# Give certificates to event participants

> Design a certificate template with your own background, link it to an event, then generate and email certificates to participants.
>
> Source: https://docs.bcl.my/event-certificates/

BCL makes a PDF certificate for each participant from a template you design. You choose when to issue them, for example only for people who checked in, and BCL can email them for you.

## Create a certificate template

A template is a background image with text placed on top of it:

1. In the sidebar, go to **Events** → **PDF Templates**.

   *(Screenshot: The Events menu in the BCL sidebar with PDF Templates highlighted)*

2. On the **Certificate Templates** tab, click **Create New Template**.

   *(Screenshot: The PDF Templates page with the Create New Template button highlighted)*

3. Enter a **Template Name**, click **Select from Media Library** and choose or upload your **Background Image**, then click **Create Template**. The template takes the size of your image.

   *(Screenshot: The Create New Certificate Template dialog with the Background Image box highlighted)*

4. The editor opens. Add text, image and signature elements and place them on the certificate. For details that change per person, insert placeholders such as `{{attendee_name}}`, `{{event_name}}`, `{{event_date}}` and `{{ticket_number}}`.
5. Click **Save**.

The **Ticket Templates** tab works the same way, for the PDF ticket each buyer receives.

## Link the template to your event

Each event uses one certificate template:

1. Go to **Events** → **Events** and click **Edit** on your event.
2. Open the **Event Configuration** tab. Under **PDF Templates**, choose your **Certificate Template**.

   *(Screenshot: The PDF Templates section of an event with the Certificate Template field highlighted)*

3. Click **Update Event**.

To give one ticket type a different certificate, click **Edit** on that ticket type and choose its own **Certificate Template**.

## Generate and send certificates

After the event:

1. Go to **Events** → **Participants**. Open the **Checked In** tab to list only the people who attended.
2. Tick the participants, then click **Certificates** → **Generate Certificates**. To email them as well, tick **Also send certificate emails when generation finishes**.

   *(Screenshot: The Certificates menu for the selected participants with Generate Certificates highlighted)*

Certificates are made in the background. The **Cert** column shows who has one. Later, use **Send Certificate Emails** to send them, or **Download Certificates** to share them yourself. For one person, click ⋮ on their row and choose **Generate Certificate** or **View Certificate**.

## Tips

For certificates that look right:

- **Match the image to the paper.** Make your background the shape you will print, for example A4 landscape, so the certificate prints without borders being cut.
- **Issue after check-in.** Generating from the **Checked In** tab makes sure only people who came get a certificate.

## Common issues

### Can I use my own certificate design?

Yes. Upload your design as the template's Background Image, then place text such as the participant's name and the event date on top of it in the editor.

### Are certificates sent automatically after the event?

No. You choose when. On the Participants page, tick the participants who attended, then click Certificates → Generate Certificates. Tick Also send certificate emails when generation finishes to email them at the same time.

### Can I write my own certificate email?

Yes. Create an automation with the Certificate Generated trigger. It runs each time a certificate is made, and you write the email yourself.