How to disable "Adopt a Signature" and force "Draw Signature" in API?

Navigating Signature Options in eSignature APIs: A Practical Guide

In the evolving landscape of digital agreements, businesses increasingly rely on eSignature platforms to streamline workflows while ensuring compliance and user control. One common challenge arises when customizing the signing experience through APIs, particularly in controlling how signers provide their signatures. This article explores the technical nuances of disabling the “Adopt a Signature” option and enforcing “Draw Signature” via API integrations, drawing from established platforms like DocuSign. From a business perspective, such customizations can enhance security, reduce friction in high-volume signing processes, and align with organizational policies on authentication. We’ll delve into the implementation details before broadening to market observations and competitive insights.

Understanding Signature Methods in eSignature APIs

eSignature APIs, such as those offered by DocuSign, provide developers with granular control over the signing interface. “Adopt a Signature” typically allows users to select from pre-typed or stylized font-based signatures, which can be convenient but may not meet strict compliance needs in regulated industries like finance or healthcare. In contrast, “Draw Signature” requires users to manually draw their signature using a stylus or mouse, offering a more personalized and verifiable input method. Forcing this option via API ensures consistency and can mitigate risks associated with automated or templated signatures.

From a commercial standpoint, businesses adopting these customizations often aim to balance user experience with auditability. In high-stakes environments, drawn signatures provide stronger evidentiary value, as they capture unique biometric-like traits. However, implementing this requires precise API calls to avoid default behaviors that include multiple options.

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Disabling “Adopt a Signature” and Forcing “Draw Signature” in DocuSign API

DocuSign’s eSignature API is a robust tool for embedding signing capabilities into applications, supporting RESTful endpoints for envelope creation and signer management. To disable “Adopt a Signature” and enforce “Draw Signature,” developers must configure the signing component at the tab or field level during envelope creation. This process involves the Envelopes API, specifically when defining SignHere tabs or signature fields.

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

1. Prerequisites and Setup:

   • Ensure you have a DocuSign developer account and API credentials (Integration Key, Account ID, and User ID). Access the API via the DocuSign Developer Center.
   • Use the REST API v2.1, as it’s the current standard for envelope operations. Libraries like the DocuSign eSign SDK (available in Java, .NET, Python, etc.) simplify authentication via OAuth 2.0.
   • Understand envelope structure: An envelope contains documents, recipients (signers), and tabs (fields like signatures).

2. Create the Envelope with Custom Signature Tabs:

   • Start by initiating an envelope creation request using the /envelopes POST endpoint.
   • In the request body, define recipients and attach a signHereTab for the signature field.
   • Key to enforcement: Set the signatureType property. DocuSign supports types like “DRAW” for drawn signatures. To disable “Adopt a Signature” (which falls under typed or styled options), explicitly configure the tab to restrict to drawing only.

   Example JSON payload snippet for the recipient and tab (using REST API):

   {
     "status": "sent",
     "emailSubject": "Please sign this document",
     "documents": [
       {
         "documentBase64": "BASE64_ENCODED_DOCUMENT",
         "name": "Agreement.pdf",
         "fileExtension": "pdf",
         "documentId": "1"
       }
     ],
     "recipients": {
       "signers": [
         {
           "email": "signer@example.com",
           "name": "John Doe",
           "recipientId": "1",
           "tabs": {
             "signHereTabs": [
               {
                 "anchorString": "/SigHere/",
                 "documentId": "1",
                 "pageNumber": "1",
                 "signatureType": "DRAW",  // Forces draw-only mode
                 "optional": "false",
                 "ignoreIfUnused": "false",
                 "allowSignersToDecline": "false"  // Prevents opting out
               }
             ]
           }
         }
       ]
     },
     "eventNotification": {
       // Optional: Webhook for status updates
     }
   }
   

   • Here, signatureType: "DRAW" limits the signer to drawing. DocuSign’s default UI includes options like typed, drawn, or uploaded images, but specifying “DRAW” hides alternatives like “Adopt a Signature” in the embedded signing view.

3. Embedded Signing for Controlled Experience:

   • For in-app signing (e.g., via iframe), use the /envelopes/{envelopeId}/views/recipient endpoint to generate a signing URL.

   • Append query parameters to the request: Set SignatureType=DRAW in the recipient view configuration to reinforce the restriction.

   • Example cURL for embedded view:

     curl -X POST "https://demo.docusign.net/restapi/v2.1/accounts/{accountId}/envelopes/{envelopeId}/views/recipient"
     -H "Authorization: Bearer {accessToken}"
     -H "Content-Type: application/json"
     -d '{
       "returnUrl": "https://yourapp.com/return",
       "userName": "John Doe",
       "email": "signer@example.com",
       "clientUserId": "1000",
       "signatureType": "DRAW"  // Enforces draw in embedded session
     }'
     

   • This returns a URL where the signing ceremony is pre-configured for drawing only, bypassing style adoption prompts.

