What to Put on a Certificate
Certificates are easy to make and easy to get wrong. A few simple parts make them look finished.
Make certificatesYour wording, up to 40 names, one page per name.
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The parts
- A clear title. "Certificate of Achievement", "Certificate of Completion" or "Participation Award". The title tells the reader what kind of recognition it is.
- The name. Spell it correctly, and check the list before you print.
- The reason. One line about what the person did, such as "for outstanding effort in math" or "for completing the summer reading program".
- Who gives it. A name or a school, team or club.
- A date. You can print it, or leave a blank line and write it by hand.
- A signature line. A real signature makes it feel official.
Choosing the type
- Achievement: for doing something well or reaching a goal.
- Completion: for finishing a course, program or challenge.
- Participation: for taking part, when everyone should be recognized.
Printing tips
Print one test page first and check the spelling. Heavier paper makes a certificate feel more special. Leave the signature and date empty if you plan to fill them in by hand. These are practical suggestions from us, not rules.
Make certificatesYour wording, up to 40 names, one page per name.
Open the tool →
Sources
This post is a how-to. It does not rely on outside studies or statistics.