The answer to the question “What is a wet signature?” is simple—it’s a term used to describe the process of signing a physical paper document.

The answer to the question, “What is a wet signature?” is simpler than you may think—it’s the process of 

signing a physical document with a pen, seal, or another identification mark

A wet signature used to be a binding contract, and it still is in some cases. However, with the advancement of technology, electronic signatures have become more and more accepted as a faster and more secure alternative.

In this article, we’ll discuss the use of wet signatures, drawing a parallel between them and e-signs and digital signatures. We’ll also explain how the concept of a wet signature is applied online. Let’s begin!

What Is a Wet Signature, and How to Obtain It?

handwritten signature on a physical piece of paper

, be it an agreement, contract, or proposal (a wet-signed document). It goes under various names, including the following:

The term “wet” dates back to when ink was used for such purposes more commonly—namely, it took some time for it to dry on paper.

In addition to a handwritten signature, wet signature examples traditionally included several other forms of authentication, such as a 

. All of these models were (and still are) legal signatures used to verify the validity of documents and confirm identification.

The process of obtaining a wet signature goes as follows:

Prepare the document that needs to be signed.

If the document is in digital form, print it out on paper.

Sign the document in the designated area with a pen (or ink).

Have a witness be present during signing if legal requirements call for one.

Once the document is signed, you can mail it, hand-deliver it, or scan it and send it via email.

Wet signatures are still required in some cases, especially 

, although electronic signatures have become more common over the past few decades.

The truth is that many people still find signing a document with a pen more secure and trustworthy. Namely, they see it as a way to confirm the signer has physically acknowledged the content and agreed with it.

In fact, the law sometimes specifically requires a wet signature 

to ensure the document’s validity and prevent fraud

. These, which include adoption papers, wills, court orders, property deeds, and some investor and banking contracts, may still need to be signed by hand. Still, this depends on the jurisdiction—while some require wet signatures to ensure credibility, others allow electronic signatures.

Strict regulations in specific industries

. Government, healthcare, and finance often call for wet signatures for certain types of documents to reduce the risk of fraud or dispute.

. People with no access to technology or those not comfortable with digital processes prefer wet signatures to their electronic counterparts.

 digital version of someone’s handwritten signature

. As an alternative to a wet signature, it’s commonly used for signing documents online. Its popularity and wide use lie in the fact that it allows for 

, thus eliminating the need for physical paperwork.

This type of signature offers a convenient way of signing a wide range of documents, including forms, agreements, and contracts. However, while e-signs are generally legally valid, not every jurisdiction recognizes them as such; in some cases, you may still need to sign a document by hand.

When Are E-Signatures Better than Wet Signatures?

E-signatures are better than wet signatures when:

: Speed can be a factor in signing certain documents, and this is where e-signs come in handy. They’re completed instantly, as there are no delays from printing and mailing.

: A document may need to be signed by a person in one city or country and sent to a person in another location. In such cases, an electronic signature is a great choice because it eliminates the need for shipping.

: Businesses typically process large volumes of forms and contracts. Luckily, e-signs can streamline the workflow, thus saving time.

: Electronic signatures provide security measures such as encryption or 

, which are especially important when signing documents containing sensitive information.

It’s important to reduce the cost of the process

: Wet signatures imply printing, mailing, and storing documents, all of which cost money. E-signs, on the other hand, save money by eliminating those extra steps.

: If you create and store documents digitally, converting them to physical files takes time. For this reason, it’s better to sign them electronically.

: Printing physical documents requires paper and energy use. In contrast, e-signs save those resources, contributing to a more environmentally friendly workflow.

Wet Signature vs. Electronic or Digital Signature

Although wet signatures are still widely recognized and trusted, they take time, as they require the signer to be physically present or mail the signed document. This can be inconvenient nowadays, which is why electronic signatures were introduced.

They offer a way to sign documents online, whether by 

 on a form. Of course, you can do all these things from anywhere (as long as you have access to the necessary technology), which makes e-signs much more convenient than their traditional counterpart.

