What is wet ink signing?
Asked by: Prof. Lyric Lakin I | Last update: March 31, 2025Score: 5/5 (58 votes)
Wet ink signature, commonly called a wet signature, is a term to describe the process of signing a physical paper document, form or contract with pen and ink. It's often used to distinguish pen and paper signatures from electronic signatures or e-signatures.
What does signing in wet ink mean?
A wet signature means you've physically “signed” a document with a pen, seal, or other identifying mark on a physical piece of paper. Although e-signatures have become more common, certain circumstances require wet signatures, such as when signing for wills, trusts, adoptions, and divorce proceedings.
What is the difference between wet ink and dry ink signature?
The difference between a wet and dry signature is that a wet signature is usually created on paper and using ink or pens. By comparison, dry signatures don't use ink and include signing methods like electronic signatures.
How to do a wet ink signature?
A wet signature requires some type of pen, usually filled with black ink, or a stamp with your initials, signature, or other approved seal. To create a wet ink signature simply sign a printed or photocopied document in cursive, initial, or stamp the document in the designated spaces.
What is another name for a wet ink signature?
A wet signature is a handwritten mark of approval on a physical document, such as a contract, agreement, or proposal. Generally, “wet signature" is known under various names, such as: Handwritten signature. Physical signature.
Signing a PDF Doc | Wet Ink Signature | Windows 10
Is DocuSign considered a wet signature?
Today, an electronic signature can carry the same weight and legal effect as traditional wet signatures on paper documents in most cases.
What is the best ink for a signature?
Reach for the blue ink pen! Banks prefer blue because it's easier to verify that the signature is legitimate and the documents are original when they're signed in blue ink. Unlike black ink, a blue ink signature isn't as easy to reproduce.
What is an example of a wet signature?
A wet signature (also called wet ink signature) is a mark placed on a physical document with a pen, pencil, or any other writing tool to show an agreement between two or more parties-whether that's people or institutions. For example, a handwritten signature on a mortgage deed, or on a divorce agreement.
Does a wet signature need to be in blue ink?
A wet signature carries an ancient touch of authentication. It is the process of putting your signature on a piece of paper using an inking pen. This traditional form of signature, often written in black or blue ink, provides legal enforcement to documents and contracts.
Is it still a wet signature is scanned?
Wet signatures: Customers need to print documents, physically sign them, scan them and email them or send the document via overnight mail. This process can be inconvenient and expensive. Electronic signatures: The online process involves straightforward steps for reviewing and signing documents.
How long does it take wet ink to dry?
Some inks are formulated to dry quickly, while others may take longer. It's important to note that some fountain pen inks can take up to several seconds to dry, while others can dry almost immediately.
How do I get a wet signature without a printer?
Using an E-Signature App to Convert a Wet Signature
The fastest and easiest way to convert a wet signature is through an eSignature app like Signaturely. You do not need to print the document to sign it. Signaturely is a free PDF signer app you can download onto your computer or mobile device.
What is the best ink for signing documents?
Black ink is still the best pen for signature on most legal documents. Despite blue ink's popularity, most professional documents and forms require us to use black ink. If you're applying for a new job, for instance, you may have to use a black ink pen.
How do you wet dry ink?
If your ink is too dry and you want it wetter, you can add a drop of an ink additive like White Lighting, which will lubricate it and make it flow better.
How do you affix a wet signature?
- The singer (signatory) downloads a PDF or Word document with the field requiring their wet signature or personal seal.
- The signer prints the document.
- The signer physically signs the document.
Is ballpoint pen wet ink?
“Wet”, of course, refers to the fact that a paper document was physically signed with ink. Some fountain pen inks can take 60 or more seconds to dry. Even though ink from a ballpoint pen takes only a few seconds to dry, this is still considered a wet signature.
Do notaries use blue or black ink?
Notarizing: Although there is no law about which ink color should be used to notarize documents (in fact, a law requiring that notary public signatures be in black was repealed in 20131) most notaries prefer blue ink. It's easy to tell an original from a copy.
Why can't you use blue ink on legal documents?
“It is easier to assume that the document is `original` if it is signed in blue ink.” And with the sophistication of today`s technology, it`s entirely reasonable that a copy could be mistaken for an original. It is not difficult to imagine the various documents that could be changed for shameful purposes.
Can you DocuSign divorce papers?
In the U.S., the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) excludes certain categories of document from e-signature. These include: Wills or testamentary trusts. Family law documents like divorce or adoption papers.
What is the alternative to a wet signature?
Electronic signatures: a modern approach
These include digital signatures, click-to-sign, and other secure forms of authentication. Crucially, they have gained widespread legal recognition globally, making them a viable and often superior option to wet signatures.
How can you tell if a signature is wet?
The traditional type of pen-on-paper signature is called a wet signature because you're using ink to sign the paper with your hand.
Why is it called a wet signature?
Wet signatures were the traditional method of formalizing agreements before the rise of digital alternatives and is still used in specific cases where a physical mark is necessary. It's called “wet” because the ink needs to dry, unlike digital signatures that are all about clicking a button or tapping on a screen.
What is the best style of signature?
- 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.
Do signatures have to be in ink?
While in many circumstances electronically signing documents is easier for all parties involved, for commercial loans and real estate transactions, wet ink original signatures are still required.
Is blue or black Sharpie better for autographs?
I would suggest always going with a blue sharpie if the photo allows for it. Won't fade as quickly as a black sharpie. If you are having a hockey puck autographed with an inscription, go with an extra fine paint pen. This will allow the athlete to write those legibly.