iterationlayer Generate PDF Certificate
Online learning platforms and corporate training departments use this recipe to generate a completion certificate on demand. Define the recipient name, course title, completion date, and a QR code linking to a verification page — producing a landscape PDF ready for formal download or print.
APIs Used
Document Generation (1 credits/request)
Prerequisites
You need an Iteration Layer API key. Get one at platform.iterationlayer.com during the 7-day trial.
For full integration guidance (SDKs, auth, MCP, error handling), see the Iteration Layer Integration Guide.
Implementation
curl -X POST https://api.iterationlayer.com/document-generation/v1/generate \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"format": "pdf",
"document": {
"metadata": {
"title": "Certificate of Completion - Advanced Data Engineering",
"author": "Horizon Academy"
},
"page": {
"size": {
"width_in_pt": 842,
"height_in_pt": 595,
},
"margins": {
"top_in_pt": 60,
"right_in_pt": 72,
"bottom_in_pt": 60,
"left_in_pt": 72
}
},
"styles": {
"text": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"line_height": 1.5,
"color": "#333333"
},
"headline": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 24.0,
"color": "#111111",
"spacing_before_in_pt": 12.0,
"spacing_after_in_pt": 6.0,
"font_weight": "bold"
},
"link": {
"color": "#0066CC",
"is_underlined": true
},
"list": {
"text_style": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"line_height": 1.5,
"color": "#333333"
},
"marker_color": "#333333",
"marker_gap_in_pt": 8.0
},
"table": {
"header": {
"background_color": "#333333",
"text_color": "#FFFFFF",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"font_weight": "bold"
},
"body": {
"background_color": "#FFFFFF",
"text_color": "#333333",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0
},
"border": {
"outer": {
"top": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0
},
"right": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0
},
"bottom": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0
},
"left": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0
}
},
"inner": {
"horizontal": {
"color": "#EEEEEE",
"width_in_pt": 0.5
},
"vertical": {
"color": "#EEEEEE",
"width_in_pt": 0.5
}
}
}
},
"grid": {
"background_color": "#FFFFFF",
"border_color": "#CCCCCC",
"border_width_in_pt": 0.0,
"gap_in_pt": 12.0
},
"separator": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"thickness_in_pt": 1.0,
"spacing_before_in_pt": 12.0,
"spacing_after_in_pt": 12.0
},
"image": {
"border_color": "#000000",
"border_width_in_pt": 0.0
}
},
"content": [
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h3",
"text": "HORIZON ACADEMY",
},
{ "type": "separator" },
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h1",
"text": "Certificate of Completion",
},
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{ "text": "This certificate is proudly presented to" }] },
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h1",
"text": "James Whitfield",
},
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{ "text": "for successfully completing the course" }] },
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h2",
"text": "Advanced Data Engineering with Apache Spark",
},
{
"type": "paragraph",
"markdown": "Completed on **March 1,
2026** with a score of **94%** after 42 hours of coursework covering distributed data processing,
pipeline orchestration,
and performance optimization.",
},
{ "type": "separator" },
{ "type": "grid", "columns": [
{ "column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Certificate ID",
"font_weight": "bold",
}] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{ "text": "CERT-2026-ADE-07284" }] }
]},
{ "column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Issued By",
