Certificate Creation Flow

Learn how to create, mint, and distribute blockchain-based certificates using Pocketbook. This guide covers both dashboard-based creation and API-based automation.

Overview

Creating a certificate in Pocketbook involves three main steps:

Design: Define certificate metadata, images, and attributes
Mint: Issue the certificate on the blockchain (or create a voucher for lazy minting)
Distribute: Share the certificate with recipients

Certificate Lifecycle

┌──────────────┐
│   Designer   │
│ (You create) │
└──────┬───────┘
       │
       ▼
┌──────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐
│  Certificate │────▶│   Voucher   │────▶│  Recipient   │
│   Created    │     │  Generated  │     │    Claims    │
└──────────────┘     └─────────────┘     └──────────────┘
       │                                          │
       │                                          ▼
       │                                  ┌──────────────┐
       └─────────────────────────────────▶│   Minted on  │
                                          │  Blockchain  │
                                          └──────────────┘

Method 1: Dashboard Creation

Step 1: Log In and Navigate

Visit pocketbook.studio
Click "Connect Wallet"
Select your wallet provider (MetaMask, WalletConnect, etc.)
Sign the authentication message
Navigate to "Create Certificate" from the dashboard

Step 2: Fill Certificate Details

Basic Information:

Name: Certificate title (e.g., "Web Development Certificate")
Description: Detailed description (e.g., "Awarded for completing...")
Category: Select from predefined categories or create custom

Image Upload:

Click "Upload Image" or provide an image URL
Recommended: 1200x1200 pixels, PNG or JPG format
Maximum size: 5MB
The image will be automatically uploaded to IPFS

Step 3: Add Metadata Attributes

Add custom attributes to make your certificate searchable and verifiable:

Attribute Name          Value
─────────────────────  ──────────────────
Course Name            Web Development 101
Completion Date        January 15, 2025
Grade                  A+
Instructor             Jane Doe
Duration               40 hours

Common Attribute Types:

Education: Course, Institution, Grade, Date
Employment: Position, Department, Years of Service
Events: Event Name, Date, Location, Role
Products: Serial Number, Warranty Period, Purchase Date

Step 4: Choose Distribution Method

Option A: Direct Mint

Certificate is immediately minted to a specified wallet address
Gas fees covered by Pocketbook
Instant delivery to recipient's wallet

Option B: Create Voucher

Generate a claim link for the recipient
Recipient mints when ready (gasless)
Set expiry date (optional)
Track claiming status

Step 5: Review and Create

Preview your certificate design
Review all details for accuracy
Click "Create Certificate"
Wait for blockchain confirmation (30-60 seconds)
Receive certificate ID and claim link

Method 2: API Creation

Quick API Example

javascript

import { ethers } from 'ethers';

// 1. Authenticate
const timestamp = Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000);
const message = `Authenticate with Pocketbook: ${timestamp}`;
const signature = await signer.signMessage(message);

const authResponse = await fetch('https://api.pocketbook.studio/api/certificate/auth', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    signature,
    address: await signer.getAddress(),
    message,
    timestamp: timestamp.toString()
  })
});

const { data: authData } = await authResponse.json();
const token = authData.token;

// 2. Create Certificate
const certificateResponse = await fetch('https://api.pocketbook.studio/api/certificate/create', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    name: 'Web Development Certificate',
    description: 'Awarded for completing Web Development 101',
    imageUrl: 'https://example.com/certificate.png',
    metadata: {
      category: 'education',
      attributes: [
        { trait_type: 'Course', value: 'Web Development 101' },
        { trait_type: 'Date', value: '2025-01-15' },
        { trait_type: 'Grade', value: 'A+' }
      ]
    }
  })
});

const { data: certData } = await certificateResponse.json();
console.log('Certificate created:', certData.certificateId);

// 3. Create Voucher for Distribution
const voucherResponse = await fetch('https://api.pocketbook.studio/api/voucher/create', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${token}`,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    certificateId: certData.certificateId,
    expiryDays: 30,
    metadata: {
      recipientEmail: 'student@example.com',
      recipientName: 'John Student'
    }
  })
});

const { data: voucherData } = await voucherResponse.json();
console.log('Claim link:', `https://pocketbook.studio/claim/${voucherData.id}`);

Distribution Methods

Method 1: Voucher Claims (Recommended)

Benefits:

Recipients don't need crypto or wallet initially
Gasless claiming experience
Control when minting occurs
Track who has claimed

Process:

Create voucher with certificate ID
Generate unique claim link
Send link to recipient via email/SMS
Recipient connects wallet and claims
Certificate mints to their address

Example Claim Link:

https://pocketbook.studio/claim/vch_abc123xyz789

Method 2: Direct Minting

Benefits:

