Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
How do I place an order?
We welcome orders through both online and offline channels (you can give us a call to place an order as well). For online orders, you can add directly your items into your shopping cart. If you prefer to place an offline order, kindly download our order forms and email us back at hello@gradshop.net
What is the best way to contact us?
Call us toll free line on 1-855-719-472 or our local line 1-714-783-3933. Our fax number is 657-295- 2221.
Email us at hello@gradshop.net
Can we pick up our product at your location and avoid shipping charges?
Yes but approval is needed from a Supervisor. Please call and ask to speak to a Supervisor to schedule a pick up time.
Can I get a sample?
Please go to www.gradshop.com/free-samples to make a request. We are happy to send samples of our products for orders potentially of 100+ cap/gown and tassels or thereabouts. We ask you follow the link above and complete our sample set request form. After the request is approved we can send you a sample set for you to keep for analysis.
We are a school that wants to place a large order for our entire graduating class. Can I get better prices?
Yes. We offer bulk pricing rates for larger orders (such as 100+ quantities). Please email us as well and we will be able to provide you a quote.
Promo/Coupon Code Rules
Coupon Codes cannot be applied to sale items or combined with any other offers or promotions.
Many discounts/promotions hold a minimum purchase requirement amount for eligibility. This amount is the subtotal of the order, calculated before any taxes/shipping fees. This is a fixed dollar amount associated with the code and will not be accepted below the amount.
Coupon codes are limited to one per customer per purchase and are good for a one time use only per customer and can only be used on full price merchandise. The coupon codes have no cash value and if a return is made, your account will be credited only in the amount that you paid – total amount at checkout less the value of the coupon code. Coupon codes cannot be combined with other promotions.
Please note: Coupon codes are not retroactive and price adjustments will not be issued to orders placed prior to the start of any promotion.
How do I receive the quantity discount? How is it applied to my order?
The discount is automatically applied to eligible orders. For the quantity discount to be applied, it must be the same product in the same color.
Please note coupon codes cannot be combined with quantity discount.
Out of stock items
Due to the high demand for our products, especially during graduation season, certain items may be temporarily unavailable or on backorder. As our inventory is constantly evolving, the "In Stock" status displayed may not always reflect real-time availability. We strongly recommend placing your order as early as possible to ensure timely fulfillment. In the event that the item(s) you ordered will not be in stock by your required date, our customer care team will collaborate with you. Whether it involves substituting a color, size, or item, or providing a credit/reimbursement, we are committed to assisting you. While we aim to dispatch all stock orders within 72 hours, backordered items may occasionally cause unforeseen delays. If you experience a shipping delay, feel free to reach out to our customer care team for updates on your order.
Custom order
We are able to customize any products such as stoles, diploma covers, gowns, etc...
Please direct all questions and comments regarding custom orders to one of our product specialists, you can email us at hello@gradshop.net.
We will be happy to provide you a quote and a mock-up design.
Please note all our custom products are non returnable/non refundable.
Product Questions
What fabric do you use? Washing instructions?
The fabric for all of our gowns and our stoles is a polyester-cotton blend. We recommend dry cleaning for all of our products in order to keep the integrity of the garment. However, our products can be washed in a machine using the gentle cycle or handwashed. For drying, please hang dry. The material can be ironed on a low setting.
What is the difference in fabrics? ( Shiny vs. Matte)
The main difference is the finish of the fabric. Our shiny gowns are a knitted fabric that has more of a shiny look to it giving the color of the gowns more brightness. Our matte gowns are a woven fabric which has more of a flat dull finish. Either option look greats.
Are the gowns see through And what is the quality of your gowns?
No. Our gowns are made with the finest quality. What distinguishes us from other suppliers is that all our products are carefully manufactured using only the finest quality materials while still maintaining unbelievably low prices certain to suit your needs.
Our dazzling array of high school graduation gowns come in a fine polyester finish smooth pleat and neck piping and a heavy duty zipper construction for trouble-free operation.
The Deluxe Bachelors and Masters Gowns are produced with high quality matte fabric with fluting on the arms and back.
The PhD grad gown has a fluted back and shoulders and velvet trim and is designed with traditional academic sleeve and made of the highest quality fabrics.
