How to Use Photoshop to Add Realistic Signatures to Documents
Adobe Photoshop makes it easy to add a physical signature to a digital document without the hassle of printing it out first. Setting up a template signature will allow you to apply your real physical signature to as many documents as you would like, quickly and easily.
Once the template signature is complete, it’s possible to add it as a layer to any image or PDF document opened in Photoshop. The layer can be resized and positioned, then blended to remove the background of the signature. Once done, you can save the result as a PDF and send it out as a digital document to be printed by the end receiver.
1. Set Up a Template Signature
The first step in adding a signature to a document in Photoshop is to set up a default template that can be copied. This template will become the signature on any document you need to sign through Photoshop.
On a plain, white piece of paper, write your full legal signature in the center. Then scan it in with a scanner or take a picture using a high-resolution camera.
Unfortunately, scanners often remove or simplify pixels in transition points between darker and lighter tones. This can lead to the signature looking unnatural if it is scanned in, creating a poorer overall result. Using a camera can avoid this issue; most modern smartphone cameras will suffice.
If you’re using a standard scanner, you could use the light table to scan the document without any additional modifications.
If you’re taking a picture, place the paper on a flat surface in a well-lit area. Don’t cast a shadow over the paper, and check that the light across the surface is as uniform as possible. The image should be taken from a high angle.
Once the photo has been taken or the page has been scanned, save the results as either a .png file or a .jpg file. Open the image in Photoshop and crop out the edges, leaving only the signature with a small amount of white around it. There are multiplecropping methods in Photoshop, but we’ll show you the quickest way.
To crop the image in Photoshop:
Check the image for distortions or shadows. Use Photoshop to remove any minor complications, but if the lighting has glaring flaws, you may need to retake the original photo.
Once you have ensured that the image is clear and contains only the signature against a pure, white background, save the document.
2. Open Your Document in Photoshop
Once the template is complete, open the document that needs to be signed in Photoshop. Photoshop can open most basic image types, including .png, .jpg, .tiff, .gif, and .webp, but it can also open PDF files without you needing to convert them.
If the document you need to sign is in one of these formats, or in Photoshop’s native .psd format, you can open it without converting.
If the document is in a text format, such as .docx, or .odf, you will first need to convert it to a form that Photoshop can read. The quickest way to do so is to print the document as a PDF.
Open the document in whatever its native program is, and select the print function. In the print dialog that pops up, selectMicrosoft Print to PDFas the destination or printer of choice if your PC runs Windows. Once you select print, the document will beprinted to PDF, essentially converting it to a PDF file, and then you can select where to save it.
After converting the file into a PDF, open it in Photoshop to begin adding your signature.
3. Add Your Signature to the Document
With both the signature and document open in Photoshop, you can quickly and easily combine them. Start by going to the signature. PressCtrl + A, followed byCtrl + Cto select the entire canvas and then copy it to the clipboard.
Alternatively, under theSelectmenu in the toolbar, you can select theAlloption to select the entire canvas. Afterward, use theCopycommand under theEditmenu to copy the canvas to the clipboard.
With the signature copied to the clipboard, return to the document to add it as a new layer.
How to Add New Layers to a Photoshop Document
To add the signature to the document, the best option is to add the signature as a separate layer.
Using either the shortcutCtrl + VorCtrl + Shift + Vwill paste the currently copied image onto the document, but keep it separated as its own layer.
You can then move the pasted signature to the appropriate area on the document and resize it using theTransformfeature under theEditmenu.
If the background of the document is pure white and the border around the signature isn’t noticeable, you can save the document.
If the border is noticeable, or the background of the document doesn’t match the background of the signature, follow the next step to hide the discrepancy.
Use the Multiply Blend Mode
Select the signature layer from the Layers panel on the right side of the screen. Just above the list of layers is a dropdown with the word Normal in it. This dropdown controls the blending type for the layer.
Using different blending types in Photoshopchanges the way a layer affects those beneath it. Find theMultiplyblend type in the list and select it.
With Multiply selected, the background of the signature should disappear, leaving only the dark ink behind. Now the document will appear as though it has been signed naturally. If more than one signature is needed, you can add as many new layers as necessary.
4. Save, Print, and Store Your Photoshop Document
Finally, with your document signed, select theFilemenu from the toolbar at the top, and clickPrint. This will bring up the standard print dialog for Photoshop. For the printer, selectMicrosoft Print to PDF.
Next, click thePrintbutton, and save the result to your desired location. The document will automatically collapse into a single layer and be written into a PDF file. Now, the document can be attached to an email and sent out as needed.
you’re able to also save the document as a PSD file using theSave Asfunction in theFilemenu. The saved Photoshop document can always be edited again later if the signature needs to be altered or if additional signatures need to be added.
Sign Your Documents Using Photoshop
Photoshop’s tools make it easy to add a physical signature to a document. The same technique can be applied to add multiple signatures, fill in information, or correct errors on a variety of digital documents.
As long as you have an image or PDF of the document and a signature template, you may create signed documents quickly and easily.
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