Let's make a handmade graduation certificate! A collection of memorable design and crafting ideas
On this special milestone of graduation, why not create a one-of-a-kind diploma? An original certificate that carries your congratulations and gratitude will become an irreplaceable treasure for the recipient.
A handmade diploma, brimming with individuality, conveys the giver’s feelings directly.
Still, when it comes time to make one, many people may struggle to decide on a design.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of handmade diploma ideas.
Send a heartfelt piece to someone special!
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Let’s handcraft graduation certificates! A collection of memorable design and crafting ideas (11–20)
Pop-up card diploma
With a pop-up card–style diploma, you’ll be able to give them a delightful surprise when you hand it over.
A pop-up card is a card that reveals a three-dimensional image when opened.
They’re often given for birthdays and Christmas, right? Try making one with that kind of card in mind.
Of course, the design is up to you! How about a base sheet with a school drawn on it and a diploma popping out from there, or a scene where someone is holding the popping diploma? Start by researching how to create the mechanism.
Graduation certificate with a caricature
It describes a document that certifies graduation with a portrait of the person placed beside it.
If you also adjust the font and overall decoration to match the style of the portrait, it can further emphasize a cheerful, celebratory mood for the send-off.
Having a portrait tailored to the graduation moment is another key point, as it can serve as a prompt in the future to look back on what kind of person you were when you graduated.
Not only patterns with a large single portrait, but also layouts featuring multiple portraits drawn by friends sound interesting.
With photos! Fold-out diploma
When you open the certificate, one side contains text certifying graduation, while the other features a large photo of the person.
The spread-style diploma gives a luxurious impression and also seems easy to store on a bookshelf.
Having a large photo from the time of graduation strengthens the sense of having graduated and can prompt you to look back in the future on what expression you had at that moment.
It might also be interesting to make the photo intentionally removable so you can add an anecdote about the time it was taken on the back of the photo.
Brush lettering art
Brush-lettering art is perfect for a handmade diploma.
You write characters with a brush, but unlike formal calligraphy, its appeal lies in stylish designs that make the most of the brush’s softness.
Once you decide what message you want to write on the diploma, choose a design.
Even if it turns out a bit clumsy, the letters will have character, so don’t worry too much—just give it a try.
You can also hire a brush-lettering artist! It’s sure to become a diploma filled with love.
Certificate cake
It’s a fresh yet glamorous idea to turn a classic celebratory cake into a diploma.
Seeing text written in chocolate on a white cake might make you feel it’s too nice to eat.
By decorating the frame-like border with sweets and other treats, you can make it even cuter and more realistic.
However, since writing out the text requires a fairly large cake, we recommend celebrating with a big group so you can finish it all.
handwritten diploma
One option is to deliberately highlight a handmade feel.
A top recommendation is a handwritten diploma.
In this approach, you draw the diploma and its contents on a base sheet like construction paper.
Its charm lies in the warmth of something handmade and how easy it is to add originality.
Try freely exploring ideas—change the traditional layout of the diploma, add illustrations, and more.
You can also include a message inside to express gratitude and love.
Let’s Make Handmade Graduation Certificates! A Collection of Memorable Design and Crafting Ideas (21–30)
Frilled diplomaNEW!
A perfect gift for kids who love cute designs! This is a graduation certificate with frills.
The frame around the certificate is lavishly decorated with frills, making it look absolutely lovely.
In this idea, white frills are used to match the color of the certificate, but you can change the color to suit the graduate’s taste.
Pairing it with simple rhinestones that don’t distract from the certificate is also recommended.
Let’s create a graduation certificate packed with cuteness—something you’ll want to display!