Instant delivery
No claim step required
Good for known wallet addresses

Process:

Create certificate with recipient's address
Certificate mints directly to their wallet
Recipient sees it immediately

Use Cases:

Existing community members with wallets
Batch distribution to known addresses
Internal team recognition

Method 3: Bulk Operations

For issuing many certificates at once:

csv

name,description,imageUrl,category,recipientEmail,recipientName
Certificate 1,Description 1,https://example.com/img1.png,education,student1@example.com,Alice
Certificate 2,Description 2,https://example.com/img2.png,education,student2@example.com,Bob
Certificate 3,Description 3,https://example.com/img3.png,education,student3@example.com,Charlie

Upload CSV via:

Dashboard bulk upload interface
API /bulk-mint endpoint
See Bulk Operations Guide

Certificate Design Best Practices

Image Guidelines

Resolution:

Minimum: 800x800 pixels
Recommended: 1200x1200 pixels
Maximum: 2400x2400 pixels

Format:

PNG (preferred for transparency)
JPG (good for photographs)
Avoid GIFs or animated formats

File Size:

Target: 500KB - 2MB
Maximum: 5MB
Optimize images before upload

Design Tips:

Use high contrast for text readability
Include organization branding/logo
Leave space for metadata display
Test on mobile and desktop

Metadata Structure

Essential Attributes:

javascript

{
  category: 'education',  // or 'achievement', 'membership', 'product'
  attributes: [
    { trait_type: 'Recipient', value: 'John Doe' },
    { trait_type: 'Date Issued', value: '2025-01-15' },
    { trait_type: 'Issuer', value: 'Acme University' }
  ]
}

Advanced Attributes:

javascript

{
  category: 'education',
  attributes: [
    // Core Info
    { trait_type: 'Course', value: 'Advanced Web Development' },
    { trait_type: 'Institution', value: 'Tech Academy' },
    { trait_type: 'Completion Date', value: '2025-01-15' },

    // Performance
    { trait_type: 'Final Grade', value: '95/100' },
    { trait_type: 'Ranking', value: 'Top 10%' },

    // Details
    { trait_type: 'Duration', value: '12 weeks' },
    { trait_type: 'Credits', value: '3.0' },
    { trait_type: 'Instructor', value: 'Dr. Jane Smith' },

    // Verification
    { trait_type: 'Certificate ID', value: 'CERT-2025-001234' },
    { trait_type: 'Verification URL', value: 'https://academy.edu/verify/001234' }
  ]
}

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Course Completion

javascript

const courseCertificate = {
  name: 'JavaScript Fundamentals Certificate',
  description: 'Successfully completed JavaScript Fundamentals course with distinction',
  imageUrl: 'https://cdn.academy.com/certificates/js-fundamentals.png',
  metadata: {
    category: 'education',
    attributes: [
      { trait_type: 'Student', value: 'Alice Johnson' },
      { trait_type: 'Course', value: 'JavaScript Fundamentals' },
      { trait_type: 'Institution', value: 'Code Academy' },
      { trait_type: 'Completion Date', value: '2025-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Grade', value: 'A (95%)' },
      { trait_type: 'Instructor', value: 'Prof. Bob Wilson' },
      { trait_type: 'Course Duration', value: '8 weeks' },
      { trait_type: 'Total Hours', value: '60 hours' }
    ]
  }
};

Use Case 2: Event Attendance

javascript

const eventBadge = {
  name: 'Web3 Summit 2025 Attendee',
  description: 'Attended Web3 Summit 2025 in San Francisco',
  imageUrl: 'https://events.com/web3-summit-2025-badge.png',
  metadata: {
    category: 'event',
    attributes: [
      { trait_type: 'Event', value: 'Web3 Summit 2025' },
      { trait_type: 'Location', value: 'San Francisco, CA' },
      { trait_type: 'Date', value: 'March 15-17, 2025' },
      { trait_type: 'Attendee Type', value: 'General Admission' },
      { trait_type: 'Track', value: 'DeFi & Infrastructure' }
    ]
  }
};

Use Case 3: Product Warranty

javascript

const warranty = {
  name: 'Premium Laptop Warranty Certificate',
  description: 'Extended warranty for MacBook Pro 2025',
  imageUrl: 'https://store.com/warranty-certificate.png',
  metadata: {
    category: 'product',
    attributes: [
      { trait_type: 'Product', value: 'MacBook Pro 16" M4' },
      { trait_type: 'Serial Number', value: 'C02XL1234567' },
      { trait_type: 'Purchase Date', value: '2025-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Warranty Type', value: 'Extended - 3 Years' },
      { trait_type: 'Warranty Start', value: '2025-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Warranty End', value: '2028-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Coverage', value: 'Parts and Labor' },
      { trait_type: 'Retailer', value: 'Tech Store Inc.' }
    ]
  }
};

