PDFPrinting a PDF just to scribble your name and scan it back is a 2010 workflow. In 2026, you can add a professional digital signature to any PDF in under 60 seconds — right in your browser, with no printing, no scanning, and no software installation.
Electronic Signature vs. Digital Signature — What's the Difference?
These terms are often confused but mean different things. An electronic signature is any digital mark indicating agreement — a typed name, a drawn signature, an uploaded image. A digital signature (in the strict technical sense) uses cryptographic certificates to verify both the signer's identity and that the document hasn't been altered since signing. Most everyday business document signing uses electronic signatures, which are legally accepted under laws like India's IT Act, the US eSign Act, and EU eIDAS.
PDF Candy's Sign PDF tool creates electronic signatures — drawn, typed, or image-based — embedded directly into the PDF document. This is the format accepted by the vast majority of business and legal processes in 2026.
Three Ways to Create Your Signature
Step-by-Step: How to Sign a PDF Online
Open Sign PDF Tool
Go to PDF Candy Sign PDF. The signing workspace opens in your browser immediately.
Upload Your Document
Drop the PDF you need to sign into the upload zone. The document loads as a full-page preview you can scroll through — your file never leaves your device.
Create Your Signature
Choose Draw (use mouse or touchscreen), Type (select a handwriting font and color), or Upload (upload a PNG image of your existing signature).
Position the Signature
Drag the signature to the exact spot on the document — typically the signature line. Resize it to fit perfectly. Navigate between pages to add your signature to multiple pages if needed.
Apply and Download
Click "Apply Signature" to permanently embed the signature into the PDF. Download the signed file — it's ready to send or submit.
Is a Digitally Signed PDF Legally Valid in India?
Under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended), electronic signatures are legally valid in India for most business transactions. The signature must indicate the signer's intent to agree to the document's contents. An embedded signature image on a PDF meets this requirement for standard commercial agreements, service contracts, rental agreements, and employment documents.
Exceptions include property transfer documents (which require registration under specific acts), wills and testamentary documents, power of attorney for certain purposes, and government forms that specifically require physical signatures. For these, consult a legal professional.