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 Make Handmade Graduation Certificates! A Collection of Memorable Design and Crafting Ideas (21–30)
Diploma made with bagasseNEW!
If you want to make your graduation certificate more memorable, how about making it by hand from scratch? In this idea, they’re making washi paper using bagasse, the fibrous residue from sugarcane.
First, wash the bagasse thoroughly, bleach it, and blend it until fine.
Then use papermaking techniques to form it into thin sheets.
Making washi from scratch is hard work, but that’s exactly why the time you spend will become an unforgettable memory.
The time you spend creating it—and the certificate itself—will surely become treasures.
Graduation certificate made with animal illustrations
Diplomas decorated with illustrations of animals that are popular with children are adorable and convey a warm feeling of celebrating their growth.
Let’s decide which kinds of animals to draw and how to handle their size and poses as we proceed.
By maintaining overall cohesion while asking the children which animals they like and incorporating those ideas, the diploma will become something special—and the children might be delighted.
Try creating an original, one-of-a-kind diploma.
Let’s make handmade graduation certificates! A collection of memorable design and crafting ideas (31–40)
Diploma with a cherry blossom frame
A graduation certificate framed with cherry blossoms inspired by the blossoms of spring stands out for its brilliance and will become a memorable keepsake.
When creating it, since there are many varieties of cherry blossoms, decide which type you want to draw based on the size and shape of the certificate.
It’s also important to check the paper material of the certificate.
Once the frame design is set, draw it while paying attention to balance.
Handwriting the school name and the graduate’s name will add even more warmth.
Try making a graduation certificate that will leave lasting memories.
Graduation certificate made from colored construction paper
It’s also nice to make a diploma by cutting and pasting colored construction paper.
First, decide on the design.
There are many choices to make, such as whether to use vertical or horizontal text, and whether to go for a simple or a pop look.
If you’re using construction paper, I recommend layering cut pieces to add a three-dimensional effect.
Even with a simple design, there are plenty of places—like the border frame—where you can create a sense of depth.
Alternatively, scattering pieces shaped like cherry blossom petals could be lovely too.
tear-apart bread
A diploma made by writing letters on pull-apart bread is a unique idea that’s both cute and edible afterward.
It’s easy to arrange—write letters on uniformly sized rolls and line them up, change the bread color to create a frame, and enjoy the creative process as you make it.
However, once baked, the texture may change and the result might differ from your original image, so try making it a few times before the actual day.
You can bake them together in a mold like typical pull-apart bread, or deliberately keep them separate for a rounded design—choose the method that suits your preferred finish.
Graduation certificate made with a smartphone
Using a smartphone or tablet might help you make graduation certificates more efficiently.
If you create a design with application software, you can produce certificates for everyone by simply changing the names and wording.
If you want to include photos or illustrations in the design, working digitally also makes the process smooth.
Another benefit unique to digital work is that you can make revisions as many times as needed.
If you’re using a personal smartphone, please be careful with handling personal information.
Graduation certificate wrapping (for kindergarten/preschool)
Here’s a fun idea: turn a kindergarten graduation certificate into a wrapping bag! Use paper designed to look like the certificate you receive at school, apply double-sided tape, and fold it into a bag—that’s it! If you make it on a computer to look just like the real thing, the kids will be surprised and delighted.
If you’re not comfortable with computers, a handmade version will feel warm and charming too.
Try making these as a little surprise to hold sweets or gifts you want to give as a graduation celebration!
