Table of Contents
- TLDR
- Why Graduation Announcements Still Matter
- What To Put On Graduation Announcements
- Graduation Announcements Vs. Graduation Invitations
- When To Send Graduation Announcements
- Choosing The Right Size And Cardstock
- Design Tips That Make Graduation Announcements Feel Better
- How Many Graduation Announcements To Order
- Why CustomStickers Works Well For Graduation Announcements
- Conclusion
- FAQs
TLDR
- Graduation announcements work best when they feel clear, personal, and easy to keep.
- The core details are simple: the graduate’s name, school, degree or diploma, and graduation date.
- Announcements and invitations are not quite the same thing, and that difference matters.
- CustomStickers gives you a straightforward cardstock option with practical sizes, solid paper choices, and a clean ordering path.
This post helps graduates and families choose better graduation announcements by explaining what to include, when to send them, and how to print them well, so they can share the milestone without making the process harder than it needs to be.
Graduation announcements are one of those pieces people tend to overthink right up until the deadline gets close. Then suddenly it becomes a rush job. The good news is that they do not need to be complicated to feel special. A strong announcement usually comes down to a few good choices: the right format, the right details, and print quality that makes the card feel worth keeping.
That is really the job here. Not to build the most elaborate card in the mailbox. Just to create something that feels thoughtful, polished, and easy for family and friends to hold onto. And for most people, cardstock printing is the right lane for that.
Why Graduation Announcements Still Matter
A graduation announcement does something digital messages usually do not. It gives the moment a little weight.
Texts are fast. Social posts are easy. But a printed card feels more intentional. It marks the milestone in a way that people can pin to the fridge, save in a keepsake box, or display for a while instead of scrolling past it two minutes later.
That is also why this format works especially well for extended family, mentors, teachers, and family friends. These are often the people who want to celebrate the graduate even if they are not attending the ceremony or party. A printed piece gives them something real, and that still matters.
What To Put On Graduation Announcements
This part is usually simpler than people expect. The core details most announcements need are:
- the graduate’s full name
- the school or program
- the degree or diploma earned
- the graduation date
- an optional short message, quote, or note about future plans
That is the clean version. You can add a photo, school colors, honors, or a short personal line, but the basics should do the heavy lifting. If the card starts feeling crowded, that is usually a sign to cut back rather than cram more in. Shutterfly’s current graduation announcement etiquette and FAQ guidance makes the same basic point: keep it celebratory, include the key details, and treat the piece as an announcement rather than a gift request.
A good rule is this: give people the milestone clearly first, then add personality second.
Graduation Announcements Vs. Graduation Invitations
This is where people get tripped up all the time.
A graduation announcement shares the news. A graduation invitation asks someone to attend something. Those can overlap, but they are not the same. In practice, a lot of families do both. They send invitations to the people they want at the ceremony or party, and they send announcements more broadly to relatives, friends, neighbors, teachers, and other supporters. Shutterfly’s current guidance draws the same distinction, with announcements framed as a celebratory update or keepsake and invitations framed as a request to attend the event.
That distinction is useful because it changes the tone of the card. If it is an announcement, keep it focused on the graduate and the accomplishment. If it is an invitation, make sure the event details are impossible to miss.
And if you want one design system across both, that can work well too. Matching cards usually feel more pulled together than mixing unrelated designs at the last minute.
When To Send Graduation Announcements
Timing depends on what the card is doing.
If the card includes an invitation, sending it at least two to three weeks before the ceremony is a practical minimum, and more lead time is better for guests who may need to travel. If it is a true announcement and not an invite, the window is looser. It is generally acceptable to send it shortly before the event or within a few weeks after, especially if you want to include graduation photos. Shutterfly’s current etiquette guidance says announcements with invites should go out at least two to three weeks before the ceremony, while announcement-only cards can go out from about two weeks before to up to four weeks after the event. Their announcement FAQ also notes that many families send announcements soon after graduation, especially when the card includes photos from the day.
That flexibility is helpful. It means you do not have to force the whole project into one perfect tradition. You can choose the timing that fits the type of card you are actually sending.
Choosing The Right Size And Cardstock
For graduation announcements, the two sizes on the CustomStickers product page are 5" x 7" and 4" x 6". That covers the two most practical directions most people want.
