How To Put Tassel On Cap: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide For Graduation Day
Placing a graduation tassel correctly requires securing the loop around the mortarboard's center button and draping the strands across the proper side based on academic standing. Mastering this traditional rite of passage ensures a polished, professional appearance for official ceremonies and portrait photography.
Pre-Procedure Planning for Graduation Regalia Preparation
Securing a mortarboard tassel involves more than simply dropping it over the top button. Proper preparation ensures that the regalia remains secure throughout long ceremonies, speeches, and marching. Understanding the components of academic dress—including the crown, button, loop, and fringe—guarantees compliance with institutional standards.
- Essential Tools & Materials: Standard mortarboard cap, academic tassel with a hanging loop, bobby pins or safety pins (optional, for high-wind security), and a handheld mirror or peer assistant for final alignment.
- Prerequisite Standards: Verify institutional policy regarding tassel placement before the ceremony. Traditional undergraduate caps feature the tassel on the right side before the conferral of degrees, while master and doctoral candidates often wear theirs on the left.
- Duration & Budget Benchmarks: The physical attachment process takes under two minutes. Zero additional budget is required, as the tassel and cap are standard inclusions in university regalia packages.
Step-by-Step Execution for Mortarboard Tassels
Step 1: Inspect and Align the Mortarboard Cap
Examine the interior and exterior of the mortarboard to identify the front versus the back. Most caps feature a sizing tag or an arrow indicating the interior front; if no tag is present, locate the shorter point of the diamond-shaped fabric top, which typically rests above the forehead. Place the cap flat on a table or hold it securely with both hands to prepare for the attachment of the hanging loop.
Pro-Tip: If your cap feels loose or unstable on your head, crisscross two bobby pins diagonally across the inner fabric headband to anchor your hair before placing the cap back on.
Step 2: Secure the Tassel Loop Over the Center Button
Take the thin fabric loop located at the top of the tassel bundle and stretch it slightly. Hook this loop directly over the fabric-covered center button situated precisely at the intersection of the mortarboard's crown. Ensure the loop slides all the way down to the base of the button, resting flat against the fabric surface so it will not slip off when the cap is inverted.
Warning: Do not force a rigid loop with excessive pulling pressure, as older or poorly manufactured tassel loops can fray or snap. If the loop is too tight, gently massage the braided fibers to create slack.
Step 3: Spread and Smooth the Tassel Strands
Allow the heavy metallic charm (signifying the graduation year, if applicable) and the silk or rayon fringe strands to cascade naturally down the side of the cap. Run your fingers downward through the strands to untangle any twists that occurred during transport. The entire length of the fringe should hang freely without catching on the stiff edges of the fabric crown.
Step 4: Position the Tassel on the Correct Side
Drape the bulk of the tassel strands over the correct side of the mortarboard depending on your academic level. For undergraduate degree candidates, sweep the fringe over the right side of the cap so it rests near your cheekbone. For advanced degree holders, position the tassel directly on the left side from the beginning of the ceremony.
Step 5: Conduct the Final Fit Check and Security Sweep
Place the mortarboard firmly on your head, ensuring the elastic band at the back sits comfortably against the occipital bone. Use a mirror to confirm that the center button sits level and that the tassel hangs vertically. If outdoor weather conditions involve high winds, secure the base of the tassel loop directly to the cap's fabric crown using a matching black bobby pin.
High School Graduation Cap Tassel Side at Timothy Mitchell blog
Academic Regalia Placement and Specifications
| Academic Level | Initial Tassel Placement | Post-Conferral Position | Primary Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Candidate | Right Side | Left Side | Signals transition from student to degree recipient |
| Master Candidate | Left Side | Left Side (Remains Stationary) | Denotes completion of graduate-level specialization |
| Doctoral Candidate | Left Side | Left Side (Remains Stationary) | Reflects terminal degree and professional status |
| High School Graduate | Right Side | Left Side | Marks completion of secondary education milestone |
Common Regalia Failures and Field Fixes
- Root Cause: The tassel loop is too stretched out and constantly slips off the center button during movement.
- Actionable Fix: Tie a small, discrete knot at the base of the hanging loop to shorten its circumference before placing it over the button. Alternatively, use a single clear elastic band to secure the loop around the base of the button.
- Root Cause: High winds keep blowing the tassel fringe across the wearer's face and eyes during outdoor ceremonies.
- Actionable Fix: Apply a tiny dab of hairspray to the inner strands of the tassel to add weight and cohesion, or tack the bottom half of the fringe temporarily to the gown shoulder using a hidden safety pin.
- Root Cause: The graduation year charm is tangled upside down within the silk threads.
- Actionable Fix: Detach the charm if it features a jump ring, or gently twist the individual threads of the fringe in a clockwise direction until the charm rights itself naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side does the tassel go on before graduation?
Undergraduate students and high school seniors wear their tassels on the right side of the mortarboard prior to the official conferral of degrees. Graduate students and doctoral candidates typically wear their tassels on the left side from the start of the event.
When do you flip your tassel during graduation?
You flip your tassel from the right side to the left side simultaneously when instructed by the commencement speaker or university president, which usually occurs immediately after all degrees have been formally conferred.
How do you keep a graduation tassel from falling off the cap?
To prevent the loop from slipping off the center button, ensure it is pushed down past the widest part of the button base. For extra security in windy weather, anchor the loop with a small bobby pin.
What do the different tassel colors mean?
Tassel colors represent the specific academic discipline or major of the graduate, adhering to the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume standards. For example, golden yellow signifies science, white represents arts and letters, and drab stands for business administration.
Can I wear my graduation cap with the tassel on either side for photos?
Yes, for pre-graduation or post-graduation portrait sessions, you can position the tassel on whichever side offers the best photographic framing and visibility of your face and smile.
Prepare for your big day with complete confidence by securing your academic regalia correctly and reviewing all institutional dress code guidelines ahead of time.
