How can I create a custom dynamic stamp in Adobe Acrobat?

Go to All tools and select Add a stamp. Choose Custom stamps and upload your design file (PDF, JPEG, PSD, AI, or DWG). Pick the option to make it a dynamic stamp if you want it to auto-fill your name, date, or time. Save and place the dynamic stamp on your PDF.

What is the difference between a stamp and a digital signature in Acrobat?

Feature Stamp Digital Signature. Purpose Shows status or note Proves identity and document approval Security No cryptographic proof Cryptographic proof Placement Annotation on top Part of document security Use case Mark as APPROVED, DRAFT, etc. Sign contracts, legal docs

Design Data-Driven Stamps in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”I have a [document=PDF] of the March inspection notes that needs our official [asset=stamp]…+

I have a [document=PDF] of the March inspection notes that needs our official [asset=stamp] with date, inspector initials, and a unique job number before I archive it. Add a dynamic [asset=stamp] that inserts today’s date, prompts for initials and job number, and places it on the top-right of page one by [deadline=Friday].

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”The county building inspector will see this PDF and they worry about altered records. Create a…+

The county building inspector will see this PDF and they worry about altered records. Create a dynamic stamp that locks the stamp after placement, auto-populates today's date and a required initials field, and includes a small job number barcode. Explain how this reduces accidental edits and what the recipient will see when they open the file. Ladder [ladder=L3]

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

CDecide — “help me choose”We keep handwritten inspection PDFs and I’m not sure whether to use a simple static stamp or a…+

We keep handwritten inspection PDFs and I’m not sure whether to use a simple static stamp or a dynamic one with required fields. Tell me which protects the record better, what data the dynamic stamp should capture ([date, inspector, job number, version]), and how to place it so it’s visible but non-intrusive. Warn me about any workflow steps that could let the stamp be removed and how to prevent that before I stamp the March files.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF file you want to use as the base for your custom stamp in Acrobat.
2
Select the area where you want dynamic text (such as date or username) to appear and add a text field using the Prepare Form tools.
Best practiceUsing a text field instead of static text allows you to insert JavaScript for dynamic content.
3
Right-click the new text field and choose to open its Properties.
4
Go to the Actions tab in the Properties dialog.
5
Set the action to Run a JavaScript, then enter code to insert the current date or username (e.g., for date: event.value = util.printd('mm/dd/yyyy', new Date()); for username: event.value = identity.name;).
CautionThe username field uses the identity.name property, which must be set in Acrobat’s Preferences > Identity.
6
Save the PDF form with the dynamic field as a new file.
7
In Acrobat, go to the Stamp tool and choose to create a new custom stamp, selecting your saved PDF as the source.
8
Complete the custom stamp creation process, assigning a category and name.
9
Apply your custom stamp to a PDF; the dynamic text field will automatically populate with the current date or username each time it is placed.
Best practiceIf the dynamic field does not update, ensure JavaScript is enabled in Acrobat’s preferences.

In the appWith the API

When you use a custom stamp with a dynamic text field, Acrobat runs the JavaScript each time you place the stamp, updating the field automatically.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

StampTo put a mark or number directly onto the page, so it shows up when you print or share the document.ExampleYou stamp the word 'CONFIDENTIAL' across the top of a document before printing it.

Dynamic stampA dynamic stamp can show your name, date, or time automatically from Acrobat settings.

AnnotationAn annotation is a note or mark added to a document, like a highlight or a stamp, without changing the original text.ExampleHe added an annotation to the PDF, circling a key sentence and adding a question mark.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

I need to archive inspection reports but worry about later edits

FAQ

about this task

Go to All tools and select Add a stamp.
Choose Custom stamps and upload your design file (PDF, JPEG, PSD, AI, or DWG).
Pick the option to make it a dynamic stamp if you want it to auto-fill your name, date, or time.
Save and place the dynamic stamp on your PDF.

Feature	Stamp	Digital Signature
Purpose	Shows status or note	Proves identity and document approval
Security	No cryptographic proof	Cryptographic proof
Placement	Annotation on top	Part of document security
Use case	Mark as APPROVED, DRAFT, etc.	Sign contracts, legal docs

A dynamic stamp is helpful because it can automatically show your name, the date, and the time when you add it to a document. This means you do not have to type this information each time. It helps others see who marked the document and when.

Yes, the stamp will show clearly because it is added on top of the PDF as a new image or text. The stamp does not depend on the quality of the scan under it.

If you use a stamp instead of a digital signature for approval, the document will only show a visible mark that says it is approved, but it will not have any real security. Anyone can add or remove a stamp, and there is no way to prove who placed it or when. For important documents where you need to prove your approval or identity, you should use a digital signature, because it is protected and can be verified.

Design Data-Driven Stamps

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help