A certificate maker for every name on your list

How do I make a printable certificate with someone's name on it?

Write the award once and let the names do the rest. Type the award title, such as Certificate of Achievement or Star Reader, and a short reason. Add the school, club or team name if you want it across the top, the date, and who is signing. Then paste your list of names into the names box, one per line. Every name becomes its own page, so a class of 28 gives you 28 finished certificates in one print run.

The preview updates as you type, so check the longest name in the list before you print. Long names get a slightly smaller font so they stay on one or two lines, and the line under the name stretches to fit.

Why does the certificate appear sideways in the preview?

Certificates look best wide, but home and school printers feed paper in portrait. To make that work on every printer and browser, each certificate is laid out in landscape and turned a quarter turn on a normal portrait page. The preview shows the page exactly as it will come out of the printer, so the certificate looks sideways on screen. Pick up the printed page, turn it, and it reads the right way round.

There is no need to change the orientation in the print dialog. Leave it on portrait, set the scale to 100 percent or Actual size, and choose A4 or US Letter under Paper to match the paper in your tray.

What should I write on an award certificate?

Specific beats general. A reason such as For reading 20 books this term or For helping new classmates settle in means far more to the person receiving it than For good work, and it tells parents exactly what their child did. Keep the reason to one or two short sentences so it reads well from a wall or a fridge door.

For a class set, write a reason that is true for everyone, or make one link per award and paste only the names that fit it. Copy each link so you can reprint any certificate later.

• Achievement: Certificate of Achievement, For reaching level 5 in swimming.
• Effort: Super Effort Award, For never giving up on long division.
• Kindness: Kindness Award, For always including others at playtime.
• Attendance: Perfect Attendance, For being here every day this term.
• Team or club: Most Improved Player, For outstanding progress this season.

Which border style should I choose?

All four borders are drawn as clean vector lines, so they stay sharp at any printer quality. The classic double frame with diamond corners suits formal awards, graduations and staff recognition. The star border is a natural fit for young children and star of the week awards. The art deco corners look smart for clubs, competitions and teams. The bead border is soft and friendly, good for early years and kindness awards.

Each border uses the page colour, and every certificate carries a rosette seal between the date and signature lines. In Ink saver mode the colours turn to grey but the borders and seal keep their shape, so certificates still look finished on a black and white printer.

How should certificates be signed and presented?

Signature lines are left blank on purpose: a real handwritten signature makes a certificate feel earned. Put the signer's name and role in the Signed by box, such as Ms Rivera, Class teacher, and it prints under the line. Add a second signer, such as a head teacher or coach, and a fourth column appears with its own line.

Presenting certificates in front of the class or team, even briefly, makes them more memorable.

1. Print the certificates on card or thicker paper if your printer takes it.
2. Sign each one by hand in dark ink.
3. Read the name and the reason out loud as you hand it over.
4. Keep the page link so you can reprint a certificate if one gets lost.

Are the names I type kept private?

Yes. Names are never sent to us. Everything you type is kept in the link of this page in your own browser, which is how Copy my link can bring the same certificates back later. If you share that link, anyone who opens it will see the names in it, so share it only with people who should see them.