---
title: "Adding visible digital signatures to a PDF document | Nutrient Python SDK"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/python/editor/add-visible-signature-to-pdf/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/python/editor/add-visible-signature-to-pdf.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-26T07:02:01.741Z"
description: "How to add visible digital signatures to a PDF using Nutrient Python SDK."
---

# Adding visible digital signatures to a PDF document

Use visible digital signatures to combine visual signoff with cryptographic integrity.

Common use cases include:

- Contract signing workflows

- Document approval systems

- Authenticated signoff pipelines

- Branded signature appearances

Unlike invisible signatures, visible signatures render a signature area on the page using text or images.

[Download sample](https://www.nutrient.io/downloads/samples/python/add-visible-signature-to-pdf.zip)

## How Nutrient helps

Nutrient Python SDK handles signature field operations, appearance rendering, and cryptographic signing.

The SDK handles:

- Signature field dictionaries and appearance streams

- PKCS#12 certificate loading and key extraction

- Appearance customization and font rendering

- Byte range calculations and signing internals

## Complete implementation

This example adds a visible signature field and signs it with different appearance options:

```python

from nutrient_sdk import Document, PdfEditor, Signature, Color
from nutrient_sdk import DigitalSignatureOptions, SignatureAppearance, TimestampConfiguration
from nutrient_sdk import SignatureHashAlgorithm

```

## Creating a signature field

Create a signature field at the target location before signing.

In this sample:

- The document opens in a [context manager](https://docs.python.org/3/reference/datamodel.html#context-managers).

- The field name is `ApprovalSignature`.

- The position is `(100, 700)`.

- The size is `200 × 50`.

The field acts as the visible placeholder for the signed appearance:

```python

with Document.open("input.pdf") as document:
    editor = PdfEditor.edit(document)
    page = editor.page_collection.first

    signature_field = editor.form_field_collection.add_signature_field(
        name="ApprovalSignature",
        page=page,
        x=100.0,
        y=700.0,
        width=200.0,
        height=50.0
    )

    editor.save_as("output_document_with_field.pdf")
    editor.close()

```

## Signing with auto-generated appearance

Sign the field with metadata-driven text.

In this sample:

- `DigitalSignatureOptions` sets certificate and signer metadata.

- `Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf")` opens the PDF before signing.

- `use_auto_generated_text = True` uses signer metadata in the appearance.

- `show_validation_mark = True` adds a validation indicator.

- `sign_field(document, output_path, field_name, options, appearance)` signs `"ApprovalSignature"`.

```python

with Signature() as signer, Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf") as document:
    options = DigitalSignatureOptions()
    options.certificate_path = "certificate.pfx"
    options.certificate_password = "Nutrient answers all your document needs"
    options.signer_name = "John Doe"
    options.reason = "Final Approval"
    options.location = "New York"

    appearance = SignatureAppearance()
    appearance.use_auto_generated_text = True
    appearance.show_validation_mark = True

    signer.sign_field(
        document,
        "output_signed_visible.pdf",
        "ApprovalSignature",
        options,
        appearance
    )

```

## Signing with a custom image

Use an image-based appearance for handwritten signatures or logos.

In this sample:

- `Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf")` opens the PDF before signing.

- `image_path` points to the signature image file.

- The image renders inside field bounds.

- `show_validation_mark = True` keeps the validation indicator visible.

- `sign_field(document, output_path, field_name, options, appearance)` applies the digital signature.

```python

with Signature() as signer, Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf") as document:
    options = DigitalSignatureOptions()
    options.certificate_path = "certificate.pfx"
    options.certificate_password = "Nutrient answers all your document needs"
    options.signer_name = "Jane Smith"
    options.reason = "Review Complete"

    appearance = SignatureAppearance()
    appearance.image_path = "input_signature.jpg"
    appearance.show_validation_mark = True

    signer.sign_field(
        document,
        "output_signed_with_image.pdf",
        "ApprovalSignature",
        options,
        appearance
    )

```

## Signing with custom text

Use custom text when you need workflow-specific signature content.

