The Art of the Personal Seal: Your Guide to Choosing & Using a Chinese Name Stamp

Have you ever admired the bold red mark at the end of a calligraphy masterpiece or on a traditional Chinese painting? That is the artist’s seal, or yinzhang (印章), a personal signature that carries weight, history, and identity. More than just a stamp, it is the final, definitive flourish that authenticates and completes a work of art.

Today, custom seals are not just for master calligraphers. They are a beautiful way for anyone to connect with culture, express individuality, and add a touch of elegant personalization to modern life. But with choices in script, style, and purpose, how do you choose the right one?

This guide will help you navigate the art of the personal seal.

Part 1: The First Choice – Which Script Fits Your Style?

The font, or script, of your seal is its most expressive feature. Each style carries a different character and history.

• Regular Script (楷书 Kaishu): The Classic & Clear

  • Characteristics: This is the standard, most readable script. Its strokes are clear, structured, and upright.

  • Best For: First-time buyers, formal occasions, and clear legibility. It’s a versatile, timeless choice that conveys stability and clarity. Perfect for an official-feeling personal name stamp.

• Seal Script (小篆 Xiaozhuan): The Ancient & Artistic

  • Characteristics: An ancient script with flowing, balanced, and often curved lines. It is less about instant reading and more about artistic form and historical resonance.

  • Best For: Artists, collectors, and those seeking a deeply traditional, artistic look. It is the most common script for name seals used on paintings and calligraphy, prized for its aesthetic harmony.

• Clerical Script (隶书 Lishu): The Bold & Elegant

  • Characteristics: Recognizable by its broad, sweeping horizontal strokes that finish with a distinctive “silkworm head” flare. It feels both powerful and graceful.

  • Best For: Someone who wants a seal that makes a strong, elegant impression. It stands out beautifully on paper.

• Running Script (行楷 Xingkai): The Lively & Fluid

  • Characteristics: A semi-cursive style that connects some strokes, introducing a sense of movement, speed, and personal flair while remaining fairly legible.

  • Best For: Conveying a sense of energy, creativity, and dynamic personality.

Part 2: The Engraving – Raised or Incised Characters?

This refers to how the characters are cut into the stamp material, creating the final imprint.

• Yangwen (阳文) – Raised Characters (Relief)

  • The Look: The characters themselves are carved out and left raised. When stamped, they leave an impression in red ink on a white background.

  • The Feel: Creates a bold, vibrant, and prominent mark. It is the most common style for name stamps.

  • Best For: Standard personal seals. It’s excellent for clarity and visibility.

• Yinwen (阴文) – Incised Characters (Intaglio)

  • The Look: The characters are carved into the material, leaving the background raised. When stamped, it leaves white characters on a red ink background.

  • The Feel: Offers a more subtle, refined, and classical aesthetic. It can appear more formal or artistic.

  • Best For: Artistic signatures on paintings/calligraphy, or paired with a Yangwen seal. It is common for an artist to have one of each—a Yangwen for their name and a Yinwen for their studio name.

Part 3: How Will You Use Your Seal? Choosing by Purpose

Your intended use is the best guide for your final decision.

• For Authenticating Art & Calligraphy:

  • Recommendation: Seal Script (Xiaozhuan) or Clerical Script (Lishu) in either Yangwen or Yinwen. This is the traditional realm. A smaller, elegant seal is often used for this purpose. Many artists have a set: a larger 姓名印 (name seal) and a smaller 引首印 (start-of-work seal) or 压角印 (corner seal).

• For Personal Documents & Letters:

  • Recommendation: Regular Script (Kaishu) or neat Running Script (Xingkai) in Yangwen. This provides the best readability for a signature-like function on modern paper, greeting cards, or personal stationery.

• As a Unique Gift or Symbolic Token:

  • Recommendation: Choose a script that reflects the recipient’s personality. Seal Script for the traditionalist, Clerical Script for someone with strong character, or Running Script for a creative friend. Consider a meaningful phrase instead of just a name.

• For Meditation & Mindful Practice:

  • Recommendation: The act of carefully inking and stamping can be a calming ritual. Choose a script and phrase (like “静” for tranquility) that resonates with your practice. The physical object itself, often made of stone or beautiful resin, serves as a tactile focal point.

Conclusion: Your Seal, Your Story

Choosing a seal is a personal journey. There are no strict rules, only guidelines to help you find a mark that feels authentically you.

Quick Guide:

• Want clarity & tradition? Choose Regular Script (Kaishu), Yangwen.

• Want artistry & history? Choose Seal Script (Xiaozhuan), Yinwen or Yangwen.

• Want boldness & elegance? Choose Clerical Script (Lishu).

• Want energy & flow? Choose Running Script (Xingkai).

At Aura Stroke, we craft each custom resin seal to be a unique, portable work of art. We guide you through selecting the perfect script and style, machine-engrave it with precision for crisp impressions, and deliver it as a complete set—ready for you to start your story.

Ready to leave your mark? Explore our [Custom Seal Service] or contact us to begin designing your personal signature today.