College Graduation Announcements for Free

June will see many college students graduating. According to Christopher J. Lucas in American Higher Education: A History "custom dictated that the [baccalaureate] candidate announce the specific thesis that he intended well in advance. Invitations were sent out in hopes of attracting as large and audience as possible. If at any time the exercises began, the number of those present were judged insufficient, tradition required that passerby on the street be hauled in, by force if necessary, to witness the proceedings!" Now days, its more traditional to have college graduation ceremonies limited to a specific number of attendees. Instead of a feast given to the graduate, most send well wishes and sometimes receive in return gifts. What a great way for a college graduate to move from the academic world out into the real world.

Still, college graduation announcements can be expensive. There are a number of places college graduates can go to get free college graduation announcements. A college graduate may want to take advantage of one of these offers to keep the costs of graduation down to a minimum, while ensuring that as many people in the family realize what a great achievement they have made. I remember being so frightened I'd die after putting in so much work and never receive my diploma.

The cost of college graduation announcements consists of the following:

Paper, printing (ink and machine use), stamps (is sent by snail mail), address labels, pen, time. If you have a large family like I, it is not unusual to have to send out 400+ announcements. These costs can add up. And don't forget an equal amount of thank you cards. Even a return congratulation card without a gift should be acknowledged with a thank you. Some of the best deals I've found on card stock for printing college graduation announcements and thank you cards are found at Staples and other office supply stores and at Michael's craft supplies.

Here's the top eight places to look:

MyFunCards

Allows you to download or send eCards including college graduations announcements. No registration is required but they do allow you to register.

PaperMillstore

Has templates for use with PCs and Macs. They're in the business of selling the paper, ink, etc. Most templates are 8 1/2 by 11. Don't forget envelopes.

Graduation Card Shop & Announcements Shop

They offer ten free cards with an order totaling $75 or more.

Shutterfly

They allow you to add a digital photo to tour graduation announcement eCard. They provide the templates, the tools to send the greeting and the ability to email the resultant card.

Blue Mountain eCards

Allows one free month of membership including sending free emailed college graduation cards and thank you cards.

Microsoft Graduation Templates

Allows you to download a college graduation announcement and/or thank you card template to your PC and use it to design and print your own graduation cards. Check out their label templates while you're at it.

Grad Announcements

These are the traditional style of college graduation announcements and what you get free is 25 seals and 25 thank you cards. They do the printing and ship them to you.

VistaPrint

They are only offering a reduced rate on snail mailed college graduation announcements but I've dealt with them for my free business cards and they were reliable-what you saw is what you received.