E-Signing PDFs: A Major Leap Forward in Document Management

The faster we agree on a deal, the sooner we can execute it. The sooner we finish, the quicker we can issue an invoice and receive payment for the job.

Thus, in the dizzying world of digital business, the traditional method of signing documents by hand on paper steadily gives way to a more comfortable and efficient method: electronic signatures.

E-signing enables faster business transactions, as using remote electronic signing services achieves quick alignment of interests among all parties involved, even if they are on entirely different ends of the world.

Among document formats supporting e-signing, PDF (short for Portable Document Format), introduced by Adobe in the early 1990s as a proprietary format before its utility expanded and became a standard for document exchange within a few years, is at the forefront.

Why is PDF so interesting? Mainly because it's irrelevant in which environment it was created or will be opened and reviewed. Thanks to the descriptive language (PostScript), it ensures a uniform user experience and consistent appearance across all devices while supporting electronic signatures.

No paid software is needed to open and view PDFs; your operating system typically offers numerous file preview tools, or you can simply open the document in your web browser.

The ability to e-sign PDFs signifies not just technological progress but also reflects how business practices have transformed in the digital age. It significantly reduces paper waste and allows you to password-protect documents to prevent opening or printing, ensuring your contract is not accessible to unauthorized eyes.

How does PDF document signing work?

Creating PDF documents does not require special software; simply use your favorite office program, export it to PDF, and upload it to an electronic signing platform, such as BetrSign® .

Signing Workflow

Prepare the document for signing by assigning signers, setting the signing order, access method to the document, and signature type, and marking the spots where signers need to place their signatures.

If you wish to collect additional information from the signers, you can further equip such a document with specific input fields for data entry.

Once the document is ready, you will use the e-signing environment to email the signers a link to the document.

Electronic signing services also offer reminders so your document does not remain unsigned: signers will be automatically notified once or multiple times before the document's signing deadline.

It's essential to have a clear overview of the signing phase of your document at any given time (who has signed it and when).

Access to the Document and Signing

The signer simply clicks on the link received in the email, logs into the service, confirms their identity, and signs at the designated spot.

Once the last signer has signed, the e-signing service ensures all recipients receive the signed PDF in their email and can save it wherever they usually keep their documents.

Every signature leaves an audit trail that records the entire signing process history and ensures the authenticity of the e-signing process.

E-signing PDFs is a significant step forward for businesses and organizations that want to streamline paper workflows, reduce paper waste, and enhance security while maintaining their market position in the long run.

With the proper knowledge and tools—such as the BetrSign e-signing service —you can easily incorporate e-signing into your business processes and reap its numerous benefits.

Therefore, embrace the digital transformation with open arms and lead your organization into the future of efficient and secure document management.