How to Decorate a Mortarboard for a High School Graduation

The mortarboard cap is a standard symbol of graduation. Many graduates elect to make modifications to this standard commencement headpiece by adding personalized decorations. This can help family and friends identify their graduate more easily in the sea of students; it also lets the graduate to express his personal interests. You can easily decorate your mortarboard with a few simple tools and a little time and effort.

Lay your mortarboard hat upside down on a sheet of standard cardstock, pressing the square section onto the paper. You can use a sheet of cardstock that is the same color as your mortarboard, or create a contrasting effect by selecting a different color.

Trace around the square section of the mortarboard hat, creating an outline of the hat top.

Cut along the traced lines, creating a square that is the same size as your mortarboard hat top.

Place the square on the hat top, and draw an X in the center, where the large button on which you attach the tassel lays.

Cut a square in the center of your cardstock sheet, removing the x-ed out section, and allowing the button to poke through the cardboard. If you skip this step, you will not be able to attach the tassel to your hat come graduation day.

Draw a design or write a message on your cardstock sheet. Use markers or paint to decorate your sheet. Common messages include, “Hi Mom!” or “I did it!”, but you can add any message you see fit.

Tape your cardstock to your mortarboard top. Create tape loops, and place them on the top of your hat. Line your designed cardstock sheet up with the edges of your hat, and press down firmly to secure your decoration to your hat top.