Graduation is more than a milestone in a young person’s life. It’s a celebration of their personality, perseverance, and excitement around what comes next. As their photographer, you captured their senior photos to showcase who they are, and now it’s time to focus on creating custom grad cards that go beyond and truly reflect each senior’s style. From what size to choose to important design elements, here’s everything you need to know to design graduation announcements that stand out this year!
5×7 Grad Cards Are Classic
When it comes to senior grad cards, 5×7 Photographic and Press Printed Grad Cards are still the traditional go-to option and for good reason.
They are the perfect size for mailing to family and friends, easy to display on the refrigerator or bulletin board, and make a nice little keepsake after the party is over.
Photographic cards offer rich color and a true photo-paper finish, while press-printed cards provide beautiful color, 2-sided design options, and premium paper choices. Either way, the 5×7 remains the staple that Mom and Grandma proudly show off.
Grad Card Minis: A New Trend We’re Seeing
The Class of 2026 is loving something a little different for inviting their friends to their grad parties, and it isn’t a digital invite. What older generations would call wallet prints, Gen Z are calling grad card minis! These smaller-format announcements are perfect for handing out to classmates and friends.
If your client is asking for a grad card mini invite, McKenna can print your custom design. Choose to print on our Press Flat Wallet Card for a 2-sided option. If you prefer photo paper, go with a 1-sided Photographic Wallet Print.
And here’s the fun part: many seniors are designing them to match their 5×7 card. Redesign your 5×7 custom grad card design in Photoshop to create a 2.5×3.5 size. Grandma gets the classic announcement, and friends get the mini version. Cohesive, stylish, and totally on trend.
Why Creating Custom Grad Cards Matters
When families choose to invest in ordering their custom grad cards from you, the story you captured in the grad card session continues. Each card becomes even more of a one-of-a-kind piece when you include the client’s favorite images, messages from the grad, and the important details for the graduation ceremony and grad party.
What Information Should Be Included When Creating Custom Grad Cards?
When creating custom grad cards, the design matters, and so does the content. Here are the details we often see included on the grad card each year:
- Full name of the graduate
- High school name
- Commencement ceremony date, time, and location
- Grad party information
- Academic honors and scholarships
- Athletic or artistic accomplishments
- A motivational message or Bible verse
- College, university, or trade school name and field of study
- Military service or entering the workforce
When thoughtfully designed, this information feels clean and balanced — never cluttered.
Want to Make Creating Custom Grad Cards Easier? Use Drag-and-Drop Templates!
Not every photographer wants to start from scratch or spend hours in Photoshop, and that’s okay! McKenna has created an unbranded 2026 Grad Card Brochure PDF for you to share with clients to showcase the new 5×7 designs for our photographic and press cards.
The drag-and-drop templates in McKenna’s Ordering Software are a game-changer if you want simplicity in your workflow. They allow you to:
- Upload and drop in images quickly
- Update text with your client’s name and party details
- Add to cart and submit your order
If you’re looking for a little more customization of our 2026 Grad Cards, you can download the PSD files and make adjustments to the design, including colors, fonts, and the location of design elements. You can create polished, professional grad cards without completely reinventing the wheel.
Start Creating Your Custom Grad Cards Today!
Graduation ceremonies will begin before we know it! Your clients will want to mail their invitations approximately a month before the party, so don’t wait to start designing. Start now, order in March, and your clients can have invites hitting mailboxes in April. A win-win for everyone!
Not sure how to sell grad cards to your clients? Check out the blog, “Top Tips for Offering Grad Cards.”