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 do you write in a graduation cap? ›

60 Genius Graduation Cap Ideas
  1. Dream Big Worry Small. This Rascal Flatts quote is perfect for a graduate stepping out into the world. ...
  2. Great Things Come in Small Packages. ...
  3. Beauty and the Grad. ...
  4. Gold for the Win. ...
  5. For the Art Majors and Art Lovers. ...
  6. The Muggle Struggle. ...
  7. Adventure in a World of Possibilities. ...
  8. The Little Mer-grad.
Oct 27, 2023

What is the thing on the graduation cap? ›

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 is the significance of graduation cap? ›

Mortarboard caps are thought to have been created in the 15th century, as part of an evolution from a hat type known as a birettas which was used by Catholic clerics and professors. The distinctive square shape of a mortarboard is believed to signify a book, chosen in recognition of scholarly achievements.

Do you keep your cap after graduation? ›

We always recommend that after certain graduation traditions, such as the throwing of your graduation cap, you retrieve your graduation cap for keepsake. We also always recommend removing your graduation tassel before throwing your cap, so at the very least, you will have a tassel as a keepsake.

Are you supposed to decorate your graduation cap? ›

First and foremost, make sure you're allowed to decorate your cap. Most local schools allow you to but every school has its own policy. We also recommend gathering your friends so you can all do it together. It's a fun pre-graduation activity and a neat way to spend time together!

Do teachers wear graduation caps? ›

Caps. Caps are worn as part of the academic attire and can vary in style. Mortarboard: The most common type, a square cap with a tassel attached. The tassel's color can denote the academic discipline or the institution's colors.

What does the string on graduation cap mean? ›

The tassel on a graduation cap holds symbolic significance. It traditionally starts on one side and is moved to the other side during the graduation ceremony. This act signifies the transition from student to graduate and represents the completion of academic achievement.

What are the three types of graduation? ›

There are typically three main types of graduation: high school graduation, undergraduate graduation (for bachelor's degrees), and graduate graduation (for master's and doctoral degrees).

How did graduation caps start? ›

Many scholars believe the mortarboard style cap graduates don was developed from the biretta, a similar-looking Italian hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy. In the 12th and 13th centuries, students and teachers typically wore clerical clothing because the church was highly influential at this time.

What does the gold tassel on a graduation cap mean? ›

A gold graduation tassel is one of the most popular options for high schools, or for students who are graduating with special honors. Gold tassels may be reserved for those who are on the Dean's list, or for those students who are being recognized for special services to the school.

Can you decorate your high school graduation cap? ›

The options for graduation cap decoration ideas are endless. Some seniors opt for inspirational graduation quotes while others go for whimsical or cute graduation caps. Our tips for decorating your graduation cap will inspire your creativity, no matter what your personal style is.

What is a short quote for graduation day? ›

Inspirational graduation quotes

You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

Do guys decorate their graduation caps? ›

Just think about it – if you don't decorate your grad cap, you're blending in with the crowd. Heck, your own family will have a difficult time spotting you let alone a potential employer who doesn't know you exist.

What are other words for graduation cap? ›

Regardless of its origins, the name "mortarboard" has become synonymous with the graduation cap and is now used interchangeably with the term "academic cap."

How do you write on a graduation envelope? ›

Write them front and center, legibly onto the envelope in three lines including: their full name on the first line, their street address on the second and finally city, state and zip code on the third line. Due to the formality of the celebrations avoid using abbreviations and spell words out completely.

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