"font_weight": "bold",
}] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Dr. Elena Marchetti,
Program Director",
}] }
]},
{ "column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{
"type": "qr-code",
"value": "https://verify.horizonacademy.com/cert/2026-ADE-07284",
"width_in_pt": 80,
"height_in_pt": 80,
"fg_hex_color": "#000000",
"bg_hex_color": "#FFFFFF"
}
]}
]}
]
}
}'
import { IterationLayer } from "iterationlayer";
const client = new IterationLayer({ apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY" });
const result = await client.generateDocument({
format: "pdf",
document: {
metadata: {
title: "Certificate of Completion - Advanced Data Engineering",
author: "Horizon Academy",
},
page: {
size: {
width_in_pt: 842,
height_in_pt: 595,
},
margins: {
top_in_pt: 60,
right_in_pt: 72,
bottom_in_pt: 60,
left_in_pt: 72,
},
},
styles: {
text: {
font_family: "Helvetica",
font_size_in_pt: 11.0,
line_height: 1.5,
color: "#333333",
},
headline: {
font_family: "Helvetica",
font_size_in_pt: 24.0,
color: "#111111",
spacing_before_in_pt: 12.0,
spacing_after_in_pt: 6.0,
font_weight: "bold",
},
link: {
color: "#0066CC",
is_underlined: true,
},
list: {
text_style: {
font_family: "Helvetica",
font_size_in_pt: 11.0,
line_height: 1.5,
color: "#333333",
},
marker_color: "#333333",
marker_gap_in_pt: 8.0,
},
table: {
header: {
background_color: "#333333",
text_color: "#FFFFFF",
font_size_in_pt: 11.0,
font_weight: "bold",
},
body: {
background_color: "#FFFFFF",
text_color: "#333333",
font_size_in_pt: 11.0,
},
border: {
outer: {
top: {
color: "#CCCCCC",
width_in_pt: 1.0,
},
right: {
color: "#CCCCCC",
width_in_pt: 1.0,
},
bottom: {
color: "#CCCCCC",
width_in_pt: 1.0,
},
left: {
color: "#CCCCCC",
width_in_pt: 1.0,
},
},
inner: {
horizontal: {
color: "#EEEEEE",
width_in_pt: 0.5,
},
vertical: {
color: "#EEEEEE",
width_in_pt: 0.5,
},
},
},
},
grid: {
background_color: "#FFFFFF",
border_color: "#CCCCCC",
border_width_in_pt: 0.0,
gap_in_pt: 12.0,
},
separator: {
color: "#CCCCCC",
thickness_in_pt: 1.0,
spacing_before_in_pt: 12.0,
spacing_after_in_pt: 12.0,
},
image: {
border_color: "#000000",
border_width_in_pt: 0.0,
},
},
content: [
{
type: "headline",
level: "h3",
text: "HORIZON ACADEMY",
},
{ type: "separator" },
{
type: "headline",
level: "h1",
text: "Certificate of Completion",
},
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{ text: "This certificate is proudly presented to" }] },
{
type: "headline",
level: "h1",
text: "James Whitfield",
},
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{ text: "for successfully completing the course" }] },
{
type: "headline",
level: "h2",
text: "Advanced Data Engineering with Apache Spark",
},
{
type: "paragraph",
markdown: "Completed on **March 1,
2026** with a score of **94%** after 42 hours of coursework covering distributed data processing,
pipeline orchestration,
and performance optimization.",
},
{ type: "separator" },
{ type: "grid", columns: [
{ column_span: 4, blocks: [
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{
text: "Certificate ID",
font_weight: "bold",
}] },
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{ text: "CERT-2026-ADE-07284" }] },
]},
{ column_span: 4, blocks: [
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{
text: "Issued By",
font_weight: "bold",
}] },
{ type: "paragraph", runs: [{
text: "Dr. Elena Marchetti,
Program Director",
}] },
]},
{ column_span: 4, blocks: [
{
type: "qr-code",
value: "https://verify.horizonacademy.com/cert/2026-ADE-07284",
width_in_pt: 80,
height_in_pt: 80,
fg_hex_color: "#000000",
bg_hex_color: "#FFFFFF",
},
]},
]},
],
},
});
from iterationlayer import IterationLayer
client = IterationLayer(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")
result = client.generate_document(
format="pdf",
document={
