--- title: "\\[n8n-template\\] Certification Creator & Checker with PDFgenerationAPI Templates — Paolo Ronco" language: "en" url: "https://paoloronco.it/en/writing/n8n-template-certification-creator-checker-with-pdfgenerationapi-templates" --- [← writing](/en/writing) 17 December 2025 · 3 min read · #n8n # \[n8n-template\] Certification Creator & Checker with PDFgenerationAPI Templates From a simple MVP to a reusable, production-ready workflow It was a real pleasure to connect with Michal Liska , Chief Operating Officer at PDF Generator API… * * * ## From a simple MVP to a reusable, production-ready workflow It was a real pleasure to connect with **Michal Liska**, Chief Operating Officer at **PDF Generator API by Actual Reports**, and to see this project featured as a real-world example inside the n8n ecosystem. What started as a simple MVP to automate certificate generation evolved into a reusable, template-based workflow that is now shared with the community. This article documents that evolution, explains how the system works, and shows how you can reuse it in your own environment. 👉 The full story from the PDF Generator API team is available here: [https://pdfgeneratorapi.com/blog/how-the-n8n-community-sparked-our-new-partnership-program](https://pdfgeneratorapi.com/blog/how-the-n8n-community-sparked-our-new-partnership-program) * * * ## PDF Template–based Workflow This template provides a **complete and reusable solution to automatically create, distribute, and verify digital certificates using n8n**, with **PDF Generator API templates** for PDF generation. The workflow is designed to cover the **entire lifecycle of a certificate**, from the initial request to public verification, in a clean and maintainable way. It is an **MVP**, but already **fully functional, tested, and production-ready**, and can be reused with minimal configuration in different environments. ![](/posts/n8n-template-certification-creator-checker-with-pdfgenerationapi-templates/Workflow-image-1024x394.png) [Example-certificate](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates/Assets/Example-Certificate.pdf) Visit my Github n8n templates: [https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates) See the workflow on n8n Creators hub: coming soon * * * ## What problem this template solves In many real-world scenarios, certificates are still: - generated manually - created with fragile scripts - hard to verify - visually inconsistent - difficult to maintain over time This template solves those problems by providing: - automated certificate creation - a unique and verifiable Certification ID - consistent PDF output using templates - a public verification endpoint - a clear separation between automation logic and visual design * * * ## 🚀 What makes this version different **YouTube** Video: [https://youtu.be/eqSWoPndVUg](https://youtu.be/eqSWoPndVUg)[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-what-makes-this-version-different) This workflow is the **evolution of the original HTML-based version**. ### Why templates instead of HTML?[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#why-templates-instead-of-html) The repository includes: - a ready-to-use **PDF Generator API template** - placeholders such as: - `{Candidate}` - `{CourseName}` - `{DueDate}` - `{ID}` You can freely customize: - layout - fonts - colors - logos - signatures - date formatting - QR codes No workflow changes are required when updating the template. * * * ## 🤖 AI-powered template editing (Gemini)[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-ai-powered-template-editing-gemini) PDF Generator API provides an **AI Gem powered by Gemini** to help users create and refine templates. 👉 AI Gem link: [https://gemini.google.com/gem/1RrpDHQocP7E7C7Bpsc7yhDT-AkuKNuT\_?usp=sharing](https://gemini.google.com/gem/1RrpDHQocP7E7C7Bpsc7yhDT-AkuKNuT_?usp=sharing) You can: - describe the layout in natural language - generate or modify templates - iterate faster without manual positioning * * * ## 🛠 Requirements[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-requirements) Before importing the workflow, you need: 1. **n8n instance** (Cloud or self-hosted) 2. **n8n Data Table** with fields: - `Name` (string) - `Surname` (string) - `CertificationID` (string) 3. **PDF Generator API account** 4. **Gmail OAuth2 credentials** 5. Ability to call HTTP webhooks * * * * * * ## 🚀 Installation[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-installation) ### 1\. Import the workflow[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#1-import-the-workflow) - Go to **n8n → Workflows → Import** - Paste `workflow.json` * * * ### 2\. Configure Data Table [](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#2-configure-data-table) Update these nodes: - `Insert_Certification` - `Find_Certification_By_ID` - `Find_Certification_By_ID1` * * * ### 3\. Configure credentials[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#3-configure-credentials) - PDF Generator API node → set credentials - Gmail node → set OAuth2 credentials * * * ### 4\. Activate the workflow[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#4-activate-the-workflow) Click **Activate** and you’re ready to go. * * * * * * ## 🧪 Status: MVP (but production-ready)[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-status-mvp-but-production-ready) This project started as an MVP, but it is: - fully functional - tested - modular - easy to extend You can use it **for free**, adapt it to your needs, and deploy it in production with minimal changes. * * * ## 🌍 Why this matters[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-why-this-matters) This repository demonstrates how: - low-code automation - clean API design - reusable templates - community-driven sharing can produce **real-world, production-grade solutions**, not just demos. * * * ## 📎 Links[](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/tree/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates#-links) - \[n8n workflow on Creators Hub\](coming soon) - [YouTube Video](https://youtu.be/eqSWoPndVUg) - [Project article and documentation](https://paoloronco.it/en/writing/n8n-template-certification-creator-checker/) - [PDF Generator API](https://pdfgeneratorapi.com/) - [Template AI Gem](https://github.com/paoloronco/n8n-templates/blob/main/free-templates/3a-Certification-Creation%26Validation%20With%20PDF%20Templates) On this page - [From a simple MVP to a reusable, production-ready workflow](#from-a-simple-mvp-to-a-reusable-production-ready-workflow) - [PDF Template–based Workflow](#pdf-templatebased-workflow) - [What problem this template solves](#what-problem-this-template-solves) - [🚀 What makes this version different](#-what-makes-this-version-different) - [🤖 AI-powered template editing (Gemini)](#-ai-powered-template-editing-gemini) - [🛠 Requirements](#-requirements) - [🚀 Installation](#-installation) - [🧪 Status: MVP (but production-ready)](#-status-mvp-but-production-ready) - [🌍 Why this matters](#-why-this-matters) - [📎 Links](#-links)