These Graduation Cap Ideas Are the Final Touch You Need for the Ceremony (2024)

These Graduation Cap Ideas Are the Final Touch You Need for the Ceremony (1)

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One of the best parts of graduation day—besides getting your degree—is all the ways to make the day, well, about you! You get to choose the perfect graduation outfit for pictures, the songs on the party playlist, and the meal you have after. But another fun way people personalize this major achievement is by giving your cap a decorative pop that shows off your personality. These graduation cap ideas will make you stand out from the crowd and perhaps even get a few laughs!

Whether you're the graduate (or you're gathering ideas or making a graduation gift for your child), there are tons of ways to gussy up that cap. Ahead, we're sharing all the ideas that are sure to inspire you. You can work your DIY magic with an easy tutorial and let your creativity fly as high as your cap will at the end of the ceremony, or if you're not in the mood to be crafty, you can turn to lots of other options, including printable toppers, buying one that's already printed, or relying upon the amazing crafting skills of a pro who can customize the topper of your dreams. Flowers, photos, inspirational graduation quotes, favorite movies, sentiments about how excited you are be done—these ideas are all here, and then some! Your cap will be so special that you'll probably even want to put it on display at your graduation party!

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Painted Graduation Cap

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Painted Graduation Cap

Go the extra mile with a hand-painted cap full of pretty florals! You can personalize it with your own quote and white, gold, or silver lettering.

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'Change the World' Graduation Cap

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'Change the World' Graduation Cap

Now 15% Off

This cap topper can be personalized with your name, school, year, and your own photo. The globe image has a lovely watercolor look.

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'It Was Ruff But We Did It!' Graduation Cap

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'It Was Ruff But We Did It!' Graduation Cap

A terribly good pun is always a clever way to decorate. Have your dog join in on the fun with their own adorable cap!

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'I Did It!' Graduation Cap

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'I Did It!' Graduation Cap

Rosie the Riveter is the perfect figure to put on a grad cap!! SHe symbolizes hard work and dedication.

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Have a graduation photo shoot and use the best pic that demonstrates your excitement! The neat design overlays the word "graduate" and a personalized place for your name and year.

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Custom Vinyl Quote Graduation Cap

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Custom Vinyl Quote Graduation Cap

Now 25% Off

With big block letters in white and sparkling gold, this cap sure does "stand out." The classic version reads ""Why fit in when you were born to stand out," but you can also customize it with your own quote.

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SpongeBob Graduation Cap

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SpongeBob Graduation Cap

Anyone who grew up watching Spongebob knows this classic line! It's a silly yet apt phrase to talk about the last few years.

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'She Believed She Could' Graduation Cap

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'She Believed She Could' Graduation Cap

How cute! The glitter! The flowers! Reviewers love how responsive this designer is, and she offers plenty of room for customization.

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Florals and Photos Graduation Cap

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Florals and Photos Graduation Cap

This sweet cap is made of memories—literally. Choose any three photos to include on this floral and glittery topper.

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'With God, All Things Are Possible' Graduation Cap

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'With God, All Things Are Possible' Graduation Cap

This multifaceted cap has floral accents, glitter, and a beautiful quote. It expresses gratitude and faith.

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Taylor Swift Eras Graduation Cap

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Taylor Swift Eras Graduation Cap

This minimalist and block-color design is so chic! Cheers to you on entering your graduation era!

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Baseball Graduation Cap

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Baseball Graduation Cap

Now 15% Off

Who knocked it out of the park? You did! Baseball fans will want a cap that reflects their years playing (or watching) ball.

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'I Chose My Path' Graduation Cap

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'I Chose My Path' Graduation Cap

"I chose my path, but God ordered my steps" reads this gorgeous custom cap. You can personalize details like hairstyle as well as hair, skin, dress, shoes, and gown color.

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'Holy Cow!' Graduation Cap

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'Holy Cow!' Graduation Cap

This might be the most a-moo-sing idea we've seen! Featuring cute spots and that fun font, this topper comes with double-sided adhesive so you can easily apply it to your cap.

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Custom School Graduation Cap

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Custom School Graduation Cap

Whether you're graduating high school or college, this personalized mortarboard is the perfect way to show your school spirit. Choose things like background color and lettering then send the seller a logo photo so she can work her magic!

