How to Use the e-Signature Tool for Manually Marking Up a Document

If you have an existing document that requires e-Signatures but wasn't originally set up with e-Signature fields, you can manually mark it up using the Smarter Drafter e-Signature tool. This guide will walk you through how to apply e-Signature fields to a manually uploaded or generated document.

Instructions

1. Upload Your Document

Start by uploading the document you want to mark up for e-signing. In the Smarter Drafter dashboard, click Create > Upload Document.
Select the document file from your computer and click Open to upload it to your account.

2. Access the e-Signature Mark-Up Tool

Once your document is uploaded, open it within Smarter Drafter.
Navigate to More > e-Signature Fields to access the e-Signature mark-up tool. This will display all available signatories that can be added to the document.

3. Select the Signatory

From the e-Signature field options, select the person or entity who will sign the document. You’ll see a list of all mapped contacts or users that are eligible to sign.

4. Choose the e-Signature Field Type

Choose the type of e-Signature field you want to add, including:
- Signature: For the signee’s digital signature.
- Name: Automatically inserts the full name of the signee.
- Initials: Allows the signee to add their initials.
- Date: Automatically inserts the date of signing.
- Capacity: For the role of the signee, if applicable (e.g., CEO, Manager).
- Checkbox: A checkbox to allow the signee to confirm acknowledgment of terms.

5. Insert the e-Signature Field

After selecting the appropriate field type, click on the field you wish to insert.
Position it where you want the e-Signature field to appear in the document.
Repeat this step for any additional signature areas (e.g., at the bottom of each page or near a final clause).

6. Save the Document

Once all e-Signature fields are inserted, review the document to ensure the fields are correctly placed.
Click Save to preserve the marked-up version of the document, which is now ready for e-signing.

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Unable to see e-Signature Fields
Solution: Ensure that you have contact or user mapping applied to the form. Without mapping, e-Signature fields won’t appear in the document.
Issue: The e-Signature field is in the wrong position
Solution: Adjust the formatting or drag the e-Signature field to the correct position within the document. You may need to tweak the document’s layout to make room for the field.