Cap and Gown Direct
Cap and Gown Direct is a US e-commerce retailer selling graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles and accessories directly to individual graduates and to schools via branded bulk package programs, operating on Shopify with warehouses in Brooklyn, NY and Seattle, WA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cap and Gown Direct does
Cap and Gown Direct is a privately held, US-based e-commerce retailer of academic regalia and graduation essentials, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. The company sells graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, diploma cases, year charms, and related accessories directly to individual graduates and parents, while also serving institutional buyers through bulk school packages. Its product catalog spans kindergarten through doctoral-level regalia across 14+ colors and both shiny and matte polyester finishes, with custom manufacturing capability for doctoral and master regalia configured to institution-specific colors, piping, and embroidery.
The technical foundation is a Shopify-powered storefront with proprietary custom product configuration tooling, including dedicated school-specific landing pages that allow individual students to order branded packages with direct-to-home shipping. Fulfillment runs through a dual-warehouse model out of Brooklyn, NY and Seattle, WA, with in-stock items shipping within 1-2 business days and standard delivery in 4-6 days. The company also operates a custom printing shop covering sublimated stoles, embroidered caps, and personalized gifts.
Commercially, Cap and Gown Direct monetizes through unit-priced product sales (standard cap, gown and tassel sets at $25.95; premium doctoral gowns up to $225.00) and tiered bulk school packages that drop from $29.95 to $24.95 per package at volumes above 301 units. Go-to-market is a direct-to-consumer hybrid with a B2B school-channel program, supplemented by content marketing via the 'Graduation-pedia' blog, email (15% off for subscribers), organic social (Facebook, Instagram), an affiliate program, and a GovX-powered 10% military and first responder discount.
Cap and Gown Direct firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cap and Gown Direct
- Legal name
- Cap and Gown Direct
- Website
- https://capandgowndirect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Cap and Gown Direct is a US e-commerce retailer selling graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles and accessories directly to individual graduates and to schools via branded bulk package programs, operating on Shopify with warehouses in Brooklyn, NY and Seattle, WA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cap and Gown Direct industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Academic Regalia
- NAICS
- Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (458110), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525)
- SIC
- Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special-Occasion & Formalwear Department Stores (CRAGAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hats, Caps & Headwear (CRAAAJAE)
Keywords
Where Cap and Gown Direct is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cap and Gown Direct business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Academic Regalia Product Sales: One-time product sales of graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, diploma cases, and accessories to individual graduates and institutional buyers. Products sold at various price points from economy to deluxe tiers.
- Custom/Personalized Items: Custom doctoral hoods, master hoods, doctoral gowns, and stoles with institution-specific colors, logos, and embroidery. Higher-margin custom orders with 6-8 week production lead times.
- School Package Programs: Bulk school package programs with tiered pricing (12-40 units at $29.95, 41-100 at $28.95, 101-300 at $27.95, 301+ at $24.95) providing recurring institutional revenue from schools and universities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cap, Gown & Tassel Sets (Standard) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Doctoral Regalia |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Masters Regalia |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Bulk School Packages - Tiered Volume Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Stoles and Diploma Cases |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Cap and Gown Direct product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cap and Gown Direct is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer that designs, produces, and sells graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, diploma cases, doctoral and master's regalia, confirmation robes, and personalized graduation gifts. Products cover every academic level from kindergarten through doctoral programs and are offered in multiple colors, finishes, and size ranges. The company also operates a custom school package program that creates branded ordering pages for schools and bulk orders with tiered volume pricing.
Product overview
Cap and Gown Direct operates as an e-commerce retailer specializing in academic regalia and graduation essentials. The product portfolio centers on cap, gown, and tassel sets available in both shiny and matte finishes across over 14 colors, supplemented by individual gowns, caps, and tassels sold separately. The offering spans multiple academic levels from kindergarten through doctoral programs, including specialized master's and doctoral regalia with customizable hoods and velvet detailing. Additional product lines include graduation stoles (blank, custom, V-stoles, and flag stoles), diploma cases, confirmation gowns for church ceremonies, and personalized graduation gifts. The company also provides custom school package services enabling institutions to offer branded graduation pages with logo customization. All products are manufactured from polyester fabric with standard sizing based on height measurements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cap, Gown and Tassel Sets Complete graduation packages combining cap, gown, and tassel in matching colors, available in both shiny and matte finishes with over 14 color options; designed for individual high school, college, and kindergarten graduates purchasing personal commencement attire.
- Gown Only Individual graduation gowns sold without cap or tassel, available in shiny and matte finishes across 14+ colors, including choir gowns for individual buyers who already own a cap and tassel or want a separately purchased gown.
- Graduation Caps Graduation mortarboard caps available in 14+ colors with both shiny and matte finishes, including kinder sizes for young graduates, sold separately for buyers replacing a single cap or building custom regalia pieces.
- Graduation Tassels Graduation tassels in over 14 colors with options for custom two-color combinations and compatibility with year charms, designed for individual graduates replacing or accessorizing tassels.
- Year Charms Year charms for graduation tassels featuring the graduating year, available in gold and silver finishes with regular and dangle styles from $1.49 USD.
- Kinder Cap and Gown Sets Graduation attire sets designed for kindergarten and preschool graduates, including lightweight gowns, matching caps, and tassels for young children.
- Masters Regalia Academic regalia for master's degree graduates including deluxe and economy gowns, caps, tams, and hoods with customizable colors representing the degree field and institution.
- Doctoral Regalia Premium doctoral gowns, hoods, and tams for PhD graduates and faculty members featuring deluxe designs with velvet detailing and gold piping options.