You can view our color and material charts at Size & Color Charts
What is the difference between the Deluxe and the classic/matte gown?
Our Deluxe gowns have fluting around the shoulders and yoke. They have more fabric used so they tend to be heavier. This is true for all of our deluxe gowns.
The deluxe master has a different shape for the batwings.
The deluxe doctor has bell sleeves and a braided button to attach the hood whereas the classic does not.
We cannot do an embroidered chest emblem on the classic doctor.
Overall, the deluxe is considered a higher quality gown for your regalia.
How do I know what gown's color to choose?
Please contact your educational institution, as we currently do not have access to school colors.
What if my school orders with a different company?
We welcome anyone to order with us! Although, we cannot give assurance or be held responsible for our gowns’ colours matching another company’s gowns. We provide unique shades of gowns are not the same with another vendor's products.
The color does not match my university regalia?
We do not color match. We have a very specific set of fabrics. We cannot guarantee that our fabric colors will match with another supplier’s fabrics.
What are my school colors for my hood?
There is no standardized and unified published listing available of all current school colors. While Gradshop does maintain a color chart for degree velvet colors there is no true substitute for contacting your school directly and asking them what colors they are currently using for your graduation apparel. Schools can and sometimes do change their colors on a yearly basis (and even the color of the gown itself).
I don’t see the color I need. Do you provide any that aren’t listed?
You can email us the color that you need, we will get back to you with a closed match.
We can color match some products if a bulk order is placed.
How to select my Graduation gown size?
You need to provide us with each customer's height with shoes on for the gown and weight. You do not need to provide cap size as our standard caps are one size fits all with elastic. Please see the our size chart.
What information do I need for the sizing?
You need to provide us with each customer's height with shoes on for the gown. You do not need to provide cap size as our standard caps are one size fits all with elastic. You can view our sizing chart at www.gradshop.com/size-and-color-charts. * We do offer fullfit sizes for those customers in need of more room for girth.
How many colors can I have in my tassel?
All of our tassels are sold in either 1, 2 or 3 color combinations.
Do you offer plus sizes?
We do have regular and full-fit sizes. We have plus sizes in 45, 48, 54, 57, and 63. Please refer to the measuring instructions link for more information on our sizing.
We do not have full fit sizes in our child gowns. If you don't believe your graduate will fit within the child sizes, try a Size 39. You can find that size in High School Category. However, you may have to get the length hemmed at your cost.
Can I customize my gown?
From Pre-K to High School/Bachelor regular gowns, we do not offer other colors than the ones listed on the website. If you are looking to order more than 1000pcs, please email us the Pantone color and we will get back to you.
If you need to add a logo or letters on regular gowns, please email us the specifications and we will get back to you with a quote and estimated delivery date.
For Deluxe Bachelor, Master gowns, we do offer custom colors and embroidery with no minimum order required. Please email us what you are looking to order and we will provide you a quote.
For Doctoral gowns, we offer a listing where you can customize your own gown. You can select your gown color, piping color, add embroidery, etc... If you do not see an option that you would like to add on your gown, please email us and we will check if we are able to process your request.
What does piping mean for the gown/hood?
Piping is an embroidered thread around the velvet of a gown or hood.
Why would I need a 4th Chevron on my doctorate gown?
The 4th Chevron is for the Chancellor or President of a University. If you are neither, do not select "Add 4th Chevron" to your doctorate gown.
How do I wear my hood?
Place it over your head draping off your shoulders and across the back of your gown. The velvet edge should be on the outside visible from the back. Make sure the lining (field and chevron school colors) are turned out so that people can see from the back your university colors. Usually this is done by turning the velvet trim to the outside at the back just below your shoulders. If you ordered a professional / faculty hood there will be a cord in the back (with two buttons one on each side of the hood) to keep your hood in place and a cord in the front to keep the hood away from your neck. Fasten the front cord to a shirt or dress button. Finally make sure the fabric shell of the hood is smoothed down and lays flat against the back of your robe. You can view our Gradshop hood sizing chart at www.gradshop.com/size-and-color-charts.
How do I select my hood's colors?
There is no standardized and unified published listing available of all current school colors.
