PDF vs mailed certs

Is there a difference? I know some companies will charge x amount for a physical copy to mail. But couldn't I just download the PDF (if its offered) and print it out if I wanted a physical copy?

Find more posts tagged with

SAVE $250 on Your Boot Camp — Use Code "EXAM26"

Exclusively for TechExams members for Infosec Boot Camps starting before April 30, 2026

View Boot Camps

Comments

PCTechLinc

If you buy the physical copy, they print it on "Premium" paper. I always opt for the PDFs myself. I always end up losing the paper copies, including with my degrees.

Entmta

PCTech that is my thing too. I'd likely loose the official copies. For my certs I think printing them out from the PDF for my records is the easiest way to go. What is considered "Premium" paper?

GSXR750K2

No difference...you can print it on papyrus if you want to. The PDF copy expires at the same time the paper copy does.

I throw my paper copies into a folder in a drawer.

Cisco Inferno

Entmta wrote: »

PCTech that is my thing too. I'd likely loose the official copies. For my certs I think printing them out from the PDF for my records is the easiest way to go. What is considered "Premium" paper?

I think something like linen resume paper or the sort. Think of us dollar paper.

Anyhow, I've ripped my ccna, lost my others, and dont really care. Go for the PDFs.
The only thing I want framed, and which does come as a plaque, is CCIE.

Dakinggamer87

These days I prefer digital on almost everything!! I have a few certifications framed and my degrees but that's about it. The rest I have as PDF's to save space on my wall.

Cisco Inferno

Dakinggamer87 wrote: »

These days I prefer digital on almost everything!! I have a few certifications framed and my degrees but that's about it. The rest I have as PDF's to save space on my wall.

Hahaha yeah more room for Cisco Commands on my wall!

My gf's sister, when she was in med school with a house full of other med students had posters of everything on every inch of every wall. Kitchen, bathrooms, hallways.

Entmta

I have my certs (all two of them!) framed..well, I have what I printed off from the PDF framed. Once I move forward and get more certs, and get higher level certs, I'm probably not going to frame them all lol

Dakinggamer87

Cisco Inferno wrote: »

Hahaha yeah more room for Cisco Commands on my wall!

My gf's sister, when she was in med school with a house full of other med students had posters of everything on every inch of every wall. Kitchen, bathrooms, hallways.

Haha that's cool. I'm a minimalist need room for my Club Nintendo posters

thomas_

I usually get a paper copy and order the PDF version as well because I'm weird like that.