents digitally has gone from non-existent to globally mainstream.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1993 | PDF format introduced (no signature capability) |
| 1999 | Basic digital signature images added in Acrobat 3 |
| 2006 | Advanced, PKCS#7 digital signatures added in Acrobat 8 |
| 2015 | eSignature legislation passed in US, EU, making digital signatures legally valid |
According to ARX CoSign, 61% of organizations now use some form of digital signature to approve documents. Many rely on basic signatures applied with Preview or Adobe Acrobat to save time and paper.
But for sensitive contexts, advanced electronic or qualified signatures may be required.
Overview of PDF Signing Approaches
There are three common ways to digitally sign a PDF file:
Basic Image Signatures
- Add image of signature to PDF
- Easy to apply with Preview app
- Minimal security protections
Advanced Electronic Signatures
- Encrypted and certificate-based
- Tamper evidence capabilities
- Requires dedicated software like Adobe Acrobat
Qualified Electronic Signatures
- Verifies signer identity thoroughly
- Meets legal regulations (eIDAS, ESIGN)
- Provided by eSignature vendor platforms
The signing method you choose depends on the sensitivity of the document and legal requirements.
Now let‘s walk through applying a basic image signature using the Preview app included free with every Mac.
How to Sign PDFs in Apple Preview
Signing a document only takes seconds with Preview. Just open the PDF, add your signature image, drag into position, and export.
Step 1: Open Your PDF
Launch the Preview app and select your document:
Step 2: Access the Markup Tools
Click the markup toolbar icon that looks like a pen writing on paper:
This will expose options like signatures, shapes, sketches, and text:
Step 3: Create Your Signature
Click the signature icon, then select a creation method like trackpad, iPhone, or camera:
Draw or capture your signature, then click "Done" to place it:
Step 4: Add Your Signature to the PDF
Drag the signature to the desired location on the page and resize as needed:
Repeat for any additional signature areas.
Step 5: Export the Signed PDF
Finally, save your completed document by exporting to a new PDF:
File > Export as PDF
And that‘s it – you‘ve signed your PDF digitally on a Mac using Preview!
Here is a brief video summarizing the steps:
So as you can see, Preview offers an easy and convenient option for basic PDF approvals. But for sensitive documents, consider a more secure digital signature solution.
Choosing the Right Signature Solution
Hopefully this gives you a good overview of digitally signing PDF documents on a Mac!
Here are some closing recommendations on choosing the best approach:
Use Preview Signatures When:
- A basic approval is needed
- Convenience is most important
- Recipient is trusted
Use Acrobat/eSignatures For:
- Legally binding agreements
- Documents requiring authentication
- Extra security and compliance
And there you have it – now you can ditch the printer for good! Let me know if you have any other questions.
