Eco diplomas

EKO diplomas are a more restrained alternative to classic diplomas printed on white, smooth papers. A natural substrate has its own colour, texture and characteristic surface, so even a simple design can look interesting without additional finishing.

A good choice when a document should be elegant but at the same time less technical and less "plastic". It goes particularly well with brands and events connected to nature, craft, education, ecology or wellness.

EKO diplomas can also act as certificates, attestations, awards, thank-yous and documents confirming participation in a course, training, conference, competition, event or project.

They are used by training companies, schools, nurseries, universities, foundations, associations, trainers, sports clubs, hotels, practices, beauty salons and event organisers.

What you can use EKO diplomas for

Natural paper suits both formal certificates and more commemorative documents handed over at events.

You can use EKO diplomas as, among other things:

• completion diplomas and training certificates - confirmation of attendance at a course, training, workshop, conference or educational project, with a number, a date and the participant's details,
• diplomas of recognition, commemorative and company diplomas - thank-yous, awards for employees and certificates for clients and partners,
• school, nursery, sports and competition diplomas - for contests, competitions, galas and ceremonies, where the commemorative character of the document also matters,
• certificates of competence and attendance - for wellness, handmade, artistic, ecological and educational courses.

You can hand the diploma over on its own, place it in a folder or frame, or add it to a training pack.

The EKO version suits ecological, local, craft, artistic, hotel, wellness and nature-related events particularly well.

Which format to choose

Three formats are available in the calculator.

• A5 - 148×210 mm - a compact format for smaller certificates, thank-yous, awards for children and documents handed over as part of a larger set.
• A4 - 210×297 mm - the most versatile and most frequently chosen. It is legible, easy to frame and fits without trouble into a standard folder, frame or sleeve. It suits training certificates, company diplomas and educational documents.
• A3 - 297×420 mm - larger and more presentable. It works for galas, sports events, competitions and company ceremonies, particularly when the diploma should be clearly visible while being presented or displayed afterwards.

Which EKO papers to choose

Each of the papers available has a different colour, texture and way of carrying print. It is worth matching it not only to the type of event but also to the design itself.

• Kraftliner 300 gsm - brown, kraft and more raw. It suits rustic, local, craft and ecological diplomas. It looks best with simple designs, strong contrast, dark printing and legible typography.
• Kazan ecru 250 gsm and 300 gsm with grass fibres - a warm paper with an organic look and visible grass particles. It suits ecological, educational, community, tourism and wellness events. The 300 gsm variant is stiffer and gives a more solid effect.
• Flora Avorio 240 gsm - a light paper in a delicate ivory shade. It works for company and training certificates, thank-yous, conferences and hotel events.
• Flora Giglio 240 gsm and 350 gsm - a light, natural paper with a clean character. A good choice if a diploma should look ecological while staying elegant and very legible. The 350 gsm version is noticeably stiffer.
• Flora Tabacco 240 gsm and 350 gsm - a darker, more distinctive paper for kraft, artistic and boutique designs. Because of the colour of the substrate it needs strong contrast, larger lettering and clearly visible graphic elements.

Why no lamination?

We do not laminate EKO diplomas.

Here the absence of film is part of the whole idea behind the product. Film would cover the natural surface, texture and feel of the paper - exactly the things that set ecological material apart from smooth white coated stock.

Without an additional plastic layer the paper keeps its natural look and its calmer, organic character.

So it is worth building the design on the paper itself, a legible composition and well-chosen typography. Delicate lines, simple borders, plant motifs, monograms and calmer colours all suit it.

On darker substrates it is better to avoid very small text, thin lines and light elements with weak contrast.

Printing

EKO diplomas can be printed on one side or both.

• Single-sided printing - the most frequently chosen variant. On one side you can place the title, the name, a logo, a certificate number, the date, signatures, a border, graphics or a QR code.
• Double-sided printing - useful when a document has to carry more information. The reverse can hold a training programme, the scope of a course, a description of competences, terms and conditions, a second language version or a QR code leading to additional material.

With EKO papers, remember that the colour of the substrate affects the look of the print.

Colours can be more subdued, warmer and less contrasting than on white paper. That is why legible typography, suitable contrast and the right size for personalised data matter especially.

Personalisation and variable data

EKO diplomas can be prepared with personalisation, that is with different data on every copy.

A practical solution for training courses, courses, competitions, sports events and company events, when each participant should receive a document prepared specially for them.

Personalisation can cover, among other things:

• the first name and surname,
• the name of the course or training,
• a certificate number,
• the date of issue,
• a result or grade,
• a title and job title,
• a company name,
• a competition category,
• a place in a contest,
• a QR code,
• an identification code,
• the signature of the person running the course.

From one design and a table of data we can therefore prepare a whole series of diplomas. Each keeps the same graphic layout but carries a different name, number, date or text.

With personalised orders, careful preparation of the data matters a great deal.

It is best to send it in an orderly table where each column corresponds to one field on the diploma. Check the list carefully before sending, because the data should already be final.

File checking and graphic design

When placing an order you choose how the file is prepared. The exact surcharges for the individual options are shown in the calculator.

• No checking - the file goes straight to print. An option for designers, agencies and people confident about its correct technical preparation.
• File checking by a graphic designer - we check the format, bleed, safe distances, the quality of graphics, the colour and the way the file is saved. With EKO diplomas we also look at contrast on the natural substrate, the position of borders, the distance of important content from the edges and the layout of fields intended for personalisation. Checking is worth choosing especially for artwork from Canva, online generators, office programs and AI tools.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no finished file, send a logo, the text of the diploma, the organiser's details, the participant list, signatures, the date, certificate numbering and your guidance. We will prepare a simple design matched to the format, the EKO paper chosen, the type of printing and the personalisation.

The technical check does not cover the content.

We do not check the correctness of first names and surnames, titles, dates, certificate numbers, results, grades, signatures, QR codes, or whether the data matches the participant list or the training programme.

The customer is responsible for the correctness of the personalised information.

How to prepare the print file

• Best send a PDF prepared in line with our specification. We also accept good quality JPG and PNG.
• Prepare photographs and graphics at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale, and the artwork in CMYK.
• If the background, a border or graphics run to the edge, add suitable bleed.
• Keep the title, the name, the logo, signatures, the date, the certificate number and a QR code away from the trim line.
• With a decorative border, keep a larger margin. A border running very close to the trim line can look uneven after cutting.
• Remember that the colour of EKO paper affects the print. On kraft, ecru and darker substrates colours become less intense. Avoid very small text, thin lines and weak contrast.
• With personalisation, prepare the data in a clear table. One row should correspond to one diploma, and each column to one field, for example first name, surname, course name, date, number or result.
• Before sending, check Polish characters, capitalisation, double-barrelled surnames, dates and numbers.
• If the diploma carries a QR code, make sure it is a suitable size with good contrast, and test that it works before printing. It should lead exactly to the page, document or verification system planned.
• Also download the current template and specification for the chosen format.