Awards & Recognition Certificates

Recognize students’ or employees’ achievements by giving them personalized awards printed on certificate paper. Sheets used for certificates are usually card stocks that are thicker than regular copy paper and feature decorative borders. Choose premium paper for printed awards that recipients can display proudly. Browse the extensive inventory of stationery at Staples to find plain and preprinted premium paper for certificates.

Choose from different types of certificate paper
The four common types of card stock used for printing certificates are parchment, linen, laid, and granite paper. Parchment paper has a mottled appearance that stands out and gives printed awards a desirable aged and reverential finish. Parchment is also thick and resilient. Its lightly tinted surface provides an excellent background for printed text and graphics. Linen has a supple, cloth-like feel and a unique, embossed surface. This textured finish also lends gravitas to certificates printed on the material.

A laid sheet has a finely ribbed surface and a finish that closely resembles handcrafted paper. The thinly lined appearance sets it apart from regular copy paper. This feature makes it a good fit for certificates. Granite paper looks heavy and has a smooth, polished surface. Colored fibers embedded in the sheet give it a speckled stone-like look.

Other key features to consider when shopping for certificate paper
The size of the sheet used to print an award determines the overall size of the certificate. Popular page sizes used for recognition certificates are 8.5 x 11 inches, 8.5 x 14 inches, 11 x 14 inches, and 11 x 17 inches. Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches) is the most common page size used for this purpose. The orientation of the page also matters. Most certificates are in landscape orientation. If your award design works better in portrait mode, consider getting a sheet size that can accommodate the text and graphics in this orientation.

Color is another important factor to consider when picking certificate paper. Choose a color that’s right for the institution giving the award and the achievement rewarded. White, brown, and related shades are the most common colors available. Make awards eye-catching by choosing sheets with pre-printed borders and patterns in bright colors such as blue, red, and yellow. Awards look even more glamorous when printed on gold- and silver-colored pages.

Can you print on certificate paper with any printer?
Most paper types used for printing awards are compatible with both inkjet and laser printers as well as copiers. Some, like parchment, are also suitable for typewriters.  

What is acid-free certificate paper?
Acid-free paper production involves bleaching pulp with alkaline solutions rather than acids. This means that the resulting pulp has a pH level above 7. Acid-free paper is also lignin-free and resists yellowing when exposed to light and heat. It outlasts regular sheets and is suitable for preparing archival documents like certificates.

Why should you get a certificate paper kit?
Reasons to get this kit include cost savings, convenience, and variety. Each kit contains a pack of award papers to prepare multiple certificates. These can be in the same or different colors. The kit may also include foil seals and ribbons.