Where to find the signature tools in Adobe Acrobat
Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat (the full desktop version, not the free Reader). Look at the toolbar on the right side of the screen. Click Fill & Sign. This opens a panel with signature options. You will see three buttons: one to add your signature, one to add initials, and one to add text. The signature button is what you need for a signature block.
If you do not see the Fill & Sign panel, go to the Tools menu at the top, then select Fill & Sign from the list. The panel will appear on the right. This is the same tool whether you are signing a document yourself or preparing a template for someone else to sign.
Key Takeaways
- The Fill & Sign tool in Adobe Acrobat lets you draw, type, or upload a signature image to place anywhere on your PDF.
- You can create a reusable signature once and save it, then use the same signature on multiple documents without redrawing it each time.
- A signature block is straightforward a signature placed in a specific location on the page — usually at the bottom of a document near a printed name line.
- Adobe stores your saved signatures locally on your computer, so they are available only in Acrobat on that device unless you export them.
Creating a signature to use as your block
Click the signature button in the Fill & Sign panel. A dialog box will open asking how you want to create your signature. You have three choices: Draw (use your trackpad or mouse to write), Type (enter your name and choose a font style), or Image (upload a photo of your handwritten signature).
For most people, Type is the fastest. Enter your full name, and Acrobat will show you several font styles that look like signatures. Pick the one you prefer. If you want something that looks more like your actual handwriting, choose Draw and use your trackpad or a stylus to write your name. The Image option works if you have already scanned or photographed your signature on paper.
After you create your signature, Acrobat asks if you want to save it. Click Yes. Saving it means you can use the exact same signature on future documents without recreating it. If you do not save it, you will have to draw or type it again the next time you need it.
Placing the signature block on your document
Once your signature is created and saved, click on the location in your PDF where you want the signature to appear. This is usually at the bottom of the document, above a line where you would print your name. Click once, and your signature will appear at that spot. You can drag it to adjust the position if it lands in the wrong place.
If the signature is too large or too small, right-click on it and select Properties. You can resize it by dragging the corners of the box around the signature. Make sure it fits neatly in the space you intended — not overlapping other text or running off the edge of the page.
You can add the same signature multiple times on the same document if there are several signature lines. Just click the signature button again and place it at each location where a signature is needed.
Adding text next to your signature block
Many signature blocks include a printed name, title, date, or other information below the signature line. You can add this using the Text button in the Fill & Sign panel. Click the text button, then click on the document where you want the text to appear. A text box will open where you can type your name, title, company, or any other information.
Format the text by selecting it and using the options in the Fill & Sign panel — you can change the font size, color, and style. Position each piece of text where it belongs: signature at the top, printed name below, then title or date if needed. This creates a complete signature block that looks professional and is straightforward to read.
Saving your document with the signature block
After you place your signature and any text, save the PDF. Go to File and click Save or Save As. If you are saving over the original file, click Save. If you want to keep the original unsigned version, click Save As and give the file a new name, like "Document_Signed.pdf".
The signature block is now part of the PDF. When you send it to someone else, they will see your signature and any text you added. They cannot remove or edit your signature unless they have the original unsigned file and the ability to edit PDFs themselves.
Using your saved signature on other documents
Once you have saved a signature in Acrobat, it stays available on your computer. The next time you open a different PDF and click the signature button in Fill & Sign, your saved signature will appear as an option. You can click it to place the same signature on the new document without recreating it.
Your saved signatures are stored only on the computer where you created them. If you use Acrobat on a different computer or device, you will not see your saved signatures there. To use your signature on another device, you would need to create it again or export it from your original computer and import it on the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit or delete a signature after I place it on the document?
Yes. Click on the signature to select it, then right-click and choose Delete to remove it. To edit the text next to it, click the text box and make your changes. You can move the signature by clicking and dragging it to a new location on the page.
What is the difference between signing a document and adding a signature block?
Signing a document means you are the one putting your signature on it, confirming you agree to its contents. A signature block is the formatted area where a signature goes — it can be your signature or a placeholder for someone else to sign. You are adding the block itself, not necessarily signing the document.
Can I use a signature block on a form that someone else will sign?
Yes, but you would need to prepare the form as a template. Add a signature block where you want the other person to sign, then save the PDF. Send it to them, and they can use the Fill & Sign tool to add their own signature in that space. Adobe does not have a built-in form distribution system, so you are relying on the other person to have Acrobat or Reader.
Will my signature block look the same on every device?
Yes. Once you save the signature block in the PDF, it appears the same way on any device or computer that opens the file. The signature is embedded in the PDF as an image, so it does not change based on fonts or software differences.