Adding signature field to form???

[blackberryd1991]

Hi,

I've had a quick look at some of the questions fellow users have posted but can't find a good match, so thought I'd start a new thread.

I posted the below in the InDesign section...

I'm currently converting what was once a printable application form [which users obviously filled out by hand] into something that can be filled out with Acrobat. The form will be a downloadable item on the clients website.

No problem adding the required 'text fields' and 'check boxes' but the client has asked for the option for the user to 'sign' the form. I know InDesign has the option to a 'signature field' but not sure if this is the right tool for the job?

I'm not 100% sure if they mean to sign the document with the users actual signature or if a script-font would be fine... I need to find this out.

However, I don't want to spend hours researching into this if it's something I can't really do in InDesign!

I know Acrobat has 'signature' options too, so at least if I know if InDesign can do this or not, I can move my research elsewhere.

I was pointed in the direction of here, thus I asking the same question [except using Acrobat instead of InDesign]!

The biggest issue is that it can't be anything complicated. I'm just not sure if Adobe Sign or Fill & Sign is meant for this purpose.

Thanks in advance.

[try67]

Acrobat allows you to add a Signature field to your file, just like any other field. It is very easy to do so.

Once added the user can select the appearance of the signature profile. It can be simple printed text or it can be an image, such as a scan of a hand-written signature. In technical terms there's no difference between the two.

[Test Screen Name]

This is a VERY big area, and you will need to test carefully with every piece of software you plan to support, including Mac and Windows but especially phones and tablet. The possible need to use Acrobat is the smallest part of the deal.

You mention the choice of user's actual signature ("wet signature") - which is possible via a scanner, camera or touch device, according to the software.

You mention the choice of writing with a script font.

Both are possible, but have no legal value in most countries, being so trivial to steal and fake.

A third choice is to instruct users to print and sign, then post the form or rescan it. Not popular these days.
The fourth choice is a digital signature. These may have legal value, but only if they are assigned in particular ways. These are like a special seal, with the certificate as proof the file is not altered.