Congratulations on taking your art business seriously. Whether you are selling your first piece at a local market or building your online gallery, a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) tells your buyers: this work is real, and I stand behind it.
In this guide, we will walk through creating your first certificate step by step. The whole process takes about 5 minutes, and you will have a professional, print-ready PDF when you are done.
What you will need:
- A photo of your artwork (JPEG or PNG)
- Basic artwork details (title, medium, dimensions)
- 5 minutes of your time
Create Your Free Account
Head to Creative CoA and click the "Get Started" button. You can sign up with your email address or use Google for one-click access.
No credit card needed
The free plan gives you 5 certificates to start. That is enough to try everything out and see how your collectors respond.
Once you confirm your email (if using email signup), you will be taken straight to your dashboard. That is where the fun begins.
Set Up Your Artist Profile
Your artist profile is the foundation for all your certificates. This information appears on every COA you create, so take a moment to fill it in thoughtfully.
Artist Name
Use the name you want on your certificates. This could be your legal name, artist pseudonym, or studio name.
Biography (Optional)
A brief artist statement helps collectors connect with your work. Keep it short and authentic.
Website and Social Links (Optional)
Add your portfolio website or social media profiles so collectors can find more of your work.
Quick tip: You can update this later
Do not stress about getting everything perfect right now. You can always edit your profile later. Just get the basics in and move on.
Add Your Artwork Details
Now for the exciting part - adding your artwork. Click "Add Artwork" from your dashboard and you will see a simple form with a few fields to complete.
- Artwork title
- Medium (oil, acrylic, photo, etc.)
- Dimensions (width x height)
- Artwork image
- Creation date
- Edition number (for prints)
- Additional notes
- Category (painting, sculpture, etc.)
Photo tips for best results
Use a clear, well-lit photo of your artwork. The image appears as a thumbnail on the certificate, so make sure it represents your work well. Square or portrait orientation works best.
For limited edition prints or multiples, you can specify the edition size. Creative CoA will automatically track edition numbers for you as you create certificates for each print.
Generate Your Certificate
With your artwork saved, click "Generate Certificate" and watch the magic happen. In just a few seconds, Creative CoA creates a professional PDF complete with:
The certificate is automatically saved to your account and linked to the artwork record. You can regenerate it anytime if you need another copy.
Download and Print Your PDF
Click the download button to save your certificate as a high-resolution PDF. The file is print-ready at 300 DPI, perfect for professional printing.
Printing recommendations:
- Use quality paper (80-100 lb cardstock looks professional)
- Print at 100% scale for accurate sizing
- Consider getting a few copies professionally printed at a local print shop
- Store one copy with the artwork, keep one for your records
That is it. You have just created a professional Certificate of Authenticity. Hand it to your buyer with confidence, knowing they can verify its authenticity with a simple QR scan.
Tips for Best Results
Be consistent with artwork details
Use the same formatting for dimensions (always "24 x 36 inches" rather than mixing "24x36" and "24 by 36"). Consistency looks more professional.
Create certificates before selling
Do not wait until a sale happens. Create certificates for your existing inventory so you are ready when opportunities arise. First impressions matter.
Keep your records updated
Your Creative CoA dashboard is your permanent record. When an artwork sells, you always have the certificate on file for future reference or replacement.
Show buyers how to verify
When you hand over a certificate, briefly explain the QR verification. Buyers love seeing instant confirmation - it builds trust and can help close sales.
Common Questions
How many certificates can I create for free?+
The free plan includes 5 certificates. That is enough to try everything and see how your buyers respond. When you need more, the Artist plan offers unlimited certificates for just $5/month.
Can I edit a certificate after creating it?+
You can update artwork details and regenerate the certificate. However, the original certificate ID and verification record remain intact to maintain trust.
What if I need to create certificates for multiple artists?+
The Gallery plan supports multiple artist profiles, perfect for galleries and print studios that work with several artists. Each artist gets their own profile and certificate history.
Are my certificates backed up?+
Yes. Every certificate is stored securely in the cloud. You can access your complete history and redownload any certificate at any time. Your records are safe even if you lose the printed copy.