Tech Tip Tuesday - Bluebeam - Create a Digital Signature

One of the myths I hear all the time is that "wet" signatures are more valid than digital signatures. It's simply not true. The American Bar Association has had guidelines in place for digital signatures since 1996. They state "A verified digital signature… generally equals or surpasses the comparable assurance provided by writing on paper." Using digital signatures rather than "wet" signatures has helped me to optimize my paperless workflows removing the need to print a document only to sign it and scan it back in. See below for instruction for how to make your digital signature in Bluebeam.

Be Digital,
Ralph

Establishing a Digital Signature in Bluebeam

Creating your digital signature can be done in few short steps and in about 5-10 minutes; saving you the hassle of printing a piece of paper, running to the printer, and then scanning it back in.

Create Your Signature Image

• Open Bluebeam Revu (Windows button then type Bluebeam)
• Select File --> New

• Enter Width: 5 and Height: 1.5 and click OK

• Select Pen Tool (Markup --> Pen --> Pen)

• Click Properties (Right drawer --> Gear )
• Change Color: Black and Line Width: 2.0

• Sign the white area - Fill the area.
  • Note: if don't have a tablet to sign, borrow one or do a screen capture from a document you have previously scanned – see past tech tip on screen clipping).

• Save the document. Note don't name it "My signature", something that you will remember but not everyone else will.

Create Your Digital ID

• Open the document you want to sign
• Select Document --> Signature --> Digital IDs…
• Click Add Digital Signature

• Select "Create Digital ID in Windows Certificate Store and fill out the form.
  • Note this signature is tied to your log in to your computer. Lock your computer before you leave. Alternatively you can select create digital ID file to require a password every time you use your digital ID.

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• Select the signature you created and select manage appearances
• Click add appearances (+)
• Fill out Signature appearance form
  • Title: Enter Name and Date
  • Graphic: Select File and Browse for your signature file
  • Text: Only select name and date
  • Unselect labels and logo

• Click OK
• Click OK
• Click OK​

Apply the Signature

• Select Document --> Signatures --> Sign Document

• Click and drag at Signature Box

• Select you digital ID, appearance and optionally provide details

• Click OK
• Save your PDF
  • Note: adding a digital signature should be the last change made to a pdf as the digital signature will be invalidated if additional changes are made.