ToolBox.Online

Hanko Stamp Generator — Create Japanese Seal Stamps Online [2026]

Create beautiful Japanese hanko/inkan seal stamps online. Enter 1–4 characters, choose shape (circle/square), color, size, and font style. Download as PNG. Free online hanko stamp maker — no signup required.

1/4 characters

Tips for Authentic Hanko Stamps

  • Use 2–3 kanji characters for the most traditional look (e.g., 田中, 山田, 佐藤)
  • Circle shape with red color is the most common style in Japan
  • Tensho (seal script) font is the traditional choice for official seals
  • Click "Regenerate" to get a slightly different rotation each time

What is Hanko Stamp Generator?

A hanko (判子), also called inkan (印鑑), is a personal seal or stamp used in Japan, China, Korea, and other East Asian countries as a signature equivalent. In Japan, hanko stamps are legally recognized and used for signing contracts, opening bank accounts, receiving packages, and authenticating official documents. There are several types of hanko: jitsu-in (registered seal for legal documents), ginko-in (bank seal), and mitome-in (everyday personal seal). Hanko are traditionally carved from materials like wood, stone, ivory, or metal, with the characters engraved in reverse so they print correctly when stamped. This online generator creates digital hanko-style stamp images that mimic the traditional aesthetic. While not a replacement for an official registered seal, these digital stamps are perfect for personal branding, social media, art projects, greeting cards, and learning about Japanese seal culture.

How to Use Hanko Stamp Generator

Enter 1 to 4 characters (kanji, kana, or letters) in the text field. Select a stamp shape — circle for traditional round seals or square for rectangular seals. Choose a stamp color: classic red (vermillion), black, or blue. Pick a size (small, medium, or large) and a font style (Kaisho for block script, Gyosho for semi-cursive, or Tensho for seal script). The stamp preview updates in real time on the canvas. When you are satisfied with the design, click "Download as PNG" to save the stamp image to your device.

How Hanko Stamp Generator Works

The generator uses HTML5 Canvas to render a traditional-looking hanko stamp: 1. **Text Input:** You enter 1–4 characters. The characters are arranged vertically (top to bottom) inside the stamp, following the traditional layout of Japanese seals. 2. **Shape Rendering:** The canvas draws either a circle or square outline with a thick border in your chosen color (red, black, or blue), mimicking the carved edge of a physical stamp. 3. **Font Styling:** Three font styles are available — Kaisho (楷書, block script) uses clean, formal strokes; Gyosho (行書, semi-cursive) uses flowing connected strokes; Tensho (篆書, seal script) uses the ancient style traditionally used on official seals. 4. **Authentic Effects:** A slight random rotation is applied to simulate the natural imperfection of stamping by hand. The text appears as white (negative space) on a colored background, mimicking the intaglio carving style of traditional hanko. 5. **Export:** The finished stamp is exported as a transparent PNG image using the Canvas toDataURL API.

Common Use Cases

  • Creating a personalized Japanese-style stamp for social media profiles or digital signatures
  • Designing custom seals for art projects, calligraphy, or watercolor paintings
  • Making digital hanko stamps for greeting cards, invitations, or stationery
  • Learning about Japanese hanko culture and experimenting with different seal designs
  • Creating brand logos or watermarks inspired by traditional East Asian seal aesthetics
  • Generating stamp images for use in presentations, documents, or website designs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hanko stamp used for?▼

In Japan, hanko (also called inkan) stamps serve as personal seals equivalent to signatures. They are used to sign contracts, authorize bank transactions, receive registered mail, and authenticate official documents. Different types exist for different purposes: jitsu-in for legal documents, ginko-in for banking, and mitome-in for everyday use.

What characters work best for a hanko stamp?▼

Traditional hanko stamps typically use 1–4 kanji characters, usually a family name (surname). However, this generator accepts any characters including hiragana, katakana, Latin letters, and other Unicode characters. For the most authentic look, use 2–3 kanji characters arranged vertically.

Can I use this digital hanko as an official seal?▼

No. Official hanko in Japan must be physically carved and registered with local government offices (for jitsu-in) or banks (for ginko-in). This tool creates decorative digital stamps for personal, artistic, or educational use only.

What is the difference between circle and square hanko?▼

Round (circle) hanko are the most common style in Japan, used for personal and business seals. Square hanko are more traditional in Chinese seal-carving culture and are often used for artistic or literary seals (rakkan-in). Both shapes are widely recognized.

What is Tensho script on a hanko?▼

Tensho (篆書, seal script) is an ancient Chinese writing style that dates back over 2,000 years. It is the traditional script used for carving official seals because its balanced, symmetrical characters are difficult to forge. Most official jitsu-in seals in Japan use Tensho script.

Related Tools

UUID Generator

Generate 1-100 random UUID v4 values in one click. Multiple formats: standard, n...

Palindrome Generator

Type any text → generate a palindrome or check if it already is one. Ignores spa...

Random IP Generator

Generate 1-100 random IPv4 addresses instantly. Filter by Class A/B/C, excludes ...