How to Create Your Own Deck Graphic

Skateboarders want to have their own skateboard decks to show off to their friends and competition. Decks can be purchased with pre-made graphics stamped onto the wood or you can design and transfer your own graphic onto the blank canvas of your skateboard. Deck graphics can be drawn freehand or created on your computer. You can even use multiple images and place them together to form a complete graphic. Once you have a graphic, transfer it onto your board and add color with paint to finish your custom deck.

Things You'll Need

  • Skateboard deck
  • Sand paper
  • Paper
  • Graphite paper
  • Pencil
  • Masking tape
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Clear enamel spray paint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the trucks and wheels from your deck.

    • 2

      Sand down any existing graphic on the deck using a hand sander. Start with a rough grit and move on to a fine grit after the image has been removed.

    • 3

      Measure the area on your skateboard deck that you want to place the graphic. Write the measurements down.

    • 4

      Sketch out your graphic on a sheet of paper or create one using a drawing program on your computer such as Paintbrush or Microsoft Paint. Mark the graphic with the colors you plan to use and where it will sit on your deck. The graphic should be the same size as it will appear on your deck. You may need to use multiple sheets of paper for the full image.

    • 5

      Tape a sheet of graphite paper onto the area of the deck you wish to create the graphic onto. Place your design on top of the graphite paper. Secure the two sheets onto the deck with another piece of masking tape.

    • 6

      Trace over your design with a pencil. Press down on the pencil firmly as you trace, but don't attempt to dig the pencil into the deck or you will cause damage. Trace over every line of your graphic. Remove the paper to see the image transferred onto the deck.

    • 7

      Take your deck outside or to a well ventilated area and place it on old newspapers or an old sheet.

    • 8

      Color in the graphic using acrylic paint and a paintbrush. Paint one area of your graphic at a time and allow the paint to dry fully before moving on to the next area.

    • 9

      Spray the dry image with clear enamel spray paint to protect it during skating. Reattach your trucks and wheels after the deck has completely dried.