JSignPdf Tools

JSignPdf Tools is an enhanced version of JSignPdf, focused on improving the desktop workflow for visible PDF signatures and technical document approval.

The project keeps the original JSignPdf signing capabilities while adding workflow and user-interface improvements developed on top of the upstream project.

Note: JSignPdf Tools is an independent derivative project and is not the official JSignPdf distribution.

Current enhancements

Compared with the upstream JSignPdf application, this project currently includes:

• Improved visible-signature preview

  • More accurate preview of the final signature appearance.
  • Improved correspondence between the preview and the signed PDF.
  • Better handling of display DPI and preview scaling.

• Interactive signature placement

  • Move the visible signature directly on the PDF preview.
  • Resize it interactively using the mouse.
  • Cursor feedback for moving and resizing the signature rectangle.

• Improved signature rendering

  • Adjustments to OpenPDF visible-signature rendering.
  • Improved text positioning and layout.
  • Improved timestamp substitution.
  • Support for custom date and time formatting in visible signature text.

• Configurable output filename suffix

  • Allows the output suffix to be selected directly from the interface.
  • Useful for document approval workflows requiring different signature states or signers.

Custom timestamp formatting

Visible signature text supports custom date and time formatting.

The original timestamp placeholder remains available:

${timestamp}

A custom format can be specified after a colon:

${timestamp:yyyy.MM.dd}

Example output:

2026.08.13

Other examples:

${timestamp:dd.MM.yyyy}
${timestamp:yyyy-MM-dd}
${timestamp:dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm}
${timestamp:yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss}

The format follows Java date/time pattern conventions.

Common pattern letters:

• yyyy — four-digit year
• MM — month
• dd — day of month
• HH — hour in 24-hour format (00–23)
• mm — minutes
• ss — seconds

Note: MM means month, while mm means minutes.

Using a custom format changes only the visible representation of the timestamp. The digital signature and its cryptographic timestamping mechanisms remain independent of this display format.

Project status

JSignPdf Tools is under active development.

The current code is based on the JSignPdf 3.1.x codebase. New functionality is developed in the main branch while the original JSignPdf repository is retained as the upstream source for future synchronization.

Upstream project

JSignPdf is an open-source Java desktop application for digitally signing PDF documents.

Official project:

https://github.com/intoolswetrust/jsignpdf

Official website:

https://jsignpdf.eu/

JSignPdf supports, among other features:

• PKCS#12 software certificates
• PKCS#11 hardware tokens and smartcards
• RFC 3161 timestamping
• OCSP and CRL information
• Visible PDF signatures
• OpenPDF and PAdES signing engines
• Command-line and batch signing

Building from source

JSignPdf Tools currently follows the build requirements of the upstream JSignPdf project.

Requirements:

• Java 21
• Apache Maven

Build with:

mvn clean install

Generated artifacts are placed under:

distribution/target/

Repository structure

This repository preserves the original JSignPdf source tree and development history.

The Git configuration used during development is:

origin    -> JSignPdf Tools repository
upstream  -> official JSignPdf repository

This allows upstream JSignPdf changes to be incorporated while keeping JSignPdf Tools development separate.

License

JSignPdf Tools is derived from JSignPdf and retains the licensing terms of the original project.

The source code is dual-licensed under:

• Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL 2.0)
• GNU Lesser General Public License 2.1 (LGPL 2.1)

See License.md for the complete license information.

Credits

JSignPdf Tools is based on the work of the JSignPdf project and its contributors.

Original project:

JSignPdf — intoolswetrust/jsignpdf

This repository contains modifications and extensions developed for JSignPdf Tools.