You just finished negotiating a freelance contract. The client sends over the agreement and asks you to “sign and return a scanned copy.” But you’re working from home, from a coffee shop, or while traveling — and you don’t have a printer or scanner anywhere in sight.

Sound familiar? This is one of the most common frustrations for freelancers, remote workers, and independent contractors. The good news: you don’t need physical equipment to create a professional scanned contract.

Quick Answer: Create a Scanned Contract in 4 Steps

  1. Add your digital signature to the contract (using any PDF tool or Look Scanned’s built-in signature feature)
  2. Open Look Scanned and upload your signed contract
  3. Adjust the scan effect settings for a realistic appearance
  4. Download your scanned PDF — ready to send to your client

No printer. No scanner. 100% private — your files never leave your device.

Why Clients Ask for Scanned Contracts

You might wonder why clients still request “scanned copies” in a digital world. Here are the common reasons:

Many organizations have document retention policies that require scanned copies. Insurance companies, government agencies, and large corporations often have legacy systems designed around physical document workflows.

Signature Verification

A scanned document with a signature looks more authentic than a plain digital PDF. It signals that the document has been physically handled and personally signed, adding a layer of perceived authenticity.

Tamper Prevention

Once a document is converted to a scanned image format, it becomes much harder to edit. This provides an extra layer of security against unauthorized modifications.

Standardized Archiving

Companies often archive all contracts in a consistent scanned format. Having your contract match their existing archive format makes their record-keeping easier.

The Old Way vs. The Smart Way

The Traditional Approach (Frustrating)

  1. Receive the contract via email
  2. Print it out (need a printer)
  3. Sign it by hand
  4. Scan it back to PDF (need a scanner)
  5. Email it back to the client

Problems: Requires equipment, wastes paper, takes time, and the quality depends on your scanner.

The Smart Approach (Easy)

  1. Receive the contract via email
  2. Add a digital signature directly in the PDF
  3. Apply a realistic scan effect with Look Scanned
  4. Send the “scanned” contract back immediately

Benefits: No equipment needed, instant results, works from anywhere, and your files stay private.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Add Your Signature

Before applying the scan effect, you’ll want to sign the contract. You have several options:

Option A: Use Look Scanned’s Built-in Signature Feature

Look Scanned includes a powerful signature tool that lets you:

  • Draw your signature directly on your device using the signature pad
  • Type your name and choose from various signature fonts
  • Upload an image of your existing signature

This is the most convenient option since you can sign and scan in one place.

Option B: Use Your Preferred PDF Tool

Sign the document using Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), or any PDF editor you’re comfortable with, then upload the signed PDF to Look Scanned.

Step 2: Upload to Look Scanned

Go to lookscanned.io and drag your contract into the upload area. Look Scanned supports:

  • PDF files
  • Word documents (.docx, .doc)
  • Images (JPG, PNG, WebP)

Your file is processed entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded to any server.

Step 3: Adjust the Scan Effect

Customize the appearance to make your contract look authentically scanned:

  • Colorspace: Grayscale gives that classic photocopy look
  • Rotation: Add 0.5-1° tilt to simulate imperfect paper placement
  • Noise: Low to medium noise adds realistic scanner grain
  • Blur: A slight blur softens the digital sharpness
  • Border: Add subtle page edges for authenticity

Step 4: Download and Send

Preview your scanned contract, then click download. Your professional scanned PDF is ready to email back to your client.

Best Settings for Contracts

Different document types benefit from different settings. Here are our recommendations for contracts:

SettingRecommended ValueWhy
ColorspaceGrayscaleClassic professional look
Rotation0.5° - 1°Realistic imperfection
NoiseLowSubtle scanner grain
BlurLowMaintains readability
BorderOnAuthentic page edges

For signature pages specifically: Consider using slightly higher contrast to make signatures stand out clearly.

Tips for Freelancers

Keep Your Original Digital Copy

Always save the clean, unscanned version of your signed contract. The scanned version is for submission; the original is for your records and potential legal purposes.

Use Signatures and Stamps

Look Scanned’s signature feature is perfect for freelancers who frequently sign contracts. You can:

  • Create your signature once and reuse it
  • Add professional stamps (like “APPROVED” or your company seal)
  • Position signatures precisely on the page

Batch Process Multiple Contracts

Working with multiple clients? Look Scanned supports batch processing. Upload several contracts at once and apply the same scan effect to all of them — a huge time saver at the end of each month.

Add Watermarks for Draft Versions

When sharing contract drafts, consider adding a “DRAFT” watermark using Look Scanned’s watermark feature. This clearly indicates the document isn’t final.

FAQ

Is this legally valid?

Yes. The legal validity of a contract depends on the agreement itself, not how it looks. A scanned-looking PDF is just as valid as a “clean” digital PDF. Many courts and businesses routinely accept digitally signed documents with scan effects applied.

Can people tell it’s not a “real” scan?

Practically speaking, no. Look Scanned adds authentic scanning characteristics — slight rotation, noise, paper texture — that are indistinguishable from actual scanned documents. The output looks exactly like it came from a physical scanner.

Are my contracts secure?

Absolutely. Look Scanned processes everything locally in your browser. Your contracts are never uploaded to any server. Once you close the browser tab, all data is gone. This makes it one of the most privacy-friendly document tools available — essential for confidential business contracts.

What if my contract has multiple pages?

Look Scanned handles multi-page documents seamlessly. Each page gets the scan effect applied, and you’ll receive a single PDF with all pages included.

Can I use this on my phone?

Yes! Look Scanned is fully responsive and works on smartphones and tablets. You can create scanned contracts directly from your mobile browser — perfect for signing documents while traveling.

Ready to create your first scanned contract? Try Look Scanned now — free, private, and no installation required.