Digital Signature Guide

[NitrousOxide]

I am going to explain how to embed a digital signature into your documents.
I'm going to assume Microsoft Word is used for the purpose of this guide.

There are 3 main ways of doing this:
1, Use a signature creator.
2, Use a suitable font.
3, Scan in a real signature.

[NitrousOxide]

1, Signature creator:
First we must create the signature.
Two websites provide this free of charge. The easiest to use is My Live Signature.
Vletter gives more authentic signatures but requires a little knowledge to use. For beginners I recommend My Live Signature.
Once you have created one you are happy with save it somewhere safe on your computer. To save the signature from a webpage once created just right click the image and select "Save As".
You should now have something that looks like this:


Now we have the signature we can insert it into our document.
In Word go to where you want to insert the signature.
Then go to: Insert, Picture, From File.
Then it's just a case of selecting where you saved your image and positioning it in your document.

[NitrousOxide]

2, Use a Font:
Using a font is fairly easy but doesn't quite have the feel of a made signature. You can use one provided in word or you can install one.
Here I will show you how to install a font that's suitable.
First you need to find one. I recommend Free Fonts as a good place to start.
Once you are happy with the selection download the Zip file and extract (for beginners the root C: drive is easiest) and remember where the extracted file is. For this guide I will use Parquet, Size 24.
Go to Control Panel.
Go to Fonts.
You will see a window with loads of fonts in. Go to File at the top.
Go to Install New Font.
Now open up Word and you should be able to type with your new font.

[NitrousOxide]

3, Scan a signature:
Scanning a signature means you can have a totally authentic look and feel and also enables you to make letters for other people without then having to sign them each time.
It is your choice whether or not you use your actual signature.
First you need to scan the image.
This will vary depending on what scanner and software you are using. I would recommend getting help or reading your appliance documentation for the actual scan if you are a beginner.
When you scan you should select an area just bigger than the signature as the whole page is not needed. I would use BLACK pen as well preferably with a large tip like felt.
If you have a paint programme such as Paint Shop Pro you can Import it straight into the programme using Import TWAIN and then Aquire Then it's a simple case of editing and saving.
I save as jpg as nearly all programmes will recognise the format.
Here is the scanned signature.



I've deliberately kept it big so that if I need to reduce it I don't lose too much detail.
Save it somewhere you will remeber like "My Pictures".
Now we have the signature we can insert it into our document.
In Word go to where you want to insert the signature.
Then go to: Insert, Picture, From File.
Then it's just a case of selecting where you saved your image and positioning it and reducing it in your document.

[NitrousOxide]

And last a Bonus.
If you truly have to use your signature, create a way that it would be hard to copy.
One good way that was recommended is to use a shaded text box. Especially if you sign over the edges.
To make a shaded text box in word:
Go to Insert, then Text box.
Move the cursor over the chevrons on the outside of the box and move the box to the desired location. Double click the box if they don't show.
Resize the box as required using the little circles on the chevrons on the outside of the box.
Double click the chevrons and a new box pops up. This allows you to enter the background colour, line colour and thickness.
I have used a standard box with a FILL COLOUR of -25 GREY.

[NitrousOxide]

Credit where credits due:
Thankyou to,
Bookworm (Scanning Suggestion)
Diskmandave (Fonts suggestion)
and Scarletpimpernel (Box Suggestion).

[diskmandave]

Lovin' it!