Create a free award certificate to celebrate your organization and staff accomplishments.
A free printable certificate can be designed in Word, PowerPoint, Publisher or any similar software using a basic template or a blank page. A certificate should include a landscape page, with a decorative border and award imprint or seal image. The certificate can be personalized with the applicant's name, date of award, specific achievement and organization.
Instructions
1. Do a Google image search for sample certificates. Use a certificate template for text and language choices.
2. Open a PowerPoint presentation, blank Word document or similar software page. Choose a template if available. Change the Page Set-up from Portrait to Landscape. Save the document with the certificate or award name.
3. Choose a color scheme, or accept the one already selected with the template. The color scheme should correspond with your organization's logo or the ceremonial season. For example, a police organization might choose blue and gray shades, while a fall award ceremony might use burgundy and gold tones.
4. Add a border to the certificate. In PowerPoint use a rectangle and expand it to the border, or use a pre-designed border. Insert a picture and clip art into the certificate. You can also cut and paste a border from a free sample certificate or personally design a border.
5. Start designing the certificate at the top of the page. Insert a company image, agency logo or award seal. An image can be used at the top with a certificate seal at the bottom off the certificate next to the signatures.
6. Add a title to the certificate, such as Certificate of Achievement, Community Service Award, Outstanding Citizenship, Honors Award, Star Student or Smile Certificate. Test 20 point or 24 point font. Use bold and italic options. Fit the title across the entire top with a two inch margin on each side.
7. For the body of the text, use an traditional Old English or common Gothic font. Many free fonts are available online such as Canterbury and Cloister Black. The text lines should start under the certificate title.
8. Leave a blank space for the recipients name, a description of the achievement, the name of the award, the date awarded, a statement about gratitude, the signatory's name and a certificate seal.
9. Print the certificate with the recipient's name left blank. Use a colorful calligraphy pen to personalize the certificate, fill in the award date and important signatures.
Tags: award date, certificate seal, color scheme, seal image, similar software, with certificate