A certificate without the right signatures is just a printout, and signatures are where most certificate jobs go wrong: the wrong person’s name from last year, a third signatory that never appears, or no room above the line for a pen. This guide shows how to set up signatures on your eTalenter certificates, and how to handle the awkward cases.
What a signature block contains
Rank and participation certificates each have a footer with up to three signature blocks. Every block has a line, a name under it and a title (for example “Principal” or “Festival Convener”). Blocks 1 and 2 are visible by default. Block 3 is hidden until you switch it on.
Step 1: Open the certificate designer
In the coordinator menu, open Rank Certificates (marker 1) or Participation Certificates. On the Looks tab, pick a look (marker 2). The certificate preview appears on the right. Choose the look first, because changing it can change the spacing. The screenshots in this guide are taken in the read-only live demo; in your own event your changes are saved automatically in the open design profile.
Step 2: Select the signature name and type the real name
Open the Style tab. The left column lists every block on the certificate. Scroll down to the Footer group and select Signature 1 Name (marker 1). Open the Text section and type the signatory’s name in the Text box (marker 2). The certificate preview updates at once (marker 3). Repeat with Signature 1 Title for the title, then do the same for signature 2. Use the full name as the signatory writes it, because it is printed on every certificate.
Step 3: Leave room for a pen
Most organisers sign by hand after printing, so the space above the line matters. With the signature name selected, open Quick (marker 3) and increase Margin top (px). It starts at a small value, so the line sits close to the text above it. A bigger margin moves the name and its line down and opens a gap for the pen (marker 4 shows the block on the card). Raise it a little at a time, then do a test print on ordinary paper and check that a pen fits comfortably. Do not trust the screen alone, because the printed size depends on your paper and print settings (see our bulk certificate printing guide).
Step 4: Turn on the third signature
Two signature blocks are shown by default. For a third signatory, find Signature 3 Box in the same block list. It is greyed out with a crossed-out eye (marker 1). Click the eye to show it, then select Signature 3 Name and Signature 3 Title and fill them in as in step 2. To use fewer signatures, hide a block with the same eye and check the preview. The demo is read-only, so the eye does not switch the block on there; in your own event it does.
Step 5: Do it for every certificate type
Rank certificates and participation certificates are separate designs, each with its own signature settings. Updating one does not update the other. A common mistake is to fix the rank certificate and print the participation certificates with last year’s principal. Open both and check before the batch.
Edge cases to plan for
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You want a printed (scanned) signature, not a pen signature | The signature blocks take a name and a title only. To print a scanned signature, put it into your own certificate artwork and upload that as a custom design. Line it up above the signature line and test print, because the artwork is scaled to fill the page and a different shape is cropped at the edges. Use a scanned signature only with the signatory’s permission. |
| The signatory changes in the middle of the event | Change the name and title, then reprint only the certificates not yet handed out. Certificates already printed keep the old name. |
| Only one person signs | Hide the other signature blocks instead of leaving empty lines, and check the preview. |
| Different people sign for different age groups | Change the names before you print each group, and reprint a test sheet when you switch. Keep a note of which group was printed with which signatories. |
| A long name or title wraps to two lines | Shorten the title (“Convener” instead of a full description) or reduce its font size, then check the test print. |
Quick checklist before you print
- Names and titles are this year’s, spelled correctly.
- The number of visible signature blocks matches the number of signatories.
- Rank and participation designs both checked.
- One test print done, with space for a pen above each line.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a signature to a certificate in eTalenter?
Open Rank Certificates or Participation Certificates, go to the Style tab, select Signature 1 Name and Signature 1 Title in the Footer group, and type them in the Text box. Leave space above the line and sign by hand after printing, or add a scanned signature in your own certificate artwork.
How many signatures can a certificate have?
Up to three on the rank and participation certificates. Two are shown by default; the third is switched on with the eye icon in the block list.
Why is there no space above the signature line?
The default spacing is tight. Increase the top margin of the signature name block in the Style panel and test print.
Running your event on eTalenter? Open the read-only live demo and look at the certificate designer as a demo coordinator, no sign-up needed. For help with the software, message us on WhatsApp (WhatsApp only, no phone calls) or email support@etalenter.com. Related: chest number, ID card and certificate generator.
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