Make an electronic hanko

How it works

1. Choose the seal type: a round personal seal for a family name, a square seal for a company name, or a date seal for approvals.
2. Type the name. Japanese text is set in columns: a round seal takes up to three characters in one column and more in two, and a square seal reads right to left. A name in the Latin alphabet is set as up to three centred lines instead.
3. Pick the lettering and ink colour and check the preview. The checkered background shows where the image is transparent.
4. Download the PNG and place it in your PDF, Word or Excel file, or use the Stamp button in Add text to PDF to put a seal straight onto a page.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electronic hanko legally binding?

An image of a seal is a visual mark, like a scanned signature. Many Japanese companies accept it on quotes, invoices and internal approvals, but it does not prove who applied it. Contracts that need proof use an electronic signature service, and it should never stand in for a registered seal (jitsu-in).

Which font is used?

The Mincho or Gothic font installed on your device: Yu Mincho on Windows, Hiragino on Mac and iPhone. The preview and the downloaded file come from the same drawing, so what you see is what you get.

Why a transparent PNG?

So the document shows through the seal like real ink. Placed over a name or a signature line, the red lettering sits on top without a white box around it.

Is my name sent anywhere?

No. The seal is drawn on a canvas in your browser; nothing you type leaves your device.

Which size should I download?

512 px is plenty for a seal on screen or in a PDF. Choose 1024 px if you will print it large.