Diploma Props for Film & TV — Camera-Ready in Any Shot
A diploma prop has to hold up under studio lighting, survive multiple takes without dog-earing, and be ready same-day if a script revision changes the school name or date at the last minute. A diploma prop from Diploma Company is custom-printed on heavyweight parchment — any fictional school, any degree title, any graduation date the script requires — and reviewed by you before anything ships.
What a diploma prop is — and isn’t
A diploma prop is a custom-printed replica built to read as authentic on camera: a real school name or a fictional one written into the script, a degree title, a graduation date, and a layout matched to the era or setting of the production. It is not an official academic credential and isn’t issued by any real school unless a production is recreating a real diploma with permission. Diploma props are intended for use within a production — on set, in a scene, as part of the story — and should never be presented outside that context as a genuine document. See our Usage Policy for full detail on appropriate use.
Why productions order diploma props
- Medical drama. A framed diploma on the wall behind the attending physician’s desk.
- Legal thriller. A law school diploma in the senior partner’s office.
- Graduation episode. A prop diploma for the scene where the character walks the stage.
- Comedy. A deliberately absurd or exaggerated diploma written for a punchline.
- Period piece. Graduation date, layout, and typography matched to the era.
- Documentary-style productions. Background documents built to read as authentic office or institutional set dressing.
How we help
Every field is editable — school name (real or fictional), recipient name, degree title, graduation date, and signatory titles — with a free digital proof so your production team confirms every detail before anything is printed. Digital delivery is available the same day, so a late script revision doesn’t hold up your shoot date.
What’s included with every diploma prop
Free digital proof
Confirm every field — school, name, date, signatories — before it prints.
Same-day digital delivery
A late script revision doesn’t have to hold up your shoot date.
Digital + physical options
Get an instant digital file for backup reprints, a printed copy on heavyweight parchment for hero shots, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I specify a fictional school name for a production?
Yes. Every field — school name, degree title, graduation date, and signatory names — is fully editable, whether you’re recreating a real institution’s general style or inventing one entirely for the script.
Are diploma props legal to use in film and TV productions?
Yes. Novelty diploma props are legal to produce and use as set dressing or on-camera props. They should be used within the context of the production and not presented outside it as a genuine credential. See our Usage Policy for full detail.
How many copies should I order for a shoot?
The digital PDF is included with every order and works as a backup for same-day reprints if a physical copy is damaged on set. For physical props, most productions order two to four copies per featured angle — one for rehearsal, one for principal photography, and one or two backups. A single copy is usually enough for wide shots where text isn’t legible; close-up or hero shots benefit from multiples.
What’s the turnaround for a tight shoot date?
Digital delivery is typically available the same day your proof is approved, so same-day production is possible when a schedule is tight. Physical orders ship free within the US with free Ground shipping in 3–5 business days, with overnight shipping available at checkout.
Can you accommodate last-minute script revisions?
Yes. Because the digital proof and PDF delivery are available the same day, a late change to a school name, date, or degree title can usually be turned around without delaying your shoo
Will the diploma hold up under studio lighting and repeated takes?
Diploma props are printed on the same heavyweight, acid-free parchment used for our standard diplomas, with a layout and seal designed to read clearly under studio lighting and hold up through multiple takes without creasing or dog-earing.
Ready to build your prop?
Set every field for your script, review it for free, and get it delivered digitally same-day or printed on premium parchment.