Get Badges Made: 5 Simple Steps to Custom Digital Credentials (2025)

In my conversations with universities and organisations over the past two years, I've noticed a striking trend that Forbes recently confirmed: 90% of organisations using digital recognition badges see improved employee engagement and retention.

Having worked extensively with educational institutions to implement digital credentialing solutions, I've seen firsthand how the right approach to digital badges can transform the way we recognise and validate achievements. Whether you're an organisation looking to modernise your recognition system or an institution wanting to provide more meaningful credentials, creating digital badges doesn't have to be complicated.

I've distilled my experience working with universities and credentialing platforms into five straightforward steps that will help you create and implement your own digital badge programme. From defining your goals to designing and deploying your badges, I'll walk you through each stage of the process, ensuring you have all the practical knowledge needed to get started with digital credentials.

What are Digital Achievement Badges?

Digital achievement badges are becoming the new standard for recognising and sharing accomplishments in our increasingly digital world.

Think of them as the modern, supercharged version of traditional certificates or badges - except they're completely digital, instantly verifiable, and packed with detailed information about your achievements.

These aren't just simple image files. They're sophisticated digital credentials that contain specific details about what you've achieved, when you achieved it, and who awarded it to you.

The Evolution from Physical to Digital

Physical certificates served us well for centuries, but they have some obvious limitations in today's fast-paced digital world.

Digital badges solve these traditional problems in several ways:

• They can't be lost or damaged
• They're instantly shareable across digital platforms
• They can be verified immediately by employers
• They contain much more detailed information about your specific skills
• They're environmentally friendly - no paper or physical storage needed
• They can be easily updated as you gain new qualifications or skills
• They're stackable, allowing you to build a comprehensive digital portfolio

Inside a Digital Badge

Every digital badge has three main components that work together to make it a powerful credential:

Each badge contains essential metadata fields that make it truly meaningful:

• Badge name and detailed description of the achievement
• Specific criteria explaining how the badge was earned
• Issue date and expiry date (if applicable)
• Complete issuer details for verification
• Evidence URLs linking to proof of achievement
• Verification data ensuring badge authenticity
• Skills and competencies demonstrated

Real-World Impact

Digital badges are rapidly becoming essential in professional environments for several reasons.

They give employers instant, reliable proof of your skills - much more specific than traditional certificates can provide. In fact, one-third of HR professionals now consider digital credentials in their hiring decisions.

They're particularly valuable in fast-moving fields like technology, healthcare, and education, where specific skills need to be validated quickly and accurately.

The impact is significant - research shows that digital badges can increase learner engagement by 25% in professional development courses.

By 2026, it's expected that 60% of employers will use digital badges to evaluate candidates - making them increasingly important for career development.

Blockchain-secured digital badges are completely tamper-proof and permanently verifiable, solving the age-old problem of credential fraud. When verification is needed, the system checks the blockchain record to confirm the badge's authenticity and validity, creating an immutable proof of achievement.

These badges represent a dynamic, evolving record of your professional journey. They can be easily updated and stacked as you gain new skills or achievements, creating a comprehensive digital portfolio of your capabilities. What's more, they're designed to be portable across different platforms and can be seamlessly shared on professional networks like LinkedIn, where they're optimised for display in both square and circular frames.

Step 1: Define Your Badge Programme Goals

Setting up a badge programme might feel like a big task, but it's actually quite straightforward when you break it down into clear goals. The key is to focus on creating a system that truly reflects your organisation's values and objectives. Digital badges motivate workers to boost their knowledge while demonstrating your commitment to employing skilled professionals.

Identify Your Recognition Goals

First, you need to pinpoint exactly what achievements and skills you want to recognise. Think carefully about what matters most to your organisation and your badge earners - are you recognising specific skills, completed courses, or professional milestones?

Set Clear Earning Criteria

Your badge criteria need to be specific and measurable - this is what makes digital badges meaningful. The most effective programmes use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to ensure badges represent genuine achievements.

