How To Put A Tassel On A Graduation Cap: Step-by-Step Regalia Guide

To correctly put a tassel on a graduation cap, identify the inside back elastic band of the mortarboard to orient the cap, loop the tassel’s long cord over the center button, and pull it firmly down to seat the knot under the button's rim. Undergraduates must drape the tassel over the right-front quadrant of the cap prior to degree conferral, shifting it to the left side only after the official turning-of-the-tassel ceremony. Master's and doctoral candidates wear their tassels on the left side throughout the entire commencement ceremony.

Anatomy of the Mortarboard: Pre-Ceremony Preparation

Before assembling academic regalia, understanding the structural engineering of the graduation cap (historically termed the mortarboard) is essential. The cap consists of a flat, square upper board (the pull or crown board) and a lower skull cap (the crown) that cradles the head. A fabric-covered button anchors the exact center of the board, serving as the mounting point for the tassel.

Improper placement of the cap or incorrect tassel orientation violates academic protocol and risks losing the tassel during outdoor ceremonies due to wind. To prevent these coordination errors on graduation day, assemble your materials and verify your institution's specific academic costume codes well in advance of the line-up.

Essential Regalia Assembly Checklist

• Essential Gear and Materials:
  
  
  • Standard academic mortarboard cap (matched to your gown fabric).
  • Official institutional graduation tassel (featuring school colors or discipline-specific velvet colors).
  • Year-specific metal charm (signet) with jump-ring clasp.
  • Four bobby pins matching your hair color (for wind securement).
  • Handheld garment steamer (to remove packaging creases from the cap skull fabric and tassel drape).
• Mandatory Prerequisite Knowledge:
  
  
  • Your precise degree classification (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate) as this dictates tassel position rules set by the American Council on Education (ACE).
  • Identification of the cap's front and back points (the skull cap interior features an elastic band or a deep pointed seam which must rest at the nape of the neck).
• Project Benchmarks:
  
  
  • Estimated Budget: $0 (if using standard school-provided regalia kits); $10 to $25 for replacement tassels and custom year charms.
  • Duration: 5 to 7 minutes of focused preparation.

Step-by-Step Assembly and Alignment Protocol

Achieving a clean, symmetrical presentation requires systematic alignment of the cap and tassel. Follow these structured steps to secure your regalia for your commencement ceremony.

Step 1: Orient and Align the Mortarboard

Before mounting the tassel, determine the front and back of the graduation cap. Placing a mortarboard on backward is one of the most common errors made by graduates.

Look inside the skull cap portion of your mortarboard. Locate the elastic band or the deep, pointed seam. This elasticized section is designed to grip the occipital bone at the lower back of your skull. The pointed end of the cap with this elastic band must face the back. The front of the cap features a shallower curve that sits comfortably on your forehead, roughly one inch above your eyebrows. Lay the oriented cap flat on a clean table with the central button facing upward.

Step 2: Clear and Prep the Tassel Assembly

Lay your tassel flat on the table next to the cap. Inspect the loop cord to ensure there are no kinks or twists. If your year charm is not pre-attached, slide the small jump ring of the metal year signet onto the metal clasp situated just above the fringe skirt of the tassel. Secure the clasp tightly using needle-nose pliers if necessary to prevent the year charm from sliding off during the ceremony.

Warning: Do not pull directly on the fine fringe threads of the tassel. Always handle the assembly by the thicker braided loop cord or the metal clasp structure to avoid fraying or snapping the synthetic fibers.

Step 3: Loop the Tassel over the Center Button

Hold the long, braided loop of the tassel in one hand. Place the closed end of the loop directly over the fabric-covered button in the center of the mortarboard. Gently slide the loop over the top of the button, working it down past the widest part of the button head so that the cord rests completely around the narrow neck of the button.

Pro-Tip: If the loop feels incredibly tight, do not force it, as you may pop the button off the cardboard core of the mortarboard. Instead, use a thin pen or a paperclip to slightly stretch the opening of the braided loop before sliding it over the button.

Step 4: Secure and Lock the Loop Node

Once the loop is around the neck of the button, pull the tassel gently toward the edge of the cap. The knot or loop node of the tassel should sit snug against the base of the center button. If your cap has a loose button neck, wrap the loop around the button base a second time to shorten the drape length and lock it in place. This prevents the tassel from slipping off if you tilt your head back during photographs.