While GraduationAttire does maintain a color chart for degree velvet colors there is no true substitute for contacting your school directly and asking them what colors they are currently using for your graduation apparel. Schools can and sometimes do change their colors on a yearly basis (and even the color of the gown itself).
The lining and chevron (satin fabric) represent your school colors. The shell is the material of hood which is always black (polyester fabric, matte finish). The velvet color represents your specific degree or field of study.
Please note for Associate Degree, you only need to select the lining and chevron colors (no velvet color required).
You always need to choose the colors based on your highest level of education or current school you are attending.
What is the difference between a Tam and a Mortarboard?
Tams are made from higher quality materials than mortarboards; tams are composed of a black velvet fabric and generally have a gold bullion tassel rather than a tassel that is the color of the school or University. Rather than having a flat top tams have a poof top similar to a beefeater style cap.
Tams are typically used for Doctoral degrees though some Master's programs do use them. Tams are made from velvet and usually have a ribbon over the fabric and in black. Color variations do occur with some colleges. The numbers of sides vary; we offer four six or eight sided tams. Four sided is usually only used for Master's degrees while six and eight sided are used for Doctor's degrees depending on which the University prefers. Tams are "poofed" at the top instead of flat and come with a tassel usually in gold with one or two buttons and sometimes in a gold bullion color.
Whether you pick a 4, 6 or 8 sided tam has less to do with regulation and more to do with looking your best! Traditionally tams were 8 sided. Most tall or large men look best in 8 sided tams. Short and stocky individuals may look better in a 4 sided tam since it is less round looking. Most average sized women and small to average sized men look best in a 6 sided tam as it is very similar to the 8 sided tam but smaller and less round.
What is the difference between 4, 6 or 8 sided tam?
The level of education attained by the wearer is indicated by the varying number of sides on a tam. Master's graduates commonly wear four or six-sided tams, with the specific choice often determined by the school. It's advisable to verify the appropriate tam style before making a purchase. Tams with six sides are suitable for programs like Ed.S (education specialist) that fall between Master's and Ph.D. Eight-sided tams are typically reserved for Doctoral programs.
Is it okay for a person with a Masters Degree to wear a Tam? If so how many sides?
It depends on your college. Some colleges require mortarboards for Masters candidates and others tams. If tams are acceptable it is usually the 4-sided version for Masters degrees.
Do you offer different sizes for caps/tams/ beefeaters? Are they adjustable? What are they made of?
Our caps are made of 100% polyester.
We provide caps in two sizes: Adult and Child.
They measure 9"x9".
The caps are not adjustable.
What is beefeater?
A beefeater, also referred to as a Tudor Bonnet, is a premium hat usually reserved for esteemed officials overseeing graduation ceremonies (deans, presidents, etc...). The standard mortarboard, a square of cardboard encased in polyester, is worn atop the head and traditionally used for primary and secondary school graduations. In contrast, tams are more commonly chosen for advanced graduations like Ed.S and doctoral ceremonies, and occasionally for master's degrees.
Can I customize my diploma cover?
Yes, you can with a minimum order of 8 pcs. Please email us with the details of your diploma covers and we can provide you a quote and estimated delivery date.
What does debossed mean for diploma covers?
Debossing typically refers to the process of creating a raised or indented design on the surface of the cover. This is achieved by using a die (a metal or other hard material) to press the design into the material of the cover, creating a textured and visually appealing result.
In the case of diploma covers, debossing is often used to add a tactile and elegant element to the cover. It can be used to feature the school's emblem, logo, or other decorative elements. The debossed design is usually slightly indented into the material, providing a subtle and sophisticated look and feel to the diploma cover.
How do I know which diploma cover to buy?
We recommend checking with your school which color and size to get or you can measure your diploma as well.
Do you offer customized diplomas?
Yes, we offer customized options for diplomas with a minimum quantity of 100pcs. Please email us with the details and we will provide you a quote and estimated delivery date.
I lost my diploma, can I order one on the website?
Please contact your school directly for a copy of your diploma.
Do you offer blank diploma?
Yes we do. Please check our stock diplomas for Kindergarten through High School.
What is a graduation stole? Can I wear a stole for my graduation?
