How to Design Your Own Deck for Skateboards

After bursting onto the scene in the 1950s as a way to "surf on land," skateboards have changed tremendously. From their shapes to their trucks and wheels, graphics, durability and function, skateboards have come a long way since the original prototype. It's possible for anybody to design their own skateboard deck any way they choose, using a variety of methods.

Things You'll Need

  • Blank skateboard
  • Enamel paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Clear coat enamel
  • Sketch pad
  • Graphite paper
  • Tape
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Instructions

  1. Designing Blank Skateboard Decks

    • 1

      Sketch some drafts of the images and graphics you want to see on the bottom of your skateboard deck. Use computer software like Adobe Photoshop and print your image out if you would rather not draw your design by hand.

    • 2

      Pick the design you want to use and take it to a print shop. Get your sketch enlarged to the appropriate size onto a bigger piece of paper about the size of your skateboard deck.

    • 3

      Take a piece of graphite paper of the same size, and place it over the bottom of your skateboard deck. Use tape to secure it in place. Align your paper with the design on it over top of the graphite paper in the position you want. Use tape to secure that paper as well.

    • 4

      Use a pencil to trace over your design, effectively transferring it from the graphite paper to the blank skateboard deck.

    • 5

      Color your graphics using enamel paint and a paintbrush. Thicken your outlines and apply thin layers of paint, allowing some time to dry between applications, until the coat is sufficiently thick. Allow the paint to completely dry.

    • 6

      Apply three to four thin layers of clear coat enamel, allowing time to dry between each application. Allow 24 hours for your skateboard deck design to completely dry before assembling the parts and taking it to the streets.