This how-to will walk you through the creation of a digital signature file. Useful for signing documents on the fly and emailing them back and forth, which saves on postage and lessens paper usage.

The Constitution of the United States.pdf
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Step 1: Make Your Mark

You need to start with your signature on a sheet of paper. In the hopes of not being blatantly thiefed of my identity, I have elected to use John Adams as an example.

Step 2: Scan the Sig

You need some way to get this signature into the computer, an optical scanner is probably your best bet, but in dire circumstances, you could use a digital camera.

Step 3: Import the Scan to Somewhere Useful

I prefer to use MS Paint on a Windows machine, but its up to you. On a Mac, I've always scanned in Photoshop, but again, your choice.

For a more free flavor, once you have the scanned image, all the following steps can be done in Graphic Converter, a free program for OS X (and legacy systems, too).

Step 4: Save It in a Useful Format

Once your signature file is in the correct orientation, save it.

I find that the .PNG format is the most useful for signature files, but I am by no means an expert.

Step 5: Insert It Into the Document

You need a document that requires your signature, I suppose.

I most commonly am using Word, but there are plenty of other programs that can insert images.

Step 6: Protect Yourself

I suggest outputting only in a PDF format due to your signature being quite easily "re-appropriated" otherwise.

On OS X, just choose print and int he PDF pulldown menu, choose save as PDF.

On XP or similar, you'll need a PDF creation tool (try googling "XP PDF Creator" for some free ones, like that pictured). Rumor has it some versions of Word come with this as well.