Electronic vs digital PDF signatures: what is the difference?

A visible mark is an electronic signature

Typing a name, drawing a signature or placing an image of a signature onto a PDF creates a visible electronic signature. It records an expression of intent in the document, much like adding a signature image in a word processor.

The visual mark alone does not cryptographically prove who placed it, whether the signer controlled a particular certificate or whether the document changed afterward. Context such as email records, account authentication and the agreement between the parties may still be important.

What a digital signature adds

A certificate-based digital signature uses public-key cryptography. The signing software calculates information from the document and signs it with a private key. Compatible PDF readers can then check whether the document changed after signing and inspect the certificate associated with the signature.

A technically valid signature does not automatically prove that the human named in a document personally authorised it. That depends on how the certificate was issued, protected and linked to identity. Trust also depends on whether the recipient recognises the certificate authority or trust chain.

Choose based on the assurance required

A visible electronic signature may be suitable for acknowledgements, informal approvals and workflows where the parties already know one another. Certificate-based signing is more useful when recipients need tamper detection, certificate details or a formal signing process.

Legal validity varies by jurisdiction, transaction and evidence. Neither a PDF tool nor a visual signature can determine whether a particular process satisfies a contract, regulator or court. Seek appropriate advice for high-value or regulated transactions.

What Paperuna’s signing tool does

Paperuna lets you draw, type or upload a signature and position it with initials or a date. Processing happens in the browser and produces a new PDF containing those visible elements.

It does not issue a signing certificate, validate identity, create a cryptographic digital signature or provide tamper detection. The interface states this distinction so recipients are not given a false impression of the assurance provided.

Protect your signature image

A scanned signature is personal material. Avoid uploading it to unclear services, do not leave unnecessary copies in shared folders, and check that the final document contains the intended signature on the intended pages. Keep an unsigned original and review the complete output before sending it.