65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (2024)

Table of Contents
We've selected some of the best graduation cap decoration ideas. Inspiring Graduation Caps “On to the next chapter.” “We must go on and take the adventure that comes to us.” “Where life plants you, bloom with grace.” “She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them.” “Mommy did it.” “She came, she saw, she conquered!” “I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it.” “I'm a savage, classy, bougie, graduate.” “I'm standing here today because you helped me fund my way.” “My future is booked.” “Oh, the places you'll go.” “Adventure is out there.” “You can find me in New York City.” “Next stop the academy.” “Rose to the occasion.” “Don't touch my crown.” “And so the adventure begins.” “Do better better.” Movie and TV Show Themed Graduation Cap Ideas The Flash: “Some things happen because we make them happen.” The Princes Diaries: “Me? A Graduate? Shut up!” Star Wars: “Never tell me the odds.” The Little Mermaid: “The little graduate.” Disney: “No one graduates like Gaston.” Lion King: “Hakuna matata.” The Wizard of Oz: “You've had the power all along my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.” Harry Potter: “Life opens at the close.” Mean Girls: “Get in loser, we're graduating.” “This does put a smile on my face.” The Office: “Bears. Beats. Bachelors Degree.” Spongebob: “5 years later…” Spongebob: “Thousands of tears later…” New Teachers “Teacher in Training” “Teaching is a work of heart.” Math and Science Graduate Cap Ideas Biology/Pharmacy: “Knowledge is one hell of a drug.” Accounting: “I've been accounting down the days.” Dentistry: “Holy molar, I flossin did it.” Biology: “When it comes to global health, there is no ‘them', only ‘us'.” Psychology: “It's been dope, but I'm psyched to get outta here.” Psychology: “Psyched for grad school.” Biology: “Medicine owes Black people the level of transparency and care that it renders to others.” Funny Graduation Cap Ideas “Ight Imma Graduate.” “My diploma runs on Dunkin'” “I don't even go here!” “Bye, Mr. Anderson. I'm graduating…tardy or not.” “Now hotter by one degree.” “Hire me.” “Thanks, pizza. You've stuck with me through thick and thin crust.” “Goal digger.” “Yikes. So what now?” “Can I take a nap now?” “Thank u, next.” “Because ‘coffee' isn't a major.” Immigrant Graduates “Immigrad.” “Proud product of immigrants.” “My parents crossed the border so I could cross this stage!” “They migrated so I graduated.” “I am my ancestors' wildest dreams.” “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.” Art Graduate Cap Ideas Design: “Interior Design.” Photography: “Licensed to shoot” Masters Graduation Cap Ideas “I mastered it to change the world one word at a time.” “She believed she could, so she mastered it.” Graduates with Dogs “I worked hard so my dog can have a better life.” “I hope my dog is proud of me.” “Because Dog Mom isn't a career.” Congratulations, class of 2023! Related Articles: FAQs

In the past, the humble graduation hat was merely part of the customary and ceremonial “cap and gown” ensemble. Today, however, it has been transformed into a canvas for crafty graduates looking to show off their amazing crafting skills and go out with a bang. Ceremonies are made all the brighter and more entertaining thanks to the crafty grads' premeditated graduation cap ideas—which include clever, comical, and creative designs.

This collection of quirky caps ranges in style, concept, and inspiration. Many reference pop culture staples spanning well-known films, iconic television shows, and beloved childhood cartoon characters. On the opposite side of the spectrum, some convey political and social undertones with inspirational graduation quotes. Still, a large portion of these caps simply act as “thank you” notes to those who made it all possible: friends, family, and, of course, coffee.

In the last couple of years, with politics seeming to seep into every aspect of life, there has been a surge in political activism shining through graduates’ crafted caps. Students who are immigrants or whose parents have migrated from another country are proudly expressing how their family’s dreams are coming to fruition. Many people migrate to another country in order to lead a better life for their families, and education is one of the many privileges they seek out. As a result, these accessories are more than fancy headgear to them—they’re a symbol of success and a platform to show pride in their accomplishments.

Scroll down to see 65 graduation cap ideas.

Table of Contents hide

1 Inspiring Graduation Caps

1.1 “On to the next chapter.”

1.2 “We must go on and take the adventure that comes to us.”

1.3 “Where life plants you, bloom with grace.”

1.4 “She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them.”

1.5 “Mommy did it.”

1.6 “She came, she saw, she conquered!”

1.7 “I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it.”

1.8 “I'm a savage, classy, bougie, graduate.”

1.9 “I'm standing here today because you helped me fund my way.”

1.10 “My future is booked.”

1.11 “Oh, the places you'll go.”

