Why Document Generation Happens in the Background
Cards and certificates render on a dedicated background system, not instantly in your browser.
Why it's not instant
Rendering a Membership Card, or in future a certificate, involves generating a real, print-quality PDF, church logo, member photo, precise layout, from scratch. Sermfy processes this on a dedicated background system rather than in your browser tab, so you can navigate away and the job keeps running.
What this means for you
You'll see a document move from Queued to Ready rather than appearing the instant you click Generate, for a single card this is typically just a few seconds, for a large bulk batch, longer, since jobs are processed conservatively to keep quality and church branding rendering consistent across every card.
You don't need to keep the page open while a document generates or a bulk batch processes, it continues in the background regardless.
Best practice
For a large bulk job, kick it off and check back in a few minutes rather than watching a progress bar the whole time, your time is better spent elsewhere while the batch works through your member list.
Related Articles
Bulk-Generating Membership Cards for Multiple Members
How bulk card generation processes in the background, and what happens if one member's card fails.
Understanding Document Templates and Versions
Why templates are versioned, and how your church gets its own copy the moment you customize one.
Customizing Your Membership Card Template
What you can and can't customize today, and how changes are saved.
Troubleshooting a Membership Card That Won't Generate
The most common reasons a single card fails, and how to fix each one.