Start Earlier Than You Think
The most common graduation party mistake we see at June's Tees & Things is ordering too late. Custom printing takes time — and graduation season in Chicago means every print shop in the city is at capacity from April through June. Orders placed in the last week before a party frequently do not arrive in time, even with rush processing.
Our recommended timeline:
- 4–6 weeks out: Finalize your design concept, school colors, graduate's photo, and what items you need.
- 3–4 weeks out: Submit your order. This gives time for artwork approval, production, and shipping or pickup without rush fees.
- 2 weeks out: Review your proof and request any changes. Production begins after proof approval.
- 1 week out: Order should be complete and ready for pickup or delivery.
If you are in the 1–2 week window, rush production is often available for an additional fee. Call us at (773) 849-1854 to discuss what is possible.
Order 4 weeks before your party. Order 6 weeks out if you want changes without stress. Never order the week of the event unless you are prepared to pay rush fees and accept limited availability.
What to Order for a Graduation Party
A well-decorated graduation party has a few key visual anchors. Here is what makes the biggest impact:
Life-Size Standees
Nothing stops guests at a party like a full-body, life-size cutout of the graduate. Standees are printed on rigid material with a self-standing easel back. They photograph beautifully, create a natural focal point, and become a keepsake the family keeps for years. For best results, you need a full-body photo on a plain background — more on that below.
Step & Repeat Backdrops
A step-and-repeat banner (the kind you see at red carpet events with repeating logos) is the premier photo background for any graduation party. Replace the logos with the graduate's name, graduation year, school name, and school colors. Every guest photo taken in front of it looks professional and is instantly shareable on social media.
Yard Signs
Coroplast yard signs are perfect for directing guests, announcing the graduate's name at the end of the driveway, or displaying "Class of 2026" outside the venue. Order them in school colors for maximum impact.
Custom Banners
Vinyl banners work indoors and outdoors. A personalized "Congratulations [Name], Class of 2026" banner over the buffet table ties the whole party together visually. Order with grommets for easy hanging.
Chip Bags, Water Bottle Labels, and Party Favors
Custom printed snack bags, water bottle labels, and small favors are the detail that guests remember. These are especially popular for Chicago-area graduation parties where the grad's photo, name, and school appear on every favor.
Photo Requirements for Life-Size Standees
Standees are printed large — often 5 to 6 feet tall — which means photo quality is critical. A blurry or low-resolution phone photo will print blurry at life-size. Here is what we need:
- Full-body shot: From head to toe, with some space above the head and below the feet. Cropped photos cannot be extended — what is not in the photo cannot be printed.
- Plain or simple background: A solid-color wall, clean outdoor backdrop, or empty hallway works best. Cluttered backgrounds make cutout masking more difficult and the final product less clean.
- High resolution: At minimum 1500 × 3000 pixels for a standing full-body photo. Larger is better. Photos taken on a modern smartphone in good lighting are usually sufficient.
- Good lighting: Even, natural light or professional studio lighting. Harsh shadows, ring-light glare over the eyes, or underexposed dark photos reduce print quality significantly.
- Sharp focus: The subject should be in sharp focus from head to toe. Motion blur or soft focus in portraits does not improve at print size.
Coordinating Colors With School Colors
The most cohesive party décor uses 2–3 colors pulled from the graduate's school palette. Use the school's primary color as the dominant accent (step-and-repeat background, banner border, balloon color) and a neutral (white, gold, or black) as the base. Avoid mixing school colors with unrelated colors unless you are intentionally going for a different aesthetic.
If you do not know the official school colors in print-accurate values, look up the school's official website or athletic brand guide. Many Chicago-area high schools and universities publish official color codes. Provide us with Pantone, CMYK, or hex values for accurate color matching — especially important for vinyl banners and step-and-repeat backdrops.
Budget Tips: What Gives the Best Return
- A life-size standee and a step-and-repeat backdrop are the two highest-impact items for photography and social media. If budget is limited, start here.
- Yard signs are low-cost and high visibility — great for outdoor display and directing guests.
- Custom chip bags and favors are the lowest cost per item and create the most "wow" reaction from guests who are not expecting personalized snacks.
- Bundle orders — ordering standee, backdrop, yard signs, and a banner together often allows for better pricing than ordering each separately.
For broader event planning inspiration, Brides party planning resources, The Knot's event planning guides, and Eventbrite's event tips blog all cover decoration, timeline, and logistics planning in depth.
Plan Your Grad Party Décor With Us
June's Tees & Things specializes in graduation party décor for Chicago-area families. From life-size standees to step-and-repeat backdrops, custom banners, yard signs, and personalized favors — we handle it all. Visit our event décor service page or our dedicated Grad 2026 packages page to see what we offer, or call (773) 849-1854 to start planning.