How to prepare a DOCX contract for PDF signing
A practical checklist for Word conversion, formatting checks and choosing between signing yourself and requesting signatures.
By PushPDF · Updated
Prepare the final Word version
Resolve comments and tracked changes in your Word document before conversion. Confirm the names, dates, amounts and attachments. A PDF freezes the version you send; it does not decide whether a draft is ready to sign.
Use a clear filename such as Consulting-agreement-final.docx. Keep a separate copy of the editable document so you can correct the source rather than patching multiple PDF versions.
Convert and inspect the PDF
Open Word to PDF, upload the DOCX and download the result. Compare the first page, the longest table and the final signature page with the source. Also check headers, footers, images and page numbers. Fonts and complex layouts can render differently during conversion.
If a line of a signature block moves to the next page, adjust the Word source and convert again. For a document that must precisely match Word's rendering, export a PDF from Word and bring that PDF into PushPDF for signing.
Pick the right signing action
Use Sign PDF when you are the person adding a signature. Use Request signatures when someone else needs to sign. Both web workflows require you to sign in. For example, a consultant signing their own acceptance uses Sign PDF; sending the agreement to a client uses a signature request.
Do any merging, page removal or compression before signing. Changing a document after someone signs can create confusion about which version they approved. Follow the recipient's instructions when they require a particular signature method.
Check the final copy
Open the downloaded signed PDF and confirm the signature is on the intended page and does not cover text. Keep that copy alongside the source. If an upload fails, check that the filename ends in .docx and that the file is within the size limit shown by the uploader; a renamed legacy .doc file is not a DOCX.