Skateboard Grip Tape Ideas

Every skateboard needs grip tape. Grip tape covers the top surface of your board, making it easier to stay on top of it and providing more control for pumping, performing tricks and rolling around. While most skateboarders stick with simple, plain black grip tape, you can personalize your grip tape without compromising the control it provides in several ways.

  1. Color Varieties

    • When you buy a complete skateboard, it normally has grip tape applied to it already. However, if you build your own board by compiling different parts, you can opt for more interesting grip tape surfaces. Grip tape is available in a variety of colors including blue, green, hot pink, camouflage, white and red. Performance of these grip tapes should be similar to that of traditional black grip.

    Cutouts

    • You can cut logos into your grip tape with a razor and a metal straight edge. This process is a little bit dangerous, so make sure you are careful with the razor. Once you cut a shape into the grip, peel the tap out of the shape to reveal the wood underneath. The best area for cutout placement is the middle of the board, as you rely less on this area when performing tricks or landing large jumps.

    Stencils

    • If you are not sure about cutting up your tape, cut logos and designs into a piece of construction paper and then use the paper as a stencil to spray-paint your board. This is an excellent method for adding a little color to black grip or making intricate designs that you could not necessarily pull off directly cutting into the grip. Spray paint is hard to come by in some cities, and you may need to ask your parents for help in purchasing some for this purpose.

    Personalization

    • The only true rule of skateboard customization is that it has to reflect your personality. Carve or paint the name of your favorite band into the grip tape, or stencil it up with logos of skateboarding companies that you support. Add an arrow or message alerting you to which way your board should be facing or try carving a self-portrait directly into the grip. No matter what you choose to do, make sure there's enough tape left over to keep you safe on the board.