- Custom Masters and PhD Regalia Bespoke master's and doctoral regalia tailored to individual institution specifications including custom colors, embroidery, and institution-specific hood linings with 6-8 week production lead times.
- College Faculty PhD Regalia Academic regalia for college and university faculty and PhD graduates featuring deluxe doctoral gowns in multiple colors.
- Graduation Stoles Graduation stoles and sashes symbolizing academic achievements and affiliations, available in 14 colors with options for custom text, logos, and flag designs including Greek life and heritage representations.
- Diploma Cases Leather-style diploma covers and cases for presenting graduation diplomas, available in multiple colors for individual graduates.
- Confirmation Gowns Church confirmation gowns and robes for religious ceremonies, including clergy vestments and choir stoles for religious institutions and confirmands.
- Graduation Gifts Personalized graduation gifts including custom blankets, tumblers, mugs, and tapestries featuring graduation themes for graduates, parents, and gift-givers.
- Flag Stoles Heritage flag stoles celebrating graduates' cultural backgrounds, featuring dual-country flag designs for international students, first-generation graduates, and graduates representing their heritage during commencement.
- Custom School Packages Customized school-specific graduation package programs allowing schools and educational organizations to offer branded cap and gown packages with school logos, tiered volume pricing from $29.95 to $24.95 per package, and direct-to-student shipping, eliminating the school's individual gown distribution logistics.
- Doctoral Tams 8-sided velvet doctoral tams for faculty and doctoral graduates, featuring adjustable velcro closures and gold or silver tassels, available from $27.95 USD.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free shipping on orders over $150
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cap and Gown Direct
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cap and Gown Direct technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Cap and Gown Direct partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- GovXminorPartnership with GovX ID verification platform to offer military and first responder discounts. Current and former U.S. military, military spouses/dependents, and first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS) can verify their affiliation and receive 10% off through single-use discount codes.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform provider powering the Cap and Gown Direct online store, including product catalog, shopping cart, checkout, and order management capabilities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cap and Gown Direct competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Etsy: Marketplace with numerous independent sellers offering custom graduation stoles, flag stoles, and personalized regalia accessories. Competes on the same custom-stole niche as Cap and Gown Direct, particularly for Greek and heritage flag stoles.
- Zazzle: Custom-print marketplace with personalized graduation products including stoles, announcements, and gifts. Comparable on the custom/printable product mechanics that Cap and Gown Direct uses for personalized stoles and gift items.
- CustomInk: Custom apparel printing platform serving groups, Greek organizations, and schools. Comparable on custom printing capabilities relevant to stoles and Greek-letter regalia, though broader in apparel category.
Direct peers
- Balfour: Graduation products retailer specializing in class rings, announcements, and regalia with both institutional and consumer channels. Comparable to Cap and Gown Direct across stoles, announcements, and school partnership programs.
- Jostens: Major incumbent in graduation products (regalia, class rings, announcements, yearbooks) with strong institutional relationships across US high schools and colleges. Competes head-on with Cap and Gown Direct's school package and custom regalia programs.
- Graduation Source: Online specialty retailer of graduation regalia, stoles, and accessories with similar D2C positioning and product breadth. Directly comparable in target customer (individual graduates and small schools), price points, and Shopify-style e-commerce model.
- Herff Jones: One of the largest US graduation regalia and class-ring suppliers, with deeply embedded exclusive contracts at many high schools and universities. Directly competes with Cap and Gown Direct in caps, gowns, stoles, and announcements, and sets the institutional pricing baseline that Cap and Gown Direct undercuts.
- GradShop: Online retailer focused on graduation caps, gowns, and accessories at value price points. Directly comparable D2C value-positioning, product assortment (kinder through doctoral), and target buyer (price-sensitive graduates and parents).
- Oak Hall: Long-standing specialty cap and gown manufacturer and retailer operating since 1889, selling directly to consumers and institutions. Closely comparable to Cap and Gown Direct in product mix (caps, gowns, hoods, stoles) and in serving both individual graduates and schools.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon: Mass-market e-commerce platform listing thousands of cap and gown sets, stoles, and graduation accessories. Not specialized in regalia but exerts constant pricing pressure on the standard polyester sets that anchor Cap and Gown Direct's catalog.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cap and Gown Direct social profiles
Digital presenceCap and Gown Direct financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cap and Gown Direct leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cap and Gown Direct funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cap and Gown Direct M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cap and Gown Direct
What does Cap and Gown Direct do?
Cap and Gown Direct is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer that designs, produces, and sells graduation caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, diploma cases, doctoral and master's regalia, confirmation robes, and personalized graduation gifts. Products cover every academic level from kindergarten through doctoral programs and are offered in multiple colors, finishes, and size ranges. The company also operates a custom school package program that creates branded ordering pages for schools and bulk orders with tiered volume pricing.
Is Cap and Gown Direct a public or private company?
Cap and Gown Direct is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cap and Gown Direct founded?
Cap and Gown Direct was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cap and Gown Direct based?
Cap and Gown Direct is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cap and Gown Direct make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Academic Regalia Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom/Personalized Items and school Package Programs.
Who are Cap and Gown Direct's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Etsy, Zazzle and CustomInk. Direct peers are Balfour, Jostens, Graduation Source, Herff Jones, GradShop and Oak Hall. Amazon is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Cap and Gown Direct have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cap and Gown Direct.
What industry is Cap and Gown Direct in?
Cap and Gown Direct's product category is Academic Regalia. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAGAGAG, Special-Occasion & Formalwear Department Stores, with a secondary code of CRAAAJAE, Hats, Caps & Headwear. Its NAICS code is 458110 and its SIC code is 5600.