• Define exactly what someone needs to do to earn each badge
• Include assessment methods (tests, portfolio submissions, practical demonstrations)
• Specify any time-based requirements (course duration, experience needed)
• Consider whether badges should expire or need renewal
• Create structured pathways from foundational to advanced certifications
• Include detailed metadata about issuer details, recipient information, and issue dates

Map to Professional Standards

Linking your badges to industry standards makes them more valuable and credible for everyone. Leading organisations have shown that alignment with professional frameworks significantly increases badge recognition and adoption. Modern digital credentialing platforms secure these badges using blockchain technology, making them tamper-proof and easily verifiable by employers. This is increasingly important as credential fraud has increased by 78% in five years.

Consider which professional frameworks or educational standards align with your badges - this might be industry certifications, academic qualifications, or workplace competencies. Many successful programmes align with standards from:

• Open Badges standard
• International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) guidelines
• Industry-specific regulatory frameworks

Make sure your badge criteria clearly show how they connect to these standards, as this helps badge earners understand the real-world value of their achievements. Hiring managers can easily verify skills and assess the effort candidates have put in beyond their formal education.

Consider Your Assessment Approach

Your assessment methods need to be robust and fair - this is what gives your badges credibility. Digital badge platforms offer various tools to help with this, including:

• Multiple assessment options (online tests, practical assessments, peer reviews)
• Clear pass marks or completion requirements
• Achievement verification processes
• Portfolio reviews for complex skills assessment
• Quest-based criteria systems for evidence submission
• Documentation of assessment methodologies

Take time to get these foundations right - they'll make managing your badge programme much easier down the line, and ensure your digital credentials carry real weight in the professional world.

Finally, document everything in a programme blueprint. This should include your quality assurance processes, specific assessment methodologies, and any continuous learning requirements for badge maintenance. Having this documentation will help maintain consistency and credibility across your entire badge programme.

Step 2: Select Your Digital Credentialing Platform

When it comes to digital badges and certificates, your platform choice is crucial - it's the foundation that everything else will be built upon. As digital certificates and credentials become the new standard, selecting the right platform is more important than ever.

There's quite a lot to think about, but I'll help you focus on what really matters. Your choice will impact everything from how quickly you can issue credentials to how secure they are, so it's worth taking the time to get this right.

Key Features You Need

Essential Platform Requirements

Your digital credentialing platform absolutely must offer:

• Robust Security: Blockchain verification is non-negotiable in 2025 - it's the gold standard for ensuring your credentials can't be faked. Blockchain credentials provide enhanced security against falsified and reproduced certificates, creating a permanent, tamper-proof record of each credential issued
• Design Flexibility: You need the freedom to create credentials that match your brand and look professional. This includes support for formats like PNG, SVG, or JPEG, with mandatory fields for badge name, description, criteria, skills represented, and issuer details
• Automation Tools: Manual processes waste time - look for platforms that can automate credential issuance based on completion criteria. Features like CSV uploads for bulk issuance and automatic expiration management are essential
• Analytics and Reporting: Data helps you understand how your credentials are being used and valued. Look for platforms that offer detailed insights into credential acceptance rates, sharing statistics, and engagement metrics
• Integration Options: The platform should work seamlessly with your existing systems, including popular LMS platforms like Moodle and Banner through API access and Single Sign-On capabilities

Platform Focus Areas

Different platforms excel in different areas, and understanding these strengths will help you make the right choice for your organisation. Digital credentials are becoming increasingly valuable for hiring companies, allowing them to easily verify qualifications and skills.

Consider solutions like modern digital credentialing platforms that combine blockchain security and intuitive design tools - ideal if you need tamper-proof credentials with strong branding options.

Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific needs:

• High-Volume Issuance: Focus on automation capabilities. Look for features like bulk issuance through CSV uploads and automated badge delivery upon course completion
• Brand-Critical Requirements: Prioritise design flexibility and ensure the platform supports Open Badges 3.0 specifications for maximum interoperability
• System Integration Needs: Integration options become crucial. Check for API access and compatibility with your LMS or HRIS systems
• Academic Programmes: Look for platforms that can handle comprehensive badge programmes with learning pathways and prerequisite tracking
• Professional Certifications: Ensure the platform supports industry-standard verification processes and alignment with professional frameworks

Take time to evaluate your requirements carefully - the right platform will make managing digital credentials straightforward and efficient.

Make sure to request demos of any platform you're considering - there's no better way to understand if it'll work for your needs than seeing it in action. During these demos, prepare specific questions about your must-have features and ask to see them demonstrated in real-time.