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Football Graduation Cap

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Football Graduation Cap

The Drummond boys know a thing or two about playing football for their schools! If you're anything like them, go with this cap cover to show off your love of the game. You can grab it for several other sports, too.

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Graduation Cap Tassel

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Graduation Cap Tassel

If you don't want to go all out with the decorations, but still want a touch of personality... replace your original tassel with one in a color of your choosing! With this one, there are more than 30 shades to choose from.

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Pet Graduation Cap

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Pet Graduation Cap

Animal lovers, rejoice! Now you can carry your furry friend with you across the stage. Just send in a photo of your pet and choose your custom text then let this seller hand paint the sweetest topper for you.

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'Someday Is Today' Graduation Cap

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'Someday Is Today' Graduation Cap

Glitter, faux flowers, and stitched letters that read "Someday is Today" come together to make this pretty pick. We bet you'll receive so many compliments on the big day!

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Leather Graduation Cap

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Leather Graduation Cap

How amazing is this one? The leather is hand tooled and painted with your customized design for a unique graduation cap that's sure to make your milestone even more special.

These Graduation Cap Ideas Are the Final Touch You Need for the Ceremony (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules for graduation cap decorations? ›

There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the cap. 3-D creations are prohibited. Graduation caps will be reviewed and approved in advance of the ceremony.

What is the thing on the graduation cap called? ›

For an undergraduate degree, the tassel placement rules are the same as a high school commencement. Tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left after receiving a diploma or when directed to do so by the graduation speaker.

What does the graduation cap symbolize? ›

In conclusion, the graduation cap and gown are not mere garments; they are emblems of knowledge, perseverance, and achievement. Their symbolism, rooted in history and tradition, encapsulates the journey of scholars across time.

What is the tradition of decorating graduation caps? ›

Graduates use their decorated caps to express religion beliefs. Mortarboards also serve as sites of expressing emotions ranging from appreciation and gratitude… …to frustration. Popular culture references are very common, and graduates often use humor to playfully disrupt the formality of the occasion.

Are you allowed to customize your graduation cap? ›

Unfortunately, graduation caps and gowns are normally color-coordinated with the rest of the school and can't be personalized.

What does 🎓 mean? ›

🎓 Graduation Cap emoji

It's typically worn by those graduating from high school or college.

What is the fancy name for graduation cap? ›

The square academic cap, graduate cap, cap, mortarboard (because of its similarity in appearance to the mortarboard used by brickmasons to hold mortar) or Oxford cap is an item of academic dress consisting of a horizontal square board fixed upon a skull-cap, with a tassel attached to the centre.

Why do only female graduates wear caps? ›

There are a few reasons why only female graduates wear caps. First, it is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Second, caps are seen as a symbol of intelligence and success, and female graduates have worked hard to earn their degrees.

What does a red graduation cap mean? ›

For graduate hoods and academic regalia colors, red or shades of red are used to designate the degree or discipline of Canon Law, Communications, Conservation, Divinity, Forestry, Journalism, Music, Public Health, Sacred Theology, and Theology.

Should you throw your graduation cap? ›

The act of throwing caps in the air is now widely known as a symbolic act to end a chapter of the graduate's life. There's something so unforgettable about watching it from the stands as well as being the person tossing a cap! Some schools embrace the tradition, while others have banned cap-tossing altogether.

What is the code for graduation cap? ›

“🎓” U+1F393 Graduation Cap Unicode Character.

Do I keep my graduation cap? ›

Graduation tassels and caps are versatile keepsakes! You can display them in your home or office as a proud reminder of your academic achievement.

Can you decorate your cap and gown for graduation? ›

In the past, caps and gowns were normally plain and simple, today it's common to decorate your grad cap and make it uniquely your own. Decorating your graduation cap is a great way to express yourself and share your excitement for what the future may hold for you and your classmates.

Do graduate students decorate their caps? ›

Decorating your graduation cap or mortarboard has turned into a tradition for graduates.

Can you decorate your mortarboard? ›

Your graduation cap is yours to keep, so make it meaningful and unique to you. Add a photograph or something that indicates your area of study. Use school colors or a motivational quote. Consider a short message or mantra that has kept you going throughout your education.

Can you use paint markers on a graduation cap? ›

Supplies for Decorating a Graduation Cap

I recommend using cheap acrylic paints from your local craft store (I've used these before and they work just fine), a set of cheap brushes in different sizes (these or a similar set will do the trick), and paint markers (these are well-rated).

References

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