Your graduation cap shows up in every photo from the ceremony, so it might as well look like you. Rhinestones are one of the easiest ways to turn a plain black mortarboard into something personal that sparkles all the way from the back row.
This guide is for high school and college graduates decorating a standard mortarboard cap at home. It covers the supplies you need, design ideas, how to apply flatback rhinestones, and how to keep every stone in place until you move your tassel.
Table of Contents
- What You Need to Make a Rhinestone Graduation Cap
- Rhinestone Graduation Cap Design Ideas
- How to Apply Rhinestones to a Graduation Cap
- How to Keep Rhinestones From Falling Off Your Cap
- Where to Buy Rhinestones for a Graduation Cap
- FAQs
What You Need to Make a Rhinestone Graduation Cap
To make a rhinestone graduation cap, you need flatback rhinestones, a strong craft adhesive, a placement tool, and something to sketch your design with. Gather everything before you start so you aren't running to the craft store halfway through your lettering.
- Flatback rhinestones in your chosen colors, sizes, and finishes
- A strong, flexible adhesive such as E6000
- A rhinestone pickup tool or wax pencil for placing stones
- Tweezers for nudging stones into position
- A chalk pencil or washable fabric marker for sketching
- A flat, well-lit workspace
What Are Flatback Rhinestones?
Flatback rhinestone: a rhinestone with a smooth, flat back that sits flush against a surface when glued down. Flatbacks are the easiest stones to use on a graduation cap because they don't need heat tools or special settings. Glass flatbacks give you the most shine, while resin and acrylic flatbacks are lighter and more affordable.
Choosing Rhinestone Sizes for Your Cap
Rhinestone sizes use the SS (stone size) system, where a higher number means a bigger stone. Mixing two or three sizes on one cap gives your design depth and makes it look more polished.
| Size | Approximate Diameter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SS10 | 2.8 mm | Fine lettering and small details |
| SS16 | 4 mm | Borders and filling in shapes |
| SS20 | 4.8 mm | Outlines and bold letters |
| SS30 | 6.4 mm | Focal points and statement accents |
For extra sparkle, look for AB (aurora borealis) rhinestones. The AB finish is a rainbow coating that reflects color from every angle, so you get more shine without adding more stones.
Choosing the Best Glue for a Graduation Cap
E6000 is the best adhesive for most rhinestone graduation caps because it dries clear, stays flexible, and bonds well to the polyester fabric on top of the cap. Hot glue sets faster, but it leaves bulky ridges around each stone and doesn't grip smooth or stiff surfaces very well. Use E6000 in a room with good airflow, and test a small dot on a back corner of your cap before starting your full design.
Rhinestone Graduation Cap Design Ideas
The best rhinestone graduation cap design is simple enough to read from a distance and personal enough to feel like yours. These four styles work on any standard mortarboard, whether you're going for full sparkle or a subtle accent.
Quote Designs
A short quote is one of the most popular rhinestone graduation cap ideas because it says something about you at a glance. Stick to two to five words so the lettering stays large and readable in photos. Sketch the full phrase on the cap first, so your spacing stays even from the first letter to the last.
Major and School Themed Designs
A themed design tells everyone what you studied or where you're headed next. A chemistry major could outline a molecule, an art major could create a paint palette, and a nursing grad could add a heart with a pulse line. School colors, mascots, and your graduation year also make great themed designs.
Floral and Geometric Patterns
Floral and geometric patterns are a great choice if you want a decorated cap without any words. Flowers look especially good arranged symmetrically, with a bloom in each corner or a cluster in the center. If this is your first rhinestone project, try a geometric grid, since straight lines and repeating shapes are much easier to place accurately.
Monogram and Initial Designs
A monogram gives your cap a clean, elegant look that still feels completely personal. Place larger stones through the center of each letter and smaller stones along the edges to add dimension. This layered approach catches the light beautifully in photos, even with a small number of stones.
How to Apply Rhinestones to a Graduation Cap
To apply rhinestones to a graduation cap, sketch your design, glue small sections at a time, place each stone with a pickup tool, and let the cap dry flat for at least 24 hours. Here is the full process.
- Clean the cap. Wipe away dust and lint with a dry cloth so the adhesive bonds directly to the fabric.
- Sketch your design. Lightly draw your layout with a chalk pencil or washable fabric marker so you have a guide to follow.
- Glue one small section. Apply small dots of adhesive to an area about the size of your palm, since E6000 starts to set within a few minutes.
- Place your stones. Use a pickup tool or tweezers to set each stone, starting with outlines and then filling in the shapes.
- Let it dry flat. Leave the cap flat in a cool, dry spot for at least 24 hours, or up to 72 hours for a full cure.
Rushing the dry time is the most common mistake grads make. A stone can look secure after an hour and still slide out of place if the glue hasn't fully cured.
How to Keep Rhinestones From Falling Off Your Cap
Rhinestones stay on a graduation cap when the adhesive fully cures and the cap is protected from heat, moisture, and pressure before the ceremony. A little extra care after you finish decorating keeps your design looking perfect all day.
- Keep it cool and dry. Humidity weakens glue, and a hot car can soften it enough for stones to slide.
- Store it flat. Don't stack anything on top of your cap or squeeze it into a bag, because pressure can pop stones loose.
- Pack a repair kit. Tuck a few spare stones and a small tube of glue in your bag for quick fixes on graduation day.
- Handle it by the edges. Pick up your cap by the sides so your fingers don't catch on the stones.
Where to Buy Rhinestones for a Graduation Cap
Planet Rhinestone carries bulk flatback rhinestones in the sizes, colors, and finishes you need for a graduation cap, from a few accent stones to a fully covered design. Buying in bulk means you won't run out halfway through your lettering, and you'll have extras left over for touch-ups.
Most graduation caps are made from a matte polyester that holds glue well, so flatback stones in SS10 and SS16 are a great place to start for lettering and borders. Add a handful of SS20 or SS30 stones if you want a few bold focal points.
Ready to get started? Shop flatback rhinestones, crystals, and bulk mixes at Planet Rhinestone and find everything you need to make your cap shine on graduation day.
FAQs
How do you make a rhinestone graduation cap?
To make a rhinestone graduation cap, clean the cap, sketch your design with a chalk pencil, and glue flatback rhinestones on in small sections using a strong adhesive like E6000. Let the cap dry flat for at least 24 hours before wearing it so the stones stay secure.
What rhinestones work best for a graduation cap?
Flatback rhinestones work best for graduation caps because they sit flush on fabric and glue down easily. Glass flatbacks offer the most sparkle, while resin and acrylic stones are lighter and cost less. Sizes SS10 through SS20 cover most lettering and borders.
Can you put rhinestones on a graduation cap without ruining it?
Yes, you can add rhinestones to a graduation cap without ruining it if you plan your layout first and use small dots of glue instead of soaking the fabric. Check your school's decorating rules before you start, since some ceremonies limit what can go on a cap.
What are some easy rhinestone graduation cap ideas?
Easy rhinestone graduation cap ideas include outlining your graduation year, spelling your name, adding a sparkly border, or rhinestoning a simple heart. A school logo or mascot also works well. Keep the design simple so it reads clearly from a distance.
How long does it take to rhinestone a graduation cap?
Rhinestoning a graduation cap takes between one and six hours, depending on the size and detail of your design. A simple border can take under an hour, while full coverage or detailed lettering takes much longer. Plan for another 24 to 72 hours of drying time.