Use Case 4: Employee Recognition

javascript

const recognition = {
  name: '5 Years of Service Award',
  description: 'Recognizing exceptional dedication and 5 years of service',
  imageUrl: 'https://company.com/awards/5-year-service.png',
  metadata: {
    category: 'achievement',
    attributes: [
      { trait_type: 'Employee', value: 'Sarah Martinez' },
      { trait_type: 'Award Type', value: 'Years of Service' },
      { trait_type: 'Years', value: '5' },
      { trait_type: 'Department', value: 'Engineering' },
      { trait_type: 'Start Date', value: '2020-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Award Date', value: '2025-01-15' },
      { trait_type: 'Issued By', value: 'Acme Corporation' }
    ]
  }
};

Verification and Viewing

Public Verification

Once minted, certificates can be verified by anyone:

Via Pocketbook:

https://pocketbook.studio/certificate/{certificateId}

Via Blockchain Explorer:

https://polygonscan.com/token/{contractAddress}?a={tokenId}

Wallet Display

Recipients can view their certificates in:

Pocketbook Dashboard: Full metadata and images
MetaMask: NFT section (mobile app)
OpenSea: NFT marketplace
Any NFT Wallet: Standard ERC-721 support

Embedding Certificates

Display certificates on your website:

html

<iframe
  src="https://pocketbook.studio/embed/certificate/{id}"
  width="600"
  height="800"
  frameborder="0">
</iframe>

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Issue: Image not displaying

Ensure image URL is publicly accessible
Check image format (PNG/JPG recommended)
Verify image size is under 5MB
Wait for IPFS upload to complete

Issue: Blockchain transaction failed

Check wallet has sufficient MATIC for gas
Verify network connectivity
Wait for network congestion to clear
Retry transaction after a few minutes

Issue: Recipient can't claim voucher

Verify voucher hasn't expired
Check claim link is complete and correct
Ensure recipient has connected wallet
Check voucher hasn't been already claimed

Issue: Certificate not appearing in wallet

Wait for blockchain confirmation (30-60 seconds)
Refresh wallet or re-sync
Verify correct wallet address was used
Check certificate was successfully minted (not just voucher created)

Next Steps

For Further Learning

API Integration: Complete API Documentation
Bulk Operations: Bulk Minting Guide
Webhooks: Real-time Events
Templates: Enterprise Templates

Integration Examples

E-learning Platforms: Integrate with Moodle, Canvas, Coursera
Event Management: Connect with Eventbrite, Hopin, Luma
E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce product warranties
HR Systems: BambooHR, Workday employee recognition

Getting Help

Documentation: docs.pocketbook.studio
Email Support: seth@pocketbook.studio
Discord Community: Join our Discord
GitHub: Report issues

Ready to create your first certificate?

→ Try the Dashboard → Explore API Examples → View Quick Start

Overview ​

Certificate Lifecycle ​

Method 1: Dashboard Creation ​

Step 1: Log In and Navigate ​

Step 2: Fill Certificate Details ​

Step 3: Add Metadata Attributes ​

Step 4: Choose Distribution Method ​

Step 5: Review and Create ​

Method 2: API Creation ​

Quick API Example ​

Distribution Methods ​

Method 1: Voucher Claims (Recommended) ​

Method 2: Direct Minting ​

Method 3: Bulk Operations ​

Certificate Design Best Practices ​

Image Guidelines ​

Metadata Structure ​

Common Use Cases ​

Use Case 1: Course Completion ​

Use Case 2: Event Attendance ​

Use Case 3: Product Warranty ​

Use Case 4: Employee Recognition ​

Verification and Viewing ​

Public Verification ​

Wallet Display ​

Embedding Certificates ​

Troubleshooting ​

Common Issues ​

Next Steps ​

For Further Learning ​

Integration Examples ​

Getting Help ​

Overview

Certificate Lifecycle

Method 1: Dashboard Creation

Step 1: Log In and Navigate

Step 2: Fill Certificate Details

Step 3: Add Metadata Attributes

Step 4: Choose Distribution Method

Step 5: Review and Create

Method 2: API Creation

Quick API Example

Distribution Methods

Method 1: Voucher Claims (Recommended)

Method 2: Direct Minting

Method 3: Bulk Operations

Certificate Design Best Practices

Image Guidelines

Metadata Structure

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Course Completion

Use Case 2: Event Attendance

Use Case 3: Product Warranty

Use Case 4: Employee Recognition

Verification and Viewing

Public Verification

Wallet Display

Embedding Certificates

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Next Steps

For Further Learning

Integration Examples

Getting Help