How to Make a Certificate Using Microsoft Word

1. Purchase the type of paper you are going to print on. Colored paper or perhaps card stock will suit your needs. Choose something a little special for the occasion.
2. Open Microsoft Word, click 'File' and 'Page Setup.' Select the Margins tab, then under Paper Orientations select 'Landscape.' Select 'OK' and now you will be working on a sheet that will be longer horizontally. Click 'OK.' Next, choose 'View' from the top menu and check the box next to 'Ruler.' The ruler at the top of the page will help you eye the center of the page better.
3. Insert a line of text by selecting 'Insert,' 'Text Box' from the menus. This will be the first line of the award certificate. Adjust the box around the text by using the mouse and dragging the box larger or smaller. Drag the box to the location you want it by clicking the side of the box and dragging it.
4. Highlight the text and right click. Select 'Font' and an entire window of options pop up. From here you can choose your font, color, and size. Play with the options, then click 'OK' when you like what you see. Depending on the font size you may need to adjust the size of the box.
5. Add the other lines on the certificate in the same way as the first. Choose either the same or different fonts or colors. Several times the name on the certificate is in bold and in a different font than the rest of the page. This lets the name stand out from on the award.
6. Choose the 'Print Preview' option before printing. You can see if the centering and lettering looks how you thought it would.
7. Print on a plain piece of paper, again to check to see if the color is correct and the paper is in the machine the way you wanted. Place your certificate paper into the printing tray and select 'Print' on from the Microsoft Word menus. Print one copy first to be on the safe side. Remember to delete and add new names before each printed copy if you are printing for a class or group.