Certificates are among those few selected paper materials that denote a good sense of pride and accomplishment. They are kept in frames, hung on walls, and have a reserved spot on a lot of people’s treasure boxes. They are special and memorable because they are a testament to a person’s achievements and proud moments. That’s why it’s important to have an excellent certificate format and design that a person can cherish for decades. Go through the different certificate examples below and see for yourself what a well-designed certificate looks like. You can also learn how you can design one yourself.
A certificate serves as documentation or proof of a person’s qualification, completion, achievement, or participation, among others. It is a person’s authentic record that he or she has been a part of or accomplished something.
There are several statistics that support the importance of workplace recognition. In a 2015 Cicero study, 37% of the employees cited recognition as their motivator to work harder. Promotion only got 6% of the vote, while an increased salary got 7%. This means that even in a professional setting, acknowledgment has an important role. And what a better way to reward someone than with an appreciation certificate? Follow the steps below for some tips on how to make yours:
The start will always be the hardest. If you’re beating your head on what certificate layout design you’re going to have, your first step should be to determine your design’s theme. With the right format and content, a certificate can be anything, However, a good certificate design is the one that matches its purpose and the occasion that it was given. As an example, if you’re giving away recognition certificates to employees for their contribution, you need to employ a business-like and professional certificate design. If it’s for a kindergarten activity, a kid’s certificate should come in bright colors with cutesy vectors.
Now that you have a theme, your next stop should be choosing what colors you’ll be using. Again, a certificate’s design is flexible, but in the name of good graphic designing, your certificate’s palette should go along your chosen theme. You can’t have a business certificate that employs neon shades and bold perky border choices. It doesn’t take a genius to know that these elements are polar opposites. If you’re handing a diploma on a high school commencement program, stick to classic dark hues (e.g., red, black, etc.), metallic colors, or less intense pastels with a basic or aged background.
Nothing makes a well-designed certificate even more special other than printing it on good paper stock. You won’t want to spend hours on a design only to have it ruined by a low-quality paper. Remember that this isn’t just for the aesthetic’s sake. A good paper is a sturdy paper, which will help preserve your certificate’s condition. Of course, any excellence or achievement certificate deserves a special spot in anyone’s precious memory box.
Imagine Faye Dunaway’s horror when she realized that she mistakenly announced La La Land as the Best Picture winner at the 2017 Oscars? To say that it was embarrassing is an utter understatement. Now, imagine how terrible it would be to put the wrong name on an award certificate that’s rightfully someone else’s. Take the time to review your details, especially the recipient’s name. You don’t want to put an incorrectly spelled name, either.
The standard certificate size is 8.5 x 11″ but other option also includes 8.5 x 14″, 11 x 14″, and 1 x 17″.
Although it’s part of the format, there are no rules strictly requiring signatures on certificates, especially those that are intended for awards and recognition. However, a signature makes it legitimate.
Business documents and legal papers need a seal, but a seal on a certificate is optional, unless if it’s a completion certificate example or a certificate that denotes ownership.
No other fancy reward gives more pride and joy to a recipient than a certificate does. Receiving a completion certificate is always a moment of honor for anyone. And here’s the best part: it lasts forever. It’s something that you can keep for a long time. However, you wouldn’t want to keep a certificate that loses its appeal after decades. For timeless certificate designs, take your pick among our collection and download now!