How to sign a contract PDF and send it back

To sign a contract PDF with OnCloudPDF, flatten any filled-in form fields, add page numbers if the contract needs them, then place an image of your signature with Sign PDF and check the file's properties before you send it. The result is a picture of your signature on the page, not a certificate-based digital signature, so confirm that the other party accepts that kind of signature.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Runs in your browser, no upload, no account

First, check what kind of signature the contract needs

Many everyday agreements, such as a rental addendum, a freelance quote or a consent form, are accepted with a simple signature: your name written or drawn on the page. Other contracts require a stricter kind, for example a qualified electronic signature or a signature made with a certificate and verified by a trust provider. Which one applies depends on the document, the country and the other party, so ask them if the contract does not say.

This matters because of what Sign PDF does. It embeds an image of your signature into the page. It does not create a certificate-based digital signature, does not record who signed and does not make the file tamper-evident. It is the digital equivalent of signing a printout and scanning it. If the contract needs anything stronger, use a dedicated e-signature service chosen by the other party.

The workflow, step by step

The order below keeps each step from undoing the previous one. All tools run in your browser, so the contract is not uploaded to OnCloudPDF while you work.

1. Fill the form fields first, in your PDF viewer. OnCloudPDF has no form-filling tool, so type your name, date and other details into the fillable fields with the viewer you normally use, then save the file.
2. Flatten the form with Flatten PDF. This turns fillable fields (text boxes, checkboxes, dropdowns) into fixed page content, so values cannot be edited by accident and look the same in every viewer. The text stays selectable, and other annotations such as comments or highlights are not specifically flattened. Keep your original: a flattened copy cannot be filled in again.
3. Add page numbers with Page Numbers if useful. Numbered pages make it easier for both sides to refer to a clause and show at a glance that no page is missing. Numbering always starts at 1 on the first page and covers every page, so skip this step if the contract already has printed numbers, or you will end up with two.
4. Sign with Sign PDF. Draw your signature on the canvas with a mouse or finger, or upload a PNG or JPEG of it. Choose first, last or all pages, then type the X and Y position and the size in points. Click Add Signature and download the file ending in _signed.
5. Check the result in a viewer. Zoom in on the signature, confirm it sits on the signature line and that its proportions are not stretched.
6. Review the properties with PDF Info and, if needed, edit them with Edit Metadata before you send the file.

Placing the signature correctly

Sign PDF does not have a click-to-place preview. You position the signature with X and Y values measured in PDF points from the bottom-left corner of the page, and the defaults are 50, 50 with a size of 150 by 50. One point is 1/72 of an inch, so an A4 page is about 595 points wide and 842 points tall. A signature line near the bottom right of an A4 page might need an X of roughly 350 and a Y of roughly 80; adjust after a first try.

Two details save time. The image is stretched to the width and height you type, so keep the same proportions as your drawing (for a 3:1 drawing, use 150 by 50 rather than 150 by 100). And the same position is used on every page you choose, so use first or last page for a single signature and 'all pages' only for initials on every page. Each run places one signature; to add your name on the last page and initials on the others, you need separate runs, each starting from the previous output.

Metadata: what to check before sending

PDF files carry hidden document properties: title, author, subject, keywords, creator, producer and creation and modification dates. If the contract came from a template, the author field may hold a name or company you do not want to forward, or the title may be a draft name.

PDF Info shows these fields read-only. Edit Metadata can overwrite Title, Author, Subject, Keywords and Creator. It cannot clear a field: a field left blank keeps its original value, so overwrite it with other text instead. It also does not search for XMP metadata or other hidden data, so it is not a full scrubber. For more on this, see clean a PDF before sharing.

What each step changes

Sending the signed contract

Keep the unsigned original and the signed copy, and name the signed file clearly so it is not confused with a draft. If the contract needs your signature on every page, run the Sign step with 'all pages'. If the file is too large to email, see how to get a PDF small enough to email. Remember that a signature image can be copied from the file by anyone who has it, so send the signed PDF only to the people who need it.

Frequently asked questions