Image of signature not importing as desired

I'm using a sub-template to conditionally import any one of several signatures onto an AP check and the signature keeps 'pushing' other areas aside to 'fit' itself onto the check.  This leaves the check strangely distorted.  In the sub-template I'm placing the image 'behind text' and I see it doing that in the sub-template but when imported it's not applying that to the check rtf.  The signature image is in a table that is inside another table on the check, similar to the delivered CHECK1.rtf.  The cell with the signature should only be .4 high but it grows way too