Some people may wonder, "What is an official seal?" Official seals are different from regular HANKO, so you should learn about them before using them. Also, the method of making one is not that different from a regular HANKO. The key is to pay attention to the shape, readability, material, etc., and to make one that you can use with affection. In this article, we will explain in detail about official seals. We will also introduce some points you should know and some points to note, so please use it as a reference.
- There are two main meanings of official seals
- Official HANKO used by local organizations and the country.
- What is the difference between an official seal and a professional seal?
- Things you should know before making a seal
- Tips and tricks to ensure success when making your official seal
- Points to note when creating a seal
- summary
- Related products
There are two main meanings of official seals
The seal has two main meanings:
- An official seal used by people in the legal profession
- Official seal used in the company
We will explain each one in detail.
An official seal used by people in the legal profession
Professional occupations are qualifications and professions that often end with "professional," such as lawyers and administrative scriveners. Professional seals can refer to HANKO used by people who work in professional-related jobs. In addition to professional seals, they are also called "qualification seals," "teacher seals," and "title seals," and Hanko Shop 21 handles them as "professional HANKO."
In addition, professional seals used in the legal profession are generally engraved with the name of the qualification, the real name, and the seal. Therefore, they are custom-made HANKO, not ready-made ones.
Among the professional occupations, there are three that are required to create an official seal: lawyers, judicial scriveners, and administrative scriveners. When registering in the register, the rules stipulate that the official seal must also be submitted. On the other hand, for other professional occupations such as organizers, creating an official seal is not required.
However, some people create professional seals, even though this is not required, to demonstrate the certification holder's approval.
Title stamp used in company
The title stamps used in companies are engraved with the title, such as department manager or section manager. The basic format is to engrave "company name title stamp" in a double circle. Since the name is not included, there is no need to buy a new one even if the title changes.
A typical example is the "representative seal," which is often used as a HANKO registered as the company's official seal.
An official seal is not required to work for a company. However, it is useful to have one so that you can keep track of who has approved documents within the company.
Official HANKO used by local organizations and the country.
Official seals are HANKO used by local governments and the country. They are often used to stamp identity documents such as driver's licenses and My Number cards. These are used to certify that each document is legitimate.
In addition, since the term "official HANKO" can also be interpreted as "public seal," it is not uncommon for it to be used in the same sense as "official seal." In fact, HANKO bearing the name of a local government and HANKO bearing a job title are both treated as official seals by local governments.
What is the difference between an official seal and a professional seal?
Official seals and official seals are not differentiated by public institutions, and both have the same meaning. However, when comparing the characteristics of official seals and official seals, subtle differences become apparent.
Type of seal | Features |
Official seal | HANKO used in official business |
Official seal |
|
From the above, we can distinguish between official HANKO, which are used for official business in general, and professional HANKO, which are used for professional occupations. In addition, professional seals with the title of a public institution engraved on them are treated as part of official seals.
Things you should know before making a seal
There are two things you should know before making your mark:
- There is no correct way to stamp a professional seal
- The official seal is registered through the organization to which the person belongs.
We will explain each one in detail.
There is no correct way to stamp a professional seal
There is no correct way to stamp an official seal. This is because there are no legal regulations regarding how to stamp all HANKO. There is no correct way to stamp an official seal, and no wrong way to stamp an official seal.
However, some companies and offices have rules on how to stamp their official seals, so follow the rules. If there are no rules, it is safe to stamp the seal to the right of the name and address.
The official seal is registered through the organization to which the person belongs.
Registration procedures for professional seals are done through the organization to which you belong. Registration methods may differ depending on your qualifications and region, so please check in advance. In general, registration can be done at the counter or by mail.
In addition, when you register your official seal, you will be issued an official seal certificate, which is required for employment procedures.
Tips and tricks to ensure success when making your official seal
Below are some tips and points to keep in mind to ensure you don't make any mistakes when creating your official seal.
- Choose between round and square stamps
- Include your name and qualification on the seal.
- Choose a font based on its atmosphere and readability
- Choose the size that matches the shape of your seal
We will explain each one in detail.
Choose between round and square stamps
There are two types of official seals to choose from: round and square. Round seals have a rounded print face, while square seals have a square print face.
