How to Display a Graduation Tassel Inside a Diploma Frame

The tassel from the cap, the diploma from the day, the year tag from the ceremony. Here is how to put them in one frame so the achievement reads at a glance from across the room.

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A graduation tassel mounts inside a diploma frame using one of three methods: poked through the matboard with the tassel hanging into a depth recess, sewn flat against the matboard surface, or held in a small dimensional pocket beside the diploma. The diploma frame needs to be at least 1.5 inches deep to accommodate the tassel without crushing. Year tags pin behind the tassel. The composition reads as a complete achievement display.

A diploma alone is a paper achievement. A diploma with the graduation tassel reads as the complete moment, the document plus the artifact you wore. Pairing them in a single frame is one of the most common specialty diploma displays.

The construction has specific requirements because a tassel is a three-dimensional object with strands that need to hang freely. A standard flat frame won't accommodate it. This article walks through the right approach.

Why a flat frame doesn't work

A standard diploma frame is flat. The diploma sits behind a mat behind glass, with about 1/8 inch of clearance. A tassel is 1 to 2 inches thick at the rosette and longer at the strands. Pressing the glass against the tassel would compress the rosette, flatten the strands, and damage the tassel over time.

For a diploma plus tassel display, a shadow box is required. The shadow box gives the tassel room to project without contacting the glazing.

The right depth

Shadow box depth should accommodate the tassel's volume:

Tassel type	Recommended frame depth
Standard cotton tassel	1.5 inches
Heavier silk or wool tassel	1.75 to 2 inches
Tassel with year charm or honor cord pendant	2 to 2.5 inches
Tassel plus honor cords (multiple)	2.5 inches

Going slightly deeper than necessary is fine. Going too shallow risks compressing the tassel.

Standard layout options

Three common layouts for diploma plus tassel:

Layout 1: Tassel above the diploma

The diploma sits in the lower portion of the shadow box. The tassel hangs from the top, with the rosette at the top and strands hanging down toward the diploma. The strands may slightly overlap the top of the diploma.

This is the most common layout. Reads as the tassel ceremoniously above the achievement.

Layout 2: Tassel beside the diploma

The diploma sits in one half of the shadow box (typically left or right). The tassel hangs in the other half, full strands extended.

This works for shadow boxes that are wider than tall, or for diplomas that are landscape-oriented.

Layout 3: Tassel coiled at the bottom

The diploma occupies most of the shadow box. The tassel is coiled or arranged compactly at the bottom of the frame, below the diploma.

This is the most compact layout, working in shallower shadow boxes (1.5 inches) where a hanging tassel would need more depth.

Outer dimensions

For a typical 8.5x11 diploma plus a standard tassel:

• Layout 1 (tassel above): 14x20 to 16x22 outer dimensions
• Layout 2 (tassel beside): 16x18 to 18x20 outer dimensions
• Layout 3 (tassel coiled below): 14x18 to 16x20 outer dimensions

For an 11x14 diploma, outer dimensions scale up by 2 to 3 inches in each direction.

Mounting the tassel

The tassel mounts using small T-pins or specialized tassel-display hardware:

For Layout 1 (hanging tassel):

• A small T-pin driven through the cord at the top of the rosette, into the backing fabric or foam core
• The pin enters at the top of the rosette and is hidden behind it
• The tassel hangs naturally with strands extended

For Layout 2 (tassel beside diploma):

• Same pinning method as Layout 1
• The tassel hangs in the side compartment

For Layout 3 (coiled tassel):

• The cord at the top of the rosette is shaped into a loose coil
• Multiple small T-pins hold the coil in position
• The strands are arranged in a small fan or bundle below the rosette

For all layouts, the goal is for the tassel to look natural and intentional, not pinned awkwardly or compressed.

Adding the year and other elements

A tassel display can include additional elements:

Graduation year charm. Many tassels come with a small metal charm displaying the year. Position this so it's visible (often at the top of the rosette where it catches the eye).

Honor cords. If the graduate had honor society memberships (Latin honors, fraternities/sororities, academic societies), the cords can be included alongside the tassel. Arrange them in coordinated layout.

