How to Draw on PDF

PDF files have become a standard format for sharing documents. Whether you're reviewing contracts, filling out forms, or annotating reports, you may find the need to draw directly on a PDF to highlight key points, add personal notes, or make visual explanations. But how can you easily draw on a PDF without complicated software? In this guide, we'll walk you through simple steps to draw on PDFs using DocFly and show you how to do so across different devices, including macOS, Windows, and mobile. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just looking to edit PDFs on the go, this guide will help you enhance your documents effortlessly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Draw on PDF with DocFly

Step 1: Upload Your PDF to DocFly

Begin by navigating to the DocFly website and uploading your PDF document. You can either click on the "Click to upload your file" button or simply drag and drop your file into the designated upload area. If your file is stored in cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, you can easily import it from there as well.

Step 2: Access the PDF Editor

Once the file is uploaded, open the editor by clicking on the file name or selecting the "…" dropdown menu next to the file and choosing "Edit."

Step 3: Draw on PDF with Annotation Tools

Click on the “Draw” button in the toolbar inside DocFly’s PDF annotator. As shown below, the PDF drawing feature allows you to choose both the color and width of your tool. Beyond the freehand tool, you can also draw lines and other shapes using the “Shapes” feature. You can also insert icons and emojis using the “Icons” tool. Finally, DocFly includes a range of PDF tools allowing you to add other elements (such as a text box) or create PDF forms and more.  

Step 4: Save and Export Your Edited PDF

When you're done editing, click the “Save” button to apply your changes. To view your changes, open DocFly’s PDF reader to ensure you are happy with the results. To export or share the document, select the “Export” button. From here, you can download the file to your device, print it, or export it directly to Dropbox or Google Drive.

Drawing on PDFs on Different Devices

How to Draw on PDF on Windows

Windows users have several options to draw on PDFs, one of the most user-friendly being Microsoft Edge. Here's how to do it:

• Open the PDF in Microsoft Edge.
• Click on the "Draw" icon in the toolbar (it looks like a pen).
• Select the pen color and thickness from the dropdown menu.
• Use your mouse, stylus, or touchscreen to draw directly on the PDF.
• Save the file to apply the changes.

Alternatively, you can use other software like Adobe Acrobat Reader or third-party apps for more advanced drawing tools.

How to Draw on PDF on macOS

macOS users can easily draw on PDFs using the built-in Preview app, which offers a range of annotation tools. Here’s how:

• Open the PDF file in Preview.
• Click on the "Markup" toolbar icon (it looks like a pencil inside a circle).
• Select the "Draw" tool from the options.
• Use your trackpad or mouse to draw on the PDF. You can also change the color and thickness of the lines.
• When you're done, save the file to keep your changes.

How to Draw on PDF on Mobile Devices

If you're on the go you can easily draw on PDFs using free online PDF editors that work directly from your mobile web browser. For more detailed instructions, see our previous blog post on how to edit PDFs on iPhone. Here’s how to do it:

• Open a free online PDF editor, such as DocFly or Smallpdf, in your mobile browser.
• Upload the PDF file you want to edit.
• Once the file is open, look for the "Draw" or "Annotate" tool in the editing toolbar.
• Use your finger or stylus to draw directly on the PDF.
• After completing your annotations, download the edited PDF back to your device.

FAQs

Q1: Can I draw on a scanned PDF document?

Yes, you can draw on scanned PDF documents just like any other PDF file. Most PDF editors, including free online tools like DocFly and Smallpdf, allow you to add drawings or annotations to scanned PDFs. However, if you need to edit the text within a scanned document, you may need to use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which some editors offer, to convert PDF into editable text.

Q2: Can I undo or redo my drawings if I make a mistake?

Yes, most PDF editors, whether online or desktop-based, provide undo and redo functions. After drawing on a PDF, you can typically undo mistakes by clicking the undo button (usually an arrow pointing left) or pressing the "Ctrl + Z" (Windows) or "Cmd + Z" (macOS) keyboard shortcut. Similarly, you can redo actions by using the redo button or pressing "Ctrl + Y" (Windows) or "Cmd + Y" (macOS).

Q3: Are there any limitations to drawing on PDFs with free tools?

While free PDF editors often provide basic drawing and annotation features, they may have limitations compared to premium tools. For instance, you might encounter file size limits, limited cloud storage, watermarked output files, or fewer drawing options, such as color or line thickness customization. If you need more advanced features, upgrading to a paid version might be necessary.

Q4: Can I draw on PDFs without an internet connection?

Yes, if you prefer to work offline, many desktop PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview (on macOS) allow you to annotate PDFs without needing an internet connection. You simply need to install the software in advance, and then you can open and edit PDFs anytime, even without access to the web.