Do you know want to motivate a college-age friend or family member? Or, do you enjoy pranking your family and friends with clever gag-gifts?
You can create the best novelty diploma for any occasion, whether it be special or comical. They make a wonderful addition to a graduation party and make great replacements for display. A novelty diploma can replace a damaged diploma or allow you to keep the original one safe.
The best part about novelty diplomas is they’re fun and easy to make. You can also create novelty passports, transcripts, or any other certificate for almost any reason!
The catch is you want to create a high-quality diploma that looks real. Want to learn how? Here’s what you need to know about creating the best novelty diploma.
The Differences with Diplomas
Every diploma has small differences to set it apart from others. These differences often include a differing school emblem, paperweight, and the degree earned. Between the different schools and degrees, there are thousands of different diplomas out there.
To make the best novelty diploma, you need to pay close attention to these details as well as the finer ones. Besides the obvious differences, you need to take note of:
- Type of paper or card stock
- Ink color
- Seals
- Diploma size
- Font used
Paying attention to these fine details of the diploma will make your novelty diploma look much more realistic. This will be helpful when choosing the materials.
Knowing the Materials
Once you’ve researched your chosen diploma and identified the details, you’ll need to collect your materials. The main one is the material you’re planning to print the diploma on. Most diplomas use parchment, card stock, or another heavyweight paper.
You’ll also need a way to make the diploma, which usually comes in the form of software or diploma-making service. If you choose the service, they’ll likely have several heavy-weight papers of various colors and textures for you to choose from.
If you’re going the DIY route, you can find a wide selection of quality paper and card stock from your local arts and crafts store. Make sure the color and texture of the paper match as closely as possible to the original diploma you’re replicating.
You’ll also need to consider the ink. Most diploma-making services will offer a range of ink colors for you to choose from. They also offer foils and waxes for specialty emblems, seals, and type.
The magical piece that puts all of these elements together is the design software. If you have a copy of the official diploma, you’ll need to scan it to your computer and use design software to make edits.
For those who don’t have an original copy, you may be able to find an alternative online.
Creating the Diploma
Using design software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, you can recreate the diploma. If you scanned your original diploma, make sure to meticulously check the details. This is where you will also replace names and dates to the ones you desire.
If you don’t have access to Adobe products, there are many free or discounted alternatives such as Paint or Gimp. This will be easiest for those who have a scanned copy of the diploma to work with.
For those who are recreating their novelty diploma from scratch, start by typing out the school name at the top of the diploma. Make sure you use the same font and position it to match the one you’re recreating. Follow the school with the recipient’s name and the name of the program or degree below that.
At the very bottom of the page, most diplomas have the 2 lines with signatures. One is the school’s chancellor or principal and the other is the secretary or vice-principal. You will need to carefully recreate the signature.
The diploma maker will have to create an accurate copy of the school’s official seal for the novelty diploma. You can find this on the diploma you’re recreating or by searching online.
For those using a diploma-printing service, they’ll design the template for you based on the diploma scans, images, and information you provide. The more information you can provide will ensure you receive the best novelty diploma.
The Printing Process
Once your novelty diploma template and seal are ready, it’s time to start printing! If you’re doing a DIY diploma, you should try a test print using less expensive printing paper.
Check to ensure everything accurately printed. Look at the typefaces, spacing, color, and placement of elements to make sure they match the original diploma.
If everything looks good, you can print with the quality card stock, parchment, or other heavy paper. For the best results, you should print the seal separately and attach it near the bottom of the diploma. Use a high-quality printer to prevent the ink from bleeding and to ensure the color prints as accurately as possible.
Upon closer examination, you may notice a few imperfections such as the color is slightly off or a signature doesn’t look quite right. Now is your chance to make any edits or fix any errors. You don’t want to waste your quality paper with an imperfect piece.
In most cases, the viewer or receiver won’t be examining the novelty diploma next to the original. Display your recreated diploma in a frame to see how it looks. You may find yourself surprised by the results!
For the best results on your novelty diploma, consider contacting a professional. They’ll ensure everything looks as accurate as possible.
Get Your Best Novelty Diploma Today!
Creating the best novelty diploma can be a fun and exciting process. It allows you to show off your creative side while showing someone you care, even if the diploma is a gag gift! If you don’t have time or the creative spirit, you can always purchase a realistic-looking novelty diploma.
Have questions or want to learn more? Let us know! We’re happy to help you with all your novelty diploma needs.