"metadata": {
"title": "Certificate of Completion - Advanced Data Engineering",
"author": "Horizon Academy",
},
"page": {
"size": {
"width_in_pt": 842,
"height_in_pt": 595,
},
"margins": {
"top_in_pt": 60,
"right_in_pt": 72,
"bottom_in_pt": 60,
"left_in_pt": 72,
},
},
"styles": {
"text": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"line_height": 1.5,
"color": "#333333",
},
"headline": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 24.0,
"color": "#111111",
"spacing_before_in_pt": 12.0,
"spacing_after_in_pt": 6.0,
"font_weight": "bold",
},
"link": {
"color": "#0066CC",
"is_underlined": True,
},
"list": {
"text_style": {
"font_family": "Helvetica",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"line_height": 1.5,
"color": "#333333",
},
"marker_color": "#333333",
"marker_gap_in_pt": 8.0,
},
"table": {
"header": {
"background_color": "#333333",
"text_color": "#FFFFFF",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
"font_weight": "bold",
},
"body": {
"background_color": "#FFFFFF",
"text_color": "#333333",
"font_size_in_pt": 11.0,
},
"border": {
"outer": {
"top": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0,
},
"right": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0,
},
"bottom": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0,
},
"left": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"width_in_pt": 1.0,
},
},
"inner": {
"horizontal": {
"color": "#EEEEEE",
"width_in_pt": 0.5,
},
"vertical": {
"color": "#EEEEEE",
"width_in_pt": 0.5,
},
},
},
},
"grid": {
"background_color": "#FFFFFF",
"border_color": "#CCCCCC",
"border_width_in_pt": 0.0,
"gap_in_pt": 12.0,
},
"separator": {
"color": "#CCCCCC",
"thickness_in_pt": 1.0,
"spacing_before_in_pt": 12.0,
"spacing_after_in_pt": 12.0,
},
"image": {
"border_color": "#000000",
"border_width_in_pt": 0.0,
},
},
"content": [
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h3",
"text": "HORIZON ACADEMY",
},
{"type": "separator"},
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h1",
"text": "Certificate of Completion",
},
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{"text": "This certificate is proudly presented to"}]},
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h1",
"text": "James Whitfield",
},
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{"text": "for successfully completing the course"}]},
{
"type": "headline",
"level": "h2",
"text": "Advanced Data Engineering with Apache Spark",
},
{
"type": "paragraph",
"markdown": "Completed on **March 1,
2026** with a score of **94%** after 42 hours of coursework covering distributed data processing,
pipeline orchestration,
and performance optimization.",
},
{"type": "separator"},
{"type": "grid", "columns": [
{"column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Certificate ID",
"font_weight": "bold",
}]},
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{"text": "CERT-2026-ADE-07284"}]},
]},
{"column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Issued By",
"font_weight": "bold",
}]},
{"type": "paragraph", "runs": [{
"text": "Dr. Elena Marchetti,
Program Director",
}]},
]},
{"column_span": 4, "blocks": [
{
"type": "qr-code",
"value": "https://verify.horizonacademy.com/cert/2026-ADE-07284",
"width_in_pt": 80,
"height_in_pt": 80,
"fg_hex_color": "#000000",
"bg_hex_color": "#FFFFFF",
},
]},
]},
],
},
)
package main
import il "github.com/iterationlayer/sdk-go"
func main() {
client := il.NewClient("YOUR_API_KEY")
result, err := client.GenerateDocument(il.GenerateDocumentRequest{
Format: "pdf",
Document: il.DocumentDefinition{
Metadata: il.DocumentMetadata{
Title: "Certificate of Completion - Advanced Data Engineering",
Author: "Horizon Academy",
},
Page: il.PageConfig{
Size: il.PageSize{
WidthInPt: 842,
HeightInPt: 595,
},
Margins: il.Margins{
TopInPt: 60,
