Add a hanko stamp to a PDF

How it works

1. Drop the PDF onto the box.
2. Press Stamp, type the name, choose a round, square or date seal and press Add to page. To use a scanned seal instead, press Image and pick a PNG with a transparent background.
3. Drag the seal over the name or into the approval box and size it from a corner. A personal seal is usually 10 to 15 mm across.
4. Press Save stamped PDF and download the document.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hanko stamp used for?

In Japan a seal is pressed on quotes, invoices, delivery slips and internal approval forms, much as a signature is used elsewhere. An electronic hanko is the image of that seal placed on a digital document.

Is an electronic seal legally binding?

It is a visual mark, like a scanned seal. It is widely accepted on business documents and approvals but does not prove who applied it; documents that need proof of identity use an electronic signature service.

Can I use my own seal?

Yes. Press it on white paper, scan or photograph it, make the background transparent and add the PNG with Image. You can also make a seal image with the Hanko stamp maker.

Does the stamp stay red when printed?

Yes. The seal is written into the page as an image with a transparent background, so it prints in red over the text beneath it, like ink.

Is the PDF uploaded?

No. The seal is drawn and the PDF is written in your browser. Free PDFs end with a small “Made with nouplo.com” line on the last page; Pro removes it.