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How To Create An E-Signature

HubSpot's free Electronic Signature Creator instantly generates professional e-signatures for PDFs, Word documents, Google Docs, and email communications. Learn how to make a digital signature quickly and easily today. 
Create an electronic signature
How to Make an E-Signature to Sign Digital Documents

Creating A Digital Signature In 2025

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! 

How To Set Up An Electronic Signature By Device

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.

How To Make An Electronic Signature On A Mac

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

Mac Preview App Signature tool showing a Trackpad signature.

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

Mac Preview App Markup Signature tool showing the Camera signature feature.

How To Insert An Electronic Signature By Platform

Modern document workflows span multiple applications, each with specific requirements. Understanding how to make an electronic signature on each platform ensures efficient document completion. 

How To Create An Electronic Signature In Word 

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

Microsoft Word Signature tool showing a name typed on the signature line.


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

Microsoft Word Signature tool with “Select Image…” option highlighted.

Woman creating an email signature on her computer

How To Send An Electronic Signature Via Email

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.

Frequently Asked Questions