Overview
The Wacom Ink SDK for signature is the development kit that lets your own application capture a handwritten signature from a Wacom device and keep the detail that makes it verifiable. Instead of storing a picture of a signature, it records how the signature was made — the pen’s position, pressure, inclination and speed of movement throughout the signing action — and hands that data back to your software as a signature object you can store, encrypt and check later.
It suits organisations that already have the application their staff work in — a core banking platform, a hospital information system, an ERP or a claims system — and want signing to happen inside it rather than in a separate tool. A branch teller opening an account, a nurse recording patient consent, or a driver confirming a delivery all sign on the pad in front of them, and the signature lands directly in the record your team already uses. Development effort is modest, but it is real development: this is a kit for your in-house team or integrator, not an off-the-shelf install.
Licensing has two tiers. A free version covers basic signature capture from Wacom devices on Windows, which is enough to prototype and, for many deployments, to go live. The licensed version adds enhanced functionality and extends support to third-party pen devices. Signatures can be stored in the ISO signature format or Wacom’s FSS format, with encryption available so the biometric data is protected at rest. Wacom publishes sample code and documentation openly on GitHub, so your developers can evaluate the integration before you commit to anything.
Its limit is worth being clear about: this is a capture SDK, not a document solution. It does not render PDFs, manage document workflow, or seal a signed file — you would build that layer yourself. If what you actually need is signing complete PDF documents from an existing application without writing that plumbing, sign pro PDF API is the right product instead. And if you need to confirm that a signature genuinely belongs to the person who claims it, that is a different tool again — Wacom Ink SDK for verification.
Wacom Ink SDK for Signature at a Glance
| Purpose | Biometric handwritten signature capture inside your own application |
|---|---|
| Operating systems | Windows, iOS, Android |
| Wacom devices supported | STU series signature pads, Wacom pen displays, Wacom pen tablets |
| Third-party devices | iOS and Android devices; Microsoft Ink-enabled pen tablets (licensed version) |
| Biometric data captured | Pen position, pressure, inclination, speed of movement |
| Signature storage formats | ISO signature format; FSS (Wacom format) |
| Encryption | Optional built-in encryption of captured signature data |
| Free edition | Basic signature capture, Wacom devices on Windows |
| Licensed edition | Enhanced functionality plus third-party device support |
| Sample code and documentation | Published by Wacom on GitHub with developer documentation |
| Common integrations | Core banking, hospital information systems, ERP, claims and CRM platforms |
| Best suited to | In-house development teams and integrators embedding signing into an existing system |
Which Wacom SDK Do I Need?
Five Wacom products cover signing, and they are not interchangeable. This table is the short version of the advice we give clients before any integration work is scoped.
| Product | Use it when you need to… | Platforms | Development effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wacom Ink SDK for signature | Capture a handwritten signature with biometric data inside your own application | Windows, iOS, Android | Moderate – you build the surrounding workflow |
| sign pro PDF API | Sign complete PDF documents from an existing CRM, ERP or contract system | Windows, iOS, Android | Light to moderate – document handling is provided |
| sign pro PDF app | Sign and fill PDFs by hand with no integration at all | Windows | None – install and use |
| Wacom Ink SDK for verification | Check whether a signature matches reference samples already on file | See product page | Moderate – scoring integrated into your process |
| Wacom Ink SDK for ink | Capture, store and replay digital ink generally – notes, annotation, forms | Multiple | Moderate to high – a toolkit, not a solution |
Not sure which fits your process? Talk to our integration team — we scope this against your actual systems before recommending anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Wacom Ink SDK for signature do?
It lets developers capture biometrically accurate handwritten signatures inside their own applications. The SDK records pen position, pressure, inclination and speed as the person signs, then returns that signature — not just an image — to your software for storage, encryption or later verification.
Which platforms and devices does it support?
Windows, iOS and Android. It works with Wacom STU signature pads, Wacom pen displays and pen tablets, and — in the licensed version — with third-party mobile devices and Microsoft Ink-enabled pen tablets.
Is the Wacom signature SDK free?
Partly. A free version provides basic signature capture from Wacom devices on Windows, which is enough for prototyping and many live deployments. Enhanced functionality and support for third-party devices require the licensed version. We can advise which tier your project needs.
What biometric data does a Wacom signature capture?
Four things: the pen’s position, the pressure applied, the inclination of the pen, and the speed of movement. Together these describe how the signature was produced, which is what makes a captured signature verifiable rather than merely a picture.
Can I use this SDK instead of sign pro PDF?
Only if you are building the document layer yourself. The SDK captures signatures but does not render, manage or seal PDF documents. If you want signing of complete PDFs from an existing application without building that, use sign pro PDF API instead.
Does it verify that a signature is genuine?
No. This SDK captures signatures and the biometric data needed for verification, but the comparison itself is done by a separate product, the Wacom Ink SDK for verification, which scores a signature against reference samples.
Planning a signature integration in the UAE? Talk to our team — we scope the SDK tier, the device and the integration work against your existing systems before you commit to anything.