WARNING! YOU MUST HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT TO DO THIS!
A decade and some change ago I created a set of award templates, which were just pdfs, intending for parks that do not have someone who can create something good looking for awards. This was in the before time, when awards could be a scrap of paper. Parks used them, and continue to use them, but I really don't want them to. My focus has changed, in that instead of doing it all for amtgarders, that I should instead enable amtgarders who can create their own award templates for their group. This is the end result of that effort.
How it Works
Read this page!
Click "Make this Award" below, it will open in a new tab or download the google sites mobile app and it will open there. This will make a copy of the award in your own google drive.
Edit to your heart's content, put in names, reasons for the awards, specialized order artwork, text, fonts, heraldry, whatever you want.
Print! Save as a pdf for printing later. Save a .jpg or .png for displaying online.
Using Google Slides and Google Sheets to Make Automatic Custom Award Templates
All Orders Awards
Use these to make one single award template for all the orders you are giving out.
Specific Orders
These awards are designed to be one specific order, and not part of any specific set of awards
Fairy Tale Award Set
A full set of awards that I had originally made for Neverwinter, in a fairy tale theme. I think I just liked this border at the time.
A Note About Copyright
You can use any of the artwork I have provided on this page below, I am giving it away free for use, under creative commons. You can use it in personal and commercial use. I have either come up with the designs myself, or used free for use copyright free artwork to create these pieces. If you find something that you think someone else has made a piece and it is falsely put online by me, send me an email and I will be glad to remove it.
Now, if you want to use other images that you find online, that is up to you. I recommend using .png files, because they can have transparent backgrounds, making them easier to layer text and images.
I recommend these sites to find free for reuse artwork:
Google Image Search This is the most simple image search, simply search for what you want, then click Images. Tools>Usage Rights>Labeled for Reuse.
Book of Heraldric Traceable Art Need artwork to make heraldry? Here's THE place to get it.
Assets
Backgrounds
You can change the background of the award to anything you want. If you use a background that is not sized exactly like the award, it will squish it, so keep that in mind. To change backgrounds, right click on some blank space in the award and select "Change Background" You can then put in anything you want.
Borders
You can edit or insert a new border image, or layer multiple images on top of each other easily, simply click on Insert>Image and select a file on your computer, or in your google drive. Then, you can click on the blue corner circles surrounding your image, and drag it to make it larger or smaller. You can also use Arrange>Order to move the image above or below the other images and text you might have on the screen.
Award Text
This can be the hardest part of making awards. Seriously, this is hard. So. I have created two different resources that you can use to help you come up with award verbiage.
Random Award Text Generator will randomize text for you.
Award Verbiage (lets find out if I ever finish this completely) Is examples of award text I have made and samples.
Award text can vary from a full page of flowery text, to a simple statement. Personally, I try not to write too much, partially because my calligraphy isn’t terribly up to par. I like to think that most award verbiage is in three parts:
The Announcement
Where you call for attention to let everyone know that an award is being given. Examples of this include:
Let it be known that Amtgard, and the Kingdom of ______ announces that on this day we celebrate___________,
The Explanation
Where the person who is receiving, and what they are receiving it for is written out. Examples of this include:
__________, of ___________, in the kingdom of ___________, who through their service/craft/ability in ___________, has shown that they are fit to receive this, the ___ order of the __________.
King/Queen/Duke/Duchess/Baron/Baroness/Sheriff ______, of _________ has seen fit to elevate and receive all adornments thereof, _______, of ________, to the rank of __________.
The Sign Off
The end cap, where the day and date is stated, and the award is signed by the person giving the award. Examples of this include:
On this day, the __ of ______, in the year _______
________________________________________
King _______, Monarch of _________
By my hand, ______________________________Queen ______ , of _______, Day/Date/Year
You can also change the fonts of your artwork up by clicking on the More Fonts in the drop down font menu. There is a lot of options.
Heraldry
FAQ
Here are a few things you might find issues with, and possible free solutions:
Your images are not .pngs with a transparent background. Transparent Image Online will help you convert.
I did not provide the color combination you want in this clipart. I want to enable you to use free tools to help you create your own artwork. Personally, I use Adobe products, but they are a big investment financially, so I recommend the following:
Free Photoshop Alternatives:
Free Illustrator Alternatives:
Further Award Resources:
Amtgard Scribes Guild on Facebook
Color Me Amtgard Awards on Facebook
Amtgard Scribes on Pinterest
Book of Kell's, my handmade awards facebook album
Dates in Amtgard Era format, by Randall
