25 Graduation Cap Designs You'll Want to Copy Right Away (2024)

Throwing your graduation cap up in the air is like your final salute to high school, so if your school allows you to decorate your cap, that just makes the moment even more powerful. Unsure of what direction to go in for your grad cap art? Lucky for you, I've rounded up some of the most creative and hilarious grad caps from Instagram. Whether you love music, movies, politics, or art, we've got you covered!

1. For the Ari stan

"Thank u, next, high school!"

2. For the pun (and guac) lover

Grind it, girl!

3. For the educated queens

AKA, all of us.

What you need: Artificial flowers, $14, amazon.com

4. For the Grown-ish fan

WWZD—What would Zoey do?

5. For the grad who's going to change the world

You've got this!

6. For the grad dedicating their big day to someone special

You couldn't have done it without their support.

7. For the grad in the Bardigang

It's time for you to make those money moves!

8. For the animal lover

Who doesn't love a good pun?

9. For the future doctor

Your heart rate is going to be WILD on graduation day.

10. For the Game of Thrones-obsessed grad

Graduation is coming.

11. For the future politician

    It's time to change the world.

    What you need: Paint Pens, $17, amazon.com

    12. For the Starbucks Gold Member

    AKA, you're life line in high school.

    What you need: Glitter Cardstock, $16, amazon.com

    13. For the Black Panther fan

    This one is epic.

    14. For the design student

    Simple and sophisticated.

    What you need: Rhinestone Sheet, $5, michaels.com

    15. For the future teacher

    ...and you're off to the next adventure!

    What you need:Adhesive Glitter Letters, $6, michaels.com

    16. For the meme queen

    Because if one more person asks me that question...I'm going to FLIP!

    17. For the proud child of immigrants

    Embrace your incredible heritage.

    What you need: Fabric Paint, $16, amazon.com

    18. For the Legally Blonde fan

    Take on college with the confidence that Elle took on Harvard Law.

    19. For the science whiz

    Puns AND glitter? What could be better?!

    What you need: Glitter Powder, $8, amazon.com

    20. For the future art major

    Get ready to fill it up with color!

    21. For the Harry Potter fan

    Finally!

    What you need: Stick-On Rhinestone Jewels, $7, amazon.com

    22. For the Disney fan

    Get ready for "A Whole New World."

    23. For the grad who loves their dog more than any other human

    Because you wouldn't have gotten through high school without their slobbery kisses.

    What you need: Adhesive Pearls, $9, amazon.com

    24. For the person looking for new adventures

    Get ready to explore.

    What you need: Pom Poms, $3, michaels.com

    25. For the SpongeBob lover

    A classic design.

    26. For the grad who can quote the whole Lizzie McGuire movie by heart

    Have you ever seen such a beautiful cap?

    27. For girls who embrace their #BlackGirlMagic

    This one makes a statement.

    What you need: Colorful Adhesive Gems, $7, amazon.com

    28. For the Swiftie

    Be the "Fearless" grad you know you can be.

    29. For the traveler

    Time to explore the world.

    30. For the Friends fan

    That's my favorite episode.

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    25 Graduation Cap Designs You'll Want to Copy Right Away (31)

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    25 Graduation Cap Designs You'll Want to Copy Right Away (32)

    Carolyn Twersky

    Associate Editor

    Carolyn Twersky is an associate editor for Seventeen covering celebrities, entertainment, politics, trends, and health. On her off time, she's probably watching Ru Paul's Drag Race, traversing NYC for the best donuts, or, most likely, enjoying time in her favorite place in the world: her bed.

    25 Graduation Cap Designs You'll Want to Copy Right Away (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you put designs on graduation caps? ›

    Stickers and glue adhere to most graduation caps just fine, though again a topper can help ensure you get the exact design you want before you touch the cap itself. The cut out can then be adhered to the cap. If you do attach a topper, then use a hot glue gun for best results!

    How do you put words on a graduation cap? ›

    If you don't feel comfortable freehand writing on the grad cap, you can first write out your quote art with a chalk pencil, then trace over it with the markers. Once you're happy with your design, let everything dry completely before starting your graduation celebrations! Who's ready to hire this amazing grad?!

    What is it called when you throw your graduation caps in the air? ›

    The cap-throwing ceremony, often known as the "cap toss," is a cherished tradition during graduation ceremonies, where graduates jubilantly throw their caps into the air to celebrate their accomplishments.

    How to craft a graduation cap? ›

    You can construct your own graduation cap out of poster board, construction paper, and hot glue. To make the cap, fold the construction paper in half lengthwise and roll it into a cylinder; add a square-shaped piece of poster board on top. You can make a tassel using gold yarn and embroidery floss.

    What are the rules for graduation cap decorations? ›

    Graduation caps must not have any advertisem*nts, symbols, words or slogans conveying messages inappropriate at a dignified commencement ceremony. Caps must not threaten the safety of others or use any hate speech of any kind.

    How to make your own graduation cap topper? ›

    You could go the arts and crafts route and decorate it using scrapbook paper in the school colors, add a sparkly border to the edges of the topper, paint it with acrylic paint. Or you could use your Cricut machine and glitter cardstock to cut out the base, a custom quote or characters.

    Do college graduates decorate their caps? ›

    Decorating a graduation cap is a tradition and can be a clever way to stand out from the crowd. Many students feel that it's a rite of passage and can be a great way for loved ones to find them in a sea of graduates who are moving into the real world.

    Is there a graduation cap Emoji? ›

    🎓 Graduation Cap emoji

    The graduation cap emoji is an image of a square, black board affixed to a skull cap with a tassel attached at the center, hanging to one side. It's typically worn by those graduating from high school or college.

    Can I use Sharpie on my graduation cap? ›

    A: Yes, the Sharpie oil based marker writes on any surface, including fabric.

    Why do high school graduates throw their caps? ›

    Throwing the Cap

    Once the graduation ended, the midshipman would become officers and would no longer need their old hats. The graduates would throw their hats in the air as they would be receiving their new officer hats. This caught on which resulted in the tradition of throwing the cap.

    What is the black graduation hat called? ›

    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.

    Should I throw my graduation cap? ›

    Some schools embrace the tradition, while others have banned cap-tossing altogether. Several institutions have taken a middle ground stance, giving graduates soft caps to prevent injuries (the corners on traditional caps are sharp!).

    How do you make a flower crown for a graduation cap? ›

    Take your flowers and remove most of the stem, leaving about 2-3 inches. Align your flowers on the crown as you want them to look, and wrap the floral tape around the stems and tape to secure. 3. Slip the DIY floral crown over the graduation cap.

    How do you glue letters on a graduation cap? ›

    Arrange the letters on the cap and make small marks with a white pencil to reference where to glue them. Glue the letters with Aleene's Tacky Glue. Glue on rhinestones with Aleene's Tacky Glue.

    How do you decorate a graduation cap with Cricut? ›

    Cutting some simple designs or shapes in cardstock with a Cricut is a super easy way to decorate your graduation cap. After cutting out your design, just stick the cardstock to the cap with craft glue or double-sided adhesive foam for a bit of depth.

    Is it common to decorate graduation cap? ›

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

    Can you embroider a graduation cap? ›

    Instead of a decorative paper topper on your graduation cap, which could be ruined by rain, overly excited huggers, or warping sun rays, consider a lasting embroidery design.

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