Tired of printing, signing and then scanning PDF documents just to add your signature? Looking to add a personal touch to a certificate perhaps? Find out here how to create a handwritten signature for inserting into images and PDF documents with Preview ⤓ on a Mac quickly and easily — without printing and scanning.
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How to Create a Handwritten Signature in Preview on a Mac
⚡ Quick Fix
Select Tools | Annotate | Signature | Manage Signatures… from the menu in Preview, then click Create Signature and use camera, trackpad or iPhone/iPad to add a signature.
Using Paper and Pen
Time needed: 5 minutes
To set up a handwritten signature you can easily insert in documents and PDF forms using Preview on a Mac:
- Put your signature on a white sheet of paper.
Not mandatory: This step is not crucial; you can also set up a signature with a touch surface such as a trackpad or iPad (see below).
Yet recommended: A handwritten signature on paper produces the most natural signature in Preview, however, so I do recommend this method of creating a PDF signature in Preview.
Go for contrast: Use white paper and a contrasting pen, such as classic dark blue, black, purple or dark green perhaps. - Open Preview.
No file needed: You can open any image or PDF document, of course, but you can also just open Preview alone.
- Select Tools | Annotate | Signature | Manage Signatures… from the menu.
Toolbar alternative: With a file open in Preview, you can also select Sign in the markup toolbar, then pick Create Signature.
- Go to the Camera tab.
With existing signatures: If you already have a signature set up in Preview, click Create Signature in the Manage Signatures window before.
- Hold the signature in front of the Mac’s camera so that it rests on the line.
It appears: The signature will appear in black as Preview recognizes it.
- Optional: Pick a description that helps you distinguish the signature under Description:.
- Click Done.
Now this: How to Add a Signature to a PDF File on a Mac
Their word: Apple’s User Guide also has information on signing PDF documents using Preview.
Signature scribbled?
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Using a Trackpad, iPad or iPhone to Add a Signature to Mac Preview
In lieu of scanning a signature, you can also creating one with finger or pencil on a touch surface:
- Start creating a new signature in Preview as above.
- Go to the Trackpad or iPhone or iPad.
Trackpad: Click Click here to begin and sign on the trackpad.
iPhone or iPad: Click Select Device, pick the device and sign on it with finger or Apple Pencil, for instance.
Landscape: Do turn your divice to landscape mode before starting the signature.
Directly on an iPhone: How to Set up a Signature for PDF Files on an iPhone
How to Create a Signature in Preview on a Mac: FAQ
Can I set up more than one signature?
Yes.
You can create and use multiple signatures.
Can I remove a signature?
Yes.
To delete a signature from Preview on a Mac:
- Select Tools | Annotate | Manage Signatures in Preview.
- Click the x that appears as you hover over the signature you want to delete.
Important: There is no confirmation, the signature will be removed immediately.
(Tested with macOS Golden Gate 27, Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14, Ventura 13 and Monterey 12; first published June 2023, last updated October 2026)