Cap top button. The button from the graduation cap can be mounted near the tassel as a small additional element.

Photograph from graduation. A 4x6 photograph of the graduate in cap and gown mounts in a sub-section of the shadow box.

Dedication plaque. A small brass or wood plaque with the graduate's name, the institution, and the year. Mounts at the bottom of the shadow box.

For a complete graduation memorial, the diploma plus tassel plus honor cords plus photograph plus plaque is a typical layout. Not all elements are required; pick what tells the story.

Mat board around the diploma

The diploma needs its own mat opening within the shadow box. Standard practices:

• Mat opening sized to the diploma plus a small reveal (1/4 inch reveal of unprinted border on each side)
• Cotton rag mat for a quality build, alpha cellulose for budget
• Mat color: cream or warm white for traditional, school-color reveal as upgrade
• Mat width around the diploma: 2.5 to 3 inches on each side

The mat keeps the diploma in place via photo corners or conservation hinges. No adhesive on the diploma itself.

Glazing

For diploma-and-tassel shadow boxes, the recommended glazing is:

Conservation Clear glass for shadow boxes 16x20 or smaller. UV-filtering, standard clarity. Sufficient for most diploma displays.

Optium Acrylic for shadow boxes larger than 16x20. Lighter than glass at larger sizes, shatter-resistant, anti-reflective. Worth the upgrade for prominent display.

UV protection is essential. The diploma's printed or written text fades under unfiltered light. Tassel colors (especially silk or dyed cotton) fade as well.

Frame profile

For diploma-and-tassel shadow boxes:

Wide gold or gilded moulding. Traditional, matches the formality of a diploma display. The most common choice.

Wide dark wood (walnut, mahogany). Reverent and grounded. Pairs with traditional school colors.

School-color painted moulding. Bold but specific. Best when the room can support school-color decor.

The frame should be proportional. A 16x20 outer with a 1.5 to 2 inch wide moulding looks balanced. Wider frames overwhelm the diploma; narrower frames feel undersized.

Frequently asked questions

Can I display multiple diplomas with multiple tassels in one frame?

Yes, with appropriate sizing. A bachelor's plus master's display with two tassels typically requires a 24x30 or larger shadow box. Each diploma gets its own mat opening. Each tassel hangs above or beside its corresponding diploma.

What if I lost my tassel?

Replacement tassels can be ordered from the institution or from specialty suppliers. The replacement is functional but not the original. Some families display the original photograph instead of a replacement tassel.

Should I dry-clean the tassel before framing?

Light dusting only. Most graduation tassels don't need cleaning. Vigorous cleaning can damage delicate fibers. If the tassel is heavily soiled, professional textile cleaning is the safe option.

Will the tassel fade in the frame?

UV-filtering glazing dramatically slows fading. Without it, dyed tassels fade visibly within 10-15 years in sunlit rooms. With Conservation Clear glass or Optium Acrylic, the timeline extends to 50+ years.

Can I add elements later (a graduation photo, a recognition certificate)?

With a removable back panel, yes. The shadow box can be opened, items added, and resealed. The dust cover paper is replaced.

How long does this kind of shadow box last?

50+ years under normal indoor conditions with proper construction and UV-filtering glazing. The diploma, the tassel, and the framing all preserve well in a sealed environment.

What we ship

Our diploma plus tassel shadow boxes are built to your specifications. Default configuration:

• Outer dimensions sized to your diploma plus tassel layout (14x18 to 18x24 typical)
• 1.5 to 2 inch frame depth
• Cotton rag mat in cream or warm white (or alpha cellulose for budget)
• Conservation Clear or Optium Acrylic glazing
• Wide gold or dark wood frame profile
• Photo corner mounting on the diploma, T-pin mount on the tassel
• Sealed back with archival dust cover

For multi-element displays (diploma plus tassel plus honor cords plus photograph plus plaque), we work from your description and design the layout.

The goal is for the achievement to be displayed as a complete moment, the document and the artifact together. Done right, that is what happens.