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Paper to transparent ink

How to scan a signature from paper

Photograph your signature on paper, remove the background on your iPhone, and save clean ink for PDFs.

Quick answer

Open the signature library, tap plus, choose Scan, frame the signature, capture it, adjust the cleanup preview, and save it with a name.

PDF SIGN & SCANThe Scan Your Signature screen in PDF Sign & Scan with a cleaned signature preview

Step by step

  1. 01

    Prepare the paper

    Sign once or twice on a clean white sheet with dark ink. Leave space around the version you want to capture.

    Prepare the paper. The Scan Your Signature screen in PDF Sign & Scan with a cleaned signature preview
    PDF SIGN & SCAN / 01
  2. 02

    Open Scan

    In PDF Sign & Scan, open Signatures, tap plus, and keep Scan selected. Place the signature inside the camera guide.

    Open Scan. The Scan Your Signature screen in PDF Sign & Scan with a cleaned signature preview
    PDF SIGN & SCAN / 02
  3. 03

    Tune the cleanup

    Use Before and After to check the result. Paper Cleanup removes shadows and paper texture; Ink Strength can restore a faint stroke.

    Tune the cleanup. The Scan Your Signature screen in PDF Sign & Scan with a cleaned signature preview
    PDF SIGN & SCAN / 03
  4. 04

    Save for reuse

    Choose black or blue ink if needed, keep Auto Crop on, name the signature, and save it to the library.

    Save for reuse. The Scan Your Signature screen in PDF Sign & Scan with a cleaned signature preview
    PDF SIGN & SCAN / 04

If the scan looks rough

  • Move near a window or use even room light so the paper has no hard shadow.
  • Hold the camera parallel to the page.
  • Lower Paper Cleanup if thin strokes disappear; raise it if gray paper remains.

Questions

Is the signature image uploaded?

No. Signature cleanup is performed on your device and the saved signature stays there.

Can I use a photo I already took?

Yes. The signature creator can also load an image from Photos and run the same cleanup controls.

Your real signature, ready when the PDF arrives.

Download on the App StoreFor iPhone and iPad