You have decided on a library seal for your books. The design is the easy part. The words take longer, because they will be pressed into every book you own for the next few decades.
Here are thirty wording ideas, grouped by the kind of library, and the practical limits on how much text a book seal can hold.
How much text fits on a book seal
A 40 mm seal is a circle a little wider than a large coin. The text usually runs in an arc around the top, with the name across the centre. As a rule of thumb:
- Arc phrase: up to about 20 characters reads comfortably.
- Centre name: up to about 14 characters on one line, or two short lines.
- Fewer words press cleaner. Every extra letter makes each letter smaller and shallower.
The 50 mm plate gives roughly a quarter more room in each direction. Choose it for long names or a phrase plus a date.
Several of our designs come with the arc phrase already set, so you only choose the name. The Dragonfly Library Seal and Zodiac Imprint use "From the library of". The Floral Library Seal and Signature Treasures Seal use "From the treasures of". For your own wording from scratch, use the Impressa custom embosser.
Classic library seal wording
- From the library of Ananya Rao
- Ex libris Ananya Rao
- From the books of Ananya Rao
- This book belongs to Ananya Rao
- The library of A. Rao
- Ananya Rao, her book
Ex libris is Latin for "from the books of" and has been used on bookplates for centuries. It is short, which helps on a small seal.
Family and home library
- The Mehta family library
- From the shelves of the Iyers
- Rao household library
- From the library of Arjun and Meera
- Books of the Kapoor home
- Est. 2026, the Sharma library
A couple's names together make a thoughtful wedding or housewarming gift, especially paired with a first shared shelf of books.
Children's book seal
- This book belongs to Kabir
- Kabir's book
- From Kabir's bookshelf
- Kabir reads
- Property of Reader Kabir
- Kabir's library, please return
Use the first name, not initials. Children want to see their own name. The Bookworm Signature Seal, with its stack of books design, is a popular choice for kids.
Playful and please-return wording
- Stolen from Riya Nair
- Borrowed from Riya, return it
- If found, return to Riya
- Riya lent you this
- Read it, love it, return it. Riya
- Rescued by Riya
School, classroom and community libraries
- Class 5B reading corner
- Library of Green Valley School
- Ms Fernandes' classroom library
- Community reading room, Andheri
- Book club copy, please pass on
- Donated by the class of 2026
A teacher's own name on a classroom library seal also makes a well received Teachers' Day gift.
Wording mistakes to avoid
- Full name plus middle name plus surname. Too long. Drop the middle name.
- Tiny extra lines such as an address or phone number. They will not press legibly.
- Symbols inside words. Keep ampersands and apostrophes, skip decorative characters.
- Not checking spelling. The plate is cut once. Read the proof letter by letter.
Common questions
Can I write in Hindi or another Indian script?
Send your text with the order and we will confirm whether it will cut cleanly at your chosen size.
Where in the book should the seal go?
The title page or front endpaper. Collectors of valuable editions often use the endpaper.
Is a library seal permanent?
Yes. The paper is reshaped, so it cannot be erased.
For how to choose between designs, read book embossers and library seals. For pressing technique, see how to use a paper embosser.
