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Export & download credentials in PDF
Create digital certificates that can be easily converted into professional PDF documents. Enable your recipients to download their credentials in a PDF format that can be safely distributed, easily viewed on various devices, and printed in high quality. With Certifier, you can export your issued credentials into a PDF format from your dashboard with one click - and your recipients can download their unique certificates as PDF documents straight from their credential portal.
Awarding winning PDF certificates generator online
How to generate credentials in PDF using Certifier for free?
Certifier free certificate maker PDF allows you to export all your issued certificates in a PDF format and lets your recipients download theirs as PDF documents. This means that every certificate you issue can be securely shared and printed in high quality. Follow the steps below to learn how to generate credentials in PDF with Certifier.
Step 1: Sign up for Certifier
Join Certifier, a free certificate maker PDF, to generate digital certificates and badges in a matter of minutes. With a Certifier account, you can easily design credentials customized to your branding and aesthetic preferences for free – once you sign up, you get a free trial that includes up to 250 certificates each year at no cost. You can design your template once and then Certifier uses the data you upload to create personalized certificates for every recipient. Automatic and personalized – that’s what we want your PDF certificates to be!
Also, thanks to features like our visual design builder and bulk certificate generator, you can not only create professionally-looking credentials without design skills but also generate hundreds of certificates at once.
Step 2: Design your certificate
Start your journey with Certifier by designing your first certificate. Here’s how to design a certificate with Certifier in 6 steps.
To design your certificate, head over to the Designs tab. If you've already signed up for Certifier and created various certificate designs in the past, simply select the one you want to continue working on. If not, create a new one.
Go to the Templates tab to explore over 1000 pre-designed certificate templates in Certifier's collection. Simply browse the templates and select the one that best aligns with your preferences and branding needs. You can filter the templates by category, style, orientation, and color using the Filter feature.
You can customize any certificate from Certifier's library. You can tailor it all – remove unwanted elements, add your company logo and custom background, change colors and certificate fonts, and adjust the text. When uploading your company logo or custom background, make sure they're in high resolution to avoid any blurriness when printed.
On top of it, dynamic attributes allow you to set up PDF certificates quickly for each person. You fill in details just once, and Certifier does the rest, automatically customizing each certificate. Just set up attributes like the recipient's name, course details, and issue dates – they automatically show up based on the information you input.
Step 3: Add a QR code to your PDF certificate
With Certifier, you can add a scannable QR code to your certificate design. Once issued, every recipient will receive their certificate with a QR code scannable in both digital and printed versions of the certificate. Adding a QR code to your credentials will enable your recipients to instantly verify their certificates, especially from a printed copy, just by scanning it with their phone.
Generating the QR code is simple and can be done in two ways:
the verification page
from custom URL
Not sure which one to choose? We recommend the verification page method. It directs to a digital version of the certificate in a digital wallet, allowing for reliable verification and social media sharing.
The custom URL option takes you to a webpage of your choice (for example, your course website), but if you want to keep PDF certificates safe and sound, we recommend sticking to verification page QR code. It will actually allow you to add your course’s website to a digital wallet along with the certificate as well – no need for creating additional URLs, then.
Please note: You can change the QR code colors to seamlessly incorporate them into the certificate design. Check out this blog post for more effective certificate design tips.
Step 4: Save the PDF certificate template
Once you check that all the information on the certificate is accurate, finalize your design by clicking the Create Certificate Design button in the right-hand corner of the design canvas.
Good to know: You can always come back to the design whenever you need it and make some tweaks. As soon as the changes are made, they will appear in the recipients' digital wallets. Corrected certificates are ready to be downloaded or shared on social media straight away.
Step 5: Issue and send your certificate
Once you issue your certificate to your recipients’ list, the recipients can download their certificates in PDF format from their digital wallets. You can also export each certificate into a PDF document and send it to its corresponding recipient.
01 Create a group of recipients
To issue your certificate to your recipients, start by creating a group of recipients. To do this, go to the Groups tab from the main menu and click Create Group. This will take you to a group creation screen where you will be asked to fill out information such as the group’s name and description and select the corresponding credential design.
02 Add a list of recipients
After you've created your group, you'll need to add your recipients. To do this, head to the Credentials tab in the main menu. Click on Issue Certificates or Badges. Then, select the group you just created and start adding your recipients' names, email addresses, and other relevant details of your recipients. You can add your recipients to the group by typing their details one by one, or you can import the entire list at once from a spreadsheet.
03 Map the attributes
Now, it’s time to map the attribute with the corresponding data from the column. It’s super easy with our creator certificate PDF. The tool automatically pulls out all the data from the spreadsheet – you just have to select the appropriate dynamic attribute from the list, and it’s done! Creating hundreds of PDF certificates with different names and other info in seconds is now possible.
04 Preview and issue certificates
Once you’re all set, it’s time to issue your certificate to every recipient on your list. With Certifier, you can send hundreds of certificates at once with one click of a button. To do that, go to the certificate preview view and click the Send and Publish button. This action will email the corresponding certificate to each recipient you've listed. From there, they will be able to see their corresponding certificate from their credential view and download it in a PDF format.