Also, the term ‘digital signature’ is often used interchangeably with ‘electronic signature.’ However, the two aren’t quite the same.

Namely, a digital signature is an e-sign with an 

 or two-factor authentication. Not only does it confirm the signer’s identity, but it also 

ensures the document hasn’t been changed after signing

. Therefore, digital signatures are common in high-security industries, such as finance.

Choosing between wet signatures and e-signs or digital signatures depends on the situation. Traditional and formal documents often call for handwritten signatures. In cases where speed and convenience are important, electronic signatures are better. Meanwhile, you should use a digital signature when security is a priority.

Are Electronic Signatures as Safe as Wet Signatures?

Electronic signatures aren’t as safe as wet signatures; they’re even 

Establishing the validity of a wet signature requires 

 from witnesses who were present during the signing or handwriting experts. On top of being time- and money-consuming, this process can be 

In contrast, electronic signatures use advanced technology to enhance security. They often come with 

 to confirm the signer’s identity and prevent tampering. Thanks to these digital safeguards, it’s fairly easy to track when and where a certain document was signed.

Simply put, wet signatures rely on subjective methods to prove authenticity. Meanwhile, e-signs (and especially digital signatures) leverage objective systems that leave little room for error. With that in mind, not only do electronic signatures save time and money, but they also 

The downsides of wet signatures include higher costs, longer turnaround time, limited privacy and security, and record-keeping issues. Let’s examine them more closely:

Wet signatures are money-consuming, and not just because of the 

 (especially in the case of an overnight delivery). If you’re running a business, you also need to take into account the 

 when it takes more than a week to receive a signed document.

This is where it also becomes evident how time-consuming wet signatures can be. Not only are you at the mercy of delivery services as it is, but you also need to 

 when waiting for a document. Needless to say, if your sales contract takes too long to arrive, your potential client may explore other options in the meantime.

Handling sensitive information calls for high levels of privacy and security, which, unfortunately, can be compromised in the case of physical documents. They can get stolen or lost, and even if they don’t, it’s still 

difficult to control who has access to them

Electronic signatures involve no such risks. They offer 

 to verify the signer’s identity, as well as the identities of those who can gain entry to the documents.

When a document is signed with a wet signature and sent back to your company, it has to be scanned and stored in the cloud or on a local drive.

This can pose a problem if any of the parties need to access the physical version of the document again. Namely, 

it takes much longer to find it in boxes and filing cabinets

 in storage than it does to pull it up on a computer.

Why You Should Use PDF.net Tool for Signing

If you want a wet signature on a PDF document, you need to print said file, sign it, and scan it. Needless to say, this process is rather time-consuming. Fortunately, there’s a better way; with PDF.net, you can 

 electronically in moments, eliminating the extra steps. Here are some reasons you should consider this option:

: Whether you’re a first-time user or not, this PDF editor makes e-signing simple and hassle-free. You can upload, sign, and send a document in just a few clicks.

: Thanks to its encryption and authentication features, PDF.net ensures your signatures are safe and legally binding. It protects your sensitive information every step of the way.

: With PDF.net, you can sign any document whenever you want and wherever you are. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can complete the process in a snap.

Now that you know why, let’s see how you can e-sign with PDF.net:

Open PDF.net on your computer, tablet, or cell phone.

Upload your file in the designated space.


 Choose the color and font and type your signature in the pop-up window.


can be electronic if you scan it and convert it to digital format

. This process allows the physical signature to be used in electronic documents, making it a convenient solution for digital transactions.

 a wet signature can be scanned with a scanner or mobile device’s camera

 to create its digital copy. This digital version can then be used in electronic documents, enabling secure digital transactions and recordkeeping.

, although some formal documents, such as wills, adoption papers, and court orders, still require wet signatures.

