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There's a proper buzz to riding a board you designed yourself. Not a graphic picked off a shelf, but something you painted, drew, or built to your own spec. A custom skateboard isn't just about the artwork either. The trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware you choose all affect how the finished board actually rides.
This guide walks through the whole process, from picking a blank deck through to rolling away on a board you built yourself.
Complete skateboards are the easiest way to start skating, and there's nothing wrong with grabbing one off the shelf. But once you know what you like, building your own has a few advantages a complete can't offer.
First, you get a graphic nobody else has. Whether that's your own artwork, a mate's design, or something you've drawn yourself, a custom deck feels personal in a way a factory graphic never quite does.
Second, you control the spec. Rather than accepting whatever trucks and wheels came bundled with a complete, you choose components that suit how you actually ride. Want softer wheels because your local spot is rough tarmac? Fine. Prefer a specific truck brand because of how it turns? Also fine.
Third, it's a genuinely useful skill. Once you've built one board from parts, you'll understand your setup properly, and that makes future repairs and upgrades far less daunting.
The trade-off is time and a bit of trial and error, particularly if it's your first build. That's fine. Nobody's first custom board is their best one.
A blank skateboard deck is exactly what it sounds like: a plain, unprinted deck ready for grip tape, paint, or your own artwork. It's the natural starting point for most custom builds because you're not working around an existing graphic.
Blank decks are also usually cheaper than pro or graphic decks, which makes sense if you're planning to cover most of it in paint or grip tape anyway. Our range of blank skateboard decks comes in the standard width options you'd expect from any deck, so sizing works the same way as buying a normal deck. Most decks run 28-33 inches long and are pressed from maple, so a blank behaves exactly like any other deck once it's built up.
If you'd rather skip picking components separately, our custom skateboard build kits let you choose a deck alongside trucks, wheels, bearings and hardware in one go. It's a good middle ground if you want a custom board but don't want to research every part individually.
Same rules apply as any other skateboard. Deck width is personal, but as a general starting point:
Wider decks feel steadier but are heavier to flip. Narrower decks are lighter and pop more easily but offer less foot room. If in doubt, an 8.0 inch blank deck is a safe place to start.
This is the part most guides focus on, and it's the most fun bit of the process. A few practical points worth knowing before you start:
Prep the surface first. Most blank decks have a raw or lightly sealed wood surface. A light sand can help paint grip better, though check your deck's finish before doing this, as some come pre-sealed.
Choose paint suited to wood. Acrylic paint is the most common choice for hand-painted decks because it's affordable, dries quickly, and holds colour well. Paint pens work nicely for detail and linework. Spray paint is an option too, but needs good ventilation and a steady hand for clean coats.
Seal your artwork. Once the paint is fully dry, a clear varnish or sealant protects the graphic from scuffs, moisture and general wear from being ridden and knocked about.
Not confident freehand? You don't need to be an artist to get a good result. Stencils, tape lines for geometric patterns, and paint pens for simple text or shapes all give a clean finish without needing to draw freehand. Our skateboard art kits are a straightforward way to get started if you'd rather not source paints and tools separately.
Keep grip tape in mind while you design. The top of the deck under the grip won't be visible once it's applied, so plan your artwork around the deck's edges and underside if that's the part you want on show.
Once the deck's sorted, the rest of the build determines how the board actually rides.
Trucks need to match your deck width. As a rough guide:
| Deck width | Truck size |
|---|---|
| 7.75 inch | 5.0 inch |
| 8.0 inch | 5.25 inch |
| 8.25 inch | 5.5 inch |
| 8.5 inch | 5.75 inch |
Different brands label sizing slightly differently, so it's worth checking the "for deck size" filter when browsing skateboard trucks. Our skateboard trucks size guide covers this in more detail if you want to double-check before buying.
Wheels come down to where you're riding. Harder wheels suit skateparks and smooth street spots. Softer wheels roll better over rough pavements and cracked tarmac. Bigger wheels roll faster and smoother over rough ground; smaller wheels are lighter and more responsive for tricks.
Bearings are a standard 608 size across almost all skateboards, and you'll need eight of them, so a single standard pack covers one board.
Hardware (the nuts and bolts that hold trucks to the deck) needs to match whether you're using risers. No riser usually means 7/8 inch to 1 inch bolts; a 1/4 inch riser needs roughly 1.25 inch bolts. Our skateboard hardware range covers the common lengths.
Once you've got your painted deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip tape and hardware, assembly follows the same steps as building any complete skateboard.
Our full how to assemble a skateboard guide covers each step properly, and our how to apply grip tape to a skateboard deck guide is worth a read before you start, since a clean grip job makes a real difference to the finished look.
If it's your first custom build, keep it manageable. A single bold colour with a simple painted logo or initials looks sharp and doesn't need advanced technique. Tape-off geometric patterns are another good beginner option, since straight lines are more forgiving than freehand art.
More experienced riders or confident artists might go for a full hand-painted scene, layered stencil work, or a design that wraps around the edges of the deck rather than staying flat on top.
Either way, the specs matter as much as the artwork. A beautifully painted deck with mismatched trucks or the wrong bearings still won't ride well, so don't let the creative side get in the way of getting the build itself right.
A hand-finished deck needs a bit more care than a factory graphic. Keep it dry where possible, since moisture can lift paint or damage the wood over time. Avoid leaving it in direct sun for long periods, as this can fade colours. A light coat of sealant every so often helps protect the design from general wear.
If the grip tape starts lifting at the edges, sort it early rather than letting it peel further, as loose grip can affect your footing.
Can I design my own skateboard deck at Skatewarehouse? Yes. Start with a blank deck from our range and paint or draw your own design, or use a custom skateboard build kit to choose your deck alongside trucks, wheels and hardware in one go.
What paint should I use to design a skateboard? Acrylic paint is the most popular choice for hand-painted decks, as it's affordable and dries quickly. Paint pens work well for detail work, and spray paint is an option if you have good ventilation. Seal the finished design with a clear varnish once it's dry.
Do I need a printed graphic or can I use a blank deck? You don't need a printed graphic at all. A blank deck is actually the better starting point for a custom build, since you're not working around an existing design.
What size blank deck should I choose for a custom build? It depends on your riding style and experience, but 8.0 inch is a solid middle ground for most teen and adult riders. Narrower decks around 7.75 inch suit technical street riding, while 8.25 inch and up suits park riding or riders who prefer more stability.
How much does it cost to build a custom skateboard? Costs vary depending on the components you choose, but building your own generally costs a similar amount to a mid-range complete skateboard, sometimes a little more if you buy premium trucks or wheels separately. Blank decks are often cheaper than graphic decks, which helps offset the cost of paint and hardware.
Can beginners build their own custom skateboard? Yes. If you're new to building, a custom skateboard build kit takes the guesswork out of matching trucks, wheels and hardware to your deck. Keep the artwork simple with a stencil or tape-off design if you're not confident painting freehand.
A custom skateboard is one of the most satisfying ways to end up with a board that's genuinely yours, both in how it looks and how it rides. Start with a blank deck or a build kit, take your time on the design, and choose components that actually suit how and where you skate. Browse our blank skateboard decks and custom skateboard build kits to get started.
