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.”

4.3 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

What is the cap worn during graduation? ›

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.

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.

What are the rules for graduation hats? ›

Place the cap on your head so the point is in the front, about 1 inch above the eyebrows. Your mortarboard should be worn level on your head, and the tassel should be placed on the right side.

What does the graduation hat symbolize? ›

A Symbol of Knowledge

The graduation cap and gown stand as a collective symbol of knowledge, perseverance, and dedication to education.

What are the different types of grad caps? ›

Students earning bachelor's and master's degrees wear the typical mortarboard and tassel. Those earning doctoral degrees replace the flat cap with a tam.

Who can wear a 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 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 do you throw in the air at the end of graduation? ›

When the midshipmen finally graduated, a new hat was presented to the officers, and they tossed their old caps into their air. The tradition quickly spread to universities across the nation, becoming the triumphant symbol that it is today.

Why do people throw up graduation caps? ›

Throwing the Cap

Tossing the graduation cap in the air was started by the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912. The graduates would spend two years as midshipmen and had to always wear a designated hat. Once the graduation ended, the midshipman would become officers and would no longer need their old hats.

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. Finally, caps can be seen as a sign of respect for one's elders and for the institution of education.

What are the different ways to wear a graduation cap? ›

The key is to keep the hair smoothed away from the crown to give the cap the space it needs to rest comfortably. If you'd prefer to show off a more elegant style, try curling the ends or tucking it up so that it's just visible beneath the cap.

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 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 are the floppy graduation hats? ›

The doctoral headgear is traditionally the soft tam. Some tams have four corners and look like floppy mortarboards. Others have six corners. The style of tam is determined by the school from which one graduates.

What is the thing on the graduation cap called? ›

For a high school commencement ceremony, 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 hat used in graduation ceremony? ›

Mortarboard Hats

This type of graduation ceremony cap is traditionally worn by Bachelors and Masters graduates but is now worn by students at graduation ceremonies of all ages.

What is the graduation cap and gown called? ›

Academic regalia, also known as the “cap and gown,” varies according to the degree conferred and the level of scholarship attained. The bachelor's gown is a simple robe that covers the entire body.

What is the tradition of graduation cap? ›

Today, the most traditional style of graduation hat is the mortarboard cap. 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.

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