how to stamp signature onto pdf document

[SaintDanBert]

QUESTION: Can someone tell me how to add a signature image to a PDF document?

Which application do I use and is there some magic to create the signature image? I've tried using scribus but all I get is
the image with the grey-hash still showing.

I have an image of a signature. The image has a "transparent" background (alternating grey and white squares created by GIMP).
If I print the image, all I see are the lines from the pen-and-ink writing.

I want to use this image as a "rubber stamp" to insert the signature onto a PDF document page.
ASIDE~-- I would also like to use this signature image with Libreoffice Writer, but PDF solution is most important.

Thank you in advance,
~~~ 0;-Dan

[mikeflan]

I have an image of a signature. The image has a "transparent" background

If you need to keep the PDF in a "vector" format where the text is selectable, I suggest you go with a digital signature:
https://docs.kde.org/stable5/en/okular/ ... signatures

That is not what I do. I open the PDF with GIMP, add the signature layer, resize as needed, and export as a PDF that is all raster.

[Hawaiihemd]

Importing the PDF in inkscape comes to mind...

[Moem]

I would open the document in Libre Office Draw.

[mikeflan]

Apparently Libre Office Draw will not open a PDF document.

[Moem]

Apparently Libre Office Draw will not open a PDF document.

That's not apparent at all, as for me it always does.

[mikeflan]

You are right. I am a ninny. I was using "Drawing".

Libre Office Draw worked very well. Not quite perfectly for my case since it changed a dotted list to a boxes list, but I can live with that. It allowed importing the signature and exporting to a true vector PDF. Thank you.

My original PDF:
.

.
After the signature was added:
.

.
Both are viewed in Okular. The original file was created in windows (I think).

[BenTrabetere]

Xournal is very nice tool for this task. It can be installed through Software Manager or sudo apt install xournal. It has not seen updates for a long time, but it still works.

1. Open Xournal
2. Select Annotate PDF from the File menu and select your PDF file to be signed.
3. Click the Image button in the toolbar (it looks like a silhouette of a person) or press Shift+Ctrl+I (that is "I" for Image).
4. Click on document, and a file browser dialog will open.
5. Select the image of your signature.
6. Resize and position the image on the PDF.
7. Select Export to PDF from the File menu.

Xournal++ is a rewrite of Xournal that adds some features. The process is the same as for Xournal, but the Image button on the toolbar looks like a mountain scene. I use the AppImage, and it works well. A flatpak is available in Software Manager, but I have not used it. https://xournalpp.github.io/

[RIH]

You could try Master PDF Editor 4 (Later versions are pay for).
It allows you to Add signatures or even Watermark documents with Text or Files.

[mpv]

With FoxitReader one can add signatures.

Code: Select all

Protect --> PDF Sign

[SaintDanBert]

I have an image of a signature. The image has a "transparent" background

If you need to keep the PDF in a "vector" format where the text is selectable, I suggest you go with a digital signature:
https://docs.kde.org/stable5/en/okular/ ... signatures

That is not what I do. I open the PDF with GIMP, add the signature layer, resize as needed, and export as a PDF that is all raster.

I simply need to write my name on letters and other documents that I create or review.
I'd love to use a digital signature, but too few of my "audience" are tech-aware enough to deal with that.

I have a signature image. I've tried to make the background "transparent". When I add it into anything — especially LibreOffice Writer or Scribus — there is a grey hash background. Otherwise, I have a large white area around the lines of the writing.

QUESTION: What must I do to have a transparent background to an image?

I've not worked with GIMP beyond cropping photos from cameras.

QUESTION: Is there a HOWTO or similar for adding line art signatures as a layer?

Thank you for your reply,
~~~ 0;-Dan

[mikeflan]

I did it not that long ago. I followed a procedure something like this:
https://www.alphr.com/gimp-make-background-transparent/

[mikeflan]

I can confirm that for me BenTrabetere's suggestion to use Xournal is the best one for me.
Xournal works better than LO Draw to place a signature on a PDF document and keep the vector character of the PDF.

[AndyMH]

I have a signature image. I've tried to make the background "transparent". When I add it into anything — especially LibreOffice Writer or Scribus — there is a grey hash background. Otherwise, I have a large white area around the lines of the writing.

If you mean like this:

Screenshot from 2023-03-22 13-47-01.png (31.45 KiB) Viewed 4652 times

it means the background is transparent.

[SaintDanBert]

I have an image of a signature. The image has a "transparent" background

ooo

That is not what I do. I open the PDF with GIMP, add the signature layer, resize as needed, and export as a PDF that is all raster.

When I add my image to the PDF, it results in a white surround in spite of the "transparent" parts.
What must I do so that only the lines of writing appear in the PDF?

Thanks in Advance,
~~ 0;-Dan

[SaintDanBert]

If you mean like this:
Screenshot from 2023-03-22 13-47-01.png
it means the background is transparent.

Thank you for the "transparent" reminder. My trouble is that I get the 'checker board instead of whatever the page color is underneath.

If I'm altering a PDF, do I need a specific graphic file format for "transparent" to work?
It seems — based on other comments here — that PDF is vector. Is that required for
the graphic image I want to add to the PDF?

Thanks in advance,
~~~ 0;-/ Dan

[mikeflan]

When I add my image to the PDF, it results in a white surround in spite of the "transparent" parts.
What must I do so that only the lines of writing appear in the PDF?

You need to use the Fuzzy Select Tool, like this:
https://thegimptutorials.com/how-to-mak ... ansparent/

[Esc]

Xournal is very nice tool for this task. It can be installed through Software Manager or sudo apt install xournal. It has not seen updates for a long time, but it still works.

1. Open Xournal
2. Select Annotate PDF from the File menu and select your PDF file to be signed.
3. Click the Image button in the toolbar (it looks like a silhouette of a person) or press Shift+Ctrl+I (that is "I" for Image).
4. Click on document, and a file browser dialog will open.
5. Select the image of your signature.
6. Resize and position the image on the PDF.
7. Select Export to PDF from the File menu.

Xournal++ is a rewrite of Xournal that adds some features. The process is the same as for Xournal, but the Image button on the toolbar looks like a mountain scene. I use the AppImage, and it works well. A flatpak is available in Software Manager, but I have not used it. https://xournalpp.github.io/

Thanks! I just used it to sign on an .pdf file that written in Hebrew, libre office didnot solve it correctly and xournal is light..fast and support Hebrew