Diploma Paper Options - Premium Degree Paper Stock & Sizes

A big part of what makes our documents look so good? The paper.

We stock a wide range of diploma paper types, sizes, weights, colors, and finishes that match the original materials used by schools and institutions worldwide. Nothing generic here. Our team hand-picks every sheet based on years of research and testing, ensuring your high school diploma, college or university diploma, or novelty certificate looks and feels right.

We're often asked how our documents come out looking so real. The answer starts here, with the paper for diplomas we carefully select for every order.

At Diploma Company, Diploma Paper Is the Foundation of Every Document We Produce

We've spent years building one of the most complete and accurate diploma printing paper inventories in the industry. Our supply room is packed with options because when it comes to making replica academic documents that impress, details matter.

Whether we're printing a bold Ivy League diploma on heavy parchment or a compact trade certificate on smoother stock, the degree paper we use has a direct impact on how real the final product looks and feels. If it doesn't pass our standards, it doesn't go to print.

Why Paper Quality Matters for Authentic-Looking Diplomas

The difference between a convincing replica and a cheap novelty item almost always comes down to paper quality. When someone picks up a genuine college degree paper document, they immediately notice the weight, texture, and visual tone. These tactile and visual cues are deeply ingrained in our perception of what makes an official document feel legitimate.

At our print shop, we've studied thousands of original diplomas, certificates, and transcripts from institutions across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and beyond. This research has allowed us to build a comprehensive understanding of what makes diploma paper from different eras and regions unique. A 1985 high school diploma from Texas looks and feels different from a 2015 bachelor's degree from Oxford and we've catalogued those differences meticulously.

The paper for diplomas we stock isn't sourced from generic office supply chains. We work directly with specialty paper mills and distributors who understand the academic document industry. This allows us to obtain paper stocks that feature the correct fiber content, opacity, and surface characteristics that match what real institutions use.

One of the most common mistakes made by low-quality replica producers is using bright white copy paper or thin cardstock. This immediately signals inauthenticity. Real diploma printing paper has warmth to it, subtle cream undertones, a certain heft when you hold it, and a texture that feels substantial without being overly stiff. These are the qualities we prioritize in every sheet we stock.

Our quality control process involves side-by-side comparisons with genuine documents. Before we approve any new paper stock, we print test samples and evaluate them against real diplomas in our reference library. This ensures that every paper diploma we produce meets our exacting standards for authenticity and craftsmanship.

About Our Paper for Diplomas and Certificates

A hand holding samples of textured diploma paper in various finishes and shades used for custom diploma orders.

We offer a curated selection of diploma paper options, including parchment, smooth matte, and textured linen stocks all selected to suit your custom diploma or certificate order.

Stacks of diploma paper in cream and off-white tones, stored in a professional print shop stockroom.

Our print shop stockroom holds a wide selection of premium paper stocks used for high school, college, and certificate replicas. Each paper is chosen to closely match the tone and texture of real diplomas.

When you trust us to create your custom diploma or certificate, we focus on the paper first. That single detail sets the tone for the entire document.

Here's how we approach selecting the right diploma paper type:

  • 📏 Paper Size: From standard U.S. formats to oversized international sizes, we stock diploma size paper for everything needed to match your original. No guesswork just precision.
  • ⚖ Paper Weight: You can feel the quality the second you pick it up. We use diploma printing paper weights that match the substance of your document whether it's a thin certificate or a heavy-duty graduate diploma.
  • 🎨 Color & Finish: Pure white looks wrong. That's why we stock off-white, natural, and ivory tones that match real-world examples. We also offer matte, semi-gloss, and textured finishes based on what the original diploma paper typecalled for.
  • 🔒 Texture & Security Features: For transcripts and official looking documents, we use high-security stock that includes watermarks, fibers, and anti copy elements just like the real thing.

Diploma Size Paper: Getting the Dimensions Right

Diploma size paper varies widely between schools, countries, and eras. Some are compact. Others take up an entire wall.

We've documented size data from thousands of real diplomas to help us get it right for each order. Whether your original was half-letter, tabloid, or something custom, we select the diploma size paper that fits.

Typical Diploma Paper Sizes

Size (Inches) Size (Metric) Typically Seen With
8" x 6" 20.3 x 15.2 cm Early 20th century diplomas, antique reproductions
8" x 10" 20.3 x 25.4 cm Smaller certificates, vocational programs
8.5" x 11" 21.6 x 27.9 cm High school diploma paper, general certificates
8.5" x 14" 21.6 x 35.6 cm Technical schools, associate degrees, legal-format diplomas
11" x 14" 27.9 x 35.6 cm College degree paper, professional programs, standard university diplomas
12" x 15" 30.5 x 38.1 cm Ivy League diplomas, international universities

These are general trends not rules but they help guide our process when replicating documents with historical or regional accuracy.

