Graduation season is here, and you know what that means—it’s time to stock up on tissues and cards. But if you’re like me, you want to give the grads in your life something a little more meaningful than a store-bought card with glitter that never quite stays where it should.

That’s where these handmade graduation cards come in. With just two stamp sets—Stampin’ Up!’s Cap & Gown (an Online Exclusive) and the bold Congrats from the annual catalog—you can create clean, classy cards that are easy to replicate and full of personal flair.

What Makes These Cards So Special?

Let’s be honest—graduation cards are a dime a dozen this time of year. But when you give someone a card that you made with your own hands, that says something. It says: “I’m proud of you.” It says: “I thought of you.” And let’s be real—it also says: “Look at me being all crafty and fabulous!”

The best part? These cards don’t require a million tools or hours of your time. This design is what I call “casually impressive.” Simple stamping, bold color, and a layout that lets your graduate’s school colors shine.

Stamp Sets Used:

• Cap & Gown Stamp Set – This online exclusive is full of classic graduation imagery, including the cap, diploma, and sentiment stamps that do all the heavy lifting for you.
• Congrats Stamp (Annual Catalog) – This oversized sentiment gives your card instant wow-factor. Stamp it in black, emboss it in gold, or heat it in their school color—however you choose to use it, it’s the centerpiece of this design.

Customize with School Colors

One of the best things about making your own handmade graduation cards is how easy it is to personalize them. Whether your graduate is walking across the stage for high school, college, or even kindergarten, you can make your card feel tailored just for them.

Use Stampin’ Up! cardstock in the graduate’s school colors, and coordinate with matching ink or embellishments. I’ve made versions in red, orange, and blue so far—but the possibilities are endless!

Pro tip: If you don’t have the exact school colors, don’t sweat it. Choose the closest match and roll with it. Trust me—your grad won’t be holding it up against their diploma for comparison.

No Tutorial Needed—Seriously

I’m not linking to a full tutorial here because, honestly, you don’t need one. This layout is super straightforward. A stamped sentiment, a focal image, and a pop of color are all it takes. Just eyeball the photo, grab your supplies, and get stamping.

Ready to Make Your Own?

You can shop the Cap & Gown stamp set here and the Congrats stamp set here! Don’t forget—Online Exclusives like Cap & Gown are only available while supplies last!

If you’re planning to create a few graduation cards this season, now’s a great time to grab the supplies while they’re available. The Cap & Gown stamp set is an Online Exclusive, and the Congrats sentiment is a staple from the annual catalog—both are easy to mix and match with what you already have. I’ve linked them above so you can shop quickly and get crafting!

What Are Your School Colors?

I’d love to know—what colors are you crafting with for your grads this year? Leave a comment below or tag me on Facebook @TravelingStamper to show off your creations!

Ready to start?

If you’ve never made handmade graduation cards before, this is the perfect place to start. The design is beginner-friendly, but the end result looks polished and thoughtful. Whether you’re crafting for one graduate or a whole group, handmade graduation cards offer that personal connection that store-bought simply can’t match. Plus, using Stampin’ Up! products ensures your final creation is high quality and beautifully coordinated. From paper to ink to stamps, everything works together to make card-making smooth and satisfying. And let’s be honest—handmade graduation cards are more likely to get displayed (and saved!) than the ones picked up in the card aisle.