Also, when you are registering a HANKO or stamping important documents, a round seal is generally used. When stamping receipts, a square seal is almost always used. In some cases, the shape of the official seal you should make is determined by the qualifications you hold, so be sure to check the regulations before making one.
At Hanko Shop 21, we mainly create round stamps, but of course we can accommodate requests for square stamps if required by regulations.
Include your name and qualification on the seal.
The impression of the official seal will have the individual's name and qualification engraved in three vertical columns.
If it is a round seal, the name of the qualification should be in the center of the impression, the given name should be on the left, and the family name on the right. For square seals, the basic format is to engrave "Qualification name Real name Seal" from the right.
In addition, because your official seal will include your full name, you cannot buy a ready-made one. You will need to have one custom-made at a specialty store.
Choose a font based on its atmosphere and readability
When choosing a typeface for your official seal, you should pay attention to the atmosphere and readability. The main typefaces used for HANKO are as follows:
typeface | Features |
Gyosho font | A style of writing in which each stroke is spaced apart, similar to regular script. |
block font | Fonts used in textbooks |
Clerical script | A typeface that was created by simplifying seal script |
Kointai | It is said to be an ancient Japanese style of writing. |
Inso body | This typeface is considered auspicious because it spreads out in all directions. |
Seal font | An ancient font used on Japanese paper money etc. |
The typefaces that are most often used for official seals are Tensho and Koin. Tensho is suitable for people who like complex or atmospheric typefaces, while Koin is suitable for people who want an easy-to-read typeface.
If it is a round seal, it is also possible to change the font for each row. For example, you can engrave the name of the qualification in the middle in seal script, and the names on the left and right in old seal script.
Choose the size that matches the shape of your seal
When making an official seal, it is also necessary to consider the size according to the shape. Some organizations have size regulations, so be sure to check in advance. If there are no regulations, it is recommended to choose a size that suits the document and the place where you will be stamping.
The general size of official seals also differs depending on the shape. For round seals, the standard size is 16.5 to 21.0 mm, and for square seals, it is 21.0 to 27.0 mm. When creating official seals for use in companies, it is customary to make square seals larger than round seals, so square seals tend to be made larger than round seals.
Points to note when creating a seal
When creating your seal, keep the following points in mind:
- If you are required to register your official seal, check the standards of the institution where you are registering it.
- In many cases, it is not possible to create official seals using free software.
We will explain each one in detail.
If you are required to register your official seal, check the standards of the institution where you are registering it.
If you are required to register your official seal, please check the plan of the place where you are registering. For example, the official seal registration form of the Tokyo Association of Administrative Scriveners is set out as follows:
The size of the official seal must be a square or rectangular seal with one side measuring between 15mm and 24mm.
The format should be written vertically as follows: "Administrative scrivener ○○ (name)'s seal." |
If there are regulations regarding official seals, be sure to create your official seal according to the rules. Of course, if you are not required to register an official seal or there are no regulations, you can create one freely.
In many cases, it is not possible to create official seals using free software.
In most cases, official seals cannot be created using free software. However, there are many free software programs available these days that can be used to create electronic HANKO simply by downloading them, making them very convenient to use.
However, when using free software to create a HANKO, it is difficult to create an official seal with attention to detail, such as font and size. If you are required to register, there is a high chance that you will not be able to create an appropriate official seal using a free software electronic seal impression.
If you want to make a professional seal that requires registration, it is best to have a special HANKO made at a HANKO specialty store rather than using free software. Specialized stores are often flexible in terms of fonts and materials, so they are also ideal for people who want a unique professional seal.
summary
This time, we introduced you to professional seals.
There are two meanings for official seals: those used by professionals and those used by companies. There is a similar word, official seal, but broadly speaking, they both have the same meaning. However, the main difference is that official seals are mainly used by professionals, while official seals are used for official business.
Additionally, there is no right or wrong way to HANKO, including an official seal. However, you will need to go through the registration process with your organization.
Since your official seal will be used for a long time after it is made, it is important to pay attention to the shape, the feel of the font, etc. The material will affect the feel and durability of your official seal, so it is best to check the characteristics of each seal material and choose the one that suits you best.
Now that you have a solid understanding of official seals, take this opportunity to create your own original official seal.
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