Step by step
- 01
Inspect the source
If the handwriting is already soft in Before, capture it again. Clean paper, steady focus, and even light give the editor better edges to keep.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 01 - 02
Tune the cleanup
Raise Paper Cleanup enough to remove the page, then adjust Ink Strength while watching thin strokes, dots, and crossings.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 02 - 03
Save a fresh version
Give the corrected signature a new name so you can compare it with the older library entry instead of overwriting your reference by mistake.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 03 - 04
Place without over-enlarging
Add the fresh signature to the PDF and keep it close to a natural handwriting size. Enlarging any small source too far makes it look soft.
PDF SIGN & SCAN / 04
Common causes of soft edges
- Camera motion and shadows reduce edge clarity.
- Aggressive cleanup can break thin strokes.
- A large signature field does not mean the signature should fill it completely.
Questions
Can cleanup sharpen a badly out-of-focus photo?
No. Cleanup can separate ink from paper, but a severely blurred source should be captured again.
Why is the signature clear in the library but blurry on the PDF?
It may be enlarged too much on the page. Reduce its size or create a sharper source capture.