There are many ways to create a self-signed digital signature certificate (also called a digital ID), but PDF Impress provides the easiest way to generate and automatically store it in the Windows Certificate Store so it can be used with its signing function. Read below to see how this work.

Generate a Self-signed Certificate from PDF Impress

  1. Launch PDF Impress.
  2. Click on Profiles then click on Any Profile icon ( e.g. Standard) and then on Edit selected profile.
  3. Click on Add task and add Digital Signature task.
  4. Click on Create button.
  5. Enter your information. When you sign a document, this will appear in the Signatures panel.
  6. Click OK to generate and store the Certificate.
  7. Certificate will be automatically imported into open Digital Signature task.

PDF_Impress_selfsign_cert


Generate a Self-signed Certificate from Adobe Reader DC

Do the following to generate a self-signed key with Adobe Reader:

  1. Launch Adobe Reader DC.
  2. Choose Edit > Preferences > Signatures.
  3. Select Identities & Trusted Certificates and click More.
  4. Click on Add ID  and select the option A New Digital ID I Want To Create Now, and click Next.
  5. Select Windows Certificate Store, and click Next.
  6. Enter your information, when you sign a document, this will appear in the Signatures panel.
  7. Select 1024-bit RSA from the Key Algorithm option (it is the most compatible).
  8. Select Digital Signatures and Data Encryption from the Use Digital ID for option.
  9. Click Finish to generate and store the ID.

Re-use the Self-signed Certificate with PDF Impress

After you generate the self-signed key, you can use it with PDF Impress. Do the following:

  1. Add the Digital Signature task to any Profile.
  2. Click Select… in Select Certificate and choose your Digital ID from the list, then click OK.
  3. Certificate will be imported into task.
  4. Fill the rest of the fields and click Back to main window icon to store task.

Note: Self Signed Digital Certificates use “blank” for password. It provides the same level of document tamper-resistance as paid certificate. However since this certificate is self-signed it does not provide signer identity verification through third party CA. Digital Signature can be also accessed through PDF Impress Workroom or through right click on PDF file in File Explorer. If authenticity of signer is imported use purchased signatures from any CA which is in AATL (Adobe Approved Trust List) list. PDF Impress 10 was fully tested with Symantec PKI Service and certificates from this provider.

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