Please note: There is also an option to generate certificates without emailing them. If you don't wish to send them this way, just choose Skip this column during the attribute mapping stage.
You can see this option on the screen guide:
Step 6: Export your issued certificate in PDF
Exporting certificates into PDF documents couldn’t be easier with Certifier. You can do it in two ways.
Please note: You can also download certificates as a CSV file. This file provides a sheet with all data, such as links to digital wallets, engagement details, and recipients' data, giving you a full overview of certificate performance and data.
Also, feel free to export PDF certificates directly into a spreadsheet for quicker data management. For easy sharing, it’s possible to export certificates as a URL list.
01 Export credentials into PDFs individually
Go to the Credentials tab and select the certificate you’d like to export. From the credential view, click Export in the top-right corner of the screen.
Select PDF. This will automatically send the PDF certificate online via email to your inbox. Before exporting, check whether the recipient’s data and the issue and expiration dates of the certificate are correct.
02 Export credentials into PDFs in bulk
Certifier allows you to export multiple credentials into PDF documents at once. To do this, simply go to Credentials and select all the certificates you’d like to export. If you’d like to export all certificates for a particular group of recipients, use the Filter feature to select your desired group. It will display the list of all the recipients in the group, with their respective certificates.
Then, select them all and click Export and PDF. This will email you a ZIP file containing all selected PDF certificates.
Extra step: Let recipients download credentials as PDFs in one click from their digital wallet
With Certifier, you can generate digital certificates that your recipients can download as PDF documents by clicking Download from their recipient portal view.
Recipients also have the option to share their certificates on social media using the sharing button. From there, they can also verify the credentials or report the issue or mistake.
Don’t you like the main call-to-action button copy, or do you see a better fit? Feel free to change the text however you like.
See why our customers choose Certifier
Saves time and gets work done! As part of a large organization, we create certificates for employees and our NGO... Certifier helped create certificates for all in a short time.
Mahevish Fatima
Social Media Marketer
Amazing Technology and User Experience! Favorite feature is the branding and marketing capabilities of the platform... I can white label this as well.
Katona Payne
Marketing Director
Certifier helps with issuing digital credentials easily. A customer success manager walked me through creating my first badge and certificate. Very helpful!
Adam Van Auken
Director of Technology
All-in-one certificate software
A comprehensive solution for all your certificate creation needs. Create certificates with a PDF certificates generator online and export them into PDF instantly.
The simplest way to generate credentials in PDF
Print certificates in high quality
Allow your recipients to print high-quality physical copies of their certificates that mirror the original design to the tiniest detail. With the Certifier PDF certificates, your recipients will be able to proudly display the physical version of their credentials on office walls, in study spaces, or at home, creating a tangible connection to their success. And with Certifier, you don’t have to worry about certificate printing details, it’s all taken care of.
Make certificates easy to access
Access to the Certifier digital wallet gives recipients more flexibility than just a PDF certificate. They’ll be able to share the credentials via social media and streamline the verification process for all stakeholders! But, anytime they want, they can always download their PDF certificates and view them on their preferred device. Not to mention that the digital wallet view is customizable and can be tailored to the branding!
Provide secure sharing
Put an end to your worries about insecure document sharing and virus-laden files. When shared as PDF documents with Certifier, your recipients' credentials are encrypted with a unique certificate ID, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure. This means that their private information stays private, whether they're sharing their credentials digitally or storing them. The certifier ensures that all safety measures are followed so the PDF certificates remain safe!
Generate PDF certificates in bulk
Save time by generating customized PDF documents for each recipient instead of manually creating them one by one. If you're dealing with a large number of recipients, you can gather their data in the spreadsheet, upload them to Certifier, and the tool will automatically generate individual credentials for each recipient. No more manual hassle. The certification process can take less than 15 minutes now.
Download PDFs in ZIP format
Leave the time-consuming and tedious manual work to automation. Download multiple certificates as PDF documents in a single compressed ZIP file, streamlining your document management process. ZIP files also offer an added layer of security for your PDF certificates during transfer and storage. In Certifier, you can choose which certificates you want to download and which you don't – in one easy click.
Improve certificate management
Skip the hassle of emailing every time you need to distribute certificates. With Certifier, it's all done automatically. Generate PDF certificates, and the tool will send them out to the recipients. Then, they can directly download credentials from their digital wallet. But if you email, set up scheduled delivery – decide when certificates are sent, matching the end date of your event. And don’t forget that email templates can be tailored to your branding!
Distribute certificates digitally
Imagine a streamlined certificate distribution process where everything can be managed remotely. By providing your recipients with the option to export and download their certificates as PDF documents from their credential portal, you eliminate physical distribution tasks and costly shipping. Also, the credentials are made faster, so they get to the recipients in seconds.
Reissue certificates with ease
Updates, change requests, or reissuing expired credentials is a daily hassle for many certificate issuers. With digital certificates that can be easily exported into PDF documents, you can effortlessly reissue updated certificates to recipients. All without the fuss of reprinting and redistributing physical copies. Within the Certifier dashboard, literally, with a click, you can resend certificates.
