What to include in an artwork COA
The stronger the identification record, the easier it is for a collector, gallery, insurer, or future buyer to understand exactly what the certificate belongs to.
Artwork identity
Record the title, year, medium, materials, dimensions, edition status, and any studio reference that identifies the exact work.
Creator details
Connect the certificate to the artist or studio profile, including name, bio, links, and signature where appropriate.
Visual record
Include clear photos of the finished artwork and any relevant detail shots, edition marks, labels, or condition notes.
Authenticity statement
Make a direct statement that the certificate authenticates this specific artwork, not just a general body of work.
Verification path
Give collectors a stable public URL, QR code, or linked Proofmark tag so the certificate can be checked after handoff.
Why an artwork COA matters
A COA gives the artwork a record of authorship and identity. It helps a buyer understand what they own, helps a gallery or marketplace verify the work, and gives the artist a way to preserve provenance after the piece leaves the studio.
A weak certificate is easy to lose, copy, or detach from the work. A stronger COA combines clear artwork details with a public verification page that can be opened again later.
Digital and physical can work together
A printed certificate is still useful at handoff, but the official record should not depend only on paper. With Proofmark, the same COA can be shared as a link, printed for the collector, or connected to a Proofmark NFC tag attached to the artwork, frame, package, or printed certificate.
That gives the work a practical verification path: scan the QR code or tap the tag, then open the public COA.
How Proofmark creates the record
Create your profile, register the artwork, add photos and details, then issue the certificate. Proofmark creates a public page for the work and lets you share, print, or tag the certificate.
After the sale, the public COA can continue to point collectors back to your profile and help you understand how the work is being opened over time.