When Should You Send Graduation Announcements? Timeline, Tips & Mailing Guide

Our Graduation Tips section helps students and families plan announcements, timelines, and mailing details so you can celebrate your achievement with confidence.

When Should You Send Graduation Announcements? A Complete Timeline Guide

Graduation is one of life’s biggest milestones, and sending graduation announcements is a meaningful way to share your achievement with family and friends. But one of the most common questions graduates and parents ask is: when should graduation announcements be sent?

The timing matters, you want your announcements to arrive early enough to share the news, but not so early that details aren’t finalized. This guide explains exactly when to send graduation announcements, who should receive them, and how to plan ahead so everything arrives on time. If you’re planning ahead, you can browse our college graduation announcements by university to order your cards early.

When to Send Graduation Announcements

Most graduates send announcements 2–4 weeks before the ceremony.
This gives recipients time to celebrate your achievement and, if appropriate, attend your graduation party.

If your ceremony date or details are finalized early, you can send announcements even sooner. Some families choose to mail them about a month in advance, especially if relatives live far away.

Is It Okay to Send Announcements After Graduation?

Yes — it’s completely acceptable to send graduation announcements after the ceremony, especially if:

  • you received your cards late

  • your graduation date changed

  • you want to include a graduation photo

  • you are announcing your degree after finishing

Many graduates send announcements within two weeks after graduation, and they’re still warmly received.

Who Should Receive Graduation Announcements?

Graduation announcements are typically sent to:

  • close relatives

  • extended family

  • family friends

  • mentors or teachers

  • neighbors

  • anyone who supported your education

You do not need to invite everyone to your ceremony to send them an announcement, the purpose is simply to share your achievement.

✉️ How Many Graduation Announcements Should You Order?

A good rule is to count:

  1. Immediate family members

  2. Extended relatives

  3. Close friends

  4. Mentors or important supporters

Most graduates order 25–50 announcements so they have extras for last-minute mailing or keepsakes.

Why Graduation Announcements Matter

Graduation announcements are more than just a formality — they’re a way to:

  • celebrate years of hard work

  • share your success with loved ones

  • create a keepsake of your achievement

  • mark an important life transition

Many families save one announcement as a framed reminder of this milestone.

Choosing Graduation Announcements for Your School

Many graduates prefer announcements that highlight their university, colors, or school pride. If you’re looking for professionally printed college announcements, you can browse our collection of college graduation announcements by university to find designs created specifically for your school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send graduation announcements months after graduation?
Yes, announcements can be sent even months later, especially if you’re sharing a graduation photo or final degree confirmation.

Do people give money when they receive graduation announcements?
Some recipients choose to send a congratulatory gift, but announcements are simply meant to share your achievement.

 Final Thoughts

Whether you send your announcements before or after graduation, the most important thing is sharing your accomplishment with the people who helped you reach this milestone. Planning ahead ensures your announcements arrive on time and become a meaningful part of your graduation celebration. At DadsGrads, we specialize in college graduation announcements designed for university graduates.

Back to blog