A graduation stole is a decorative sash worn by graduates during commencement ceremonies. Stoles are often made of a silky or satin-like material and are worn draped around the neck and over the shoulders, hanging down the front of the graduate's gown. They come in various colors and designs, and the choice of stole often signifies certain achievements, honors, or affiliations.
Graduation stoles are commonly used to denote academic honors, membership in honor societies, or participation in specific programs or activities. Different colors and patterns may be associated with various academic disciplines, achievements, or organizational affiliations. The wearing of graduation stoles adds a personalized and symbolic touch to the traditional graduation attire, allowing graduates to showcase their accomplishments and affiliations as they celebrate their academic achievements.
What is a graduation tassel?
A graduation tassel is a dangling ornament typically made of silk or a similar material and attached to a loop at the top. It is commonly worn as part of the cap and gown ensemble during graduation ceremonies. The tassel is attached to the mortarboard, which is the square-shaped cap worn by graduates.
The color of the graduation tassel often holds symbolic meaning and may represent the graduate's academic discipline, school colors, or specific achievements. During the commencement ceremony, graduates typically begin with their tassels on one side of the cap (often the right side) and then move them to the other side (often the left side) upon receiving their diplomas. This symbolic gesture signifies the transition from being a candidate to a graduate.
In some cases, graduates may receive special tassels to denote honors, awards, or specific accomplishments. Overall, the graduation tassel is a traditional and symbolic accessory that adds a sense of ceremony and visual distinction to the cap and gown worn during graduation celebrations.
Do you offer customized tassels and year date drops?
Please email us the design and quantity, we will get back to you if we are able to process your request.
Please note we need a minimum of 10 pcs for customized tassel colors and a minimum of 100pcs for customized year date drops.
What is a jumbo tassel?
Jumbo bullion tassels, characterized by their increased thickness, are specifically employed on college tams. These tams often symbolize the field of study pursued by the student.
Can the year charm on the tassel be removed or changed?
Year Date Drops can easily be removed and reapplied yourself at home.
What is a graduation honor cord?
A graduation honor cord is a decorative accessory worn by graduates during commencement ceremonies to signify academic achievements, honors, or affiliations. Honor cords are typically made of intertwined cords of various colors, and they are worn around the neck with the ends hanging down the front of the graduate's gown.
The colors of the cords often carry specific meanings, representing different academic achievements or honors. For example, honor cords might indicate graduation with honors, membership in an honor society, participation in specific programs, or other notable accomplishments. The specific color combinations can vary widely between institutions and organizations. We recommend checking with your school with colors you need to select for your honor cords.
Graduates who have earned the right to wear honor cords often do so with pride as a visible symbol of their academic achievements. Honor cords add a personalized and meaningful element to the graduation regalia, allowing students to showcase their accomplishments and distinctions during the ceremony.
What is a double honor cord?
A double cord consists of two individual cords joined together at the center, with the knot positioned at the back of the graduate's neck.
Do you offer customization options for honor cords?
Yes we do with a minimum of 10 pcs.
Please email us the specifications and we will get back to you with a quote and estimated delivery date.
Can you help me with a mockup of the custom stole/gown/diploma cover I want to order?
Email us the information of what you are looking to order and we can create a mockup for you.
Placing an Order
How long does it take to get my order?
This is an important question and it comes up often. There are two times you need to be aware of and you need to add them together to get an estimate of how long it will take to get your order.
First there is a processing time. All orders with in-stock products take 2-4 business days to process your order and ship out. Second there is the shipping time (which is not the same as the processing time). It takes about a week for standard shipping (5-8 business days). You can reduce this time by paying for faster shipping such as 3-4 business days. Just remember the shipping time is in addition to the processing time. You need to add together both the production time and the shipping time to get a time estimate for your order.
* All custom products (custom stoles, custom diploma covers, custom hoods, custom gowns) take 2-3 weeks to process and produce plus the shipping time.
I am nervous about whether or not my order will arrive in time. Who do I call or email to get a time estimate on my order?
