It’s time to upgrade from basic black.

Mortarboards – those classic graduation hats seen on every college catalog and brochure – tend to be a bit on the boring side of life. Every year, some students decide to change it up and decorate their cap to stand out from the crowd.

Dennis Kemmerer, senior government journalism major, said he is having someone else decorate his graduation cap so he does not know what it will look like yet. But the reason why he is decorating his cap is clear.

“(I had it decorated) so my guests seated far away will be able to tell where I am,” Kemmerer said.

When thinking about how to decorate a graduation cap, students should consider a theme or statement they would like to make.

Elana Pepper, senior history major, said she would be decorating her graduation cap by writing “to life” in Hebrew for the upcoming commencement.

“It (means) the start to a new life and the end of an old chapter,” Pepper said.

Students could consider thanking their parents by putting a message to them on top of the cap. This can be done with a few coats of brightly colored acrylic paint (around $2 per tube at Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts) or with some glue and rhinestones ($2.99 or more at Michaels).

Sac State alumna Kimberley Walker said she decorated her graduation cap with a “thank you” to her parents.

“I chose to decorate my cap that way because I felt as though that day was only possible because of my parents,” Walker said. “They paid my tuition for all (those) years and just took care of everything and I thought it (would) be a cute surprise for them. I kept it a secret and made them find me in the crowd.”

Fraternity brothers and sorority sisters sometimes choose to thank their Greek families with the letters that representing their organization. Some websites like craftcuts.com will make reusable stencils for around $6. People can make their own stencils by printing the Greek letters from your computer and tracing them onto cardstock, which sells for about 75 cents per sheet at craft stores.

Whatever goes on top of a mortarboard, make sure it is a good representation of the graduating student. Go old school and paint a colorful design that stands out or even just turn a cap into something pretty with lights and feathers. Religious symbols, inside jokes or favorite quotes are all good choices for graduation day.

Ideas

• Using bright colors and materials are good ways to stand out in the crowd.
• A traditional graduation cap decoration is to write the student’s graduation year. It is simple and a good way to commemorate the occasion.
• A fun idea is to attach battery-operated lights to your graduation cap. This can be done easily with a string of lights and pinning or gluing them to the outside edge of the cap.
• Create a photo collage with family and friends on the top of the cap. Scan or make copies of the photos to preserve the originals.
• Students can decorate their caps in creative ways from writing their names to writing quotes or sayings across the top. The classic “Hi Mom” is always an option, but think outside the classics, too.
• Paint a favorite destination or object on top of a cap with acrylic paint, and then outline the creation with rhinestones.
• Use fabric strips in a student’s favorite colors and patterns and either weave or lay them across the top and around the hat and glue with a hot glue gun. Make sure to leave the elastic part alone so it still fits on the student’s head.

Supplies 

• Glue is a necessary tool to attach most decorations to the graduation cap. Use Elmer’s glue or any drying glue, which costs $1.99 to $4.99 at most craft stores or use a hot glue gun.
• Using glitter paint and pens can make a graduation cap look flashy and extravagant. Paint and pens usually cost $5.99 or more and can be found at Michaels and other craft stores.
• Gluing or sticking on letters are also simple ways to decorate the graduation cap. These items can be found at most craft stores with prices ranging from $1.99 to $6.99.
• Ribbons, faux fur, rhinestones, feather boas and stickers can all be easily added to an existing design to push it over the top. These items usually cost $1 to $10 and can be found at most craft stores.
• A 25-pack of 9-by-12-inch felt squares – $6.99 at Jo-Ann – can be used for a number of designs. The leftovers can be used for other crafts or shared with friends during a cap decorating party.
• Investing in a glue gun might seem expensive, but it is a sure way to know whatever goes on top of the cap sticks to it and stays there. Glue guns can be found for as little as $3 online.

Brittany Lambert can be reached at [email protected]