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65 Creative Graduation Caps Worn by Crafty Grads

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

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

 

Inspiring Graduation Caps

 

“On to the next chapter.”

Graduation Cap Art

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.”

Creative Graduation Cap Design

Photo: Amber

 

“Do better better.”

Creative Grad Caps for Graduation

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!”

Graduation Cap Ideas

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.”

Graduation Hats

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…”

Graduation Cap Art

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.”

Creative Grad Caps for Graduation

Photo: Bria Bowen

 

Funny Graduation Cap Ideas

 

“Ight Imma Graduate.”

 

“My diploma runs on Dunkin'”

 

“I don't even go here!”

Creative Graduation Cap Ideas

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.”

Creative Graduation Cap Ideas

Photo: aww.sam

 

Immigrant Graduates

 

“Immigrad.”

IMMIGRAD Graduation Caps

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.”

Graduation Cap Ideas

Photo: __killak

 

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

Graduation Hats

Photo: drea.oz

 

Art Graduate Cap Ideas

 

Design: “Interior Design.”

Creative Graduation Cap Ideas

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!

 

This article has been edited and updated.

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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