Legal Notice
This article is for educational and technical demonstration purposes only. Using a pen plotter to reproduce a signature is legal only when the signature belongs to you or when you have explicit authorization from the signer. U.S. tax forms, including IRS Form W-7, must be signed in accordance with IRS regulations. Users are responsible for ensuring their signing method complies with all applicable laws, IRS requirements, and professional standards. This guide does not constitute legal or tax advice.
If you are preparing to file U.S. tax documents and need to sign IRS Form W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), a clean and accurate signature is essential. For users who require extremely high signature accuracy, we recommend reading this detailed guide first:
How to Digitize Your Signature from Photo in Inkscape and Sign Automatically with iDraw H SE Pen Plotter.
If ultra-fine precision is not required, this tutorial shows you how to quickly create a digital signature in Inkscape and automatically write it onto Form W-7 using a pen plotter. This method is efficient, repeatable, and ideal for tax filers, accountants, and service providers handling multiple W-7 applications.
This signature can be written using the following machines:
In this tutorial, we will use iDraw 2.0 Pen Plotter as the demonstration model.
Important:
Before starting, please make sure the correct Inkscape extension for your machine is installed. Without the extension, the signature cannot be completed.
Extension Installation Guides：
iDraw 2.0 & iDraw H SE Extension:
How to Install User Extension for Inkscape | iDraw Tutorials
UUNA TEK 3.0 Extension:
How to Install the UUNA TEK 3.0 Pen Plotter Extension for Inkscape (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare a Signature Photo
Prepare a photo of your handwritten signature.
- The clearer the photo, the better the final result.
- Open the image using Inkscape.
Step 2: Open Trace Bitmap
In Inkscape, go to the top menu and select:
Path → Trace Bitmap
Step 3: Select Detection Mode
In the Trace Bitmap panel:
- Set Detection Mode to Centerline Tracking (Autotrace)
This mode is ideal for converting handwritten signatures into smooth vector paths.
Step 4: Apply Automatic Tracing
- Click on the image you want to trace
- A thumbnail will appear on the right, confirming the image is selected
- Click Apply to automatically trace the signature
Step 5: Remove the Original Image
- Hold down the left mouse button and drag the traced signature away
- Delete the original image
- Keep only the traced vector signature
Step 6: Resize the Signature to Fit the Document
Resize the signature to match the document you want to sign.
Example: W-7 Form
- First, measure the blank signature area
- Resize your signature to match this space
For this example:
- Signature area width: ~30 mm
- Signature area height: ~6 mm
Steps:
- Select a portrait-oriented page
- Lock the aspect ratio
- Set the signature height to 5.5 mm
- The width will adjust automatically
- Move the signature to the top-right corner, which is the origin point
Step 7: Place the Paper and Position the Pen
- Load the paper into the machine
- Manually move the pen tip to the exact position where the signature should start
Note:
Since the origin point is in the top-right corner, you must leave enough space on the left side for the signature to be written correctly.
Step 8: Start Writing the Signature
In Inkscape:
- Go to Extensions → iDraw 2.0 Control
- Click Apply
Your pen plotter will now automatically write the signature on the document.
Final Notes
This workflow is especially suitable for individuals and professionals who need to sign IRS Form W-7 quickly and consistently during tax filing. By combining Inkscape with iDraw or UUNA TEK pen plotters, you can automate handwritten signatures on W-7 forms, reduce manual work, and maintain a natural handwritten appearance—making it an efficient solution for tax preparation offices, immigration service providers, and high-volume document processing.