How to print certificates with strong brand identity

When designing award certificates there are a number of factors to think about, many of which we’ve touched on in previous blogs. One of the primary concerns is designing an award certificate that represents the organisation or business that’s awarding it. It’s vital to print certificates that have a strong visual identity that tells a consistent story about where they come from. They have the potential to be seen by many people, which should always be kept in mind and which is why visual identity is so important.

What is a visual identity?

A visual identity is how your organisation or business presents itself in materials such as ID cards, letterheads and official documents like certificates. It dictates how an audience instantly perceives you, and is a good opportunity to use visual clues that suggest certain ideas. For example, universities often want to convey a sense of tradition and gravitas which can be depicted with the correct palette, font, and mood of the design.

Visual branding is incredibly important because, whether done consciously or not, it influences how people feel about your business or organisation. It communicates your values, and if the design doesn’t match what you stand for then people can be confused, disappointed, or even feel alienated. For example, you probably wouldn’t have too much faith in a lawyer whose website is written in Comic Sans!

So, what should you consider when developing your brand’s visual identity? First up, you’ll need to define your audience. Once you know who you’re speaking to, you can develop a better idea of how to communicate with them. Be specific here, consider their age, gender, income, education level, and the reason they will be receiving the certificate. This influences the type of font you use, as well as the colour palette you create certificates with.

Visual identity doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Many universities stick to the simple formula of including their coat of arms, the information about the university, and what the recipient has achieved. You may or may not want to include more than this, or you may have no idea whatsoever about how to depict your visual identity on your award certificates. If this sounds like you, then you could benefit from talking to a member of our expert design team. They can advise you more on how to develop a visual identity that represents your business or organisation.

Get in touch to find out more about the certificate printing solutions we offer. Our team will be happy to talk over what you’re looking for and offer a bespoke solution that addresses your individual requirements.