Jostens: The Controversies Behind the Company

At a class meeting in August, Ballard’s senior class was made aware that it is time to order caps and gowns. However, most left the Fine Arts Center that day unaware that they would soon be expected to drop more than fifty dollars on a cap and gown from a company that has been repeatedly accused of deceptive pricing and unethical labor practices among other allegations.

Exorbitant Prices

The absolute cheapest option for a Ballard student to purchase a cap and gown from Jostens is $61.24. Their website initially claims that a cap and gown only costs $50, an already steep price, but upon checkout Jostens adds a $7.94 service and delivery fee. So, with tax also included, a student can actually expect to pay $61.24. This is despite the fact that caps and gowns are sold on Amazon and through other retailers at a price consistently around $20.

Additionally, their website is deceptive and easily tricks students into spending more than the already outrageous $61.24. When going to the graduation tab on their website, it appears as though caps and gowns are only sold in packages, the cheapest of which initially appears to be $301.90, but with added service fees, delivery, and tax is actually $336.67. Students may think that this is the cheapest option if they want a graduation cap and gown.

You must scroll all the way to the bottom of the graduation page and press “Shop All Graduation Products” in order to see the exact same page, but with cheaper packages offered at the bottom. This time, the cheapest package is the Basic Package, which is advertised as $102.90 but is $125.73 with added fees. But, this too is not the last page of options.

To find a plain cap and gown without unnecessary accessories, you must scroll to nearly the bottom of this page, where in between rows of apparel options is the link to then purchase only a cap and gown. This link is so hidden that a post had to be made in the Class of 2025 Google Classroom explaining that students do not have to purchase accessories and linking the hidden page. You can purchase only the cap and gown here.

If you do choose to purchase a package with your cap and gown, you can expect exorbitant prices on the additional products as well. For example, 25 paper announcement cards are priced at $46. T-shirts vary in price, but are around $30. A pair of shorts is $36.80. A souvenir tassel—string with a small metal clamp—is priced at $20.70.

But, all Ballard students walking at graduation must have a Jostens cap and gown, meaning each student is expected to pay at least $61.24. So, despite the fact that Ballard is a public high school, graduation is behind a paywall that many students will struggle to afford.

Controversial Labor

In 2002, A high school student in Portland whose school used Jostens caps and gowns published an article recounting their discovery that Jostens uses prison labor to produce caps and gowns. Prison labor is often extremely cheap and has relaxed restrictions, leading many to regard it as unethical.

When the student confronted Jostens with these issues, Jostens assured that their caps and gowns are no longer made in prisons, and that all labor had been moved to Mexico. This too, however, was problematic. Mexican labor is often cheap, loosely regulated, and in a place where unions are suppressed. Therefore, it seemed like Jostens was still unconcerned with the ethics of their labor.

Many years have passed since this article was published and it is now unclear where Jostens sources their labor, but Jostens still finds themselves in hot water with their employees.

In 2021, a lawsuit was filed against Jostens claiming that Jostens failed to pay proper wages. Barry Reaves, a factory worker for Jostens, claimed that Jostens required workers to perform “preparatory work activities” before their shifts started which included operating binders, machines, and presses. Reaves alleged that Jostens did not pay workers for this required pre-shift work. Jostens denied these allegations.

This begs the question: were the caps and gowns Ballard students will wear at graduation made by unpaid labor? This lawsuit suggests they may be.

PTSA Contract

In order to sell caps and gowns, Jostens has a contract with Ballard’s PTSA. This contract reveals that the PTSA is being compensated financially for using Jostens. So, every cap and gown bought through Jostens provides some kickback to the PTSA.

While this may sound like something to celebrate, it also raises further concerns about Jostens.

The purpose of a PTSA is to build community and improve the school experience for students, staff, and parents. However, requiring students to spend unnecessary amounts of money in order to graduate seems to work against these goals and puts strain on Ballard families who may be struggling financially.

Additionally, given that the PTSA receives a kickback, Ballard’s deal with Jostens seems to be a fundraiser. While fundraisers in themselves may not raise ethical issues, a required fundraiser does. Since Ballard students must purchase from Jostens to graduate, this fundraiser is absolutely forced. Especially in a public school, students should not be forced to participate in any fundraiser. It is not a student’s responsibility to raise money for Ballard.