Graduation Word Art Print — How to Personalise It & What Words to Use
The graduation word art print works because it captures something a generic gift card never can: the specific journey this graduate took to get to that stage. This guide covers what the print looks like, what to include in it, and how to make it feel like it was made for this graduate — because it is.
What the Print Looks Like
The silhouette is a mortar board — the classic graduation cap — filled entirely with words. The graduate’s name, their university, their degree subject, the year, and anything else meaningful to their time studying all become part of the design.
From a distance it reads as a bold, recognisable piece of graduation artwork. Up close, every word means something specific to this person’s experience.
It’s available as a digital download (print at home or at a print shop), or as an A4 or A3 print delivered unframed or in a white-mounted frame.
What Words Work Best
The print holds a lot of text, so you can afford to be specific. Here are the details that consistently make the best graduation prints:
The essentials (always include these):
– Graduate’s full name or preferred name
– University or college name
– Degree subject (e.g. “BSc Computer Science”, “BA English Literature”)
– Graduation year
Where they studied:
– City or town (“Edinburgh”, “Manchester”, “Leeds”)
– Halls of residence (“Pollock Halls”, “Victoria Hall”)
– Campus building or area associated with their course
Their university life:
– Societies or clubs they were part of (“Rowing Club”, “Drama Society”, “Debate Team”)
– Close friends’ names
– Favourite haunts (“The Terrace Bar”, “Greasy Joe’s”, “the library at 3am”)
– Dissertation or thesis title or topic area
Academic details:
– Degree classification (“First Class Honours”, “Distinction”, “Merit”)
– Subject specialism or modules they loved
– Name of a significant tutor or professor
– Research area (especially for postgraduates)
Phrases and personality:
– “Worth every all-nighter”
– “Three years, one life changed”
– “Dr [Name]” for PhDs
– “Proud first-generation graduate”
– Their own summary of the experience in their own words
The best prints mix the formal (name, degree, university) with the personal (friends, places, phrases). The specific details — the actual halls they lived in, the society that became their social life, the dissertation title they spent six months on — are what make the print irreplaceable.
University Colours
The print can be ordered in their university’s colours, which adds an extra layer of personalisation. Most major UK universities have well-known colour schemes — Oxford blue, Edinburgh red, Exeter green, Sheffield grey. If you know their university’s colours, mention it in the order notes.
If you’re unsure, a neutral palette (navy and white, black and gold) suits most universities and most home décor.
Works Across All Education Levels
The graduation word art print isn’t limited to undergraduate degrees:
- School leavers: Focus on their name, school, the year, and what they’re moving on to (“Oxford, next”)
- Undergraduates: The richest content — three or four years of life to draw on
- Postgraduates: More focused on the academic achievement; degree title and research area are the key details
- PhDs: Lead with “Dr [Name]”, include the institution, the research area, the years, and any supervisors who mattered
Sizes and Prices
| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Digital download | £9.99 |
| A4 Framed | £22.99 |
| A3 Framed | £30.99 |
The digital download is ideal if you want to print at a specific size, have it framed locally to match their room, or give it immediately without waiting for delivery. Framed versions arrive ready to hang with a white mount.
How to Order
- Go to the graduation word art print page
- Choose your format — digital download, unframed, or framed (A4 or A3)
- Add your personalisation details in the notes: name, university, degree, year, and any other words or phrases you want included
- You’ll receive a free preview before the print is produced — check all spellings carefully, especially the degree title and university name
- Digital downloads are available immediately after ordering. Physical prints ship within 3–5 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What details do I need to personalise a graduation word art print?
A: At minimum: name, university, degree subject, and graduation year. Adding halls, societies, friends’ names, and phrases makes it feel genuinely specific to their experience.
Q: Can I use the university’s colours?
A: Yes — mention the university colours in the order notes and WordArtPrints will match them in the design.
Q: Does it work for postgraduates and PhDs?
A: Yes. For PhDs, leading with “Dr [Name]” and including the institution and research area makes it feel specific to that level of achievement.
Q: Do I get to see a preview before it’s printed?
A: Yes — a free preview is sent before the final print is produced. Check degree titles and university names especially carefully at this stage.
Q: How long does delivery take?
A: Digital downloads are instant. Physical prints ship within 3–5 working days.
Q: Can the digital version be printed at any size?
A: Yes — the digital file can be printed at A4, A3 or larger at any local print shop or online service.
