How To Create An E-Signature

The shift from traditional ink signatures to electronic signatures represents a critical business transformation. Organizations adopting e-signature technology report dramatically faster contract completion times, while eliminating the hidden costs of paper-based signing– printing, mailing, and storage expenses that drain budgets. Making an e-signature accelerates turnaround times from days to minutes, delivering immediate ROI. Furthermore, as remote work becomes the new standard for countless professionals, creating an electronic signature has shifted from a helpful convenience to an essential business requirement.
HubSpot's free Electronic Signature Generator transforms the tedious task of digital signing into a seamless, instant process. The electronic signature maker creates secure, professional signatures for business documents and emails in seconds– no technical expertise required. Unlike manual methods, HubSpot’s e-signature maker delivers polished results immediately while maintaining the professional electronic signature format your business demands. Simply input your details, customize your style, and generate a signature that works across all platforms!
Different operating systems and devices require specific approaches to learn how to do an electronic signature. Create a custom e-signature on each device by following the instructions below.
Mac users can create electronic signatures through Preview, Apple's built-in PDF viewer. Learn how to sign a document on the computer through 2 methods: trackpad or camera.
Note: The trackpad signature method provides the most natural experience for creating a signature on a computer, capturing pressure sensitivity and stroke dynamics that closely mirror handwritten signatures.
Trackpad Method (Recommended)
1. Open your PDF in Preview and click the Markup toolbar (pen icon)
2. Select the signature button to access signature creation options
3. Choose "Trackpad" and click "Click here to begin"
4. Sign with your finger using natural writing motions
5. Press any key to complete the capture
6. Label your trackpad signature for easy future access
7. Click "Done" to save – your signature will sync across all Apple devices via iCloud
Camera Method (For existing physical signatures)
1. Sign your name clearly on white paper using dark ink
2. Select the "Camera" option in Preview's signature menu
3. Hold the paper level with camera, aligning your signature on the blue guide line
4. Wait 2-3 seconds for automatic capture and processing
5. Review your generated signature for clarity
6. Save with a descriptive label for reuse
Create an online digital signature with the iPhone’s Continuity feature that enables seamless signature transfer between devices. This method works when your iPhone and Mac share the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth enabled.
1. Select the "iPhone" option in Mac Preview
2. Unlock your iPhone to display the signature pad automatically
3. Sign using your finger, or Apple Pencil for precision
4. Your signature will appear instantly on the Mac screen
5. Apply the standard saving process with labeling
Modern document workflows span multiple applications, each with specific requirements. Understanding how to make an electronic signature on each platform ensures efficient document completion.
Microsoft Word processes billions of documents monthly, making having an electronic signature in Word essential for business workflows. Word's signature line feature creates dedicated signing spaces that maintain document formatting integrity.
Type Method (For an easy electronic signature)
1. Right-click the signature line in your Word document
2. Select "Sign" from context menu
3. Type your full name in the signature field
4. Click "Sign" to embed signature permanently
Image Method (For a professional electronic signature)
1. Create a signature image: black/blue ink on white background
2. Scan at 300 DPI minimum for clarity
3. Save as a PNG with transparent background
4. Click the "Select Image" option in Word's signature dialog
5. Navigate to the saved signature file
6. Click "Select" then "Sign" to insert your 7. Microsoft Word electronic signature
Google Docs lacks a native electronic signature solution, requiring third-party integration for creating electronic signatures. HubSpot's free electronic signature app fills this gap by creating signatures compatible with Google's ecosystem through DocHub integration.
Phone Method (Mobile-First Workflow)
1. Upload your document to DocHub from Google Drive
2. Click the "Sign" option in DocHub toolbar
3. Scan the QR code with your phone camera or enter a number for the SMS link
4. Draw a signature on your phone touchscreen
5. Optionally, create matching initials
6. Tap "Save and finish". Your signature will sync instantly
Draw Method (Desktop Creation)
1. Select the "Draw" option in DocHub
2. Use your mouse or trackpad for signature creation
3. Adjust the stroke width for an optimal appearance
4. Click "Save" to store your new online electronic signature
Upload Method (Consistency Across Documents)
1. Prepare your signature image (PNG recommended)
2. Click the "Upload Signature" option in DocHub
3. Select the prepared file from your computer
4. DocHub will process and save your electronic signature example automatically
Type Method (Stylized Digital Signatures)
1. Enter your full legal name in the signature field
2. Choose from 8 professional font styles
3. Preview the appearance before saving
PDFs represent the vast majority of business documents requiring e-signatures. Native PDF signature support varies by viewer, making universal solutions like HubSpot's free e-signature app essential for consistent results across platforms. Learn how to create an electronic signature in PDF with the below process:
Free Adobe Reader Signature Process:
1. Open the PDF and click "Fill & Sign" in the right panel
2. Select the signature icon from the toolbar
Choose the "Add Signature" option for first-time setup
3. Create your e-signature using the Type, Draw, or Image options
4. Position your e-signature precisely using click-and-drag placement
5. Resize your e-signature proportionally using corner handles
6. Save your newly signed PDF
Email signatures differ from document signatures, serving as professional digital business cards appended to every message. Professional email signatures increase response rates and drive more website traffic compared to plain text signatures. Use HubSpot's Email Signature Generator to create HTML signatures that display consistently across email clients, incorporating logos, social links, and contact information that traditional signature tools can't accommodate. The generator also ensures mobile responsiveness.
Electronic signature creation time varies by method and complexity requirements. Basic typed signatures generate instantly, suitable for high-volume, low-risk documents. Drawn signatures require slightly more time, but produce more personalized results. Image-based signatures take 2-3 minutes initially–photographing handwritten signatures, uploading files, and optimizing appearance– but enable instant reuse afterward.
HubSpot's Email Signature Generator is the solution that delivers the optimal balance of speed and professional design, creating professional email signatures in under 60 seconds, incorporating logos, social links, and contact details that would take much longer to implement manually.