Screen printing is a great way to create designed skateboards that look professional and can be customized however you want. In this blog post, we will show you how to screen print skateboards. This is a great way to add some personalization and customization to your boards, and it’s also a lot of fun! We’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you can start printing your own boards today. Let’s get started!
Screen printing is one of the oldest methods for printing graphics on fabric, paper, and other surfaces. It’s made by placing ink on a screen that has been stretched across a frame. The screen is then sealed with varnish to protect it from spills, creating crisp images.
Required Materials
- Skateboard decks
- Screen printing ink
- Screen printing frames
- Squeegees
- Screens
- Palettes
How to Screen Print Skateboards Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Create Your Design
If you want to create your design, start sketching out your idea on paper. Once you have a rough idea of what you want, use a software program like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to create a more refined version of your design. If you don’t have access to Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, there are several free online design programs that you can use. A few popular options include Canva, Inkscape, and GIMP.
When creating your design, make sure to keep in mind the dimensions of a skateboard deck. Your design should be around 28″ x 8″ in size. The other dimensions of a skateboard deck are 8.5″ in width and 32″ in length.
Step 2: Make a Digital Print
Once you have finished creating your design, you will need to make a digital print. To do this, you will need to create a file that is the size of a skateboard deck (28″ x 8″). To generate this file, open your design program and create a new 28″ wide and 8″ high document. Make sure to select the “Print” option in your program so that the document prints at the correct size.
Using Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, you can easily create a digital print of your design by selecting the “Print with Preview” option. This will allow you to see how your design will look when printed on a skateboard deck.
Next, you will need to save your file as a JPEG. If how to screenprint skateboards is how you want it to look when printed on paper, then most likely, the filename should end with the extension “pdf.” However, if how to screenprint skateboards how you want them to look when printed on a skateboard deck, then most likely, the filename should end with the extension “jpg.”
Step 3: Coat the Deck
To coat the skateboard deck, you will need a spray adhesive. This will help the ink stick to the surface of the deck. Make sure to coat the entire surface of the deck lightly, and hold the can 8-12 inches away from the deck. Then, wait about 10 minutes for everything to dry and harden.
Step 4: Transfer Your Design to the Board
Now, you need to take the transparency sheet with your design on it and place it face down on your deck. Make sure that there is no dust or dirt on the surface of your deck because this could be transferred onto the transparency sheet. And if this happens, then when you try to print your design, it will turn out muddy and unclear.
Once you have laid your transparency sheet down on the deck, use a roller to transfer your design onto the board. A rubber brayer works very well for this because it has a nice soft rubber surface and will not damage or tear your transparency sheet. You can buy a rubber brayer from an art supply store or online at places like Amazon.com or DickBlick.com for around $10-$20.
Step 5: Finalize the Design
Depending on how much pressure you apply to the roller, the roller can cause some small wrinkles or even creases in your design. To avoid this, use a light touch with the roller and not exert too much pressure. When you do your final printout, these wrinkles will show up on the transfer sheet, so be careful that you do not scratch through any of your artwork. To avoid these wrinkles, take care that nothing is pressing against its back before applying all of your weight onto it.
Step 6: Apply the Design to the Board
To apply the design to the board, take your transparency sheet with your design printed on it and peel it back. Then, place this onto the surface of your deck where you want it printed. Make sure that all of the areas that are supposed to be printed are touching the board’s surface. If you create any air bubbles while doing this, take a hard card and press it down onto the surface to push out all of the trapped air. Then, use a roller to apply firm and even pressure on the entire area where your design is printed.
Step 7: Use Your Screen Printing Kit
Now that you have applied your transfer sheet to the skateboard deck, you are ready to pull the screen printing kit out. Open up your two-part photo emulsion and mix it thoroughly to activate it. Then, pour some of this onto the surface of the board where you want to print. You can use a squeegee or trowel to spread this evenly across the surface of the board, making sure that all of the areas where you want to print are covered.
Step 8: Let It Dry and Harden
Now, let the emulsion dry and harden before attempting to pull your screen. This will take approximately 20 minutes or so, depending on how thickly you apply it on the surface of the board. If you use too much of this emulsion, then the screen print will be muddied and unclear. So make sure to follow exactly how much of it is needed.
Once the film has dried, use an X-Acto knife or silicon carbide sandpaper to remove the excess film from around your design. This does not have to be 100% perfect because it will be removed in the next step.
Step 9: Pull Your Screen
This is how you pull your screen with the emulsion still on it. Use a squeegee to peel back the screen to transfer all of your artwork onto it. Once again, apply even and firm pressure across your entire design when pulling the screen. This will keep it clean and straightforward once you pull the screen print. If you want to know more about keep reading how to screen print skateboards.
Step 10: Let It Dry Again & Wash Your Screen
Once you have pulled your design onto the squeegee, let it dry with the film still on there for about 15 minutes or so. Then take an X-Acto Knife and scrape off all of the excess films from around your design. This excess film is not necessary and will make the ink run if you put it onto your print.
After all of this, please take a few paper towels and pour some acetone onto them. Then, scrub the screen with these towels until all of the emulsion has been removed and the grunge has been lifted up. This is how you wash your screen so that it is ready to be used again for another print.
You Can Check It Out to Protect Skateboard Graphics
Step 11: Now Enjoy Your New Board
Finally, after all of these steps, you can enjoy your new skateboard! Show off your new screenprint to all of your friends and be proud of your handiwork. Keep this in mind: if your design is too light, you can always print it again next time and make sure that there are no smudges or air bubbles.
Keep reading for more information about how to screen print skateboards.
Frequently Asked Question
What Is the Best Way to Screen Print a Skateboard?
Screen printing is a great way to add graphics and designs to skateboards. There are a few different ways to screen print a skateboard, but using a silkscreen press is the best way to do it. A silkscreen press is a machine that applies pressure to the screen and transfers the ink to the substrate. It is important to use a silkscreen press when printing skateboards because it will ensure that the ink is applied evenly and correctly.
How Do You Screen Print a Skateboard?
There are a few different ways to screen print a skateboard, but using a silkscreen press is the best way to do it. A silkscreen press is a machine that applies pressure to the screen and transfers the ink to the substrate. It is important to use a silkscreen press when printing skateboards because it will ensure that the ink is applied evenly and correctly.
What Are the Advantages of Screen Printing Over Other Methods of Printing Skateboards?
Screen printing is a great way to add graphics and designs to skateboards. It is a method of printing that applies pressure to the screen and transfers the ink to the substrate. It is important to use a silkscreen press when printing skateboards because it will ensure that the ink is applied evenly and correctly. Screen printing is the best way to print skateboards because it is an affordable, efficient, and easy-to-use method.
Is There Any Better Way Than Using Traditional Methods to Make a Custom-designed Skateboard?
There is no better way to make a custom-designed skateboard than by using traditional methods. Screen printing is a great way to add graphics and designs to skateboards, and it is important to use a silkscreen press when printing skateboards to ensure that the ink is applied evenly and correctly.
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Custom-designed Skateboard, and How Long Will It Take to Produce One?
It typically costs between $50 and $100 to make a custom-designed skateboard, and it will usually take between two and four weeks to produce one.
Conclusion
Get in on the action and start screen printing your own skateboards! You can do it at home with a few materials or find an affordable machine to use. Anyone who has ever wanted to design their own board will love this creative outlet for expression, but you don’t have to be an artist-level talent if you want people’s boards to look good.
If you know someone who loves skating as much as we do, get them involved too so they can help out with all of the tedious work that goes into creating one-of-a-kind designs just for them. Thanks for reading our post about how to screen print skateboards.
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