Signing documents is something that I really don’t enjoy doing, especially when there’s twenty pages that I have to initial first. In a digital age, we can sometimes go weeks without picking up a pen.

DocuSign Ink for iOS is an app that makes sure you don’t have to pick up a pen for longer than that.

This app is absolutely gorgeous and can save you time and money by canceling out printing, scanning, faxing, and all of that stuff we no longer like to do. It’s good for the environment too, since you’re saving paper that’s just going to be scanned back into the computer and emailed anyway.

DocuSign Ink, is free, and serves as your inbox for documents that need your review, initials, and signature.

No more paper, yay!

If someone sends you a standard contract, usually you have to initial each page and sign the last one. This can range from any legal document including a contract for a new job, or the lawsuit against your obnoxious landlord.

You can import a document, or take a picture of one using your iDevice. First, you have to store your digital signature though. If you’re familiar with paying for things with Square, you just use your finger to sign, and DocuSign Ink will store it with your identity for re-use. Again, this is a complete time-saver.

Once your signature is stored, it’s time to sign some documents. You can use any PDF or Word doc that is attached to an email and has the option to “Open In” within iOS. Once the document is open, you’re given a toolbar to use your saved initials, name, or signature.

You simply pick the signature, and drag it to wherever X marks the spot. Once you’ve applied your signature, tap finish, and a PDF will be created and inserted into an email automagically. This app is really amazing.

Throw out that clunky scanner

Since iDevices have such great cameras, you can easily take a picture of a document on the fly instead of having to scan it like you normally would. This is perfect if someone has sent you something that has a deadline and absolutely needs to be signed. Of course, keeping the originals and perhaps following up with a proper signed and scanned version isn’t a bad idea, DocuSign Ink will do the trick. Since you’ve signed it personally, albeit with your finger, it’s a legal signature.

Simply take a photo, and it will be imported as a document and placed in your DocuSign Ink inbox. To sign it, simply open it and drag in your signature. The final signed document will again be exported as a PDF and placed in an empty email, ready to go.

This is an absolute must-have app for iOS. I can’t even count how many times this could have helped me in a pinch when I had to sign some things for a lawyer, tax purposes, or for insurance. The web version of DocuSign Ink serves as a desktop inbox, letting you view, export, and import docs to sign. The app is what makes this a time-saver though.

The only unfortunate thing is when you’re taking photos of documents, you can only store up to five pages. This app is so great, I’d even pay a premium fee to store more with the service.

➤ DocuSign Ink