PDF Builder is the recommended BricksMembers certificate engine when the certificate must download reliably as a PDF. It gives you a fixed certificate canvas, drag-and-drop positioning, background images, and exact placement for dynamic fields.
Why Use PDF Builder?
- Reliable downloadable PDFs
- Exact field placement over a designed certificate background
- Built-in formats for A4, A5, and US Letter
- Text stays real text in the PDF
- Built-in QR codes, icons, images, and shapes
Create a PDF Builder Template
- Go to BricksMembers → Certificates → Templates
- Click Add New Template
- Select PDF Builder
- Choose a format and style preset
- Enter a unique name
- Create the template
If you want to combine both certificate experiences, choose Both Builders instead. That creates a printable PDF Builder layout and a matching Bricks-based digital certificate from the same starting preset.
Available standard formats:
- A4 Portrait / Landscape
- A5 Portrait / Landscape
- US Letter Portrait / Landscape
Available style families:
- Classic
- Modern
- Background Canvas
How the Editor Works
The editor has three panels:
- Builder on the left for blocks and layers
- Canvas in the middle for live design
- Inspector on the right for template and block settings
The canvas uses a fixed coordinate system. It scales visually to fit your screen, but the stored positions stay exact.
Available Blocks
- Text — static or dynamic content
- Image — static or dynamic image source
- Icon — Bricks icon libraries or media SVG/PNG
- QR — verification, display, download, or PDF URL
- Shape — rectangle, ellipse, line, gradients, image fills
Best Workflow for Background-Based Certificates
- Upload your certificate artwork as the document background
- Set the background display mode to Fill, Contain, or Cover
- Add text blocks for student name, title, date, and number
- Use the safe margins and snapping guides to align fields
- Add a QR block near the signature or footer area
- Preview the template with sample data before saving the final layout
Recommended Dynamic Data
{{student_name}}{{scope_title}}{{issued_date}}{{expires_date}}{{number}}{{score}}{{template_title}}{{scope_type}}{{site_name}}{{site_logo_url}}{{status}}{{verification_url}}{{display_url}}{{download_url}}{{pdf_url}}{{qr_url}}{{student_avatar_url}}{{scope_featured_image_url}}{{scope_video_image_url}}{{badge_image_url}}when Open Badges is enabled
Useful Editor Features
- Double-click a text block to edit directly on the canvas
- Use snapping to align blocks to center lines and safe margins
- Use layers to reorder elements visually
- Use the Template tab in the inspector for page settings
- Use the Selection tab in the inspector for the currently selected block
- Use Preview Template to see realistic example data
When you are happy with the printable layout, use Copy for Bricks to copy Bricks-compatible JSON for the current builder document. This is useful if you want to start a more responsive digital certificate layout in Bricks without recreating everything manually.
Links and Clickable Elements
Text and image blocks can include a Link URL. That means your downloaded PDF can include clickable links, for example:
- Link a button or label to
{{verification_url}} - Link a badge image to
{{badge_assertion_url}} - Link a help label to
{{display_url}}
Template Display Options
In the template settings, choose how the certificate should open for learners:
- Direct PDF — opens the inline PDF route directly
- Bricks Page — opens a Bricks page that embeds the PDF using the BRM Certificate PDF element
- Both Builders — use Bricks for the online certificate page and PDF Builder for the downloadable PDF
Best Practices
- Use PDF Builder when downloadable PDF quality matters more than free-form web layout
- Keep the background art separate from the dynamic fields
- Use center lines and safe margins instead of eyeballing placement
- Use QR codes for verification on every public certificate
- Use preview before connecting the template to an automatic rule
