All of us can vividly remember the first time we created our own handwritten signatures.
Some of us replicated the signature styles of our parents, some of us added hearts next to our names, and some of us just wrote scribbles.
Now that we’re all grown up — and need a signature style that matches the aesthetics of the real world — we’re presenting you with a few signature designs in this blog.
See for yourself which style you’ll like — we’re providing a buffet of signature ideas to pick from, as names like Mozart, JK Rowling, Reid Hoffman, and Jack Dorsey are competing against one another.
And who knows, maybe your childhood piano teacher was wrong this whole time — turns out you and Mozart have something in common after all!
Key takeaways
- Different signatures can signify different personality traits. For example, someone who is more private and straightforward may be revealed simply based upon their unique signature.
- Your signature design has meaning too — if you sign with lots of space between letters, it signifies you like keeping people at arm’s length.
- PandaDoc’s editor allows you and your clients to create different signature styles for free (and customize fonts and colors as well).
Famous examples of signature styles you can emulate
Signatures have served as style statements for some of the most prominent figures throughout history.
So, let’s look at some of the best signature styles by some of the most famous people.
1. Mozart
You can often find Mozart’s signature in his compositional works.
And aside from the fact his signature proves to be a work of art (just like his melodies), his signature also signifies Mozart was a creative person who took his time crafting things that cannot be easily replicated.
2. Walt Disney
Walt Disney’s signature is so iconic, everyone knows of it (and many people have gone as far as buying prints of it).
The famous Disney logo was also crafted based on this design.
His signature goes to prove just how imaginative and original Walt was (however, the earlier versions of this signature weren’t so fluid, and his signature became more creative as he grew as an artist).
Some renditions of this signature also feature the image of Mickey Mouse.
3. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is widely renowned for her legacy as a female icon.
While there are many things about her that depict her feminine style, including her walking, talking, and makeup style, her stylish signature is one of the things that often goes unnoticed.
Due to the cursive nature of her signatures (and the calligraphy she uses), you can see her elegance, flair, creativity, confidence, and femininity spark through the pages.
4. JK Rowling
JK Rowling’s signature, due to her Harry Potter fame, is one of the most valuable signatures in the world.
And the reason why it’s so distinct is because, like many other signers, JK Rowling, doesn’t completely spell out her name or make it fancy.
Instead, her signature is imaginative (as we would expect from the author of a fantasy novel), and shows the use of Rowling’s creativity.
5. Jack Dorsey
If “getting to the point quickly” had a face, it would be of Twitter’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey’s. Why do we say this?
Well, his love for 280-character tweets ought to prove as much. But, if we were to drive the point home, another example would be his simple signature.
While Jack prefers to sign unofficial documents as “@jack,” the above image is his professional signature, which also proves he’s straightforward as a person, and wants to communicate quickly by stating his name shortly without any added fanciness.
6. Reid Hoffman
LinkedIn’s co-founder, Reid Hoffman, has a tidy but hurried scrawl, which is put in a professional manner.
This proves Reid is someone who is extremely professional (we would expect nothing less from LinkedIn’s co-founder), but he also has a million things to do, which explains the hurry present in his signature.
7. Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut was known for being a free thinker, and one thing that clearly proves he was (aside from his literary works, interviews, and humor) is his signature.
His cool signature does not adhere to traditional norms — it is less a signature, more a self-portrait. Still, it shows us that Kurt was a thought leader, a creative person, and truly a free spirit.
8. Jane Austen
Jane Austen was known as a ring-bearer for the rise of early feminism, and her beautiful signature proves she was an elegant and feminine lady, who was also an imaginative person (which can be assumed by the flair her signature has).
9. Banksy
Today, many works of art get sold for millions of dollars if they have a Banksy-original signature.
This signature goes to show Banksy is a person who is nonconforming and unafraid to showcase their thoughts/ideas.
And the way the B, K, S, and Y are scrawled also shows that they are an inventive person.
10. John Hancock
John Hancock’s signature is known for its boldness and elegance (remember the phrase, “Put your John Hancock here” when asked to sign something?).
Aside from these attributes, his signature goes on to show he was an extremely courageous and confident person, who also had an artistic flair.
