Design a Certificate

Create certificates in the Courses & Groups area. Build a basic design in the editor, or upload a Canva background for a more ornate layout and place text on top.

Build a basic certificate in the editor

Use the certificate editor to add elements and recipient-specific text.

1. Open the Portal & Groups area.

2. Click on Credentials.

3. Click on the +Create button.

4. In the editor, use the elements in the left column to build the layout.

5. Add text fields where you want recipient details to appear.

6. Fill those text fields with variables. Variables auto-fill for each certificate recipient.

You can also use contact custom field values in the certificate builder, so certificates can display non-standard contact data beyond the standard values.

To start from a prebuilt design instead, click New, choose Certificate Templates, select a template, and click Confirm. The template is ready to use. Blank Certificates starts you from an empty canvas.

Set the layout and background

Choose the canvas size, orientation, and background before placing elements, because changing the layout after editing disrupts the design.

• Canvas size: A4, US Letter, or a custom size.

• Layout: Portrait or Landscape. After choosing a layout, select a frame for it; click the same frame again in the right bar to remove it. Changing between Portrait and Landscape disrupts the edits already made.

• Background: choose a colour, upload an image or enter an image link, and set the opacity with the slider. To use a pattern, click Patterns, choose a pattern, then choose its colour.

Add design elements

Drag and drop elements onto the template, then select an element to edit it.

• Header and Text: drag onto the template, then select to edit the text. Use the top bar for font styles, font size, font type, headings, and font colour. Clone or delete an element with the copy and delete icons, and resize the text box by dragging the blue dots.

• Image: upload an image or add an image link, set the opacity with the slider, and resize the box with the blue dots.

• Badge: drag onto the template and click a badge from the available options. Resize the box with the blue dots.

• Signature: drag onto the template, choose a signature, then choose its style. Resize the box with the blue dots.

Use the Layers panel

Use the Layers tab in the left sidebar to view the full stack of elements on the canvas and manage them.

• Click a layer to select the corresponding element on the canvas.

• Drag layers to reorder them.

• Lock a layer to prevent it from being moved, resized, deleted, or edited through keyboard shortcuts.

• Delete unlocked layers directly from the Layers panel.

Invalid custom-field placeholders are flagged with an error pill. When you save manually, the editor warns if invalid placeholders exist.

Add a QR code

Add a QR code directly in the certificate builder. Two types are available:

• Verification QR — redirects to the official certificate preview and validation page.

• Custom link QR — redirects to any URL you choose, such as a portfolio, website, LinkedIn profile, or booking page.

Set the QR code's background color and stroke color. The live preview updates instantly on the canvas while you edit.

Design an ornate certificate in Canva

For more detailed artwork, design the certificate in Canva, then use that image as the certificate background in JourneyCARE.

1. Build the certificate design in Canva. Leave blank space where text should appear.

2. Upload the Canva image as the certificate background in JourneyCARE.

3. Place text fields on top of the background in the areas you left blank.

4. Fill those text fields with variables so each recipient’s details auto-fill.

Save and manage templates

Preview the certificate before you save, then name it. Saved templates are managed from the Template tab.

1. Click Preview to review the design.

2. Enter a certificate name in the top section, then click Save.

3. Click Back. Saved templates appear under the Template tab.

4. Open the three-dot menu on a saved template to Preview, Edit, or Delete it.