Eco Friendly Certificate Printing on Recycled and Cotton Paper

Eco Friendly Printer offers certificate printing on recycled and cotton paper for businesses, schools, nonprofits, associations and training providers. We print custom certificates for awards, course completion, membership, recognition and appreciation, as well as stock-style certificates with ornate borders. Each certificate can be finished with a foil seal, an embossed seal or a printed signature line so it looks right in a frame or a presentation folder.

Types of certificates

• Award and recognition certificates for employee programs, sports teams, schools and volunteer appreciation.
• Training and completion certificates for courses, continuing education and professional development.
• Membership certificates for associations, clubs and nonprofits.
• Stock-style certificates with engraved-look borders and certificate numbers, used for share certificates and commemorative pieces.
• Blank certificate paper printed with your border, logo and seal, with the name area left open so you can add names on an office printer or by hand.

For certificates that customers buy and redeem, see our separate page for gift certificates, which covers numbering, stubs and redemption tracking.

Sizes

8.5 x 11 in, in landscape or portrait, is the standard certificate size in the US and fits most ready-made frames and certificate holders. 8 x 10 in is another common frame size. 11 x 14 in suits larger awards and wall displays, and 5.5 x 8.5 in works for smaller recognition pieces. We also print A4 for international programs and custom sizes on request. Our certificate size guide compares award and gift certificate dimensions.

Paper and finishes

Certificate paper should feel substantial in the hand, so most certificates are printed on heavy cover stock. Cotton paper has a soft texture and a long history as a document paper. Felt-finish stocks add a traditional look, and parchment-look stock gives the mottled appearance often used for diplomas and formal awards. Smooth white and natural stocks suit modern designs. Common finishes include:

• Foil stamping for seals, borders, logos and names, in gold, silver and other colors
• Embossed seals that leave a raised impression in the paper
• Blind embossing, with no ink or foil, for a formal look without added color
• Printed signature and date lines
• Sequential numbering for certificates that need to be tracked

Our guide to embossing, debossing and foil stamping shows how each finish works. You can request paper samples to compare the stocks before you order.

How the eco choices apply to certificates

Certificates are meant to be kept, so a durable, good-looking sheet matters more than it does for most printed pieces. Most of our stocks are 100% post-consumer recycled and FSC certified, and cotton paper is made from cotton fiber rather than wood pulp. We print with soy and vegetable based inks and use chlorine-free processing. Foil is best kept to the seal, the logo or a thin border, which keeps the certificate formal while using less foil. If you order blank certificate paper and add the names yourself, you avoid reprinting a full run when names change or a few certificates are spoiled.

Planning and file setup

• Decide whether we will print the names or you will add them later. We can print each name from a spreadsheet, or leave the name area blank.
• If we are printing names, send them in an Excel or CSV file that has been checked for spelling.
• If you plan to run blank certificates through a laser or inkjet printer, tell us the printer type so we can choose a stock that feeds and prints cleanly. The heat of a laser printer can affect foil, so mention this when you plan the finishes.
• Keep text at least 0.5 in from the edge if the certificate will go in a frame or a folder with corner slots.
• Send your logo as vector artwork for foil stamping and embossing.

How ordering works

Send your artwork, or your logo and wording, along with the size, quantity, finish and the date you need the certificates. You can start your order online. We will confirm the paper and give you a price before anything is printed. Most orders are ready in one to two weeks from artwork approval. Matching recycled envelopes are available for certificates that will be mailed.

Common questions about certificate printing

What size are certificates?

The standard certificate size in the US is 8.5 x 11 inches, printed in landscape or portrait. 11 x 14 inches is common for larger awards, and A4 is used outside the US.

What paper is best for certificates?

A heavy cover stock is the usual choice. Cotton paper, felt-finish stocks and parchment-look paper give a formal look, while smooth stock suits modern designs and certificates that will go through an office printer.

Can you print certificates with the names already filled in?

Yes. Send the names in a spreadsheet and we will print each certificate with its own name. We can also leave the name area blank so you can add names later.

Can certificates have a gold foil seal?

Yes. Seals, borders and logos can be foil stamped in gold, silver and other colors, and seals can also be embossed.

Can I run certificate paper through my office printer?

Yes, if the stock and finish are chosen for it. Tell us if you use a laser or an inkjet printer and we will recommend a sheet that feeds and prints well.

• Award, training, membership and stock-style certificates
• Recycled, cotton, felt-finish and parchment-look stocks
• Foil stamped and embossed seals
• Names printed from your spreadsheet, or left blank
• 8.5 x 11 in, 8 x 10 in, 11 x 14 in, A4 and custom sizes
• Matching recycled envelopes