RightInPt: 72,
BottomInPt: 60,
LeftInPt: 72,
},
},
Content: []il.ContentBlock{
il.NewHeadlineBlock("h3", "HORIZON ACADEMY"),
il.NewSeparatorBlock(),
il.NewHeadlineBlock("h1", "Certificate of Completion"),
il.ParagraphBlock{
Type: "paragraph",
Markdown: "This certificate is proudly presented to",
},
il.NewHeadlineBlock("h1", "James Whitfield"),
il.ParagraphBlock{
Type: "paragraph",
Markdown: "for successfully completing the course",
},
il.NewHeadlineBlock("h2", "Advanced Data Engineering with Apache Spark"),
il.ParagraphBlock{
Type: "paragraph",
Markdown: "Completed on **March 1,
2026** with a score of **94%** after 42 hours of coursework.",
},
il.NewSeparatorBlock(),
il.NewDocumentQrCodeBlock("https://verify.horizonacademy.com/cert/2026-ADE-07284", 80, 80),
},
},
})
if err != nil {
panic(err)
}
}
{
"name": "Generate PDF Certificate",
"nodes": [
{
"parameters": {
"content": "## Generate PDF Certificate\n\nOnline learning platforms and corporate training departments use this recipe to generate a completion certificate on demand. Define the recipient name, course title, completion date, and a QR code linking to a verification page \u2014 producing a landscape PDF ready for formal download or print.\n\n**Note:** This workflow uses the Iteration Layer community node (`n8n-nodes-iterationlayer`). Install it via Settings > Community Nodes on self-hosted n8n, or add it directly on n8n Cloud with Verified Community Nodes enabled.",
"height": 280,
"width": 500,
"color": 2
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
200,
40
],
"id": "9de906d3-89ac-4cf1-bd8e-f5952694e6d0",
"name": "Overview"
},
{
"parameters": {
"content": "### Step 1: Generate Document\nResource: **Document Generation**\n\nConfigure the Document Generation parameters below, then connect your credentials.",
"height": 160,
"width": 300,
"color": 6
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
475,
100
],
"id": "d592b491-e86f-4152-955f-4287a2ff40c0",
"name": "Step 1 Note"
},
{
"parameters": {},
"type": "n8n-nodes-base.manualTrigger",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
250,
300
],
"id": "1e88b559-d5e6-4613-b143-5a1aa9412f15",
"name": "Manual Trigger"
},
{
"parameters": {
"resource": "documentGeneration",
"format": "pdf",
"documentJson": "{\n \"metadata\": {\n \"title\": \"Certificate of Completion - Advanced Data Engineering\",\n \"author\": \"Horizon Academy\"\n },\n \"page\": {\n \"size\": {\n \"width_in_pt\": 842,\n \"height_in_pt\": 595\n },\n \"margins\": {\n \"top_in_pt\": 60,\n \"right_in_pt\": 72,\n \"bottom_in_pt\": 60,\n \"left_in_pt\": 72\n }\n },\n \"styles\": {\n \"text\": {\n \"font_family\": \"Helvetica\",\n \"font_size_in_pt\": 11.0,\n \"line_height\": 1.5,\n \"color\": \"#333333\"\n },\n \"headline\": {\n \"font_family\": \"Helvetica\",\n \"font_size_in_pt\": 24.0,\n \"color\": \"#111111\",\n \"spacing_before_in_pt\": 12.0,\n \"spacing_after_in_pt\": 6.0,\n \"font_weight\": \"bold\"\n },\n \"link\": {\n \"color\": \"#0066CC\",\n \"is_underlined\": true\n },\n \"list\": {\n \"text_style\": {\n \"font_family\": \"Helvetica\",\n \"font_size_in_pt\": 11.0,\n \"line_height\": 1.5,\n \"color\": \"#333333\"\n },\n \"marker_color\": \"#333333\",\n \"marker_gap_in_pt\": 8.0\n },\n \"table\": {\n \"header\": {\n \"background_color\": \"#333333\",\n \"text_color\": \"#FFFFFF\",\n \"font_size_in_pt\": 11.0,\n \"font_weight\": \"bold\"\n },\n \"body\": {\n \"background_color\": \"#FFFFFF\",\n \"text_color\": \"#333333\",\n \"font_size_in_pt\": 11.0\n },\n \"border\": {\n \"outer\": {\n \"top\": {\n \"color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 1.0\n },\n \"right\": {\n \"color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 1.0\n },\n \"bottom\": {\n \"color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 