Step 3: Design Your Digital Badge

You've reached the fun part - designing your digital badge! This is where we create a professional, eye-catching credential that your achievers will be proud to display.

Visual Elements

Your badge needs to look sharp and professional, no matter where it's displayed. Complex, visually appealing designs tend to capture greater user attention, making your credentials more likely to be noticed and shared.

First up, stick to 600x600 pixels at 300 DPI - this ensures your badge stays crystal clear whether it's viewed on LinkedIn profiles or digital CVs.

Keep your design clean and simple. Include your organisation's logo, but don't let it dominate the badge. Think about the core achievement you're recognising and choose imagery that reflects it.

For colours, less is more. Pick 2-3 complementary colours that align with your brand. Make sure they contrast well - you want your badge text to be easily readable. The right color combination can significantly boost engagement and enhance brand identity.

When choosing your achievement icons, consider your sector:

• Educational achievements: Graduation caps, books, or scrolls
• Professional training: Briefcases, charts, or professional tools
• Certification badges: Shields, seals, or emblems
• General achievements: Stars, ribbons, or laurel wreaths

Technical Requirements

Now for the technical bits that make your badge work properly in the digital world.

Your badge needs proper metadata - think of it as the badge's DNA. This includes:

• Badge name and description
• Earning criteria
• Organisation details
• Verification URL
• Expiration date (if applicable)
• Evidence URL (recommended)

When it comes to file formats, you have two main options:

• SVG format: Ideal for perfect scaling across all devices
• PNG format: Excellent for professional look with transparent background

Mobile optimisation is crucial as most people will view badges on their phones. Test how your design looks when scaled down to around 90x90 pixels (typical social media size). Keep the design uncluttered and use vector graphics where possible to maintain clarity on smaller screens.

For accessibility, maintain a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio in your text. This ensures everyone can read your badge details clearly, regardless of their visual abilities. Some professional colour combinations that work well include:

• Dark grays (#333333) on white (#FFFFFF)
• Professional green (#2ECC71) on white backgrounds
• Professional blue (#3498DB) on white backgrounds

For typography, stick to professional fonts that display well digitally:

• Sans-serif fonts: Arial, Helvetica, Open Sans (excellent for screen readability)
• Serif fonts: Times New Roman (if needed for traditional look, but ensure clarity at small sizes)

To streamline the process, consider using a drag-and-drop digital credential designer that automatically handles these technical requirements while giving you complete design flexibility. This approach ensures your badges meet all specifications while saving valuable time.

Your badge isn't just a pretty picture - it's a verified digital achievement that represents real accomplishment. Take time to get the design right, and you'll create something your achievers will be eager to share.

Step 4: Configure Your Badge System

Setting up a digital badge system needs to be done properly to ensure everything runs smoothly and securely from day one. A well-configured system will save you time, enhance security, and provide value to your badge recipients.

Set Up Your Automated Workflow

The key to an efficient badge system is automation - you don't want to be manually creating and sending badges to every recipient. Automated badge issuance and renewal notifications significantly reduce administrative workload while maintaining quality.

Your system should automatically issue badges when someone completes the required criteria. This means connecting your badge platform to your existing systems (like your Learning Management System or HR software) using APIs.

Most modern Learning Management Systems like Moodle, Absorb LMS, Docebo, and LearnUpon support digital badge integration through RESTful APIs and webhooks. These integrations enable automatic badge issuance based on specific triggers within your existing workflow.

Common trigger points for automatic badge issuance:

• After completing a specific course or assessment
• Upon reaching a milestone or performance target
• When receiving recognition from managers/peers
• At regular intervals for ongoing achievements
• Upon completing observational checklists for on-the-job skills
• When finishing compliance training requirements

The system should also handle bulk issuance when needed, like awarding badges to an entire graduating class or training cohort. This ensures scalability as your badge programme grows.

Configure Recipient Communications

Clear communication is crucial when issuing digital badges - your recipients need to know they've earned something valuable and how to claim it.

