- Determine whether you are purchasing or renting the graduation cap. If you are renting it, you must return it in the same pristine condition it was given to you, so you need to use only those materials that can be easily removed and will not damage the cap. If you are purchasing the mortar board, then you are free to use any type of adhesives for your decorations.
- Graduation is an event you should be proud of, so you should research the school's rules on graduation attire. Some schools do not allow any embellishment on caps, while others have no rules banning the practice. In any case, use common sense and good taste by avoiding "decorations" and words that some might find offensive.
- For rented caps, you can use painter's tape to spell out phrases such as "Thanks, Mom and Dad!" or "Hire Me!" in block letters on the top of the cap. Painter's tape comes in a variety of colors and peels off easily. Some types of masking tape also might work, but choose one that is not too sticky and will come off cleanly.
- If you purchase your mortarboard, you can use any type of adhesives you have on hand, including hot glue, rubber cement, school glue or any type of tape. In addition to adhesives, you also can use staples, pins, grommets, snaps or alligator clips, all of which are not recommended for rented caps as they might leave a permanent mark or hole.
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Bejeweled graduation capsIf you are leaving high school and going on to college, you might want to cut out the letters of the college from a piece of colored felt. Consider gluing ribbons, ribbon rosettes, buttons, feathers, googly-eyes or rhinestones in a pattern or to form words atop the cap. You also can purchase iron-on letters at a craft store to help you spell out your message.