1.0\n },\n \"left\": {\n \"color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 1.0\n }\n },\n \"inner\": {\n \"horizontal\": {\n \"color\": \"#EEEEEE\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 0.5\n },\n \"vertical\": {\n \"color\": \"#EEEEEE\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 0.5\n }\n }\n }\n },\n \"grid\": {\n \"background_color\": \"#FFFFFF\",\n \"border_color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"border_width_in_pt\": 0.0,\n \"gap_in_pt\": 12.0\n },\n \"separator\": {\n \"color\": \"#CCCCCC\",\n \"thickness_in_pt\": 1.0,\n \"spacing_before_in_pt\": 12.0,\n \"spacing_after_in_pt\": 12.0\n },\n \"image\": {\n \"border_color\": \"#000000\",\n \"border_width_in_pt\": 0.0\n }\n },\n \"content\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"headline\",\n \"level\": \"h3\",\n \"text\": \"HORIZON ACADEMY\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"separator\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"headline\",\n \"level\": \"h1\",\n \"text\": \"Certificate of Completion\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"This certificate is proudly presented to\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"headline\",\n \"level\": \"h1\",\n \"text\": \"James Whitfield\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"for successfully completing the course\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"headline\",\n \"level\": \"h2\",\n \"text\": \"Advanced Data Engineering with Apache Spark\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"markdown\": \"Completed on **March 1,\\n 2026** with a score of **94%** after 42 hours of coursework covering distributed data processing,\\n pipeline orchestration,\\n and performance optimization.\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"separator\"\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"grid\",\n \"columns\": [\n {\n \"column_span\": 4,\n \"blocks\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"Certificate ID\",\n \"font_weight\": \"bold\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"CERT-2026-ADE-07284\"\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"column_span\": 4,\n \"blocks\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"Issued By\",\n \"font_weight\": \"bold\"\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"type\": \"paragraph\",\n \"runs\": [\n {\n \"text\": \"Dr. Elena Marchetti,\\n Program Director\"\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n },\n {\n \"column_span\": 4,\n \"blocks\": [\n {\n \"type\": \"qr-code\",\n \"value\": \"https://verify.horizonacademy.com/cert/2026-ADE-07284\",\n \"width_in_pt\": 80,\n \"height_in_pt\": 80,\n \"fg_hex_color\": \"#000000\",\n \"bg_hex_color\": \"#FFFFFF\"\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n }\n ]\n}"
},
"type": "n8n-nodes-iterationlayer.iterationLayer",
"typeVersion": 1,
"position": [
500,
300
],
"id": "a859a86f-0bbc-4716-a641-32decccea99f",
"name": "Generate Document",
"credentials": {
"iterationLayerApi": {
"id": "1",
"name": "Iteration Layer API"
}
}
}
],
"connections": {
"Manual Trigger": {
"main": [
[
{
"node": "Generate Document",
"type": "main",
"index": 0
}
]
]
}
},
"settings": {
"executionOrder": "v1"
}
}
Generate a PDF certificate of completion. Use the generate_document tool with format "pdf" in landscape orientation and these content blocks:
- Headline: "Certificate of Achievement"
- Paragraph: "This certifies that"
- Headline: [recipient name] in large text
- Paragraph: "has successfully completed"
- Headline: [course title]
- Paragraph: completion date — [date]
- Barcode: QR code linking to [verification URL]
Response
{
"success": true,
"data": {
"buffer": "JVBERi0xLjcKMSAwIG9iago8...",
"mime_type": "application/pdf"
}
}