What is a Chinese name chop?
The Chinese name chop (人名章 / 姓名章 / Name Chop) is the oldest format in the Chinese chop tradition. In Hong Kong, it most commonly takes the form of a square or rounded-square self-inking stamp, typically 15 mm × 15 mm to 25 mm × 25 mm. Each side fits one or two Chinese characters — most often a surname-given-name split (e.g. "陳大文" placed as left column "陳" plus right column "大文"), but also surname-only chops or director approval chops.
In Hong Kong commercial use, a name chop doesn't have the same standing as the round seal or sign chop — it represents the individual, not the company. But as a personal supplementary chop — for director approvals, accountant review marks, receipt sign-offs and similar — it remains widely used. Some heritage Chinese trading houses pair the name chop with the company round seal to express joint individual + company endorsement.
When you'll use a name chop
- Internal approvals — purchase orders, payment instructions, employee leave requests; a department head or director places a name chop next to the "Approved" box as a supplement to the handwritten signature.
- Accountant / solicitor review marks — professional services routinely chop reviewed documents with the responsible practitioner's personal seal, alongside a signature, to evidence that this specific person reviewed it.
- Director / executive supplementary chop — listed companies and family-owned enterprises often have name chops on file for board members, used on letters and approvals.
- Cheque endorsements / co-signing — articles that require "two directors, or one director plus the company secretary" (the standard form prescribed by section 127(3) of Cap. 622) are sometimes endorsed with handwritten signatures plus name chops side by side.
- Calligraphic and ceremonial use — in the Chinese tradition, name chops are used to sign calligraphy and paintings, seal letters, and form personal seal collections. Hong Kong's heritage stationery shops still hand-carve them on request.
Font traditions
The Chinese chop tradition has a deep font vocabulary, each style with its own historical context:
- 篆書 (Seal script) — pre-Qin dynasty archaic script, the most orthodox seal font. Symmetrical lines and balanced structure suit single-character surname chops and collectors' chops; the downside is that some modern characters lack a clean seal-script form.
- 隸書 (Clerical script) — developed in the Han dynasty; thicker strokes, flat horizontals, easier to read than seal script, a common modern choice.
- 楷書 (Regular script) — standard Chinese type, maximum legibility. Office approval chops and receipt chops typically use it for the modern feel.
- 顏體 (Yan style) / 黑體 (sans-serif) — Yan Zhenqing's heavy regular-script variant; sans-serif is the modern equivalent. Both are used where the chop needs to read boldly (Approved / Verified marks).
- 圓體 (Rounded) / 宋體 (Song) — print fonts adapted as chop typefaces; warmer and more contemporary, popular with younger professionals and tech companies.
Design considerations
- 1 vs 2 characters per column — single character per side ("陳" + "文") can be set very large; two characters per side ("家偉" + "先生") need a smaller font size and tighter spacing or the margins look cramped.
- Corner radius — the roundness of the four corners shapes the overall character: 0 mm = sharp corners, traditional feel; 3-5 mm = gentle rounding, modern; 8 mm+ = approaching a circle, softer.
- X and Y offsets — left/right column horizontal spacing (X offset) is usually symmetrical; if one side has more characters than the other, nudge the Y offset so the visual centre balances.
- Surname on the left or the right? — traditional Chinese chops read right to left (matching classical vertical text), so the surname goes on the right and given name on the left. Modern HK chop shops also offer the western left-to-right order — pick whichever reads naturally to you.
- 朱文 (relief) vs 白文 (intaglio) — relief = the characters print red (raised on the seal face); intaglio = the characters print white (recessed). The generator outputs SVG outlines; either style is a finishing choice when the stamp shop produces the physical chop.
Ordering the physical stamp
Once the design is final, hand the SVG to the stamp shop and specify:
- Physical size (15-20 mm square is the everyday default; 25 mm+ for more formal use)
- Stamp type (pre-inked / self-inking / rubber / hand-carved)
- Font style (楷書 / 篆書 / 隸書 / 黑體)
- Relief (朱文) or intaglio (白文) — for the traditional aesthetic
- Ink colour (cinnabar red is traditional; blue / black are common in office use)
Name chop FAQ
Is a name chop legally valid?
A name chop represents the individual, not the company. Where Cap. 622 section 127(3) requires execution by "two directors, or a director plus the company secretary", in practice the binding act is the handwritten signature; a name chop is supplementary. See thelegal status guide.
My surname is one character but my given name is two — how do I lay it out?
The most common solution: left column carries the surname centred at a larger size; right column splits the given name across two rows (one character per row, slightly smaller). The generator's "Y offset" lets you fine-tune the vertical spacing between the two rows.
Can I use a name chop with an English name?
Technically yes, but the name chop is a Chinese-typography artefact. Latin letters in a square frame often read with poor proportions. For English names, a round seal or a small rectangular sign chop tends to look better.
Hand-carved stamp vs self-inking — what's the difference?
Hand-carved chops are cut by an artisan into stone or wood. Each one is unique and they're usually reserved for calligraphy signatures and collectors' pieces. Self-inking stamps are mass-produced and suit office use. The face design can be identical — same SVG, two different production routes.
Does the chop have to be red?
Cinnabar red ink is traditional, but blue and black are common in modern office use. If you'll be chopping next to calligraphy, stick with red; for everyday document approvals there's no rule.