23 Best Graduation Cap Ideas You’ll Obsess Over (2024)

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Looking for graduation caps to wear on your graduation? Here are the best graduation cap ideas for 2023!

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The Best Graduation Cap Ideas

This post is all about the bestgraduation cap ideas for every type of graduate.

Graduation is one of the best moments in every student’s life.And after all that hard work and all-nighters you deserve to look fab while you’re walking across that stage.

One of the most fun parts aboutgraduation(besides the celebration, of course) is seeing all the unique and memorable grad-cap ideas each graduate comes up with!

However, there are so many graduation cap ideas that you can find on the Internet, and picking out something that you will love can be a bit overwhelming!

Whether you’re graduating from high school or college, celebrate your hard work with a grad cap that has as much personality as you do. From funny pop culture references to inspirational messages, these 23 clever and beautiful graduation cap ideas are sure to be a hit on your big day!

1. Handpainted Graduation Cap

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This handpainted floral graduation cap is the perfect way to show off your creativity and your favorite inspirational quote!

2. Inspirational Message

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This starry sky-themed graduation cap idea looks so stunning! And with this inspirational saying and cool blue design, you’re sure to stand out.

3. The Mean Girls Graduation Cap

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Using a movie quote that fits with graduation is always a great option for your grad cap. Plus if you love all things pink and sparkly, then what better than a ‘Mean Girls’ themed grad cap! Someglittery pink foam and rhinestones are all you need to recreate this idea!

4. Floral Graduation Cap

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If you are a DIY queen then this floral graduation cap is the one for you! “Nevertheless She Persisted” is a classic and would be a perfect quote to put on your graduation cap.

5. Simple Graduation Cap

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Don’t feel like going too crazy?This graduation cap idea is perfect for anyone looking for a simple and cute design that’d still make them stand apart in the sea of grads! The message ‘the world awaits’! is simple but super inspirational!

6. Tangle Themed Graduation Cap

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This Tangled graduation cap is so gorgeous! Fake flowers are such a pretty and cheap way to glam up your cap. And the message ‘On to my new dream’ is a great way to show off you’re graduating and ready to change the world.

7. Adventure is Out There

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If you’re super excited to take on the post-grad life, nothing shows how ready you’re to take on the world than this adventurous graduation cap design!

8. Thank You Graduation Cap

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Graduation is the perfect time to thank your parents or those who have helped you attain your dream. Show how grateful you feel for having them in your life with this pretty graduation cap idea.

9. And She Graduated Happily Ever After

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Another great Disney graduation cap idea with the iconic Disney castle and the perfect message to go with it!

10. Two Degrees Graduation Cap

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If you’ve just completed your master’s degree, then this ‘hotter by two degrees’ would be the perfect graduation cap idea for you!

11. Lion King Inspired Graduation Cap

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Song lyrics inspired graduation cap designs are the best, especially something as famous and meaningful as ‘Hakuna Matata’!

This idea is super easy to copy and all you need is a glittery formboard and somepaper flowers for crafts.

12. Leslie Knope Cap

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This inspirational Leslie Knope quote (from Parks and Recreation) would be a perfect fit to put on your graduation cap!

13. “Friends” Inspired Graduation Cap

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If you’re a fan of the ‘Friends’ show, then this will be the perfect graduation cap for you!

14. Darth Vader Graduation Cap

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If you’re a big Star Wars fan, you have to incorporate a Star Wars scene into your graduation cap! Plus the message will be so perfect for the graduation ceremony!

15. I Hope My Dog Is Proud Of Me

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If you’re someone who owns a dog or any other type of pet, then this would be a wonderful idea to copy! Plus it’s incredibly easy to copy with a white glittery cardstock and cut-out pictures of your pet!

16. RIP Senior Year

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Such a fun way to say goodbye to your college days! You can easily DIY this graduation cap idea with someglittery foamandletter-iron patches.

