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A signature guide is a small card or template with a cut-out opening that shows you exactly where to sign, so people who are blind or have low vision can place their signature on the line.
Part of our Adaptive Daily Living series, which covers tools that make everyday tasks easier to do independently.
Signing a check, a receipt or a form is hard when you can’t see where the line is. A signature guide fixes that, and so do its close cousins: check writing guides, envelope guides and full-page writing guides. Most cost just a few dollars. I went through retailer listings and sorted them by the task each one is made for, and I picked five. Before you buy anything, there are also a few free options worth trying first, so I’ve put those up front.
Here’s what I’m covering below:
- Free ways to make your own signature guide
- A quick comparison of the five picks
- Full reviews with who each is best for
- Other guides worth a look
- How to choose
- Answers to common questions
I haven’t tested these myself. The details below come from retailer listings, and none of the ones I used showed customer ratings, so check the current listing before you buy.
Try These Free Options First
VisionAware, a resource from the American Printing House for the Blind, describes several do-it-yourself ways to find the signature line. You may find one of these works well enough that you don’t need to buy anything:
- Fold or crease a sheet of paper to make a line you can feel.
- Stack a few sticky notes along the edge so you can feel where to stop.
- Use the edge of a credit card as a straight edge.
- Darken the signature line with a marker so it is easier to see.
VisionAware also notes that a rubber stamp is an option for some people, but it advises keeping a handwritten signature too.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Made For | Size | Price (listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Guide, Superior Black Plastic | Signing | Wallet-sized, 1/2 in opening | About $1.50 |
| Check Writing Guide, Superior Black Plastic | Writing checks | 2 3/4 by 6 in | About $2.50 |
| Envelope Writing Guide, Regular Plastic | Addressing envelopes | For 4 1/4 by 7 3/4 in envelopes | About $1.50 |
| Page Fold-Over Letter Writing Guide with Wide Spaces | Full-page letters | Full page | About $8 |
| Writing Guide Kit with BoldWriter 20 Pen and Low Vision Paper | Mixed writing | Set | About $9 |
What Actually Matters
- The task. A signature guide, a check guide and an envelope guide are different shapes. Pick the one that matches what you write most.
- Opening size. A wider opening is easier to write inside, but it gives you less help staying straight. The signature guides here have a 1/2 inch opening.
- Stiffness. Rigid plastic is easier to hold in place. Some are spring metal and small enough for a wallet.
- Contrast. Black plastic against white paper is easier to see than clear plastic.
- Portability. A signature guide that fits in a wallet gets used. A large guide often stays in a drawer.
- Your paper. Bold lines help with everything else you write. See our guide to bold line paper and notebooks for low vision.
The 5 Best Signature and Writing Guides
1. Signature Guide, Superior Black Plastic
Price: About $1.50 | Made for: Signing | Opening: 1/2 inch
A wallet-sized black plastic card with a signature opening cut out of it. Hold it over the signature line and write inside the opening. The listing is from a specialty low vision retailer and showed no customer ratings.
Why it’s a top pick: The simplest signature guide, and about the lowest price.
Best for: Signing receipts, cards and forms.
2. Check Writing Guide, Superior Black Plastic
Price: About $2.50 | Made for: Writing checks | Size: 2 3/4 by 6 inches
A black plastic template sized for standard checks, with openings to write in. The regular version lists three 1/4-inch openings. A separate version with memo space is listed at about $7.50, and a braille version with memo space at about $11.
Why it’s a top pick: It’s made for the fields on a standard check.
Best for: People who still write paper checks.
3. Envelope Writing Guide, Regular Plastic
Price: About $1.50 | Made for: Addressing envelopes | Fits: 4 1/4 by 7 3/4 inch envelopes
A black plastic guide with three openings, each 3/8 inch wide, to write in. A version for business envelopes is listed at about $3.
Why it’s a top pick: The cheapest way to keep an address from drifting across the envelope.
Best for: Mailing cards and bills.
4. Page Fold-Over Letter Writing Guide with Wide Spaces
Price: About $8 | Made for: Full-page letters
A fold-over guide that holds your paper in place for writing a whole page and adds a white plastic sheet behind it, with wide spaces between lines. The listing text was cut off, so check the size and details before buying.
Why it’s a top pick: It keeps the page from sliding as you write.
Best for: Letters, notes and longer writing.
5. Writing Guide Kit with BoldWriter 20 Pen and Low Vision Paper
Price: About $9 | Made for: Mixed writing | Includes: Guides, pen and paper
A set of formatted writing guides for low vision, packaged with a BoldWriter 20 pen and low vision paper. A larger “Superior” version is listed at about $12, and a metal kit at about $43. The listing had few details.
Why it’s a top pick: Everything you need in one low-cost set.
Best for: A first try with several kinds of guide.
Other Guides Worth a Look
- Signature guide credit card holder (about $3) is a dual-function signature aid that fits in a wallet.
- Signature guide key chain (about $3) is sized for a coat pocket or purse.
- Spring metal signature guide with string (about $6) is small enough for a wallet.
- Writing guide set of five (about $35) covers several tasks in one purchase.
Who Else Benefits
- People with macular degeneration, glaucoma or other vision loss
- People with hand tremors who want a clear place to write
- Older adults whose eyesight has changed and who still write checks and cards
- Caregivers helping someone keep their independence at the bank or the mailbox
How to Choose
- Signing receipts and forms: pick 1.
- Writing checks: pick 2.
- Addressing envelopes: pick 3.
- Full-page letters: pick 4.
- Trying several kinds: pick 5.
If you keep a paper address book, a guide helps you write names and numbers on the line too. See our guide to large print address books for seniors and low vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a signature guide?
A signature guide is a small card or template with a cut-out opening that shows you where to sign. It helps people who are blind or have low vision place their signature on the line.
How do blind people sign their name?
Many use a signature guide, a card with an opening, held over the signature line. Others make their own with folded paper, sticky notes or the edge of a credit card.
Can I make my own signature guide?
Yes. A folded sheet of paper, a stack of sticky notes or the edge of a credit card can mark the line. A darker line drawn with a marker helps too.
What is a check writing guide?
A check writing guide is a template with openings that line up with the fields on a standard check.
Does a signature guide change what I’m signing?
No. It only helps you place your signature. Have someone you trust read a document to you before you sign it.
Final Thoughts
A signature guide is one of the cheapest tools in this series, and many people find one is all they need. Try a free option first, then pick the guide that matches what you write most. For more on handwriting and signing with low vision, see VisionAware’s guide to signing your name and handwriting.