Answers to the questions we get most about Clever Certificates: finding and editing a template, downloading and printing, plans and payments, and managing your subscription. For the full terms, see our Subscriptions & Refund Policy.
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Templates and editing
What kinds of certificate templates do you have?
Designs for churches, workplaces, programs, sports and clubs, and family occasions. Popular groups include certificates of appreciation, employee awards, ordination certificates, program completion, volunteer certificates and martial arts belt certificates. You can browse everything on the all templates page. New designs are added regularly, often ahead of seasonal events.
Can I change the wording and details on a template?
Yes. Every line of text is editable: the title, the recipient's name, the wording, the date, and the names and titles under the signature lines. Many designs also let you upload your own image, such as a logo. If you're not sure what to write, our certificate wording examples give you lines to copy for each occasion.
How do I make a certificate?
- Pick a design from the template library.
- Click Edit Free. The editor opens in your browser; no card or sign-up is needed to start.
- Change the text, add your details and check the preview.
- When it looks right, choose your download and pay to download the finished file.
Any tips for using the editor?
- A desktop or laptop with a current version of Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox gives you the most room to work. The editor also opens on phones and tablets.
- Check names and dates carefully in the preview before you download. What you see in the preview is what you get in the file.
- Finish your edits before you download, so your file has the final wording.
Can I make a certificate in another language?
Yes. The text on every template is yours to edit, so you can type the wording in any language your keyboard supports. Our main site can also be shown in other languages using the language option on the site.
Downloads, file formats and printing
What file formats do I get?
It depends on the download you choose:
| Download | What's included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Web Pack | A screen-resolution image of your certificate | Email, messaging and social media |
| Print Pack | A 300 DPI print-ready PDF, plus PNG, JPG and SVG (image, not editable vector) | Printing at home or at a print shop, and framing |
The download options for each design are listed under Item details on its template page.
Are the certificates print-ready?
Yes, with the Print Pack. Its files are 300 DPI, the resolution printers need for sharp text and fine borders. The Web Pack is sized for screens, so we don't recommend it for printing.
How do I get the best print quality?
- Print the PDF from the Print Pack, at 100% or "actual size" rather than "fit to page".
- Use heavier paper. Card stock of around 200–300 gsm (80–110 lb cover) feels like a real certificate and holds ink well.
- Choose the highest quality setting in your printer dialog, and the paper type that matches your card stock.
- Print one test copy before printing a full set, to check colours and margins.
- Use a print shop for metallic, textured or large-format paper. Take them the Print Pack PDF.
Can I share a certificate digitally?
Yes. Download the Web Pack or Print Pack image and send it by email or message, or post it on social media. Subscribers can also issue certificates with a QR code that links to a verification page (see QR verification below).
Plans, payments and features
Can I buy a single certificate without a subscription?
Yes. Pay As You Go lets you buy just the design you need, once. There is no subscription and nothing renews. You can edit and preview the design free before you decide to buy.
Do you have a subscription plan?
Yes, for organisations that issue certificates regularly:
- Issuer: the Issuer Dashboard, unlimited certificate re-issuing, recipient management and QR verification on every certificate you issue.
- Academy Pro: everything in Issuer, plus academy-specific template categories (such as martial arts) and bulk issuing tools.
Both are available monthly or annually. See the membership page for current plans and pricing.
How does QR code verification work?
QR verification is included with Issuer and Academy Pro subscriptions. Each certificate you issue gets a unique QR code that links to a public verification page showing the recipient's name, the certificate title, your organisation and the issue date. Anyone can scan it to check the certificate came from you; no account is needed. QR codes are not available on one-time Pay As You Go purchases.
Can I make certificates for a whole group at once?
Bulk issuing, where you upload a list of names and get a certificate for each person, is part of the Academy Pro plan. On Pay As You Go, each purchase covers one certificate design, so for a group you would edit and download each name separately.
What payment methods do you accept?
Major credit and debit cards and PayPal, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay where your device supports them. Payments are processed securely by Paddle, our Merchant of Record, so we never see or store your card details.
Cancelling, pausing and refunds
How do I cancel my subscription?
Sign in, open My Subscription from the account menu, click Cancel Subscription and confirm. You keep full access until the end of the period you've paid for, and nothing more is charged. You can also email support@clevercertificates.com with your account email and plan name. Cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date to avoid the next charge.
Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?
Yes. You can pause from the same My Subscription page and resume later.
What happens to my saved designs and records if I cancel?
Certificates you've already issued stay verifiable by their QR codes. Your saved templates, Issuer Dashboard and issued records are kept for 30 days after your plan ends, then permanently deleted; we email you a reminder before that happens. Download anything you want to keep before your plan ends.
What is your refund policy?
In short:
- Pay As You Go: because certificates are digital downloads, purchases can't be refunded once the file has been downloaded or accessed.
- Subscriptions: subscription payments, including renewals, are non-refundable once charged. You can cancel at any time before your renewal date to stop the next charge, and you keep access until the end of the period you've paid for.
The Subscriptions & Refund Policy has the full terms and explains how to request a refund.
Contacting us
How can I contact support?
Email support@clevercertificates.com or use the contact form. Include your account email and, for an order question, your receipt or order reference so we can find it quickly. You'll find more answers on the main site's FAQ page.
Ready to make your certificate? Edit any design free and preview it before you pay.
Browse all certificate templates