Mac Lists

5 Ways to Create Signatures in Apple's Mail Program

I like having special signatures for different email messages that I send so I've set up signatures in Mail's preferences. However, when Apple introduced Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), the ability to add hyperlinks to the Signatures preferences pane stopped working (it works in 10.4). I keep hoping that Apple will fix this bug, but, unfortunately, it still doesn't work in 10.5.5. I have, however, found some solutions to the problem and in this post, I describe 5 ways to add formatted signatures to Mail, including signatures with hyperlinks and images.

1.  Mail's Preferences

You can use Mail's Signatures preferences pane to create formatted signatures, but you can't add images or hyperlinks to the signature. You can, however, use the Format menu to change the font type, style, alignment, and color.

2.  New Message

One way to add a hyperlink to a new signature is to first create a new message in Mail. Next, type and format the signature you want to save. Finally, copy the signature from the message, create a new signature in the preferences pane and paste the signature you copied into the signature pane. You can also add an image to your signature in the message window and then copy it into the signature pane.

3.  TextEdit

You can create a beautiful formatted signature in TextEdit and then copy it into the Signatures preferences pane in Mail. First, set the TextEdit document to rich text and then type and format your signature. With TextEdit, you can add color and hyperlinks to your signature and include an image if you want. When you've finished creating the signature, select and copy the entire signature. Create a new signature in Mail and paste the contents of the clipboard into the Signatures pane.

4.  Graphics Application

If you want a more artistic signature, you can create an image in a graphics application and then add it to your signatures in Mail. First, design your signature in your favorite graphics application and save it as a jpg or png file. Next, copy the image to the Mac OS X clipboard, create a new signature in Mail and paste the image into the signature.

5.  Stationery Template

If you often send messages with the same formatting and signature, you can create a stationery template in Mail and use the template in place of a signature. See my tutorial on Creating Mail Stationery Templates to learn how to create and save your own templates.