In this sample:

- `Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf")` opens the PDF before signing.

- `use_auto_generated_text = False` disables metadata-generated text.

- `text` defines the visible signature content.

- `\n` creates multiline output.

- `sign_field(document, output_path, field_name, options, appearance)` applies the digital signature.

```python

with Signature() as signer, Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf") as document:
    options = DigitalSignatureOptions()
    options.certificate_path = "certificate.pfx"
    options.certificate_password = "Nutrient answers all your document needs"
    options.signer_name = "Manager"

    appearance = SignatureAppearance()
    appearance.use_auto_generated_text = False
    appearance.text = "Approved by Management\nDate: 2024-01-15"

    signer.sign_field(
        document,
        "output_signed_custom_text.pdf",
        "ApprovalSignature",
        options,
        appearance
    )

```

## Customizing text appearance

Customize typography to match document or brand requirements.

In this sample:

- `Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf")` opens the PDF before signing.

- `font_name` sets the typeface.

- `font_size` sets text size.

- `text_color` sets ARGB color values.

- `sign_field(document, output_path, field_name, options, appearance)` applies the digital signature.

```python

with Signature() as signer, Document.open("output_document_with_field.pdf") as document:
    options = DigitalSignatureOptions()
    options.certificate_path = "certificate.pfx"
    options.certificate_password = "Nutrient answers all your document needs"
    options.signer_name = "Executive"

    appearance = SignatureAppearance()
    appearance.use_auto_generated_text = False
    appearance.text = "Approved by Executive Board"
    appearance.font_name = "Times New Roman"
    appearance.font_size = 14.0
    appearance.text_color = Color.from_argb(255, 0, 0, 128)  # Navy blue

    signer.sign_field(
        document,
        "output_signed_styled_text.pdf",
        "ApprovalSignature",
        options,
        appearance
    )

```

## Conclusion

Use this workflow to add visible digital signatures:

1. Open the document using a [context manager](https://docs.python.org/3/reference/datamodel.html#context-managers) for automatic resource cleanup.

2. Create an editor and access the page collection.

3. Add a signature field at specified coordinates with defined dimensions (e.g. 100, 700, 200×50 points).

4. The signature field creates a rectangular placeholder for the signature appearance.

5. Sign the field using `Signature` with certificate credentials (PKCS#12 format).

6. Configure signing metadata, including signer name, reason, and location.

7. Create the signature appearance with auto-generated text (`use_auto_generated_text = True`) to display metadata.

8. Add validation marks (`show_validation_mark = True`) to indicate signature validity.

9. Use custom images via the `image_path` property for handwritten signatures or company logos.

10. Use custom text with `use_auto_generated_text = False` and multiline formatting for workflow-specific approvals.

11. Customize typography with `font_name`, `font_size`, and `text_color` properties using ARGB values.

12. Save the signed document with visible signature appearance and cryptographic integrity.

For related signing workflows, refer to the [Python SDK guides](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/python.md).
---

## Related pages

- [Adding annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding a custom page to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-custom-page-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding free text annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-freetext-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding interactive form fields to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-form-fields-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding link annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-link-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding redaction annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-redaction-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding invisible digital signatures to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-invisible-signature-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding shape annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-shape-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding stamp annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-stamp-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding text markup annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-text-markup-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Adding sticky note annotations to a PDF document](/guides/python/editor/add-sticky-note-annotations-to-pdf.md)
- [Advanced digital signature workflows](/guides/python/editor/advanced-digital-signatures.md)
- [Editing PDF metadata with Nutrient Python SDK](/guides/python/editor/editing-pdf-metadata.md)
- [Editing PDF form fields](/guides/python/editor/editing-pdf-form-fields.md)
- [Nutrient Python SDK editor guides](/guides/python/editor.md)
- [Filling PDF form fields](/guides/python/editor/fill-pdf-form.md)
- [Managing PDF page order](/guides/python/editor/manage-pdf-page-order.md)
- [Merging PDFs](/guides/python/editor/merge-pdf-into-other-pdf.md)