Preparing for your graduation is a great feeling. After all those years of hard work, late-night studying and personal growth, you are ready to walk, get that diploma and throw an unforgettable graduation party.
While choosing an outfit for that special day is important, decorating your graduation cap is a unique way to show your personal style and a great opportunity to show your appreciation to your loved ones.
Below are a few DIY graduation cap ideas for your special day.
1. Meaningful Person
School can bring on several long days. During this time you can ponder about the people that got you through. Whether it was your mom, dad, teacher, mentor or a special friend, adding their photo to your graduation cap will show your utmost appreciation. It will be especially meaningful if you keep it a secret and reveal it on graduation day.
Keep in mind, you’ll be printing on 11×14 paper, but will cut the image to be 9×9. You can position the flowers wherever you’d like depending on how your photo is cropped.
How to Make a
Meaningful Person Cap
Materials
- Felt
- Scissors
- Glue gun
- 9×9 photo
- Glitter sheet
Step 1: Take your picture and place it on top of the cap. Make sure you measure the size of the button in the center of the cap and cut it out from the picture so that you can still hang your tassel.
Step 2: Glue your photo to the cap.
Step 3: Take your felt and cut out four circles varying in size.
Step 4: Cut a slit in the middle of each circle and fold over so the circles create a cupped shape. Use a glue gun to hold it together.
Step 5: Glue each cupped petal on top of each other.
Step 6: Take your glitter sheet and cut out four leaves.
Step 7: Glue your completed flowers to the bottom of the cap and add your leaves.
2. Pearls
If you’re thinking about senior photos, you’ll know pearls are the perfect accessory to any outfit (or graduation gown!). Dazzling your graduation cap is much easier than you think. For this graduation cap, we used flat sticker crafting pearls. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. We found it’s best to reinforce the pearls with a glue gun because the adhesive tends to wear off easily.
How to Make a Pearl Cap
Materials
- Crafting pearls
- 1 large bow
- Glue gun
Step 1: Start by placing your larger pearls all around your cap.
Step 2: Continue with the smaller ones for variety.
Step 3: Attach your bow on the bottom of your cap with a glue gun.
3. Doggie Cap
Don’t forget about your furry best friend! They’ve spent countless nights sitting by your side while you cram for finals. Add them to your cap, be clever with your phrase and make people smile! Make sure you choose a photo that is high quality and large enough for better results. We used a photo that was printed on a 10×10 sheet.
If you have multiple pets you want to include, you’ll need to print smaller. For a more colorful look, add colored glitter or fun sequins.
How to Make a Doggie Cap
Materials
- Photo of pet
- White foam sticker letters
- Scissors
- Black glitter
- Glue
- Glue gun
Step 1: Cut out the picture of your furry friend and glue it to your cap. Make sure you account for the middle button.
Step 2: Add glue to your cap in desired area and sprinkle black glitter.
Step 3: Place the letters on your cap to form your desired phrase.
4. Pizza Time
Pizza got us through late night studying so it’s only natural that you want to pay homage to your favorite food. All you need is colorful felt and a fun food pun. Sticker letters are great for this project but feel free to mix and match with other items such as sequins or glitter. For extra reinforcement, don’t forget to glue the letters on before the big day.
How to Make a Pizza Cap
Materials
- Felt fabric in three different colors
- Sticker letters
- Cardboard paper
- Glue gun
- Pencil
Step 1: Place your brown felt paper on top of the yellow, draw a triangular shape and cut. You can make it as thick or thin as you’d like.
Step 2: Cut the top off the yellow triangle.
Step 3: Take your red felt and cut into circles.
Step 4: Take your cardboard sheet and attach it on top of your cap.
Step 5: Glue all the pizza pieces to the cardboard sheet.
Step 6: Add a fun phrase next to your pizza.
Step 7: Finish off with the perfect final details such as sequins, glitter or more pepperoni pieces.
5. Photo Collage
If you want to add fun memories on your graduation cap, include photos you have collected throughout the years leading up to your special day. If you have a hashtag that you’ll be using amongst your friends for social media, a good tip is for all of you to make fun variations of this cap.
This DIY photo graduation cap is not only super easy to make but you only needs six items.
How to Make a Photo Collage Cap
Materials
- Photos
- Glue gun
- Gold sticker letters
- Ruler
- Crafting knife
- Pencil
Step 1: With your ruler, measure approximately 2 inches in height for each picture.
Step 2: Cut out your picture and use that as a guide for the remaining photos.
Step 3: Decide where you want to place your images.
Step 4: Glue the photos to your cap.
Step 5: Add your favorite hashtag across the top of your cap. It’s ok if some parts of your images are covered.
Make sure you vary the width of each photo to give it more of a collage feel. Ordering your prints via the Shutterfly app is easy and you can have them ready in as little as an hour.
As you can see, decorating your cap allows you to show your fun personality and connect with your loved ones. Don’t forget to share your graduation announcements with your family and friends so they can join you as you embark on your next journey. No matter what graduation cap idea you choose, it will be something you remember for the rest of your life, so make it special!
More Graduation Cap Ideas
The Clever Nurse
Image Source: Midwest Mermaid Olivia
A clever joke about your field of study or major is sure to make your graduation cap a topic of conversation. Whether it’s nursing, political science or art, let your wit do the talking with a funny quote. Add some artificial flowers and glitter for eye-catching details.
Mischief Managed
Image Source: Juliann Guerra
Whether you’ve used the Marauder’s Map or Wikipedia to guide you through school, a Harry Potter reference is always a hit on graduation cap designs. Decorate with your house colors and leave your mark at Hogwarts by stamping a footprint trail and your name across your cap.
The Coffee Lover
Image Source: Dunkin’
Like many of us, coffee probably got you through a lot of early exams and late night study sessions. Why not give it some credit during your graduation? Add a funny quote about your love of coffee and use a paper cup from your favorite spot as decoration.
Spring Mosaic
Image Source: The Daily Amy
Since most graduations take place during the springtime, why not use the season as inspiration? Create a grid with a strand of pearls and paint some spring florals using your favorite pastels. Don’t forget to add your major and a thank you note to your parents with paint or glitter.
You’re A Winner
Image Source: Vika Photography
In many ways, a graduation ceremony is a victory lap. Walking up to the stage and receiving your diploma doesn’t happen often, so celebrate your victories with this adorable design. Use some cardstock and paint to add color and a note about your major.
3D Stickers
Image Source: Bri Sul
Decorating your graduation cap doesn’t have to be a long, difficult project. A simple trick is to stock up on your favorite 3D stickers and jewels. Stickers come in many different themes so whatever your major or interests, you’re sure to find something that fits your personality and academic journey.
Color Coordinated
Image Source: Well That’s Pinteresting
Show your pride by sporting the colors you’re proud of. Whether it’s your sorority, your honor sashes or your school colors, don’t forget to incorporate them into your graduation cap design. To do this, all you need are some patterns, jewels and glitter.
You Leave A Trail Of Stars
Image Source: Elizabeth Shae
You really do. Why not tell your whole graduating class? Pick up some shiny stars, glitter glue and cardstock to create this easy yet beautiful design. Whether you leave a trail of stars or plan on reaching for the stars, be sure to personalize with a unique graduation quote.
