Ready-Made Certificate Templates

The Essential Elements of a Certificate

There isn’t a formal rule book on certificate inclusions. However, these are the usual elements that make up the content for this fancy piece of paper:

1. Text

In this context, the text refers to the written content on a certificate. Most designs include the following sections:

A. Title

The title is usually at the top part of the design. It’s the signifier that tells recipients its purpose or function. Common title examples include (but are not limited to):

• Certificate of Appreciation
• Certificate of Excellence
• Certificate of Achievement
• Certificate of Participation
• Certificate of Recognition
• Certificate of Completion

Some organizations forgo the use of simple titles. Instead, they opt for longer titles by either adding their name or coming up with a witty or fancy distinction.

B. Presentation Line/Body

See those tiny texts in the middle of the certificate? Those are what we call presentation lines. This section, which immediately follows the title, addresses who the certificate is going to. Presentation lines are typically written in the following phrases:

• “This certificate is awarded to”
• “This award is hereby presented to”

C. Recipient

This element is self-explanatory. It simply bears the person’s name (or, in some cases, groups) who gets the award. Designers traditionally enlarge this part to make it stand out from the rest of the text.

D. Form

This section pertains to the certificate-giving body. Individuals or groups mention this either in the presentation line, logo, or through the bottom’s affixed signatures.

E. Description

Going by its name, this is a brief paragraph describing a certificate’s purpose. They typically contain these lines:

• “In recognition of”
• “In appreciation for”
• “For outstanding achievements in”

F. Date

Dates come before, within, or after the description paragraph. Some spell out the day of receipt, while others retain the numerical values.

G. Signatures

Dates come before, within, or after the description paragraph. Some spell out the day of receipt, while others retain the numerical values.

2. Graphics

Graphics serve as the visual draws. Here are some standard components of this element:

A. Border

These are lines that frame a certificate. Although they’re a common addition, their presence is entirely optional.

B. Logo

Logos indicate the certificate-giving body. They’re typically resized to fit the certificate’s dimensions.

C. Seal

Add extra credibility by placing a seal. It’s either printed or set as a sticker.

D. Lines

This last component can be in a fill-in-the-blank graphic or entirely invisible. They’re primarily associated with signatures.

Certificates vs. Certification: What’s the difference?

People often lump certificates and certifications into one meaning. Some even go and use them interchangeably. However, these two things are pretty different from one another. Let’s spot out their differences.

Certificates

Certificates are documents that acknowledge one’s completion of a course, program, project, or task. They’re usually born out of an educational process. They indicate one’s knowledge of any of the four matters mentioned above at the end of a specific time period.

Anyone can receive certificates, from inexperienced individuals to seasoned veterans. Educational institutions and for-profit entities usually hand them out. Also, their credentials don’t expire—when you receive one, it’s yours to keep for the rest of your life.

Now that we’ve thoroughly defined certificates, let’s move on to the other side of the coin. What are certifications and what do they entail?

Certifications

Certifications are a result of an assessment process. This process acknowledges one’s competency, skills, and knowledge in a specific field. Unlike certificates, they usually require professional experience.

For-profit and nonprofit organizations and third-party standardized institutions are responsible for handing out certifications. People who receive them are recognized as individuals who have passed and mastered standardized sets. These standards are usually measured in exams and assessments. These assessments’ content is typically broad in scope.

After one earns a certification, he or she earns a credential that is listed after their name. Lastly, that credential requires holders to pass specific requirements in order to maintain them.

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