Please email us at hello@gradshop.net or call us at 855.719.4723
Please note until we confirm by email/call that we can deliver your order by the requested date, the order will be shipped based on the processing/shipping method selected.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping costs vary depending on your selection of shipping method and order amount. You can check the shipping cost by simulating placing an order on our website and then canceling out of the order and empty your cart before filling in the payment information. We ship all graduation products by USPS, Fedex or DHL. And of course faster shipping methods cost more.
Do you ship outside the United States?
We will ship to some foreign locations. Such locations generally include Canada, Europe, South America, Asia and a few other locations. You can check if your country is available by simulating placing an order on our website. We can also place the order over the phone if you do not find your country. However because such shipments often involve the peculiarities of the various tariffs trade and import/export laws around the globe we may not be able to ship some orders overseas due to the cost of researching the laws for that location. Also if possible it is always easier for us to ship to a US-based shipping address and you will always save on shipping costs if you can arrange for a US-based address to receive the shipment. At this time due to advice from our bank concerning trends in fraud we reserve all rights to deny or proceed with orders shipping internationally.
* Gradshop IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DUTY VAT TAX OR ANY OTHER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH IMPORTING OUR PRODUCTS. We cannot look up the final cost to you as your home country may (and often does) charge a fee at the destination. We cannot look up this information (and it often varies based on international law and code changes). We also cannot accept a rejection of that fee after the shipment leaves our factory and we cannot offer a return for a refund. Your home country will demand that gradshop.com pay the fee before receiving the returned item and graduationcapandgown.com cannot pay that fee. If you order from overseas you must either pay any import fees and duties your home country charges or else abandon the item or receive no refund.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) and PayPal.
**Schools may place orders using a PO with prior approval from Gradshop.
If you want to send us a PO, please email us at hello@gradshop.net with what you are looking to order, we will get back to you with a quote.
My credit card was rejected by your online ordering system but I know my credit card or check is valid and has enough money to cover this order. Why won't your system accept my credit card?
Most credit card rejections are because your address does not match the address on record with your credit card company. Sometimes it's just a matter of a single digit off a mis-capitalization a dash or something very minor like that. Please try to re-enter your address to match what your credit card company has on file.
I tried to make a purchase several times but each time your system rejected the order (probably due to an address issue as explained above) and then my credit card or checking company called and said you had charged me for each transaction!
Actually your credit card security department is seeing the inquiries to your account not actual charges. Sometimes the inquiries appear as charges at first (ghost charges). Don't worry we didn't charge you for all those transactions. In a day or two the bank will remove all those charges on your account after they see no actual money was transferred. If we ever do make a mistake in overcharging you rest assured we will refund your money.
I see on your website "As Low As" pricing. After I place my order I am charged a higher amount. Why?
Gradshop offers bulk pricing. Which means the more of an item you order the lower the price per item is. Please click the item you are interested in on our site to see the bulk pricing chart for each item.
I need my regalia by a specific date. What do I do?
We do not 100% guarantee any specific date. You can give us a call or send over an email before purchasing to see if we can try to meet the date.
Is there a minimum quantity?
There is a minimum quantity for our custom stoles and our custom diploma covers. For the custom stoles, we require at least 6 to be ordered. The design must be exactly the same on all 6. If there is any variation on the design, 6 of each design must be ordered.
For our custom diploma covers, we require at least 8 to be ordered. Again, the design of the 8 must be exactly the same and cannot have any variation.
There is not a minimum for the in-stock products.
Can individuals order through you or does it have to be a school?
We can do both. We are a third-party vendor and we do not keep any information about any specific regalia on file. You will need to obtain that information before ordering with us.
Please also, keep in mind, that if your school does order through another company, we do not color match.
Do you provide school pages?
Yes, we do. Please email us at hello@gradshop.net with products, quantity and delivery date needed. We will get back to you with pricing and a private page for your students to place an order.
Why can’t I add an item to my cart?
In order to add items to your cart, all available options must be selected. For example, you must select no/none for piping on a hood if you don’t want it.
Do you accept purchase orders? How do I get an official quote?
Yes, we accept purchase orders. Please contact us via email with the details of your order, we will get back to you with a quote and w9.
Didn’t receive an order confirmation?
