Scan certificates and diplomas (large formats, gold seals)

Degrees, training certificates, award diplomas — requested by every employer and university, usually urgently. They're also oversized, glossy and full of decorative print that deserves a careful scan.

Big paper, phone camera

1. Lay the certificate on a large dark surface (a bed sheet works for A3+).
2. Shoot from higher up than usual so the whole sheet fits with margins; stand on a chair rather than tilt the phone.
3. Scan in ToPDF — perspective correction squares it, enhancement keeps the parchment tone without muddying it.
4. Check names, dates, registration numbers and the institution line at zoom.

Seals, foils and embossing

• Gold foil flares under direct light — angle the light or the sheet until the foil reads as gold, not white.
• Embossed (pressed) seals are invisible head-on; a low side light throws their relief into visibility.
• Calligraphic names in thin strokes want the sharpest shot you can make — steady hands or prop the phone.

The application-ready file

Employers want small, single files: one certificate per PDF, named “BSc-Certificate-{Name}-{University}.pdf”. Building an application pack? Combine certificate + transcript as pages of one PDF and see job application documents.

Frequently asked questions

Original languages vs translations?

Scan the original; pair it with the certified translation as a second page when a process requires both.

Is an enhanced scan still “a true copy”?

Yes — normalising lighting and perspective is what any photocopier does. What you must never alter is content: names, dates, grades.