Meaning and use
Everyone is familiar with the traditional company stamp on paper. A digital company stamp serves the same purpose for electronic documents. It is placed where a signature would normally appear. Below, you will learn how digital company stamps are used and what you should bear in mind.
Table of contents
Key facts at a glance
- A digital company stamp is the modern, electronic version of the traditional company stamp used on paper.
- The stamp generally contains the company logo and company information, such as the address and telephone number.
- A digital company stamp does not protect a document against tampering. An electronic seal is the appropriate solution for this purpose.
What is a company stamp?
A traditional company stamp on paper is used to identify official letters, contracts, invoices or receipts. It generally contains basic information about the company and confirms that the document originates from that company.
What is a digital company stamp?
A digital company stamp is a digital version of the traditional company stamp used by businesses to officially identify documents. Unlike a physical stamp on paper, a digital company stamp is a graphic or image that is inserted into digital documents.
What does a digital company stamp look like?
A digital company stamp can take various forms. It may include a graphic representation of the company logo along with information such as the company name and other relevant details.
How is a digital company stamp created?
A digital company stamp replaces the traditional company stamp on paper. It is generally created by simply scanning or photographing the original stamp and adding it to the digital document.
Electronic signature solutions generally allow a company stamp to be added to the signature field. The company stamp can then be uploaded to the application as an image.
Company stamp vs electronic seal
A digital company stamp is the digital counterpart of the traditional company stamp on paper. Typically, a scanned image of the company stamp is simply inserted into the PDF document. This represents the company and makes it recognisable.
An electronic seal, on the other hand, does more than prove the origin of a document and identify the company. It also confirms the integrity of the document. This is achieved using a digital certificate.
Although both types of stamps and an electronic seal can be used, among other things, to prove the origin of a document, an electronic seal does not necessarily look like a company stamp.
Traditional company stamp on paper
Digital company stamp in PDF format
Electronic seal in a PDF
| Traditional company stamp on paper | Digital company stamp in a PDF | Electronic seal in a PDF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Has been used for decades as proof of origin on paper documents. | Is the digital equivalent of the traditional company stamp. | Digital company stamp 2.0: a certificate-based seal. |
| Proof of origin | Weak | Weak | Strong |
| Proof of document integrity via API | No | No | Yes |
| Automated use | No | Partially | Yes |
Conclusion: A digital company stamp does not protect against tampering
Both analogue and digital company stamps contain basic information about the company and can be used to identify the company on a document. If the document also needs to be protected against changes, electronic seals are the appropriate solution.
With the inSign software solution, you can add digital company stamps to PDF documents as well as create electronic seals.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about digital company stamps
A digital company stamp generally contains the company logo, company name and address, as well as any additional contact details where applicable.
The stamp is used to identify the company and contains important company information.
Company stamps are frequently used on official documents such as invoices, notices, quotations and similar documents.
About the author
Christina Detling
As Online Marketing Manager at inSign GmbH, I manage the content, SEO and SEA strategy for Germany's leading electronic signature solution. With a focus on B2B marketing, I drive lead generation and the optimisation of digital customer journeys. My background in Business Informatics (B.Sc.) bridges technical understanding with strategic marketing expertise, a combination I have been putting into practice at inSign since 2019. I use inSign myself and am genuinely convinced by the solution: straightforward, legally compliant and efficient. It is a tool I recommend without hesitation.
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