Use Signature and Initials Fields

Signature and Initials are signer-controlled QCDS fields. In the active 2.0.7 signing app, the assigned signer can type or draw the value, QCDS autosaves the exact result, and required signing fields must be complete before that signer can submit.

Place and Assign the Field

  1. Open an editable Template or Request draft in the visual builder.
  2. Place Signature or Initials on the intended PDF page.
  3. Move and resize it so the final mark has enough space.
  4. Assign it to the correct signer role. Interactive signing fields must resolve to exactly one participant before Send Now can succeed.
  5. Enable Required when that signer must complete the field before submitting.

What the Signer Sees

Activating a Signature or Initials field opens the signing dialog. The current 2.0.7 signer interface offers two active entry modes:

  • Typed — the signer enters text that QCDS renders as a signature-style mark.
  • Drawn — the signer draws strokes on the signature pad.

The active signer UI does not present a signature-image upload mode. Do not document or promise an upload workflow for these fields unless a later product version exposes one.

Autosave and the Signing Timestamp

QCDS securely autosaves signer values while the participant is active. When a Signature or Initials value first becomes complete, the server records signed_at_utc for that exact saved value. Re-saving an unchanged value preserves its timestamp; replacing the mark before final submission creates a new value/timestamp relationship.

After the participant is completed, the signing service rejects further value edits for that participant. The completed PDF and audit/evidence path use the saved signing value rather than a live Contact field.

Required vs Optional

If the field is Required, QCDS keeps the participant’s submit action unavailable until a valid typed or drawn value exists. An optional Signature/Initials field can remain blank without blocking completion.

Link a Signed Date When Needed

Use a linked Signed Date when the PDF should show the date associated with a particular Signature or Initials. The date is server-populated from that exact signing event; the signer does not type it manually.

Verify Before Production Use

  1. Validate and publish the Template.
  2. Create a controlled Request.
  3. Open the signer link and test both the signing field and any linked date.
  4. Confirm required-field completion, final PDF placement, and the expected audit evidence.

Community Discussion

Want to compare workflows, share practical tips, or discuss how you use this QCDS feature? Visit the QC Digital Signature Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.