4. Advanced Configurations and Limitations:

   • Conditional Enforcement: Use conditionalFields in tabs to apply rules based on prior actions (e.g., only draw if identity is verified).
   • Mobile Considerations: On touch devices, “DRAW” leverages canvas input; test for compatibility to avoid fallback to typed options.
   • API Quotas: Under DocuSign’s API plans (e.g., Advanced at $5,760/year for bulk features), envelope creation counts toward quotas (~100/month base). Overages incur metered fees.
   • Testing and Compliance: Always test in the DocuSign sandbox. For regulated use, ensure drawn signatures align with standards like ESIGN Act (U.S.) or eIDAS (EU), where biometric inputs enhance non-repudiation.
   • Common Pitfalls: If signatureType is omitted, defaults include all methods. Also, custom branding templates might override UI restrictions—review via the Templates API.

5. Integration Best Practices:

   • Use webhooks (via Connect API) to monitor completion and verify drawn signature integrity.
   • For scalability, implement in languages like Node.js or Python with SDKs: e.g., envelope_definition.add_sign_here_tab(SignatureType='draw').
   • Business Impact: This setup reduces signing abandonment by 20-30% in controlled flows, per industry benchmarks, while bolstering audit trails.

Implementing these steps typically takes 1-2 days for experienced developers, but it empowers businesses to tailor experiences for sectors demanding high authenticity, such as legal or procurement.

Overview of Key eSignature Platforms

The eSignature market, valued at over $10 billion in 2025, is driven by digital transformation and remote work. Platforms like DocuSign lead with comprehensive API ecosystems, but alternatives offer varied strengths in pricing, compliance, and regional focus. Below, we examine major players from a neutral commercial lens, highlighting their API capabilities for signature customization.

DocuSign: The Enterprise Standard

DocuSign dominates with its eSignature and API offerings, powering integrations for over 1 million customers. Its Developer API includes advanced features like Bulk Send and PowerForms, enabling custom signing workflows. Pricing starts at $600/year for Starter API plans, scaling to custom Enterprise tiers. While robust for global use, APAC latency and per-seat costs can challenge regional scalability.

Adobe Sign: Seamless Integration Focus

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, excels in creative and enterprise workflows, integrating natively with Acrobat and Microsoft tools. Its API supports signature enforcement similar to DocuSign, using REST endpoints to set “draw-only” modes via field configurations. Plans range from $10/user/month (Individual) to enterprise custom, emphasizing ease for PDF-heavy processes. However, advanced API features require higher tiers, and global compliance is strong but less specialized in APAC ecosystems.

eSignGlobal: APAC-Optimized Challenger

eSignGlobal positions itself as a cost-effective alternative, supporting compliance in 100 mainstream countries globally, with particular advantages in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. APAC’s electronic signature landscape is fragmented, featuring high standards and strict regulations that demand ecosystem-integrated solutions—unlike the more framework-based ESIGN (U.S.) or eIDAS (EU) models, which rely on email verification or self-declaration. In APAC, platforms must enable deep hardware/API integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities, a technical hurdle far exceeding Western norms.

eSignGlobal addresses this through native support for tools like Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, ensuring seamless, legally binding signatures. Its Professional plan includes API access without separate developer fees, allowing draw-only enforcement via customizable signing tabs. Pricing is transparent and competitive: The Essential plan costs just $16.6/month (annual), enabling up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and access code verification—all on a compliant foundation. This makes it highly cost-effective for growing teams, especially in APAC where cross-border needs amplify costs for U.S.-centric providers. eSignGlobal is actively expanding globally, including in Europe and the Americas, to compete head-on with incumbents through lower barriers and regional optimizations.

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HelloSign (Dropbox Sign): User-Friendly Entry Point

HelloSign, now under Dropbox, offers intuitive API tools for small-to-medium businesses, with easy signature customization including draw enforcement. Free tiers exist, but paid plans start at $15/month/user, focusing on simplicity over enterprise-scale features.

Competitive Comparison: eSignature Platforms at a Glance

To aid decision-making, here’s a neutral overview of key platforms based on pricing, API flexibility, and compliance strengths (2025 data; actuals may vary).

This table underscores how choices depend on scale, region, and needs—DocuSign for breadth, eSignGlobal for APAC efficiency.

Final Thoughts on eSignature Strategy

Customizing APIs for signature control, as detailed, is pivotal for secure digital processes. Businesses should evaluate platforms holistically, considering total cost and regional fit. For DocuSign users seeking alternatives, eSignGlobal emerges as a solid choice for regional compliance in APAC, offering balanced features without the premium pricing.