Essential elements for badge notification systems:

• A congratulatory message explaining the achievement
• Clear instructions for claiming their badge
• Details about how they can share it professionally
• Information about the badge's value and verification process
• Links to social media sharing options
• In-platform notifications through your LMS

Consider setting up reminder notifications for unclaimed badges to ensure they don't go to waste. A good practice is to send reminders after 7 days and again after 14 days if the badge remains unclaimed.

Implement Strong Verification

Digital badges need to be easily verifiable to have real value. Your verification system should be both secure and user-friendly. Blockchain-secured digital credentials provide tamper-proof, instantly verifiable certificates that maintain their integrity over time.

Each badge should be secured with blockchain technology, creating an unalterable record that proves the badge is genuine and maintains its value over time.

Essential verification components:

• A clear verification link that anyone can use to check authenticity
• QR codes for quick mobile verification with secure HTTPS URLs
• Metadata that shows exactly what the badge represents
• Details about when and by whom the badge was issued
• JSON-LD formatted metadata following Open Badges standards
• Required fields like issuer, recipient, badge class, and earning criteria

Set Up Data Privacy Controls

Data privacy isn't optional - it's essential for maintaining trust and meeting legal requirements. Your badge system must protect both the organisation and the badge recipients.

Key security measures to implement:

Make sure your system complies with relevant data protection regulations like GDPR, including explicit user consent mechanisms and the ability to handle data deletion requests.

Always do a test run with a small pilot group before launching your badge system widely. This helps identify any issues early and ensures everything works as intended. Successful pilot programs often focus on specific use cases like new hire onboarding or skills development, allowing you to refine the system based on real user feedback. Regular monitoring and adjustment of your configuration will help maintain an effective badge system over time.

Step 5: Deploy Your Badge Programme

Launch With a Test Group First

Starting small with digital badges is the smart way to go. Pick a specific course or department as your test case. Running a pilot program first lets you test a small-scale version before making long-term commitments.

This approach gives you room to iron out any wrinkles before rolling out badges across your entire organisation.

Think of it like a dress rehearsal - you want to spot any issues when the stakes are lower.

Your implementation framework should include:

• Defining clear, measurable goals
• Setting transparent earning criteria
• Ensuring alignment with institutional objectives
• Creating a timeline for testing and evaluation
• Establishing communication channels for feedback

Using a digital credentialing platform's test environment will let you create and issue badges without affecting your main systems, giving you a safe space to experiment and refine your approach.

Keep a Close Eye on These Numbers

Collect Meaningful Feedback

Your test group's experience is invaluable - they'll tell you what's working and what isn't.

Create a simple feedback form asking about their experience with:

• The claiming process
• Badge design and appearance
• Technical hiccups
• Ways they're using their badges
• Suggestions for improvement

To maximise the value of your feedback, run workshops and training sessions to showcase the benefits of digital badges and ensure everyone understands how to use them effectively.

Use Data to Drive Improvements

The numbers and feedback you collect will point you toward necessary adjustments. Modern analytics dashboards can help track these metrics automatically, giving you real-time insights into your badge program's performance.

Low claim rates might mean your recipients need better guidance on claiming their badges. If verification rates are low, consider whether your badges are visible enough on professional platforms.

Key areas to monitor:

• Integration with your LMS and other existing systems
• User engagement levels
• Technical performance and reliability
• Badge visibility on professional platforms

Ready for Full Launch

Once you've refined your programme based on test group results, you're set for a wider rollout. Consider using bulk issuance to streamline the process when scaling up your program.

Essential elements for successful full deployment:

• Regular monitoring of key metrics
• Scheduled check-ins with department heads
• Updated documentation reflecting process improvements
• Clear communication templates and guides
• Robust support system with training materials
• IT support for technical challenges

Make sure you've got clear policies in place for data protection and privacy settings - this includes ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR and having transparent procedures for data handling.

Remember that your digital badge programme should evolve with your organisation's needs, so maintain flexibility and stay responsive to user feedback even after full deployment.

Getting Digital Badges Made: Your Path to Professional Recognition

Throughout my research into digital badges, I've seen how they're transforming the way we recognise and verify professional achievements. What fascinates me most is how a seemingly simple digital asset can carry such weight in professional development.

Whether you're starting with a small recognition programme or planning to scale across an organisation, these five steps provide a solid foundation for success. Just remember that like any digital initiative, it's worth taking the time to test and refine your approach.

• Yaz