40 Graduation cap ideas to make your graduation more memorable.

• Feature your furry best friends.

If you’re an animal lover or a fur parent, this one’s right up your alley. Whether it’s a custom drawing or a photo of your pet, this cute graduation cap idea lets you put your study buddy in the spotlight. Other related ideas you can try include a collage of your favorite animals or an illustrated paw print of your beloved pet.

• Choose lyrics from your favorite song.

Which songs have helped you through difficult times at school? Pick the lyrics that spoke to your heart and put them on your graduation cap.

• Cartoon or anime characters close to your heart.

From Pokémon and Ghibli films to Bojack Horseman and Invincible, find inspiration from shows or characters that you resonate with. Or try to come up with original illustrations to flex your drawing skills.

• Put your own spin on popular taglines.

Popular taglines from shows like The Office are great—they’re hilarious, and everyone knows them. Switch things up by tweaking these popular taglines to make them your own.

• Motivational quotes or lyrics.

• Personalize popular sayings or messages.

Tweak popular sayings like “The adventure begins” or “Ready for the next chapter” to let your unique personality and perspective shine through.

• Put the spotlight on your commitment.

You’ve come a long way. Give yourself the recognition you deserve by putting your journey into words—and photos featuring key moments.

• Words to live by from your loved ones.

Perhaps one of your loved ones has shared an unforgettable and insightful message. Consider using that as an inspiration for your custom graduation cap.

• Express your gratitude.

A short message of gratitude lets you show your appreciation for the key people in your life.

• Puns, anyone?

Have a field day with puns and showcase your quirky sense of humor.

• A photo collage featuring your loved ones.

Show your loved ones just how much you appreciate them by featuring them in a photo collage. Customize your cap further by adding a short message.

• Your favorite video games.

Create a custom collage featuring some of the best games you’ve played while taking a break from schoolwork.

• Feature your best-loved sport, whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, or something else.

• Films, cartoons, anime—the sky’s the limit.

• You can never go wrong with florals

From paper to painted flowers, there’s no shortage of floral and girly graduation cap ideas.

• Gradients galore featuring your favorite colors

• A crowning achievement

Consider adding a tiara to top off your graduation cap. Include a feather boa, lace, rhinestones, and glitters—use this opportunity to make your graduation cap design match your personality.

• Share insights about what you’ve learned.

When adding insightful messages, consider the available space you can use. This way, you’ll have enough room for other graduation cap decoration ideas like photo collages.

• Photo overlays.

Choose your favorite photo, print it, and display it on your graduation cap. Include a caption, such as your name, a joke, or a tagline.

• It’s gonna be lit-erary.

Book covers often make for wonderful graduation cap decors. Print out the cover you like the most and decorate your graduation cap with it. You can also take inspiration from literary posters or prints.

• Jazz up your tassel.

Turn tassels into a canvas. Jazz them up with beads and paper flowers, or add a tassel in your favorite shade.

• Your school mascot.

• A compilation of your favorite college activities.

• Feature your major.

• Include designs related to your major.

Aside from showcasing your major, consider adding unique elements that reference it.

• Use objects that are associated with the classroom, like pencils, books, or crayons.

• Share a quote that’s close to your heart.

Do you have a quote, saying, or verse that you constantly look to for inspiration? Decorate your graduation cap with that.

• Let your students sign your cap.

Consider giving your students the opportunity to personalize your graduation cap.

• Experiment with wordplay.

One of the most popular nursing graduation cap ideas involves wordplay. Pick words like “earned” or “journey,” which give you the opportunity to highlight the RN title.

• From cap to scrubs.

Transform a plain old graduation cap into scrubs.

• Put a ribbon for added flair.

• Create your own checklist.

Comprehensive exam? Check! Research and thesis? Check! Complete coursework? Check!

• Make it relatable.

Include an impactful statement made by one of your professors. Sum up your experience. Share your dreams.

• Play around with color combinations.

• You can never go wrong with memes.

Memes give you the perfect opportunity to show off your sense of humor. From pop culture references to hilarious takes on everyday life, there’s a meme for practically any situation.

• Bling it out.

Add sequins, beads, glitters—anything!

• Create custom artwork.

Showcase your artistic side by adding your own illustrations. Alternatively, consider creating an original painting with your graduation cap as the canvas.

• Elevate your graduation cap by adding interactive elements.

Design your cap like you would a board game. Add pop-up elements. Leave some space where your loved ones can write their heartfelt messages.

• Markers are your other best friend.

Aside from paints, pencils, and pastels, acrylic markers give you a fun and easy way to switch up your graduation cap décor.

• Let your personality shine.

Incorporate all your top graduation cap ideas to make something that’s 100% you.