Step by step
- 01
It starts as ink on paper
The signer writes on paper, then a camera or scanner captures the mark. Cropping and background removal can leave only the handwriting as an image.
- 02
The result is a picture
PNG and JPEG files contain pixels. They do not contain the pen movement, pressure, identity check, certificate, or cryptographic proof associated with other signing systems.
- 03
It may be used as an electronic signature
Placing the image with an intent to sign can form part of an electronic-signature process. Acceptance still depends on the document, recipient, workflow, and applicable rules.
- 04
It is not automatically a digital signature
A certificate-backed digital signature uses cryptography to help verify origin and detect later changes. Converting handwriting to an image does not create those protections.
Before using a scanned signature
- Ask the recipient which signing method they accept.
- Keep the original unsigned document and the final signed copy.
- Treat a reusable signature image as a sensitive file.
Questions
Is a scanned signature the same as a wet signature?
No. The original ink mark is a wet signature; the scan is an image made from it.
Does a scanned signature prove identity?
Not by itself. An image can show the appearance of handwriting, but it does not independently verify who placed it.
Can a scanned signature be added to a PDF?
Yes, when the recipient accepts an image-based signature. Confirm requirements before relying on it.