How to make a signature with a transparent background (PNG or SVG)

Open the signature maker, sign on the pad with a finger, stylus or mouse, pick the ink colour, and press Download PNG. The PNG has a transparent background and is trimmed close to the ink, so it sits cleanly on any document. You can also type your name in a handwriting style, or upload a photo of your signature on paper.

Steps

1. Open the signature maker.
2. Under How to sign, choose Draw, Type or Upload.
3. Draw: sign on the pad. Undo stroke removes the last line; Clear starts again. Choose a pen: Fine, Medium or Bold.
4. Type: enter your name and tap one of the eight handwriting styles, each previewed with your name. Set Size and Slant.
5. Upload: choose a photo or scan of your signature on white paper. The paper is removed and the ink trimmed.
6. Pick an Ink colour: Black, Blue ink, Dark blue, Red, Green or any colour.
7. Press Download PNG for a transparent picture, or Download SVG for a file that stays sharp at any size.

PNG or SVG

For most people the PNG is the one to use.

Lifting a signature from paper

Sign on plain white paper with a dark pen, then photograph it in even light, without your shadow across the page. The page turns the photo the right way up, measures how dark the paper and the ink are, and chooses the cut-off between them automatically (Auto under Paper removal). Anything lighter than that becomes transparent, small specks are removed, and the picture is trimmed to the writing.

If part of the signature vanishes, choose Manual and raise the Threshold. If a grey shadow is left, lower it. Remove specks under clears dust and paper grain. Under Ink, Recolour ink paints the signature in your chosen colour, which also hides the blue or yellow tint a phone camera adds; Keep photo's ink keeps the pen's own colour.

A natural-looking drawn signature

• Use a finger or a stylus on a phone or tablet; it is closer to a pen than a mouse. Turning the phone sideways gives a wider pad.
• Sign at your normal speed. The pad smooths small shakes, so a quick stroke comes out cleaner than a slow, careful one.
• A new colour or pen applies to the next strokes. Recolour all strokes puts the whole signature in the current colour.

Putting it on a document

• Word: Insert, Pictures, choose the PNG. Set the picture's text wrapping to In Front of Text to move it freely.
• Google Docs: Insert, Image, Upload from computer.
• A PDF: the PDF editor has its own signature pad and places the signature on the page for you. See how to sign a PDF with a drawn signature.

A picture, not a certificate signature

This tool makes an image of your signature. It works where a pasted signature is accepted: many letters, forms and everyday agreements. It is not a certificate-based digital signature, which proves who signed a file and that it has not changed since. Whether a pasted signature is enough depends on the document and where you live; ask whoever requested your signature.

Questions

Is my signature stored anywhere?

No. It is drawn and saved in your browser. Your signature, your name and any photo you upload stay on your device. The handwriting fonts are served from this site, so typing your name contacts no other service.

Which handwriting styles are there?

Eight open-licence fonts: Dancing Script, Great Vibes, Sacramento, Allura, Alex Brush, Parisienne, Mr Dafoe and Caveat.

Can I change the colour after drawing?

Yes. Pick the colour, then press Recolour all strokes.

Is it free?

Yes, with no sign-up, no limit and no watermark.