Announce your graduation day with style. We’ll show you how. Whether you’re inviting guests to the actual graduation ceremony or sharing your achievement with distant friends and relatives, graduation announcements let you officially recognize and share a graduate’s achievements. Since most of us aren’t in the practice of sending formal invitations on a regular basis, graduation announcement etiquette might be a little confusing. Not to worry, Jostens is here to help. We’ll walk you through everything from sending them out, to figuring out which envelopes to use and how to properly address them. Here are some guidelines to get you started: Personalizing Your Announcements 1. Address your mailing envelopes by hand. Use titles like "Ms." or "Dr." Spell out words completely, rather than using abbreviations ("Street" rather than "St."). 2. Slip the announcement fold first and face up into the small inner envelope. Do not lick or tuck in the inner envelope flap. We recommend using an envelope seal. 3. The inner envelope holds the graduation announcement. You can address this informally, such as "Grandma" or "Uncle John." 4. Slip the inner envelope into the mailing envelope so that the front addressed side of the envelope is seen when removed from the outer envelope. 5. To add personality to the announcement, some graduates include a senior photo in the announcement. 6. Write your return address on the envelope flap or use pre‐printed return address labels. We also recommend using an outer envelope seal, as well. 7. If you want to spread the news and don’t want people to feel obligated to buy you a gift, write "No gifts please" at the bottom of the announcement—these can be reserved to be sent before or after the event. 8. Hosting graduation party? Consider inserting your party invitation or open house card into the graduation announcement—they can also be mailed separately. 9. If announcements are being sent as invitations to a graduation party, include a photo card invite to the grad party. 10. Always send announcements via first class mail. This will ensure that they arrive at least two weeks prior to graduation day. How to Use Name Cards 1. Include your name card with your graduation announcement—if your school requires tickets to attend the graduation ceremony, you can also include them with your announcement. 2. Spell out your entire name. If you’re a junior, the card can say "Jr." or "Junior." If you’re a second, use "2nd" or "II." You may also use "Ms." "Mr." or "Miss". 3. Insert one card into each graduation announcement. 4. If you include a senior picture, tuck it behind the name card. 5. Be creative. Exchange name cards with friends, slip them into your announcements or collect them in your own name card portfolio.