How to Make Griptape Art

Skateboarding, at its most basic level, is about personal expression and creativity, and many skateboarders show their artistic side not only through their skating, but also through grip tape art. Complete your personal skateboarding image by making the most important part of skateboarding -- your board -- a unique expression of your creativity and passion for skating.

Things You'll Need

  • Clear packing tape
  • Permanent marker
  • Razor or other sharp, fine-point knife
  • Grip tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a piece of clear packing tape large enough for the image you want to display on your board. If needed, stick multiple pieces of tape together to make a sheet. The design should be no longer or wide than your board, or you will end up cutting your grip tape in half.

    • 2

      Draw your design on the sticky side of the packing tape sheet using a permanent marker. Color in any parts that need to be cut out and leave other parts blank. This will help you determine where to cut the tape.

    • 3

      Lay the grip tape sheet over your design, sticking the clear packing tape to the brown cover on the bottom of your sheet of grip tape. Make sure that your design is set in the right place on the tape, as this will affect where it is placed on the board.

    • 4

      Cut out your design using a sharp fine-point knife. Remove any pieces that stick in place and make sure that you don't accidentally cut the tape in half. It is not easy to attach grip tape to a skateboard in two pieces.

    • 5

      Remove the brown backing from the grip tape sheet and center the tape over the top of your board. Press the adhesive side of the grip tape onto the board firmly. Be sure any small parts of your design do not stick up off the board or you will tear them off when trying to skate and do tricks.