How to Make Your Own Printable Certificate
Presenting someone with a personalized certificate is a meaningful way to acknowledge success. Whether the certificate is for outstanding attendance, an academic achievement, a certificate of training, for an adult or for a child, the process is the same. Fortunately, creating and printing your own custom certificate is a fairly simple undertaking.
Instructions
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Making the Printable Certificates
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Open Microsoft Word. Go to "Page Layout" and click on "Orientation." Since most certificates are printed landscape, I recommend selecting "Landscape." For Word 2003 users, click on "File," then "Page Setup." Next, click on the "Landscape" icon.
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Go back to "Page Layout." Click on "Page Borders." For Word 2003 users, go to "Format," then "Borders and Shading," then "Page Border." This will give you options on ways to border your certificate. Under the "Art" function, you will find fun borders like stars and hearts as well as classic line borders. From here you can also change colors and size of the border.
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Enter the title of the certificate on the top. Examples: Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Completion, etc. Use a large font size, between 40 and 60 points. Choose a font that fits the type of certificate that is being awarded.
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For the next line, in smaller font (around 30 point), type "Awarded to," or "Presented to."
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On the next line, either type in the individual's name, or make a line so the name can be handwritten onto the certificate after it is printed. Leave plenty of room.
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If applicable, the next line can be for a subtitle. It should say "For the successful completion of," then enter the appropriate phrase (i.e., "For the successful completion of hands-on training" or "For the successful completion of preschool"). This should be in the same font as the "Awarded to" line.
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Finally, there should be a place on the certificate, near the bottom, that allows space for an authorized signature. Place a line (or lines, if more than one person is signing) for the signature. Then, directly underneath the line, place the title of the person who will be signing.
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Tips & Warnings
Certificates are typically formatted with all text centered. If you are going for a professional, authentic-feeling certificate, you may want to shop for some heavy or formal paper. If you are short on time, there are templates available to make the job a bit easier. With a quick web search, you can find a template for a variety of certificates. For Microsoft Office users, another great resource is the Microsoft Office templates page. Microsoft Publisher has templates preloaded into the program. Click on the "Award Certificates" link on the left-hand side.