1.12 “Adventure is out there.”

1.13 “You can find me in New York City.”

1.14 “Next stop the academy.”

1.15 “Rose to the occasion.”

1.16 “Don't touch my crown.”

1.17 “And so the adventure begins.”

1.18 “Do better better.”

2 Movie and TV Show Themed Graduation Cap Ideas

2.1 The Flash: “Some things happen because we make them happen.”

2.2 The Princes Diaries: “Me? A Graduate? Shut up!”

2.3 Star Wars: “Never tell me the odds.”

2.4 The Little Mermaid: “The little graduate.”

2.5 Disney: “No one graduates like Gaston.”

2.6 Lion King: “Hakuna matata.”

2.7 The Wizard of Oz: “You've had the power all along my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”

2.8 Harry Potter: “Life opens at the close.”

2.9 Mean Girls: “Get in loser, we're graduating.”

2.10 “This does put a smile on my face.”

2.11 The Office: “Bears. Beats. Bachelors Degree.”

2.12 Spongebob: “5 years later…”

2.13 Spongebob: “Thousands of tears later…”

3 New Teachers

3.1 “Teacher in Training”

3.2 “Teaching is a work of heart.”

4 Math and Science Graduate Cap Ideas

4.1 Biology/Pharmacy: “Knowledge is one hell of a drug.”

4.2 Accounting: “I've been accounting down the days.”

4.3 Dentistry: “Holy molar, I flossin did it.”

4.4 Biology: “When it comes to global health, there is no ‘them', only ‘us'.”

4.5 Psychology: “It's been dope, but I'm psyched to get outta here.”

4.6 Psychology: “Psyched for grad school.”

4.7 Biology: “Medicine owes Black people the level of transparency and care that it renders to others.”

5 Funny Graduation Cap Ideas

5.1 “Ight Imma Graduate.”

5.2 “My diploma runs on Dunkin'”

5.3 “I don't even go here!”

5.4 “Bye, Mr. Anderson. I'm graduating…tardy or not.”

5.5 “Now hotter by one degree.”

5.6 “Hire me.”

5.7 “Thanks, pizza. You've stuck with me through thick and thin crust.”

5.8 “Goal digger.”

5.9 “Yikes. So what now?”

5.10 “Can I take a nap now?”

5.11 “Thank u, next.”

5.12 “Because ‘coffee' isn't a major.”

6 Immigrant Graduates

6.1 “Immigrad.”

6.2 “Proud product of immigrants.”

6.3 “My parents crossed the border so I could cross this stage!”

6.4 “They migrated so I graduated.”

6.5 “I am my ancestors' wildest dreams.”

6.6 “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.”

7 Art Graduate Cap Ideas

7.1 Design: “Interior Design.”

7.2 Photography: “Licensed to shoot”

8 Masters Graduation Cap Ideas

8.1 “I mastered it to change the world one word at a time.”

8.2 “She believed she could, so she mastered it.”

9 Graduates with Dogs

9.1 “I worked hard so my dog can have a better life.”

9.2 “I hope my dog is proud of me.”

9.3 “Because Dog Mom isn't a career.”

10 Congratulations, class of 2023!

We've selected some of the best graduation cap decoration ideas.

Inspiring Graduation Caps

“On to the next chapter.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (2)

Photo: holacrafty

“We must go on and take the adventure that comes to us.”

“Where life plants you, bloom with grace.”

“She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them.”

“Mommy did it.”

“She came, she saw, she conquered!”

“I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it.”

“I'm a savage, classy, bougie, graduate.”

“I'm standing here today because you helped me fund my way.”

“My future is booked.”

“Oh, the places you'll go.”

“Adventure is out there.”

“You can find me in New York City.”

“Next stop the academy.”

“Rose to the occasion.”

“Don't touch my crown.”

“And so the adventure begins.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (18)

Photo: Amber

“Do better better.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (19)

Photo: Lauren Law

Movie and TV Show Themed Graduation Cap Ideas

The Flash: “Some things happen because we make them happen.”

The Princes Diaries: “Me? A Graduate? Shut up!”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (21)

Photo: hofstrau

Star Wars: “Never tell me the odds.”

The Little Mermaid: “The little graduate.”

Disney: “No one graduates like Gaston.”

Lion King: “Hakuna matata.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (25)

Photo: lvoekat

The Wizard of Oz: “You've had the power all along my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.”

Harry Potter: “Life opens at the close.”

Mean Girls: “Get in loser, we're graduating.”

“This does put a smile on my face.”

The Office: “Bears. Beats. Bachelors Degree.”

