How to Design a Skate Deck Graphic

Skate decks are for more than performing a killer trick run. Decks are also used to show off the personality of the skater who owns them. Decks can be purchased with premade graphics or a skater can design his own. Creating your own graphic will give your deck a unique look that grabs the attention of spectators and other skaters. Design a graphic that revolves around your interests, both as a skater as well as outside hobbies and translate this design onto your deck

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Skate deck
  • Tape Measure
  • Pen
  • Spray paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate reference photos of skateboards with custom graphics painted onto the deck. These will give you inspiration as you design your own graphic. SkateWarehouse.com features decks designed by several skate companies. Use these decks as a guide when designing your graphic.

    • 2

      Sketch out your deck graphic on a standard sheet of paper. If you own a computer-drawing program such as Corel Paint Shop, you can create the graphic on your PC. Remember that your image should be designed around the dimensions of a skate deck.

    • 3

      Trace over the lines in your graphic with a colored pen or marker. Fill in the graphic with additional colors keeping the overall graphic bold enough that it can easily be seen while skating. Add additional details or markings as you see fit.

    • 4

      Measure the skate deck on which you will transfer your skate graphic once it has been designed. Draw the deck to scale or trace it onto a long sheet of paper.

    • 5

      Redraw your symbol onto the deck outline. This is where you will learn if you need to crop out portions of the graphic to fit the deck or if there are other changes you may need. Do not worry about coloring in this image as it is used only to compare scale.

    • 6

      Transfer your graphic from paper onto your deck. Use a pencil to sketch out the graphic onto the wood of your deck. Don't press too hard as it may damage the wood.

    • 7

      Tape off areas of your deck one section at a time and use spray paint to fill in the color. Repeat until your graphic is on the board.