Here is the quick version:
| Size | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| 5" x 7" | More formal look, more room for text, typically fits an A7 envelope |
| 4" x 6" | More casual or photo-forward look, simpler layouts, easy handout or mailing format |
CustomStickers also offers two cardstock weights on this product: Standard 14pt and Premium 16pt, with quantities from 25 to 200. The page says matte is the default finish, while glossy or uncoated finishes are available by request through support. It also notes that PDF is the preferred file type for the sharpest results, though high-resolution PNG and JPG files work well too.
In plain terms, 5" x 7" is usually the safer choice if you want the card to feel more formal or if you want extra breathing room for a photo plus wording. A 4" x 6" card works well when the design is more image-led, more casual, or just intentionally minimal.
As for cardstock, thicker stock usually feels better in hand. It is not a dramatic mystery. It just feels more substantial. If the announcement is meant to be a keepsake, that extra weight is often worth it.
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Design Tips That Make Graduation Announcements Feel Better
Most weak announcement cards have the same problem. They are trying too hard.
Too many photos. Too many fonts. Too much copy. Too many decorative pieces fighting for attention. Graduation cards usually feel better when the layout has some restraint.
A few simple design choices go a long way:
- use one main photo or one clear photo grouping
- keep the wording short
- do not crowd the edges
- let the graduate’s name stand out
- use school colors carefully, not everywhere
- keep the back simple if the front is already busy
If you are printing edge-to-edge color or a full-photo design, file setup matters. The CustomStickers page says full-color photo invitations and full bleed are supported, and its FAQ recommends including 0.125 inch bleed on every side. It also recommends keeping key text and logos at least 0.125 to 0.25 inch away from the edge for safe trimming and comfortable readability.
That is one of those small details people ignore until it causes problems. Better to set the file up cleanly the first time.
How Many Graduation Announcements To Order
Most people do not need as many as they first think. The easiest way to estimate is one card per household, not one per person, then add a small cushion for late additions, keepsakes, and mistakes.
That is also the guideline on the CustomStickers product. Its FAQ says a common rule is one per household, plus 10 to 15 extras. That is a practical number because there is almost always someone you forgot the first time through, and there is usually at least one card you want to keep.
If you are between quantities, it is usually smarter to round up a little. Running short on announcement cards is annoying in a way that a few extras are not.
Why CustomStickers Works Well For Graduation Announcements
What I like about this CustomStickers product is that it stays pretty clear about what it is. It is not trying to bury the actual offer under vague language.
The product page gives you the practical choices most families actually need: two useful sizes, two cardstock weights, straightforward quantities, matte by default, alternate finishes by request, and file guidance that is easy to understand. It also explicitly includes graduation invitations in the use cases, along with photo printing, full bleed support, RSVP and insert card options, and proofing help if you are unsure about bleed, margins, or readability. As of today, the page is also running a 25 percent off promotion on invitations and grad announcements.
That makes it a good fit for people who want a graduation card that feels polished without turning the ordering process into its own project.
Conclusion
Graduation announcements do not need to be elaborate to feel meaningful. They just need to be clear, personal, and printed well enough that people want to keep them.
Start with the basics. Make sure the key details are easy to find. Decide whether the card is an announcement, an invitation, or both. Choose a size that fits the tone you want. Use cardstock that feels worth holding onto. And do not overdesign it.
That is the real win here. A card that feels intentional, not overworked.
FAQs
What Should Graduation Announcements Say?
At minimum, include the graduate’s name, school or program, degree or diploma, and graduation date. A short message, quote, or future-plans note is optional.
When Should Graduation Announcements Be Sent?
If the card includes an invitation, send it at least two to three weeks before the ceremony. If it is only an announcement, sending it shortly before or within a few weeks after graduation is generally fine.
What Size Is Best For Graduation Announcements?
For most people, 5" x 7" is the better fit for a more formal card, while 4" x 6" works well for a simpler, photo-forward design. CustomStickers offers both sizes on this product.
How Many Should I Order?
A practical rule is one card per household plus 10 to 15 extras for keepsakes, errors, and last-minute additions.
