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Reissue and collector skateboard decks sit in an odd spot in skateboarding. They're still skateboard decks, built to the same shapes and specs as anything else on the wall at Skatewarehouse, but people buy them for different reasons. Some want to ride a graphic they missed the first time round. Some want a piece for the wall. Some just want the Godzilla one because it's brilliant.
This guide covers what makes a deck a genuine reissue or collector piece, walks through the Santa Cruz collabs and cult graphics people ask us about most, and covers the practical side: riding versus mounting, spotting the real thing, and looking after a deck once it's yours.
A reissue deck is a reprint of an older graphic, usually brought back because the original ran out years ago and demand never really went away. The shape and construction are current, but the artwork is pulled from the archive. Santa Cruz do this a lot, since the brand has been running since 1973 and has decades of graphics to draw from.
A collector deck is a slightly broader term. It covers reissues, but also limited runs, licensed collaborations, and graphics that were only ever made in small numbers to begin with. What makes a deck genuinely collectable usually comes down to a mix of these:
None of that means the deck is delicate or unrideable. It just means the artwork carries more weight than a standard graphic, and buyers tend to think harder before taking a grinder to it.
Santa Cruz has built a genuine reputation for licensed collaborations that go beyond a logo slapped on a blank deck. Three come up constantly with UK buyers.
Santa Cruz x Godzilla takes classic Toho artwork and puts it through Santa Cruz's screaming hand era style. It works because both brands have that same loud, slightly monstrous energy going back decades. For the background on how this pairing came together, our Godzilla vs Santa Cruz skateboards blog article covers it in more depth.
Santa Cruz x Stranger Things landed off the back of the show's Netflix run and leans into Hawkins, the Upside Down and the show's 80s setting, which sits naturally alongside Santa Cruz's own 80s skate history. Have a look at the Santa Cruz x Stranger Things collection for what's currently in stock.
Santa Cruz x Pokémon is the one we get asked about most. Yes, it's a genuine official collaboration, not a fan-made print. Santa Cruz has produced several waves of Pokémon graphics, and because Pokémon as a licence rarely partners with skate brands, these decks tend to move fast when they land. Our Pokémon x Santa Cruz official collaboration guide breaks down which versions have been released and what to look for.
Alongside the collabs, Santa Cruz's own Screaming Hand graphic deserves a mention. It's not a licensed collab, it's the brand's own icon, first drawn by artist Jim Phillips in 1985, and it's been reissued and reworked more times than almost any other skate graphic in existence. Browse Santa Cruz Screaming Hand decks to see current colourways.
Not every collector deck needs a film studio behind it. Some of the most sought-after graphics come from within skateboarding itself.
Heroin Skateboards built a cult following on deliberately strange, DIY-looking graphics that stood apart from the polished pro-model look of the late 90s and early 2000s. The Eggzilla graphic is one of the brand's most recognisable, and it still gets asked for by name years later. It's a good example of a deck that's collectable purely because of the artwork and the brand's reputation, not because of any outside licence.
Plan B has a long back catalogue of team graphics that skaters still reference, including boards like the Surfsterre. These decks tend to appeal to riders who grew up watching Plan B video parts and want a specific era of the brand on their setup, rather than whatever graphic happens to be current.
Both brands show that reissue and collector interest isn't only about licensed characters. Sometimes it's simply a graphic that never stopped mattering to the people who remember it first time round.
This is the most practical question we get asked, and the honest answer is: it depends what you want from the deck.
A reissue deck built by Santa Cruz, Heroin or Plan B today is made to the same construction as any other deck in their range, standard 7-ply maple, pressed the same way as a current stock graphic. There's nothing structurally different about a Godzilla or Pokémon graphic that makes it weaker or more fragile than a standard pro model. If you want to ride it, grip it up and ride it. That's what it's built for.
Where people hesitate is with genuinely limited runs, older stock, or graphics they know they won't be able to replace. In that case, mounting it on the wall keeps the artwork intact and lets you enjoy it without wearing the top ply down or chipping the tail. There's no wrong answer here. Plenty of collectors buy two: one to ride, one to keep.
With graphics this popular, bootleg and unlicensed prints do exist, particularly for Pokémon-related boards sold on marketplaces outside proper skate retailers. A few checks help:
If you're ever unsure whether a specific graphic is legitimate, it's worth checking directly with the shop before buying, especially for higher-value collector pieces.
If you're keeping a deck as a display piece rather than riding it, mounting it properly matters. Screwing straight into the wood or using standard picture hooks can crack the veneer or leave marks that ruin the artwork. We've put together a full walkthrough on how to mount a skateboard deck on your wall covering wall mount options that grip the deck without damaging it.
A few general care points regardless of how you display it:
Stock on reissue and collector graphics moves differently to standard decks. Licensed collabs like Pokémon and Stranger Things tend to arrive in waves and sell through quickly, while brand classics like the Screaming Hand or Heroin's Eggzilla are more consistently available. If there's a specific graphic you're after, it's worth checking in or getting in touch rather than assuming it'll always be there.
The easiest way to see what's currently in stock is to shop the full Reissue & Collectors range, or if you know you want a Santa Cruz graphic specifically, shop all Santa Cruz skateboards. For everything else, browse all skateboard decks to compare current graphics side by side.
What is a reissue skateboard deck? A reissue deck is a reprint of an older skateboard graphic, brought back on current deck shapes and construction. The artwork is pulled from a brand's archive rather than being a brand new design.
Can you actually ride a collector skateboard deck? Yes. Most reissue and collector decks are built to the same standard as any other deck in the range, so there's nothing stopping you riding one. Whether you do comes down to personal choice, especially if the graphic is limited or hard to replace.
Are Santa Cruz Godzilla and Stranger Things decks limited edition? Both have been released as official Santa Cruz collaborations, often in limited waves rather than as permanent stock graphics. Availability varies by colourway and release, so check current stock before assuming a specific version will be around long term.
Is the Santa Cruz Pokémon deck an official collaboration? Yes, Santa Cruz x Pokémon is a genuine licensed collaboration, not a fan reprint. Because Pokémon rarely partners with skate brands, these decks are in high demand and tend to sell through quickly.
How do I mount a skateboard deck on the wall without damaging it? Use a proper wall mount designed to grip the deck's edges rather than screwing directly into the wood or using standard picture hooks. Our full guide on mounting a skateboard deck on your wall covers the options in detail.
Do reissue decks ride the same as a normal deck? Yes. A reissue deck from a brand like Santa Cruz, Heroin or Plan B uses the same shapes, wood and construction as their standard range. The only difference is the graphic, not the ride.
If you're after a specific graphic or want help confirming what's currently in stock, shop the full Reissue & Collectors range or get in touch with the team.