#4. Can I create a wet signature in Word?

by signing on a piece of paper, taking a picture of the signature, uploading it to your computer, and inserting the image in a Word file

What Is a Wet Signature? Meaning, Uses, and Importance

The answer to the question, “How do I make a PDF file?” is multifaceted, as there are several formats and tools you can use to create one.

You can make a PDF file using one of the 

 on your computer, like Microsoft Office, using cloud-based tools like Google Docs or a dedicated 

Once you learn how to make a PDF file, your documents will be more 

. Unlike some other file formats, PDF is platform-independent, and its relatively compact size makes PDF files easier to store, download, and transfer.

In this PDF creation guide, we’ll answer the “How do I create a PDF file?” question by explaining seven different methods of doing so. Let’s begin!

How to Create a PDF File from Microsoft Office Products

You can create a PDF file using Microsoft Office programs with no other software or add-in.

Here’s how you can create a PDF from text, data, and designs with Microsoft Word, Access, and Publisher:

Open the document you want to convert from 

button in the drop-down menu on the left.


Click the Export button in the drop-down menu on the left

Enter the name of the document and save it.

Choose the report or table you want to convert to PDF.

Select the External Data tab and choose the PDF or XPS option

Select the document you want to convert from Publisher to PDF.

 option from the drop-down menu on the left and choose a location for the file you’re creating.

Enter the document’s name, choose the PDF format from the 

How to Create a PDF File from Google Docs

Creating a PDF file from Google Docs is fairly simple, thanks to the platform’s versatility. However, keep in mind that this is an 

, so you’ll need an internet connection.

Let’s see how to make a PDF file using the Google Docs app:

Open the document you want to convert to PDF or create a new one.

How to Make a PDF Document from Spreadsheets and Presentations

Making a PDF document from spreadsheets and presentations helps you share your tables, charts, and slides without compromising their formatting.

Let’s see how to make a PDF file from PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides presentations:

Open the presentation you want to convert from PowerPoint to PDF.

Make a PDF Document from Spreadsheets and Presentations

Choose the name and location for your PDF file and save it.

Open the presentation you want to convert from Keynote to a PDF document.

 option in the drop-down menu and then click 

Hover your cursor over the Export To option in the drop-down menu

Customize the export options, including image quality, slide range, and password protection.


, choose the location and name for your PDF file, and click 

Choose the location and name for your PDF file

Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as a PDF file.

Open the Google Slides presentation you want to save as PDF

Here’s how to make a PDF file from Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers spreadsheets:

Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF.

Open the document you want to convert from Excel to PDF

Choose the name and location for your PDF document and save it.

Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file.

Open the Google Sheets document you want to save as a PDF file

Customize the export options in the side menu and click 

Open the Numbers spreadsheet you want to save as a PDF.

Specify the page range and image quality of your PDF file and click 

Choose the location for your file and select 

How to Create a PDF File from Scanned Documents

Creating a PDF file from a scanned document allows you to keep its original layout and content while making it easier to share.

Here’s how to make a PDF file from a scanned document:

Open the document you want to convert to PDF.

, choose the location for the file, enter a name for it, and click 

How to Save Webpages as PDFs on Desktop and Mobile

Saving webpages as PDFs lets you preserve the entire page, including formatting, links, and images for offline viewing and sharing.

Let’s see how you can do that from a computer and a mobile device.

#1. Using a Browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox)

Let’s see how you can convert a webpage to PDF using a browser, whether you’re a Windows or Mac user.

Open the webpage and press Ctrl+P to open the print menu.


and choose the name and location for your file.

 option from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and click 

Select the Save as PDF option from the drop-down menu

Choose the location and name for the file and save it.

Here’s how you can save a webpage as a PDF file from a mobile device:

Select a mobile browser and load the webpage you want to save.

Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and choose the 

Save a webpage as a PDF file from a mobile device

Creating PDFs from images allows you to share them more easily while 

Open the image you want to save as a PDF file.

Select the printer icon in the upper left corner.


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What Is a Wet Signature? Meaning, Uses, and Importance

How Do I Make a PDF File? 7 Ways Explained With Steps