An automatic confirmation email is sent when you place an order. You must provide an email address to receive it. Tracking is sent via email as well. Please be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you have entered an email but did not receive confirmation. You can also reach out via email. If you send an email, please provide the name on the order, or the email used so that we can find your order. We will not be able to find the order with a phone number.
Shipping
How quick will I receive my order?
All orders for “In-Stock Products” will ship out within 1-4 Business Days. We offer Quick Processing (options which expedite your order handling and overall delivery time); however, you must submit your request on our contact us page or email us. Additional fees may apply.
If your Order contains a “Custom Product”, the entirety of your order processing time will be approximately 2 – 3 weeks. Expedited processing options are available for “Custom Products”. Please email us prior to process your order so we can confirm that we can deliver your order on time. Prior to checking out, please review your order and be aware that by placing this order you understand and accept the extended 2 – 3 weeks processing time.
Shipping time is not the same as the processing time and takes about a week for standard shipping (5-8 business days). You can reduce this time by paying for faster shipping such as 3-4 business days. We do offer overnight shipping as well, please email us if you would like to have your order shipped with this shipping method.
Please remember the shipping time is in addition to the processing time. You need to add together both the production time and the shipping time to get a time estimate for your order.
The shipping time and processing time are estimated and does not guarantee the delivery by a specific date or time.
Let us know what you are looking to order and the needed by date and we can give you an estimated delivery date. We can also offer different options to deliver your order on time.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping costs vary depending on your selection of shipping method and order amount. You can check the shipping cost by simulating placing an order on our website and then canceling out of the order and empty your cart before filling in the payment information. We ship all graduation stoles by Fedex, USPS or DHL. And of course faster shipping methods cost more.
What do I do if the shipping carrier lost my package? What do I do if my address is incorrect on the order?
Contact the carrier first if the package is marked as delivered but you have not received it. They will open an investigation as to the whereabouts of the package. If the package is deemed lost, please email us with your order number and full shipping address, we will open a claim with the carrier. If the shipping address provided was wrong, no refunds or cancelations will be processed.
Once an item has been shipped, we cannot change the address.
If you send us an email to change an address, and you did not received confirmation that the address has been changed before it ships, the address was not changed and it is your responsibility if the package is lost.
If the package is returned to us by the carrier, you will have to pay additional shipping to be redelivered. Refunds will be processed once the package has been received. Shipping cost and 13% restocking fee will be applied.
I sent the email to cancel my order, but it has been shipped. What do I do?
If you do not receive confirmation from a customer service representative via email/phone, the order has not been cancelled.
For any custom items, you must reach out within 24 hours to cancel or to make any changes.
For in-stock items, if it has been shipped, it cannot be cancelled. We will have to process a return.
When does processing start?
Processing time starts immediately.
Your in-stock products, we usually ships within 24h to 48h.
If you order a doctorate gown with a chest emblem or custom diploma cover, we will always send a mock-up for you to approve.
Processing of these items will not begin until we receive approval.
Returns & Exchanges
In the case of returning item/s, what is your policy?
Product requests for returns/exchanges must be made within 14 days from the date the product was shipped.
For more detailed information about our policy, please visit our Refunds and Returns page.
How do I send my items back?
Please visit our Refunds and Returns page, please email us at hello@gradshop.net with your order number and email address and we will process your request.
When will I get my refund?
To receive a refund for the purchase price in the original form of payment we must be made aware within 14 days. Please make sure all return processes are done promptly so we are able to work on your replacement product or refund in a timely manner.
For more detailed information about our policy, please visit our Refunds and Returns page.
How do I do an exchange?
Please email us with your order number within 14 days of delivery, we will send you our return form. We advise customers to place a new order online and the items returned will be refunded for a quicker process.
Can I return my custom items?
Custom orders are non refundable. (custom hoods, custom gowns, custom stoles, custom diploma covers, etc...)
I received the wrong/damaged products. I am missing an item. What do I do?
Upon confirmation of your claim, we will gladly proceed with the replacement of the specific product or order. It's important to note that replacement items will be reshipped via Standard Shipping at no extra cost. If expedited shipping is required, an additional fee will be applied. This underscores the importance of ordering in advance and promptly inspecting the shipment upon delivery.
If you product is damaged, please email us pictures at hello@gradshop.net with your order number.