These Genius Graduation Cap Ideas Will Make You Stand Out From the Crowd (2024)

These Genius Graduation Cap Ideas Will Make You Stand Out From the Crowd (1)

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Whether you're completing high school, college, or any other professional school, your graduation is a feat that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops! But even if the rooftops aren't feasible, at least plaster your accomplishments on your graduation hat for all your peers and family members to see. Yes, blasting the perfect graduation playlist and rocking a cute graduation outfit are great ways to show your personality on the big day, but that doesn't mean you can't give your graduation cap a decorative pop, too! It's a surefire way to make you stand out from the crowd and maybe even get a few laughs.

There are so many ways to gussy up that cap, whether you're the graduate or you're making a graduation gift for your child. 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!

For more great graduation ideas:

  • Your Teen Will Actually Use These Unique High School Graduation Gifts
  • Give Your Favorite Grad an A+ Celebration With These Graduation Party Recipes
  • The Best Graduation Movies to Make You Feel Nostalgic

1

DIY 'Hi Mom' Graduation Cap

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Give Mom a shoutout in the crowd with this comical cap! It says "Hi Mom" in bold letters and is the perfect way to embrace the one who was there for you throughout your educational journey.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY!.

2

Photo Graduation Cap

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We’re betting this graduation cap will make your parents cry! Customize it with favorite family photos, your name, and your graduating year.

3

Custom Rhinestone Graduation Cap

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This bold, sparkly cap will make you stand out like the star that you are! You can work with the seller to customize a design and color scheme of your choice, with options for rhinestoned logos, words, and more.

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4

Pet Graduation Cap

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Animal lovers, rejoice! Now you can carry your furry friends with you across the stage. Just send the seller your dog breed (or breeds) and pet names, and they'll digitally design a topper featuring cartoon versions of all their sweet faces!

Perhaps you’d like to honor a beloved family member or friend with your graduation cap. In this case, you can purchase this customized photo pin to add to your cap.

6

Embroidered Floral Graduation Cap

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As your future begins to blossom, let your cap do so, too! This pretty machine-embroidered floral cap can be personalized with base fabric and a quote of your choice.

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7

Custom School Graduation Cap

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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, lettering, and glitter, then send the seller your logo and name so she can work her magic!

8

Dog Graduation Hat

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On graduation day, it's a safe bet that no one is prouder of you than your parents—but your pup might be a close second! Have your furry friend join in on the fun with their own adorable cap.

9

Graduation Cap Bow

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For a bit of a twist on a graduation cap decoration, ponder a sweet-as-can-be bow to add on the day.

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Now that you're equipped with years of knowledge and critical thinking, it's your turn to change the world! Reflect that sentiment in a watercolor-inspired design on your cap that can be customized with your name, year, school, and photo design.

11

'I Did It!' Graduation Cap

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"We can do it" is a great sentiment and all, but in the case of graduation, you did it all yourself! Shout it from the rooftops (or at least the top of your graduation cap) with this empowering Rosie the Riveter topper.

12

Modern Photo Overlay Graduation Cap

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Don't let that graduation photoshoot go to waste! Display your celebratory snaps on top of your graduation cap with this custom photo overlay, which also features your name and year.

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13

SpongeBob Graduation Cap

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Order up! Anyone who grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants will instantly get this funny graduation cap inspired by the show's iconic time cards.

14

'She Believed She Could' Graduation Cap

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This glittery black cap featuring beautiful faux florals in shades of pink and white will make anyone feel special on their big day. Reviewers love how responsive this designer is, and she offers plenty of room for customization.

15

Florals and Photos Graduation Cap

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This sweet cap is made of memories—literally! Choose three favorite photos of you and your friends and family to include on this fun floral topper.

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16

'With God, All Things Are Possible' Graduation Cap

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Express your gratitude and faith with this glittery black cap featuring colorful flowers and a beautiful quote: "With God, all things are possible."

17

Taylor Swift Eras Graduation Cap

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Celebrate entering your graduation era with this chic cap topper featuring a color block design. It's printable so it makes a great last-minute choice!

18

Baseball Graduation Cap

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Now 25% Off

This one is for all the baseball players or fans out there! Knock it out of the park with this cute cap featuring a baseball-inspired design, your name, and your class year on a tiny jersey.

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19

'I Chose My Path' Graduation Cap

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This pretty custom cap is such a sweet choice for anyone who feels God guided their journey through school. You can personalize details like the hairstyle as well as the hair, skin, dress, shoes, and gown color.

20

'Holy Cow!' Graduation Cap

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

These Genius Graduation Cap Ideas Will Make You Stand Out From the Crowd (2024)

FAQs

What does the graduation cap symbolize? ›

A Symbol of Knowledge

The graduation cap and gown stand as a collective symbol of knowledge, perseverance, and dedication to education. They embody the sweat, late nights, and sacrifices that go into attaining an academic degree.

What do you say on a grad cap? ›

Personalize Your Graduation Cap with Inspirational Quotes
  1. “The future is in your hands.”
  2. “This is just the beginning.”
  3. “The best is yet to come.”
  4. “Dream big.”
  5. “Sky's the limit.”
  6. “Oh, the places you'll go!” – Dr. Seuss.
  7. “She believed she could, so she did.”
  8. “Adventure awaits.”
Jul 27, 2023

Why do people toss their graduation caps? ›

Graduates tossing hats emerged as a symbolic gesture marking the conclusion of academic pursuits, evolving alongside the institutions of learning themselves. Mirror of Educational Transformation: The evolution of the cap toss mirrors the metamorphosis of education over centuries.

What to put on 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 story behind graduation hats? ›

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.

What is the symbolism of a cap? ›

According to legend, the privilege of wearing a cap was the initial right of a freed Roman slave. The academic cap, therefore, has become a sign of the freedom of scholarship. The flowing gown has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it covers clothing that could indicate rank or social stratum.

What do you say graduation cap? ›

The graduate hat (also known as an academic cap, graduate cap, mortarboard, or trencher) is part of the formal academic attire to be worn by graduating students (graduands) during the graduation ceremony.

What is the slang for graduation hats? ›

The classic graduation cap is also known as a “mortar board,” because of its resemblance to the usually flat pan a bricklayer uses for mortar … weird.

What do tassels around neck mean at graduation? ›

An honor cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements, awards, or honors. Usually, cords come in pairs with a knot in the middle to hold them together.

Why do you tip your hat at graduation? ›

It is traditionally associated with the successful completion of a degree, tertiary education, formal academia, and scholarly achievement. It is customary for a graduand to tip their hat in salutation (also referred to as 'doffing'), in respect to other academics and scholars.

Do people still decorate grad caps? ›

Ultimately, decorating your graduation cap is about more than just adding a splash of color or sparkle—it's a chance to celebrate your unique journey, express your creativity and commemorate the milestone of graduation.

How to decorate your graduation cap without ruining it? ›

One of the easiest ways to make a big, colorful impact without ruining the original graduation cap is to use scrapbooking paper as a base. This is an especially useful strategy for those who rent their cap and gown and need to return them afterward.

Why do we wear caps at graduation? ›

So why do people wear long black robes and mortarboard hats for graduation ceremonies? The tradition of caps and gowns dates back to the Middle Ages at Oxford in England when academic buildings were not heated, and students and teachers wore hooded gowns daily to stay warm.

What is the origin of throwing the graduation cap? ›

In 1912, the Naval Academy became the first institution to start tossing graduation caps at their commencement ceremonies. This is because Navy graduates had to serve their first two years as midshipmen before becoming full-fledged officers, and they needed to wear a different hat during this period.

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.

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