You’ve walked the stage at graduation and thrown your mortar board in the air with the rest of your class. You may have received a diploma with red ribbon for show during the ceremony or an empty diploma cover, but most colleges don’t deliver your actual diploma several months until after this day. Typically, colleges and universities will mail your rolled diploma scroll home in a cardboard tube to protect it from bending and getting damaged while in transit.
While it does a good job protecting your degree from the elements, a mailing tube often causes your diploma to become curled. Luckily, you can frame your diploma after it’s been rolled-up; just follow these easy steps to flatten curled paper gently.
When Will I Receive My Diploma?
The specific date you can expect to receive you actual diploma will differ based on the school you attended. Typically, those who are December graduates can expect to receive their diplomas at their permanent address in February or March. Similarly, if you are a May graduate, degrees are typically sent out in July or August.
However, it doesn’t matter when you receive your diploma in the mail. You can still order your diploma frame from Church Hill Classics ahead of time. They already know what size diploma frame you need based on your year of graduation, so be sure to enter your class year during checkout. That way, you will automatically have your licensed frame the correct measurements, because they have an extensive database of diploma dimensions.
If you purchase an unlicensed frame, however, make sure you follow directions at checkout for how to measure your degree. You’ll need to know the printed diploma size in order to calculate what size degree frame you’ll need.
How to Flatten Rolled Paper
When it comes to de-curling your diploma, you want to be extremely careful not to damage it. These steps are best for flattening rolled paper in a gentle and safe way.
1.) Locate a dry and clean, smooth flat surface (like a table or counter). and carefully unroll your diploma facedown.
2.) Place some weight on each corner of the diploma. If you don’t have paperweights, use household items like heavy books, coffee mugs, or salt and pepper shakers. Most heavy objects will do the trick, just make sure they’re clean and not too heavy that they would crush the paper.
3.) Before putting a weighted item on each corner, place a cloth, napkin, or towel on top of the diploma to protect it from damage. Tissue paper can also be used for this step.
4.) If you have a large diploma that’s over 11″ x 14″, also add weight to the center and the middle of each side to help the diploma lay flat.
5.) Check on your diploma’s progress every few hours, adjusting the weights as necessary. It shouldn’t take more than 24 hours to flatten your diploma.
6.) Remove the weights and pick up your diploma. If it doesn’t roll up, it’s done flattening. However, if the corners of the degree roll a bit, do not worry. They will lay flat once framed.
Important tip: Do not iron your diploma and put in oven on a baking sheet. Many diplomas are made of sensitive materials, such as sheepskin or parchment paper. Regardless of the diploma certificate paper used, it could be damaged by the heat.
Protect Your Degree in a Custom Diploma Frame
Once you have smooth paper for your college degree, make sure you safeguard it in one of Church Hill Classics degree frames. If you’re not sure what size you need for your licensed diploma frame, have no fear. There’s nothing to measure; we already know the dimensions of your diploma, so that the white background of your degree will fit perfectly in our college diploma frame.
The best part of this method for flattening a rolled diploma is that you can also use it for other papers. Whether you had an art print that arrived rolled up with a rubber band or wonky stock photos, you can help them lay flat with these easy steps.
Consider a companion keepsake mortarboard frame, which is perfect for showcasing graduation hat decorations. Our gift boxes are quite large, so don’t expect them to fit in gifts bags. In fact, our boxes are so big that you may need two rolls of gift wrap. But no matter the size of the box or the college graduation gift you choose, we guarantee the recipient will love the finished product.
