How to Sign an Email Document: 3 Ways Explained

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In this article, we’ll cover how to sign an email document electronically. We’ll outline three specific methods you can utilize. More specifically, you’ll learn the following:

• Pros and cons of using an electronic signature software
• How to use Signaturely to sign an email document
• Pros and cons of using the built-in signature feature of your email provider
• How to create and insert an electronic signature on Gmail
• Pros and cons of using an electronic signature plugin/add-on

By the end of this article, you’ll have identified an effective way to sign your email document. 

Ready? Let’s get into it.

1. Use an Electronic Signature Software

Do you need to sign a PDF file from your email inbox? Electronic signature software is one of the best ways to sign an electronic document. This app is dedicated to signing digital documents, a significant workflow in today’s world.

With digital signature software, you can sign documents online and create them. These are legally binding documents, too. They’re as good as having a hard copy with a handwritten signature.

Some of the most popular online signature software options available include:

• Signaturely
• DocuSign
• EverSign
• DocHub

Signaturely

Signaturely is an incredible digital signature app that’s completely free to use. Its easy interface makes it a breeze to sign online documents such as emails or Word documents. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to optimize, streamline, and increase the efficiency of their signing workflow. It also includes an e-signature request feature.

DocuSign

DocuSign is an electronic signature tool that allows you to sign documents online. You can add your e-signature to contracts or documents you receive via email. However, it’s not free like Signaturely. Here are some affordable DocuSign competitors.

EverSign

Eversign is an electronic signing solution that lets you create legally binding documents online. This is a great option if you need to sign important documents you receive via email faster. Like Signaturely, Eversign has a free plan to use this product.

DocHub

DocHub is a PDF document signing platform that allows you to make 100 percent legally binding signatures online. These can be added to sign documents you receive from your email inbox. DocHub has a free plan, but it’s limited. After you sign over 2,000 documents, you’ll need to upgrade.

Pros

• Some electronic signature software, like Signaturely, is free
• They’re generally easy to use
• Electronic signature software options are usually convenient
• They tend to be safe, thanks to robust security features
• Helps you track, oversee, and sign documents
• Affordable premium plans for those who need more

Cons

• Only some of the apps allow signature requests
• Not all of the apps have a mobile app

Here are some Dochub alternatives for you to consider.

Signing an Email Document Using Signaturely

Signaturely is a free, easy-to-use electronic signature software designed to simplify signing digital documents. With it, you’ll be able to sign any emails. It’s a perfect solution for anyone looking to streamline their digital workflow.

Signing an email document is easy with Signaturely. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1. Open Your Signaturely Account

Start by logging into your Signaturely account. You must go to the Signaturely website, load the login page, and enter your details. 

Step 2. Select Who Needs to Sign Your Email Document

Once logged in, go to the Sign tab at the top of the left sidebar. Once on that page, you’ll have three options to choose from:

• Only Me: if you only need to add your own signature to the document.
• Me & Others: if you need to add your and other individuals’ signatures to the document.
• Only Others: if you only need to add other individuals’ signatures to the document.

Select the one that best fits your needs. 

Step 3. Complete Your Document For Signing

Once you’ve selected who needs to sign, you’ll arrive at a document preparation page. On this page, you can upload your email document, assuming you had previously downloaded it.

After uploading the document, you can sign it by clicking on Fill Out & Sign.

An editor will load, allowing you to add your signature to your email document.

Once you’ve added all the signatures and information necessary, press the Send button in the top right corner. Doing so will send the completed document to your inbox. You can also download it when this pop-up appears: 

Congratulations! You’ve successfully used Signaturely to sign your email document.

You can continue to use Signaturely to add a signature to your emails, making them legally signed documents. It’s entirely free. With Signaturely, you can also send up to three monthly signature requests. 

You can upgrade your plan if you require more than three signature requests. The “Personal” plan costs $20 per month, allowing you to make unlimited signature requests and create a template.

The more expensive $30 per month “Business” plan provides unlimited templates. It also provides a team management function and custom business branding.

Overall, Signaturely is one of the best e-signature tools available. It’s worth using because it saves time and effort in digitizing your document signing workflows. You won’t need to print documents and get physical signatures. You can sign emails digitally.  

2. Use the Built-In Signature Feature of Your Email Provider

Another way to sign a document is with the built-in feature available with most email service providers. All email services include it, from Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo to business-specific platforms like Mailchimp.

They allow you to create and save a signature that you can quickly add to your email documents. You don’t even have to leave your email inbox/suite to do so. Head over to your settings page, create a signature, and add it to your documents.

Pros

• No need to leave your email inbox/suite to sign a document
• The fact it’s built-in makes it easy to use
• Saves time by simplifying the digital signing workflow
• Free feature

Cons

• Signatures not very high in quality
• Signed documents are hard to track
• Much harder to maintain a history of your document-signing activities
• No extra features that other options like e-signature apps offer
• Can’t request signatures from others

How to Easily Create and Insert a Signature on Gmail

Creating and inserting a signature on Gmail is easy, regardless of your platform.

On Computer

To create and insert a signature for Gmail on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Gmail account.
2. Press Settings in the top right corner and then See all settings.
3. Find the Signature settings section and enter text for your desired signature.
4. You can use different fonts or even add a signature image if needed.
5. Press the Save Changes button at the bottom when you’re done.

On Android

To create and insert a signature on the Android operating system, follow these steps:

1. Go to your Gmail app, open it, and select Menu on the top left side of the screen.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and select Settings.
3. Select which Google account you’d like to add a signature to.
4. Select Mobile Signature and type in the appropriate words for your signature.
5. Finish by pressing OK. 

On iPhone & iPad

To create and insert a signature for your iPhone and iPad, follow these steps:

1. Start by ensuring the Gmail app is downloaded and opened.
2. Select Menu and scroll down to the bottom and select Settings.
3. Select your account and then press Signature settings.
4. Activate the setting called Mobile signature.
5. Either choose to add or edit your signature, then press save. 

3. Install an Electronic Signature Plugin or Add-on

Another way to sign email documents is by using an electronic signature plugin/add-on. These are apps that sync directly to any internet browser you’re using. They work by allowing you to sign a document straight from your inbox.

There are a few available electronic signature plugins/add-ons. Here are some popular choices:

• DocuSign e-signature for Chrome
• Eversign Google Chrome Add-on
• DocHub Google Chrome Add-on

DocuSign e-signature for Chrome

DocuSign e-signature for Chrome is DocuSign’s electronic signature Google Chrome plugin. It allows you to sign a document with one click. It syncs with DocuSign’s robust software suite, giving you access to all its bells and whistles.

Eversign Google Chrome Add-on

Eversign’s Google Chrome Add-on lets you sign a document straight from your Gmail account. With it, you can create legal signatures and place them on any document you wish.

DocHub Google Chrome Add-on

DocHub’s Google Chrome Add-on allows you to sign PDF documents in your Gmail inbox with one click. The plugin integrates with DocHub’s powerful suite, giving you complete functionality. With it, signing a PDF file is easy.

Pros

• Electronic signature plugins/add-ons are fast to use
• Most electronic signature plugins/add-ons are free

Cons

• No ability to request a signature from others
• Not as extensive as electronic signature software tools
• Signatures not as high quality as other options out there
• Can’t track entire digitally signed document workflow

Conclusion

This article covered three specific ways to sign a document electronically. This includes digital signature tools like Signaturely and DocuSign. This also included the built-in email provider signature features and electronic signature plugins/add-ons.

We also explained how to use Signaturely to sign a document and create e-signatures on Gmail. After reading this article, you should be able to identify an appropriate solution for your needs.