Fall Graduation Ordering Checklist

Posted by Tassel Depot on 8/28/2026 to Blog

What to Order Before a December Ceremony

A December graduation can feel far away when the fall semester begins, but commencement planning can become urgent quickly. Schools need time to confirm graduating students, sizes, colors, recognition regalia, quantities, and ceremony requirements. Families and individual graduates may also need to determine which pieces the school provides and which ones they are responsible for ordering.

At Tassel Depot, we work with schools, colleges, universities, organizations, and individual graduates preparing for ceremonies throughout the year. This fall graduation ordering checklist can help identify the major decisions that need to be made before commencement approaches.

Start With the School's Graduation Requirements

Before ordering anything, confirm what the school requires for the ceremony.

Some schools provide the complete graduation outfit. Others may provide certain pieces while graduates purchase the rest. Requirements can also vary by degree level, academic program, organization, or type of ceremony.

Confirm the approved cap and gown style and color, whether a tassel is included, and which recognition accessories graduates are permitted to wear. Students who have earned cords or stoles should also find out whether the school distributes them or expects students or organizations to order them separately.

Confirm Cap and Gown Sizes and Quantities

The graduation cap and gown form the base of most commencement attire, so schools should begin by determining how many complete sets are needed and which sizes to order.

For group orders, use the most current graduating-student list available. Graduation eligibility can change during the semester, so an early enrollment list may not accurately reflect the final ceremony count.

Sizing should also be confirmed before the order is placed. Graduation gowns are generally selected according to the graduate's height, while individual products may have additional sizing considerations. If students are uncertain about the finished look, our guide to how a cap and gown should fit explains what to check.

Review what is included with the selected cap-and-gown option as well. Tassels or other accessories may be included with some sets and ordered separately with others.

Choose Graduation Tassels and Year Dates

If tassels are not included with the cap and gown, confirm the correct school color or color combination before ordering graduation tassels.

Schools should also decide whether graduates will wear year-date charms. For group orders, verify the tassel style, color combination, and year date before distribution so the graduating class has a consistent look.

Plan Honor Cords, Stoles, and Sashes

Recognition regalia requires a different kind of planning because eligibility and meaning can vary among schools, departments, and organizations.

Honor cords may recognize academic distinction, honor society membership, leadership, service, participation in a program, or another achievement approved by the school. Confirm who qualifies for each cord and which colors the institution or organization uses. General cord-color guides should not replace school-specific requirements because meanings can differ.

Graduation stoles or sashes may identify an academic distinction, organization, program, cultural affiliation, leadership role, or another part of the graduate's experience. If custom designs are planned, determine the approved text, logos, colors, artwork, and placement early enough for review before production.

Schools and organizations using several recognition pieces should also consider how the complete regalia will look together. Our guide to matching graduation stoles, cords, and tassels can help planners coordinate the different elements.

Check Diploma and Certificate Presentation Needs

Schools should also decide how diplomas, certificates, or symbolic documents will be presented during commencement.

Diploma covers can provide a finished presentation while protecting the document. Confirm the document dimensions and expected number of recipients before ordering. If symbolic documents are distributed during commencement and final diplomas are mailed later, make sure the selected cover works with the ceremony plan.

Build the Ordering Timeline Backward From Graduation Day

Instead of relying on one universal "order by" date, start with the ceremony date and work backward through the steps required for each item.

Ready-to-order and custom products may require different preparation. Customized pieces can involve artwork, personalization, proofs, or design approval. Some schools may also have purchase-order or other internal purchasing procedures that need to be completed before an order can be submitted.

Determine when the graduating-student list will be finalized, when sizes will be collected, when honors will be confirmed, who needs to approve custom artwork, and when the finished order needs to arrive.

Leave time between delivery and commencement for the school or graduate to inspect the order. A shipment that arrives immediately before the ceremony leaves little opportunity to address an incorrect color, missing size, damaged item, or quantity issue.

Plan Time for Distribution and a Regalia Check

Receiving the order is not the final step.

For school orders, allow time to sort the regalia, match items with graduates, and distribute everything before commencement. Individual graduates should also open their packages and inspect the contents rather than waiting until graduation day.

Try on the complete outfit together. Make sure the gown fits properly, the cap is comfortable, the tassel is correct, and any cords or stoles sit as expected.

A rehearsal or scheduled regalia pickup can provide another opportunity to catch problems and make sure graduates understand which pieces they should wear.