Diploma Paper Weight: Why Thickness Matters

We use premium diploma paper weights ranging from 24 lb (90 gsm) up to 36 lb (135+ gsm) and beyond. Why? Because weight matters.

Heavier degree paper looks better, lasts longer, and feels more legitimate in-hand. Lighter weights are reserved for documents that call for it, like some training certificates or framed display versions.

Diploma Paper Weight Guide (Reference Only)

U.S. Paper Weight Metric Equivalent (gsm) Typical Use
24 lb 90 gsm Light certificates or low-cost layouts
28 lb 105 gsm Basic diploma printing paper (some high schools, testing centers)
32 lb 120 gsm Standard premium stock for U.S. and Canadian diplomas
36 lb 135 gsm Common for regional college degree paper or raised print jobs
60 lb 163 gsm Used in many U.S. and Australian university diplomas
65 lb 175 gsm Thicker stock found in international or archival-grade documents

Please note: This is a general guide. Diploma paper thickness varies depending on the institution, document type, and time period. If you need something specific, just ask we probably have it in stock.

Diploma Paper Color: Matching the Original Tone

Diploma paper almost never comes in bright white. We stock real-world tones that better reflect the originals like soft ivory, bone, natural white, and even aged yellows for older designs.

We don't make you choose a color. We do the homework for you based on your order and select the appropriate diploma paper type automatically.

Common Diploma Paper Colors

Paper Color Typically Seen With
Natural White High school diploma paper, general certificates
Off-White / Cream College degree paper and university diplomas, older formats
Ivory Ivy League schools, vintage or classic designs
Bright White Modern certificates, tech or vocational programs
Parchment-Tone Antique-style paper diplomas, honorary documents

Color helps create the visual tone of a document. A degree paper from the 1990s to early 2000s looks different than one from today and we reflect that in our selection.

Diploma Paper Type by Document Category

Different documents call for different diploma paper types. Understanding these distinctions helps ensure every replica we produce matches the original as closely as possible.

High School Diploma Paper

High school diploma paper typically falls in the mid-weight range (28-32 lb) with a smooth to lightly textured finish. Most U.S. high schools use 8.5" x 11" format, though some private academies and international schools prefer larger sizes. The color tends toward natural white or soft cream, with minimal embossing or raised elements.

College Degree Paper

College degree paper is generally heavier and more substantial than high school documents. Universities often use 32-65 lb stock with pronounced texture think linen or cotton fiber blends. Sizes commonly range from 11" x 14" to 12" x 15" for undergraduate degrees, with some professional programs using even larger formats. Ivory and cream tones dominate, especially for traditional institutions.

Transcript Paper

Transcript paper requires specialized security features that set it apart from standard diploma printing paper. These documents are printed on stock that includes anti-copy technology, making unauthorized reproduction extremely difficult.

Our Transcript Paper: Built for Authenticity

Samples of academic security transcript we stock for your custom transcript print

Transcripts, including high school transcripts or university or college transcripts, come with a different set of requirements. They're usually printed on high-security paper with embedded safety features.

We stock genuine academic-style security transcript paper with:

  • VOID or COPY warnings (appear when scanned/copied)
  • Watermarks and fibers that shift under light or heat
  • Security patterns visible only in specific lighting

This transcript paper can't be found at office supply stores and we don't cut corners here.

Ready to Order?

You’re not ordering from a template farm or novelty store. You’re working with a real print shop that takes pride in delivering replica documents with premium craftsmanship and precision. The paper we stock isn’t random—it’s researched, tested, and trusted.

If you care about how your diploma, certificate, or transcript looks, trust the team that cares this much about getting the paper right.

👍 Browse Our Document Options

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why do you care so much about paper?

    Because it’s the foundation of everything we do. Paper choice affects color, texture, thickness, and how real the document looks. If we obsess over this much detail in our paper, imagine how much care we give to everything else.

  • Can I pick the color or type of paper I want?

    We usually handle that. Over time, we’ve built a detailed record of which papers match which institutions or styles. So instead of asking you to choose, we use our expertise to make sure your document comes out just right.

  • Can I buy your paper by itself?

    No. We stock paper exclusively for our print jobs. That’s how we maintain quality control for every document we produce.

  • What if I don’t see the size or paper I need?

    Let us know. We stock more than what’s listed publicly and can often special order if necessary. If we don’t already have it, we can likely get it.

  • Is your diploma paper durable?

    Yes. We use acid-free, high-quality paper that’s designed to last. It won’t yellow, fade, or fall apart over time.

  • What if I don’t like the paper used on my order?

    If you’re unsure, request a proof—we’ll work with you before printing. And if you're still not happy after receiving your document, we offer a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. We’ll fix it. No stress.