How do I get a Certificate of Authenticity for my artwork?
If you are a gallery represented artist, the gallery will typically take care of the Certificate of Authenticity for you. But for most artists who are self represented, there are three main ways of obtaining a Certificate of Authenticity for your original or limited edition pieces:
Make them yourself.
Use a template and print yourself.
Purchase a ready-made or customized certificate.
In this article, we will explore these three options.
Option 1: Make them yourself
Many artists make their own certificates of authenticity. It is important to remember that they don’t have to be fancy to be legitimate. Essentially, a letter with the artist’s signature and details about the piece will do, depending on the situation and your reasons for making them. Every Certificate should include specific distinguishing characteristics about your artwork, such as:
Title of work
Dimensions
Medium and substrate
Date / Year created
Artist name
Artist signature
Some artists like to include an image of the artwork directly on the Certificate as well as an added element of verification and legitimacy.
Option 2: Find a template you like and print yourself
There are lots of free and paid Certificate of Authenticity templates on the Internet. If you are not inclined to make your own, but still want to customize the Certificate, this can be a great inexpensive option. Just Google “Certificate of Authenticity template” or search Etsy and you will find many customizable documents where you can manipulate the text and truly make the Certs your own.
Once you download and customize your Certificates, you’ll need to print them yourself either at home or through a third party printer, depending on your desired outcome.
Option 3: Purchase a ready-made or customized certificate
If you’re not so into making your own Certificates or are looking for a more sophisticated finished product, you may want to consider purchasing a pre-printed or customized Certificate for your artwork.
Here on Auth Cert, we offer a wide range of professional, ready-to-use Certificates as well as customized options in a range of beautiful finishes and sizes. We offer Certificates at multiple price points for those artists wishing to make a professional impression.