Spongebob: “5 years later…”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (31)

Photo: kasta.art

Spongebob: “Thousands of tears later…”

New Teachers

“Teacher in Training”

“Teaching is a work of heart.”

Math and Science Graduate Cap Ideas

Biology/Pharmacy: “Knowledge is one hell of a drug.”

Accounting: “I've been accounting down the days.”

Dentistry: “Holy molar, I flossin did it.”

Biology: “When it comes to global health, there is no ‘them', only ‘us'.”

Psychology: “It's been dope, but I'm psyched to get outta here.”

Psychology: “Psyched for grad school.”

Biology: “Medicine owes Black people the level of transparency and care that it renders to others.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (41)

Photo: Bria Bowen

Funny Graduation Cap Ideas

“Ight Imma Graduate.”

“My diploma runs on Dunkin'”

“I don't even go here!”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (44)

Photo: vivsrivs

“Bye, Mr. Anderson. I'm graduating…tardy or not.”

“Now hotter by one degree.”

“Hire me.”

“Thanks, pizza. You've stuck with me through thick and thin crust.”

“Goal digger.”

“Yikes. So what now?”

“Can I take a nap now?”

“Thank u, next.”

“Because ‘coffee' isn't a major.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (53)

Photo: aww.sam

Immigrant Graduates

“Immigrad.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (54)

Photo: anaextina

“Proud product of immigrants.”

“My parents crossed the border so I could cross this stage!”

“They migrated so I graduated.”

“I am my ancestors' wildest dreams.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (58)

Photo: __killak

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (59)

Photo: drea.oz

Art Graduate Cap Ideas

Design: “Interior Design.”

65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (60)

Photo: popwithlo

Photography: “Licensed to shoot”

Masters Graduation Cap Ideas

“I mastered it to change the world one word at a time.”

“She believed she could, so she mastered it.”

Graduates with Dogs

“I worked hard so my dog can have a better life.”

“I hope my dog is proud of me.”

“Because Dog Mom isn't a career.”

Congratulations, class of 2023!

Thisarticlehas beenedited and updated.

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65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads (2024)

FAQs

When did people start decorating graduation caps? ›

There isn't an exact date of when people began decorating their caps, but mortarboards have a unique way of fitting in, no matter the era. The first iteration of a graduation cap was worn in the 12th century when students typically wore clothing inspired by those of religious clergy members.

Why is it called a mortarboard? ›

However, the name mortarboard actually comes from the flat board used by bricklayers to lay mortar. Thus, the name of the widely accepted graduation hat also represents the mortar board of a master workman.

What is a TAM graduation? ›

A graduation tam is an headwear item of academic regalia in some institutions. They take the place of a mortarboard and are made of black velvet with a soft top.

Is decorating graduation caps still a thing? ›

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 the graduation cap decoration tradition? ›

Graduates use their decorated caps to express religion beliefs. Mortarboards also serve as sites of expressing emotions ranging from appreciation and gratitude… …to frustration. Popular culture references are very common, and graduates often use humor to playfully disrupt the formality of the occasion.

Why do only female graduates wear caps? ›

First, it is a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Second, caps are seen as a symbol of intelligence and success, and female graduates have worked hard to earn their degrees.

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? ›

A graduation rope, or honor cord, is worn to represent an achievement of the student or their participation in a specific group or study, which is identified by the color or colors of the cord.

What is the PhD hat called? ›

Academic caps include the mortarboard, velvet tams, and Beefeater. Velvet tams are ordinarily worn by faculty members with doctoral degrees. These doctoral tams are available in your choice of 4 - or 6 - or 8 sided models.

What is a Kente graduation? ›

Kente Graduation is a rite of passage that commemorates the academic and personal achievements of our graduating students of African descent, and marks their transition from college to adult life.

How do you make a homemade 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.

Can I use Sharpie on my graduation cap? ›

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

Are you allowed to decorate your graduation cap? ›

While decorating your grad cap is a fun way to express yourself and your accomplishments, don't use any inappropriate items, symbols or words. You will not be permitted to wear your cap if university staff deem it inappropriate or offensive.

Do high school graduates decorate their caps? ›

A cherished tradition among many college graduates is decorating their caps with sentimental messages, creative decorations, or themes reflecting their future careers. However, this opportunity is often not extended to high school seniors, as most high schools do not allow cap decorations at graduation ceremonies.

Where did the tradition of tossing the graduation cap originate from? ›

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.

When did people start decorating? ›

History of Interior Design Across the World

Before the 7th century BCE, little evidence of decorative home furnishings survives. Cave-dwelling human beings who lived 20,000 years ago made paintings on cave walls, but these may have had a purpose other than decoration.

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