Go digital and go green
Switching to digital certificate generation and distribution will save you the money and time you'd spend on printing and shipping certificates. It's a low-cost and eco-friendly way to issue more certificates in less time. Plus, going digital means going green – fostering a connection with those who care about our planet. PDF certificate online can be just one of the many options.
Certifier is ranked no.1 on G2 as PDF certificate generator
Did you know?
Did you know that switching to digital certificate generation and distribution can save you over 70% of the costs related to your certification process? That's why many organizations choose to create their certificates online and distribute them via PDF documents. With a PDF certificates generator online, you can create and deliver PDF certificates in a matter of minutes, whether it's for a single recipient or a whole bunch. Aside from money and time, switching from paper to digital certificates can save the frustration of slow delivery and the hassle of re-printing and re-sending missing or updated certificates.
Create and send PDF credentials in a matter of minutes
Take your printable certificates PDF creation process to the next level. Design, issue, send, and track highly personalized certificates in minutes.
Best practices to use a PDF certificates generator online
Design branded certificates to engage recipients more
90% of recipients share their PDF certificates with their professional and personal network. Creating professionally-looking certificates that align with your brand's identity offers a chance to enhance brand visibility and raise brand awareness among the recipients' network and beyond. Adding your company logo to each certificate you issue and aligning the design of your credentials to your brand aesthetic can help you maintain a consistent brand image across all touchpoints and position yourself as a credible and trustworthy institution.
Optimize design for the screen and print to keep the original design
With PDF certificates, your recipients will be able to print their credentials into physical copies and view them on the screen of their preferred device. To make sure your certificate looks great on screen and in print, optimize its design for both. Choose a balanced color palette and legible fonts, use high-quality images and graphic elements, and maintain a clean, organized layout with appropriate margins and spacing. Carefully leverage the HEX, HSB, and RGB color codes to maintain the same vibrant colors and contrast both on screen and in print.
Keep the design clean to make the certificates legible
The quality of the PDF certificates you issue can make or break your reputation as a professional and trustworthy institution. To make sure your certificates are professionally designed and look great as a PDF document, keep the layout clean and minimalistic. Avoid overcrowding the certificate design with excessive graphics or text, which could make it appear cluttered. Similarly, avoid hard-to-read fonts and unprofessional images. As a rule of thumb, steer clear of elements that compromise clarity and undermine your institution's credibility and professionalism.
Use high-quality images and elements to maintain a professional brand image
Blurry or pixelated images can detract from the overall quality of the certificate, whether it's viewed on-screen or printed into a physical document. To avoid coming across as an unprofessional institution due to low-quality certificate design, make sure to use only high-resolution images and logos. This will help you maintain the clarity and professionalism of your credential design and ensure that your certificates look crisp as PDF documents, both on screen and in print. To ensure an image is high-resolution and suitable for print, use images with a minimum DPI of 300.
Choose perfect certificate fonts to keep the certificate easy to read
To ensure your certificates look clean and professional as PDF documents, whether viewed on screen or on paper, opt for fonts that strike a balance between legibility and aesthetics. Clarity is key – your chosen fonts should look aesthetically pleasing while being very easy to read. Steer clear of overly decorative and intricate fonts. Even though these fancy fonts might look good on a digital screen, they can become hard to read when printed. Ideally, stick with clean and minimalistic serif and sans serif fonts.
Maintain a clear visual hierarchy to highlight important certificate details
Guide the viewer's eye to what matters most by keeping a clear visual hierarchy on your PDF certificate. Ensure the key details are noticeable to draw the viewer’s eye. Use larger font sizes or bold text for crucial elements like the recipient's name, play with color contrast to differentiate headings and subheadings, and strategically place graphic elements, such as shapes or icons, to guide the reader and emphasize the hierarchy of the information. At our automatic certificate generator, all templates are just like that.
Go for what you need: digital certificates vs. PDF certificates
At Certifier, we love digital certificates because they are safe, thanks to the verification process, and they are also easy to update. Yes, you can still get your certificate in a PDF, but remember, PDFs are not the safest option for sending them out. So, if it’s possible for you to choose digital certificates over PDF, we truly recommend it. However, if it’s your non-negotiable, and it has to be a PDF version, we’re happy to provide you with just that! Go for a worry-free way to handle your certification needs, whatever it is.
Add a scannable QR code to provide a seamless certification process
With Certifier, you can easily integrate QR codes into your printable certificates PDF. Enable your recipients and anyone in their network to access their credentials on any mobile device by scanning a QR code. When a recipient shares their certificate with another person in PDF format, they can conveniently scan the code to access the digital version of the credential and verify it with one click. Adding a QR code to your PDF credentials boosts your reputation as a forward-thinking institution that follows modern trends.
Got a question?
Find the answers to the most popular questions about generating certificates in a PDF format using Certifier. If you can’t find an answer to your question, get in touch with us.
More features from Certifier
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Generate diplomas in bulk
Generate personalized diplomas for hundreds of recipients instantly with just one click.
All-in-one free PDF certificate maker
A comprehensive solution for all your certificate creation needs. Create certificates with a PDF certificates generator online and export them into PDF instantly.
