How to Update and Export COA Files in Illustrator for Art Editions

How to Update and Export COA Files in Illustrator for Art Editions

Learn step-by-step how to manage, update, and export Certificate of Authenticity (COA) files in Adobe Illustrator, including tips for formatting, adding signatures, and selecting artboard ranges for editions like The Scream and Mona Lisa.

August 5, 2025 By Scott Edelstein

In this guide, we'll learn how to export specific artboards from a master Certificate of Authenticity (COA) file in Adobe Illustrator. This process helps keep all COAs in a consistent format and makes it easier to print or share them when needed. We'll focus on selecting the correct artboards for export, ensuring that template elements like signature boxes and edition numbers are handled correctly.

Let's get started

I have the master COA file open and have been adding each new COA we create, updating the date as needed. This way, everything is in the same format and easy to find when we need to print, especially since we just sold a new edition of work. The box around the text, the signature, and the edition number are all added in Illustrator on a template layer. You will write the signature and edition number with a pen.

Step #1: Click here — Click here

Step #2: Double-click on "Placeholders" — Double-click on "Placeholders"

We can do this if it helps you, just to see.

Step #3: Click here — Click here

Step #4: Click here — Click here

Even if we leave this on, they won't print or export.

Step #5: Click here — Click here

Step #6: Click on "Fil" — Click on "Fil"

Let's see. I'm going to select Export As.

Step #7: Click on "Export As" — Click on "Export As"

Next, select Use Artboards. Before setting the range, let's first determine which range we need.

Step #8: Drag here — Drag here

Step #9: Click on "Cancel" — Click on "Cancel"

Step #10: Click here — Click here

We need 10 and 7 for the range.

Step #11: Drag here — Drag here

Those are the artboard numbers for The Scream and Mona Lisa.

Step #12: Click on "File" — Click on "File"

Step #13: Click on "." — Click on "."

7, comma, 10, and then...

Step #14: Click on "2" — Click on "2"

Step #15: Click on "12" — Click on "12"

16

Type "Backspace"

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Type ", 10"

Let's see if that works.

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Type ", 10"

Step #19: Click on "ITI" — Click on "ITI"

Step #20: Click on "ITI" — Click on "ITI"

Step #21: Click on "Export" — Click on "Export"

It looks like they are appearing here.

Step #22: Click on "Export" — Click on "Export"

Step #23: Click on "250717 MASTER COA v1.ai" — Click on "250717 MASTER COA v1.ai"

Step #24: Click on "250717 COAs for LTI" — Click on "250717 COAs for LTI"

Step #25: Click here — Click here

Step #26: Double-click on "900" — Double-click on "900"

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Type "600"

Step #28: Click on "OK" — Click on "OK"

Step #29: Click here — Click here

Step #30: Click here — Click here

Let me update it.

Step #31: Double-click on "250717 COAs for LTI" — Double-click on "250717 COAs for LTI"

Step #32: Double-click on "250R17 COAs for" — Double-click on "250R17 COAs for"

Step #33: Double-click on "250717 COAS for" — Double-click on "250717 COAS for"

Step #34: Click on "250717" — Click on "250717"

Step #35: Click here — Click here

Step #36: Click here — Click here