Graduate in cap and gown standing on a wet pavement with cloudy sky.

Graduate in a green gown sits on stone steps, smiling, with a backdrop of greenery and building.

10 Things To Put On Your Graduation Announcements for High School Seniors

A high school graduation announcement is typically one card, front and back. That's it. Which means every word needs to earn its spot.

The front is usually where your photo lives, along with your name, school, and graduation year. The back is where everything else goes. It's not a lot of real estate, so the goal is to be intentional, not exhaustive.

Here's what to include and how to keep it tight.

Your Full Name

This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people second-guess it. Go with the name you actually go by, not necessarily your full legal name unless that feels right to you. If you've always been "Mia" and not "Amelia," use Mia. This announcement is about you.

Make sure it's spelled exactly how you want it printed, because there are no do-overs once it goes to the printer.

Your High School Name

Include the full name of your school, not just the mascot or a shortened version. If you're in the Columbus, Ohio area, this matters because there are a lot of schools in the region and recipients may not immediately know which one you attend.

"Olentangy Liberty High School" reads better than just "Liberty."

VIEW SENIOR GIRL GALLERY

VIEW SENIOR GUY GALLERY

Your Graduation Year Class of 2026. Simple, essential, and the thing people will look back on in ten years and smile at.

A Great Photo This is the most important element on the entire card. People are going to look at this announcement for more than two seconds before setting it on the kitchen counter where it will live for approximately three months. The photo is what makes them feel something.

A stiff, forced smile against a generic backdrop doesn't do that. A photo that actually looks like you, in a location that means something, in an outfit you love, with a photographer who made you feel comfortable enough to just be yourself, that's what gets framed.

If you haven't booked your senior session yet and you're in the Columbus, Ohio area, April is genuinely the last good window before summer schedules fill up, so book sooner rather than later.

Highly Recommended

Your Graduation Honors Valedictorian, salutatorian, National Honor Society, cum laude. Pick the one or two that mean the most. Don't list everything -- there won't be room.

Your Future Plans One line is plenty. "Attending Ohio State University, Fall 2026" tells people everything they need to know. If you're still figuring things out, it's okay to leave this off.

A Personal Message Two to three sentences, not a paragraph. Something that actually sounds like you will always land better than something that sounds copied from a template.

The Extras

If you include any of these, keep them to one line. This is not the place to over-explain.

Party Details and RSVP Date, time, address, how to RSVP. That's it.

Ceremony Details Some families include the graduation date, time, and venue. Others send ceremony invitations separately. Both are completely normal.

A Short Quote or Personal Motto One line. A lyric, a quote that got you through junior year, something your grandma always said. It doesn't have to be profound. It just has to be yours.

Family Names "Proudly announced by [Parent Names]" is traditional and still shows up on a lot of announcements. Totally up to your family's vibe.

Your Contact Info or a Social Handle A personal email, graduation website, or Instagram handle. Just make sure it's something you're okay with distant relatives seeing.

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A Few Design Tips Before You Order

Keep the font readable. Script fonts look beautiful but can be hard to read, especially for older relatives. Use them sparingly, maybe for your name, but not for the details.

Stick to two or three colors max. Match your school colors, your senior session palette, or something that just feels like you.

Order more than you think you need. You will forget someone and you will want extras. Add 25 to whatever number you're thinking.

Where to Order

A few options worth looking at: Minted, Artifact Uprising, for a more DIY approach. Minted and Artifact Uprising tend to have the most elevated designs if aesthetics matter to you.

Whatever you choose, make sure your photo file is high resolution, at least 300 DPI. This is another reason professional senior photos are worth it. Phone photos often look great on a screen and blurry in print.

One Last Thing

Your senior photos and your graduation announcements are more connected than most people realize. The right photo doesn't just fill a space on the card. It captures exactly who you are at this moment in your life.

If you're a Columbus, Ohio senior looking for someone who will actually make you feel like yourself in front of a camera, I'd love to connect, just simply click the button below.

This moment deserves more than a rushed photo against a brick wall.