How Can I Create a Certificate of Honor?

Certificates of Honor templates are available online for free.

Creating certificates of honor, and other award certificates, has never been easier for teachers, coaches, or daycare providers. In days past, teachers had to purchase costly packages of certificates that had to be manually filled in. Because of the availability of free, downloadable and printable certificate templates, the cost to the creator today is minimal and the customization options are countless. Use cardstock or paper in any color. You can print in black and white or color. With the ease of free templates, teachers can create awards for a multitude of achievements.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Free certificate template
• Printer
• Paper - your color choice, 8 1/2-by-11

Instructions

1. Search online for free, printable and/or downloadable certificate of honor or award certificate templates. There are a number of sites designed specifically for teachers and school awards with a variety of designs and graphics.

2. 

   Download and save the desired template.

   Download and save the template, if desired. Some websites allow you to type in the text right on the site, then save and print. Most website templates will also allow you to specify if you will be printing in black and white or in color.

3. Type in your text. Save the file to your computer in the event that something happens to the certificate while it's printing or before you're able to present it.

4. 

   Many stores offer a variety of paper color choices.

   Load the paper into your printer according to the directions and print the certificate of honor. There are many paper options available for purchase at craft, stationary and scrapbooking stores. Parchment paper is a traditional choice. Discount stores offer packages of paper in multiple colors, including neon, if you want to use different colors for different awards.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider investing in a package of self-adhesive gold "award" stickers to add to the printed certificate. Especially for elementary school students, the addition of this metallic sticker adds importance and can make a plain-looking certificate of honor into a "fancy" award. Vary the color of paper used to create your certificates of honor every grading period for an interesting change for your students. Other self-adhesive stickers in seasonal images, etc, can be added to the certificates inexpensively to add "flash" to the printed award.

• Allow the certificate of honor to remain in the computer printer paper tray for a minute or two to let the ink completely dry, especially if the certificate was heavy on graphics or if it has a thicker printed decorative border that required more ink. This will ll avoid smearing the ink design or text so you won't have to reprint.

References

• 123 Certificates: Printable Certificates
• DLTK Cards: Custom, Printable Certificates
• Billy Bear For Kids: Printable Awards and Certificates