Signing a multi page PDF
Background
Rather than printing a document, filling it out by hand and then scanning to so that you are able to return it electronically, use Gimp and ImageMagick to sign documents electronically.
Instructions
First, make sure to have a png image with the signature on a transparent background.
Next, open the pdf file in gimp. Each page of the pdf file should now be its own layer in gimp.
Insert the signature as a layer in gimp. Move the layer to the correct order and move it above the signature line using the scale and move tools.
Merge the signature layer and the layer for the pdf page.
If a date is needed the text tool can be used to add text on the document again dragging the text to the proper location before merging the text layer with the correct page.
Check to ensure that the document still has the same number of layers as it (same as pages of original document) had on import.
All the fields should now be correctly filled.
Reverse the order of the layers. A shortcut can be found in the menu:
Layer -> Stack -> Reverse Layer Order
Export the file as an mng file. i.e. file.mng
Use convert to transform the mng file into a pdf file. Like this:
convert file.mng file.pdf
The pdf file should now be ready.
Additional information
Making a signature file
- Obtain an image of your signature by:
- On a plain white sheet of paper signing your name and then taking a picture or scanning the document.
- Use a stylus to make draw a signature on your phone screen.
Open the file in gimp.
Add an alpha channel by going to:
Layer -> Transparency -> Add Alpha Channel
Used the fuzzy select tool to remove the background by clicking on the white background sections and then pressing the Del key or from the menu Edit -> Clear
Make sure to delete any white sections in loops caused by cursive L's for example.
Save the image as a png file.
Requirements
- Gimp
- ImageMagick