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Add Image to PDF

Add a Graphic Image to a PDF Using Preview

This describes how to add an image to a PDF using Preview. You might want to do this to add a signature, for example, although there is a built-in signature system which is better for this. Other reasons include adding graphical information to an official PDF for, or just modifying a PDF when the original file isn't available.

Initially it looks like this doesn't work, but there is a subtlety around the type of image you are adding which makes this possible. The process is simple but apparently weird, although t might make sense to more technical people.

Here's the process...

Copy the graphic you want to add from any source (the internet, a photo, a picture you have created, a screen shot, etc).

Run Preview and go to the "File" menu and choose "New from Clipboard". You should now see a new Preview document containing just the image.

Go to the "Edit" menu and choose "Select All" (or use the keyboard shortcut command-A).

Here's the weird bit: Choose "Copy", then "Paste". You should see a second copy of the graphic pasted over top of the original one. Click this new copy so that small blue dots appear at the corners of it, then choose "Cut". You should now see just the original graphic.

Now open the PDF you want to add the image to, using Preview.

Note: If Preview isn't your default PDF program (double-clicking the PDF might open it in Adobe Reader, Nitro, etc), right click the PDF, choose the "Open With" submenu from the contextual menu that appears, then choose "Preview".

Choose "Paste" and the graphic should appear on the current page of the PDF. Click inside the image and drag to move it. Click and drag any of the blue dots on the edges of the graphic to resize it.

Note: There seems to be a bug where if you move the object too far to the left of the page (off the left margin) you cannot select it any more. You might need to use an undo to fix this.

You can now save the PDF with the image included.