Graduating high school is a milestone worth celebrating — and your graduation stole shouldn’t be an afterthought. A custom graduation stole lets you highlight your achievements, show your personality, and create a keepsake you’ll treasure forever. (Future you will 100% be glad you made one.)
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to design and order a personalized stole using the CollegeWear Inc. Stole Design Tool. We’ll cover design ideas, school policies, timelines, and FAQs — so you don’t get stuck last-minute.
Why a Custom Stole Matters for High School Graduates
Think of your stole as more than decoration — it’s a wearable story of your high school experience.
With a custom stole you can:
- Rep your school name, mascot, class year, or future college.
- Design a keepsake you’ll want for photos, scrapbooks, or memory boxes.
- Stand out in ceremony pictures while still fitting dress code.
- Showcase your identity — from cultural flags and heritage designs to sports, clubs, or honors societies.
Bottom line: It’s the ultimate senior-year flex. Interested in designing your own yet? Here’s how!
Step 1: Check Your School’s Graduation Rules
Before you dive into designing, confirm your school’s policies. Some schools allow personalized stoles, while others limit designs.
Ask your graduation coordinator:
Are custom stoles allowed at the ceremony?
Are there restrictions on colors, logos, or text?
If custom stoles aren’t allowed, don’t worry — you can still use yours for:
- Senior portraits
- Graduation parties
- Keepsakes and displays
- Cap & gown photos
Pro tip: Clear this up early so you don’t face a last-minute “no.”
Step 2: Loop In Parents or Advisors (If You’re Under 18)
We recommend involving a parent, guardian, or school advisor in the process to:
- Get permission and budget approval
- Discuss design ideas together
- Help you check the terms & payment methods
If you’re over 18, you can usually order independently, but it’s still beneficial to get feedback.
Step 3: Design Your Graduation Stole (Ideas + Tips)
Now for the fun part: designing. Use the Stole Design Tool to mix and match text, logos, icons, and colors.
What to Put on Your Stole:
- High school name, mascot, or logo
- Your graduating class year
- GPA, honors cords, or honor societies
- Sports teams, clubs and activities (eg. band, robotics, debate, theater)
- Future college name or field of study
- Personal quotes or dedications
- Flags or cultural identity symbols
Design Tips:
- Keep it balanced — don’t overload with too many elements.
- Place text/logos where they’ll be visible when the stole drapes.
- Stick to 2–4 colors for readability.
- Upload high-resolution files (JPG or PNG) for logos.
- Use the preview tool often — test different orientations (vertical, diagonal, horizontal).
More Inspiration & Tips:
5 Design Ideas For Your Graduation Stole
Personalizing Your Graduation Stole To The Next Level
Tips & Tricks To Create Your Custom Graduation Stole
Need help adding your school’s logo or icons? Check our our design tutorials or contact our support team and we’ll guide you through uploading custom graphics to your stole design.
Step 4: Place Your Order (Payment + Shipping Info)
Once your design is locked in:
- Add it to your cart in the tool.
- Select your payment method: credit card, purchase order (for groups), or school invoicing.
Paying for your order is simple and fast. Just add your design to your cart and proceed to the checkout page. You can pay with a credit card, or you can create a quote request for larger group orders that need to be paid by a school purchase order or school-issued check. For information on paying with a purchase order click here.
Important Manufacturing and Shipping Info:
- Standard production time is 3 weeks. This doesn’t include transit time.
- Once production is complete orders are shipped from our facility in San Diego, CA and typically take 3-5 business days for delivery within the continental U.S.
- Need an order fast? We offer rush production! Please see our manufacturing page for current rush timeline and availability.
Pro tip: Order 1–2 months before graduation, especially if your ceremony is between April and June when demand spikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Can I still order a custom stole if my high school doesn’t allow them at my ceremony?
Yes — you can still wear your custom stole for senior pictures, graduation parties, or simply order it as as a keepsake.
Q: My school requires permission to use their logo—what should I do?
Contact us! We can help you navigate how to request and secure permission to use your school’s official logo on your stole.
Q: Can I order my stole without a parent if I’m over 18?
Yes! If you’re 18 or older and have a valid form of payment, you can place your order independently.
Q: How long does it take to receive my custom stole?
Standard turnaround time is about 3 weeks. Rush production is available if you’re in a hurry.Ready to Design Your High School Graduation Stole?
Click below to start designing your very own custom high school graduation stole or sash today!
📸 Share Your Graduation Look!
We’d love to see how you celebrate your big day. Tag us on social media:
@CollegeWearInc
#MyCustomStole
#CollegeWearInc