Step 5: Position the Tassel Based on Degree Protocol

Before putting the cap on your head, drape the tassel over the correct side of the mortarboard. The placement is determined strictly by the degree you are receiving:

• Undergraduate Degrees (Associate's and Bachelor's): Position the tassel so that it drapes over the front-right quadrant of the cap. The tassel should rest naturally between your right eye and right ear, draped over the edge of the board.
• Graduate Degrees (Master's and Doctorate): Position the tassel so that it drapes over the front-left quadrant of the cap. It remains on the left side throughout the entire ceremony, as graduate students do not participate in the "turning of the tassel" ritual.

Step 6: Secure the Cap to Your Head

Carefully lift the assembled cap and place it on your head, keeping the tassel in its designated quadrant. The board must sit completely flat and parallel to the ground, rather than tilted back on your crown.

Slide two bobby pins upward through the skull cap fabric and into your hair just behind your ears. For maximum wind resistance, insert two additional bobby pins in an "X" configuration over the rear elastic band. Gently shake your head to verify that both the cap and the tassel remain completely secure.

Academic Regalia Technical Specifications

Tassel standards, drape lengths, and academic colors are strictly governed by institutional traditions and the American Council on Education's Academic Costume Code. The table below outlines the mechanical measurements and traditional protocols for different academic levels.

Resolving Common Graduation Cap and Tassel Mishaps

During the excitement of graduation day, several common regalia issues can arise. Use these field-tested troubleshooting steps to correct your presentation quickly.

• The Tassel Keeps Slipping Off the Center Button

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The loop on the tassel is too loose, or the center button on the mortarboard is too shallow to hold the loop cord under tension.
  • Actionable Fix: Slide the tassel loop over the button, twist the loop 180 degrees to form a figure-eight, and loop the remaining open section back over the button a second time. This doubles the cord coverage and locks the tassel tightly around the button neck.

• The Tassel Fringe Obstructs the Graduate's Vision

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The cap is sitting too far forward on the forehead, or the loop cord is running too long, causing the fringe skirt to hang past the jawline.
  • Actionable Fix: Adjust the cap by pulling the back elastic point further down toward the nape of your neck to lift the front edge. If the cord is simply too long, tie a small, neat knot in the loop cord close to the center button to shorten the overall drape length by one to two inches.

• The Year Charm Keeps Spinning Backward

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The jump ring connecting the metal year charm to the clasp is twisted or hung up on the main tassel braid.
  • Actionable Fix: Open the jump ring using a small pliers or keys, re-align the face of the charm so it points outward away from the face, and close the ring firmly. You can also apply a tiny drop of clear eyelash glue to the junction where the charm meets the clasp to lock its orientation in place for photos.

• The Cap Slides Backwards or Falls Off

  
  
  
  • Root Cause: The cap size is too large, or the graduate has hair styled in a way (such as a high ponytail or bun) that prevents the skull cap from gripping the head.
  • Actionable Fix: Adjust your hair styling to wear your hair down, or in a low ponytail at the base of the neck. Insert two crossed bobby pins directly through the inner fabric band of the cap on both the left and right sides, locking them into your hair structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side does the tassel go on for a high school graduation?

For high school graduations, the tassel is worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony begins. Once the principal or superintendent officially declares the class graduated, students are instructed to shift their tassels to the left side in unison.

Can you wear a tassel on a doctoral tam instead of a mortarboard?

Yes, doctoral candidates typically wear a velvet tam (ranging from four to eight corners) instead of a standard cardboard mortarboard. On a tam, the metallic gold tassel is pinned or sewn to the top-left side and remains permanently on the left side throughout the entire academic procession.

How do you attach a memorial photo charm to a graduation tassel?

To attach a memorial photo charm, use a small lobster clasp or jewelry jump ring. Secure the charm directly to the metal clasp located just above the fringe skirt of your tassel, allowing it to hang side-by-side with your official year signet charm without tangling the threads.

How do you get wrinkles out of a graduation cap and tassel?

Never iron a mortarboard cap, as the inner board is made of dense cardboard and heat can warp the structure or melt the synthetic fabric. Instead, hang the cap in a bathroom during a hot shower to let the steam relax the fabric, and use a low-heat handheld garment steamer on the hanging tassel threads to make them draping straight.

Secure Your Graduation Regalia Today

Now that your mortarboard and tassel are perfectly aligned according to official academic standards, you can walk across the stage with absolute confidence. Ensure your milestone photos look pristine by double-checking your cap tension and securing your year charm before the procession begins.