There are two different requests hidden inside “sign this PDF.” One asks you to place a visible signature on a document; the other asks for a verifiable electronic-signature workflow with identity checks, records or cryptographic validation. Choose the right one before uploading a sensitive contract anywhere.
Quick answer: For a visible signature, open NexKit Sign PDF, choose your document, draw with a finger, stylus or mouse (or type a name in the supported script font), position the signature on a selected page, and download the result. NexKit’s browser workflow keeps the selected PDF local. The output is not a certificate-backed digital signature.
Add a visual signature step by step
- Save an unmodified copy of the PDF, then open Sign PDF.
- Choose the PDF in your browser. The current tool supports files up to 25 MB.
- Select the specific page that needs your signature.
- Draw your signature on the canvas, or use the tool’s typed-signature option.
- Drag and resize it into the document’s signature area. Check that it does not cover the date, printed name, terms or an existing seal.
- Download the resulting PDF and reopen that downloaded file to verify both its signature and its other pages.
The present version signs one selected page per pass. To add another signature to a different page, open the already-signed output and repeat. It does not currently support uploading an existing signature image.
Draw on a phone or type on a computer?
On a touchscreen, drawing with a finger or stylus is usually the most natural option. If your handwriting becomes too small, make the drawing larger and resize it after placing it on the PDF. On a desktop, a mouse or touchpad works, but a typed signature may be more legible. Neither technique alone establishes the signer’s legal identity.
Before sending the result, zoom in on the signature and examine the full document at normal size. A misplaced or cropped mark is difficult to catch from a tiny preview.
A visible signature is not a digital certificate
NexKit’s tool places a signature image on a PDF page. It does not authenticate the signer, issue a digital certificate, create an audit trail or guarantee that subsequent edits will be detectable.
A certificate-backed digital signature uses cryptographic mechanisms to verify a signing certificate and detect changes. A dedicated e-signature platform may additionally capture consent, timestamps and identity evidence. Whether a visual or electronic signature is legally effective depends on the document, jurisdiction, parties and process—do not assume that adding an image satisfies a legal or contractual signing requirement.
For a court filing, regulated document, banking workflow or an agreement that specifies a signature platform, follow those requirements instead of relying on a visual mark.
Privacy and file handling
For this tool’s supported workflow, the selected file is processed in your browser and is not uploaded to NexKit servers. The website still fetches its scripts and other assets and uses analytics; the browser-local file processing claim does not mean the entire page works offline.
Keep the original PDF, especially where form fields, embedded signatures, advanced annotations or bookmarks are important. Confirm that the downloaded result still contains the intended pages and remains readable.
Common questions
Can I sign a scanned PDF?
Yes. Select the page and place the visible signature on the scanned image. This does not make the scanned text searchable. If searchable text is also needed, check the separate OCR PDF workflow, and verify recognition before sharing.
Do I need to create an account?
Not for the current browser-based visual-signature workflow.
Can I sign more than one page?
Yes, by making separate passes. Each pass adds a signature to one selected page. Reopen the downloaded file and check all signatures after the final pass.
Can I use this for a legally binding contract?
Do not rely on this tool alone to establish compliance. A visible signature can carry different legal implications depending on context; NexKit does not supply certificate-backed identity verification, a secure audit trail or qualified electronic-signature services. Check the recipient’s specific signing requirements.
Should I password-protect the resulting file?
If the document contains sensitive information, ask the recipient how they want it protected. Protect PDF is a separate workflow, but a password-protected file may not be accepted by every electronic filing system.
Use the right workflow: Sign PDF in your browser · Protect PDF · OCR a scan.