Different types of signatures that exist, and the significance each one carries
Now that we have some impressive signatures to serve as inspiration, let’s take a look at the meatier bits and explore the different types of signatures that exist.
1. Handwritten signatures
Handwritten signatures are traditional signatures/wet signatures that you can draw with a pen on paper. These signatures are often used to sign official documents, like contracts and agreements.
2. Electronic signatures
Electronic signatures are needed in the case of electronic agreements and contracts. These signatures can either be drawn, typed, or uploaded. Due to the ESIGN Act, all e-signatures are considered to be legally valid in the USA.
3. Digital signatures
Digital signatures are basically electronic signatures, except they have an extra layer of authentication, which is the digital signature certificate.
These digital signature certificates authenticate the signer’s identity so the other party knows the intended person has signed the contract.
4. Stamps
For famous people or organizations, stamps essentially serve as a signature of that person/organization. People who use stamps may sign documents along with stamps or may use seals.
5. Autographs
Autographs are a type of stylized signature usually used by celebrities (such as authors, actors, musicians, etc.) for informal documents or mementos.
The autographs can either be the person’s initials or their own signatures.
Signing best practices you need to know
Next up, if you’re planning to redesign your own signature or create your signature or start signing autographs for the first time, here are a few best practices and signature tips you should know:
1. Make it legible and easy to read
A signature’s legibility signifies how open or private you are as a person. For example, if you only sign in initials with an illegible scrawl, you’d be considered a very private person, but if you sign with your full name and clearly, it signifies that you have nothing to hide.
2. Focus on the design and size
A highly stylized signature (such as Walt Disney’s) indicates that you’re a creative person with flair.
Signature experts suggest:
- If you style your signatures with a full stop, it means that you’re a serious person
- If you use long lines in your signature, it means you have determination
- If you use underline, it signifies you might be a proud person
- If you use loops, you’re someone with large dreams and lots of passion
- If you use small sizing, it means you’re shy as a person
- And if you use medium letters, it signifies you’re well-adjusted; if you use large letters, it means you’re outgoing!
3. Notice the angle, spacing, and pressure
The angles, spacing, and pressure you put in your signatures can say a lot about you as a person too.
For example, if you have a straight slant to your signatures, it means you’re someone who’s extremely well-organized.
Conversely, if your signature has an upward slant, it means you’re creative and bold, but if it has a downward slant, it means you’re averse to risk.
Similarly, less space between the letters in your signature means that you’re someone who likes to keep people close to them, but more spacing signifies you prefer to keep a distance.
And lastly, if you use more pressure in your signature, it shows you’re quick to act, but on the other hand, if you use less pressure, it means you’re calm and collected.
4. Make sure you sign securely
The most important best practice of all is to not only focus on your signature, but to also focus on where you sign, which software you use, and what you agree to.
Always ensure:
- The software you use adheres to the ESIGN Act
- You’ve understood all the terms and conditions in an agreement
- You have trust in the agreement you’ll be a party to
How to create a signature in PandaDoc
If you’ve been wondering, “how to create a signature style of my own name,” let’s introduce you to the best part of this article: How to create a signature in PandaDoc.
First and foremost, open your document in PandaDoc’s editor. Next up, click on the Signature icon from the content fields on the right.
Conversely, there are options for Stamp and Initials, too —- you can click on them if they seem more appropriate.
A new dialog box will open once you click on the Signature option. Here, you can either draw, upload, or type your signature. You can also choose the fonts and colors you want here.
After everything is done, click on “Accept and Sign.”
Securely send your documents for e-signing
Let’s imagine you’ve gone through the whole nine yards, picked out your unique signature, adhered to best practices, and learned how to sign your documents for free in PandaDoc. What’s next?
Well, if you’re in the midst of signing a contract or an agreement, the next step would be to send this document to the other party so they can securely sign it, too.
And that’s where PandaDoc comes in.
Our solution is an A to Z e-signature platform that allows you to create, sign and send unlimited documents. You can customize different styles of signatures, too.
To completely understand PandaDoc’s capabilities, we suggest signing up for a free demo. It won’t take more than 15 minutes of your time!
Disclaimer
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