17. Princess Diaries Graduation Cap

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Get a little silly with this princess diaries graduation cap that’s super funny and easy to create!

18. Hogwarts Graduation Cap

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This Marauder’s map-inspired graduation cap idea, based on the Harry Potter novels, is another unique and funny graduation cap! Some glittery foam, craft paper, and a sharpy are all you need to DIY this idea!

19. And The Story Goes On

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Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go! You may have graduated but your story is far from over!

20. 7 Rings Inspired Graduation Cap

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This Ariana Grande-inspired graduation cap is an adorable way to say that you’re incredibly proud of yourself! Some pink paper flowers, rhinestone strip, and glitter alphabets; that’s all you need to make this unique and funny graduation cap!

21. Spongebob Squarepants-inspired

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How hilarious is this graduation cap idea? SpongeBob is such a super popular and funny way to decorate your cap!

22. Rose Gold Graduation Cap

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This rose gold graduation cap looks so gorgeous with all the flowers and rhinestones! It might take you some time to get this done but the end result will be so worth it!!

23. Dory Graduation Cap

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College can be exhausting and intimidating. This Dory graduation cap with the message ‘Just Keep Swimming’ perfectly captures that sentiment and at the same time motivates you to hold on!!

This post is all about the best graduation cap ideas.

Whether you’re totally into funny quotes or cool artwork, these DIY graduation caps are sure to give you some inspiration.

I hope you found the perfect graduation cap idea for your big day!

For more ideas about graduation, be sure to read the following posts…

  • 25 Insanely Genius Graduation Party Ideas That’ll Blow Your Mind
  • 35 Awesome Graduation Party Ideas That You’ll Love
  • 21 Best Backyard Graduation Party Ideas Your Guests Will Love
  • 27 Graduation Party Food Ideas Your Guests Will Love
23 Best Graduation Cap Ideas You’ll Obsess Over (2024)

FAQs

What to put on a graduation cap? ›

Flowers, photos, inspirational graduation quotes, favorite movies, sentiments about how excited you are be done—these ideas are all here, and then some!

How to make your own 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.

Is it OK to decorate 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!

What hangs off a 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 special character for graduation cap? ›

Unicode Character “🎓” (U+1F393)

How to decorate a 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.

How to attach flowers to graduation cap? ›

Position the flowers on the cap where you want them. Use the hot glue gun to add glue to the bottom of a flower and press it onto the graduation cap, holding it down for 3-4 seconds to secure. Continue doing this until all the flowers are glued down and the glue is dried.

What glue to use to decorate a graduation cap? ›

I pretty much use only Tacky Glue on my caps. If it's a small piece of paper on top of paper, then I'll use a gluestick. For anything big, like faux flowers, I use hot glue.

What to do with graduation cords after graduation? ›

There are many ways to preserve your graduation cords so that they continue to commemorate your academic achievements well past graduation. One of the most common ways to continue to celebrate your academic achievements is by displaying your cords in a memorabilia display.

How to style a graduation cap? ›

Arrange the cap so that the point is in front.

The front and back of the cap will usually be indicated by the design of the headpiece—look for the slight taper in the forehead area and the elastic band in the rear. Situate the cap so that the front corner of the mortarboard is centered on your forehead.

What do different color graduation tassels mean? ›

Gold: Liberal Arts & Science. Blue: Education, Public Works, Arts. Brown/Drab: Business Majors. Red: Journalism. Pink: Nursing, Public Health, and similar.

How can I look better with caps? ›

Visually, caps look best when they do not completely cover the ears and there is not too much space between the ears and the cap. The cap should also not stick out to the side. This creates a mushroom look - and not for the classic, indeed iconic, Beetles version.

What do you wear under a graduation cap? ›

What you wear under your cap and gown is about comfort and style! Think business-casual dress, and remember: your shirt collar or dress top will show. Wear comfortable shoes suited for the surface — a football field? Stairs to climb or descend?

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