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Pre-signing proposals and contracts
Proposals have one e-signature slot reserved for the client. Contracts support multiple signees, so dual signing works natively there. To show your own signature on a proposal alongside the client's, you add a block above the client's signature block containing your pre-drawn signature, your name, title, and any other details you want. The client sees both signatures on the document, signs in the interactive signature field, and the final PDF captures everything together.
Why proposals have one signature slot
Proposals follow the client acceptance flow: the client reviews the content, agrees to the pricing, and signs to accept. The signature block on a proposal is tied to the assigned client contact and can't be removed or duplicated. When a proposal includes a linked contract, the contract's own signature logic takes over for multi-party signing. The proposal itself stays single-signer by design.
If you need both parties to sign electronically with full legal capture on each side, use a standalone contract where you can add yourself and the client as separate signees.
Adding your signature to a proposal
Prepare your signature image first. Sign on paper and scan it, draw your signature in any drawing app and export it as a PNG, or use the signature pad inside any Plutio contract to sign, then screenshot or export that image. A transparent-background PNG works best so your signature blends into the document regardless of the section's background colour.
You have two options for the block type:
- Image block - if you only need the signature image on its own.
- Content block - if you want to combine your signature image with text like your full name, title, company name, or a date line. A content block is a rich text editor, so you can type your details and insert the signature image inline, all in one block.
- Open the proposal in the block editor.
- Click the + button to add a new block. Select Image or Content from the Sections tab depending on what you need.
- For an image block: upload your signature image and resize it to look proportional to the document. Most signatures work well at around 200-300 pixels wide.
- For a content block: type your name, title, and any other details you want to appear alongside your signature. Then insert your signature image into the content using the editor's image tool. You can position the image above or below the text, whichever looks right for your layout.
- Position the block directly above the client's Signature block by dragging it into place.
- Preview the proposal to confirm your pre-signed section and the client's signing area appear together in the right order.
When the client opens the proposal, they see your signature already in place and sign underneath it in the interactive signature field. The signed PDF captures both.
Saving it as a template
Once you've set up the block the way you want it, save the proposal as a template so every future proposal starts with your signature already in place. You can also save just the signature section as a block template:
- Hover over the section that contains your signature block.
- Click the section menu (the three-dot icon on the section header) and select Save to templates.
- Name the template something like "My signature block" and save it.
The saved block template appears in the Templates tab of the block adder. On any new proposal, click +, switch to Templates, and insert your saved signature section in one click. The template preserves the image, text, sizing, and layout exactly as you set it up.
The same approach on contracts
Contracts support multiple signees natively, so you can add yourself and the client as separate signees and both sign electronically with full legal capture (timestamp, IP address, and device details on each signature). If you still prefer the pre-signed approach on a contract for visual consistency or speed, the same steps apply: add an image or content block with your signature above the signee section.
For proposals that include a linked contract, the contract portion handles its own signatures independently. You can add yourself as a signee on the linked contract while keeping the pre-signed image approach on the proposal side.
Tips
- Use a transparent PNG - a white background on your signature image will cover the section's background colour if you've customised it.
- Match the width - keep your signature image roughly the same width as the client's signature field so the document looks balanced.
- Mirror the client's layout - the client's signature section shows their name and email after signing. If you use a content block, include the same kind of details (your full name, title, and company name) alongside your signature image so both sides of the document look consistent.
- Clients can't edit your block - only you and your team can edit the proposal in the editor. The pre-signed block stays exactly where you placed it, so the client can't move or remove it.
