Grip
Custom Griptape
Full-grit traction with the artwork printed underneath. Sold as a standalone sheet — lay it on a deck you already ride or pair it with a new Archangel board.
Decks With Grip Applied
Every deck can be ordered as a Deck + Griptape or as a Complete with trucks and wheels. The grip applied at production is standard black griptape; the custom printed sheet is sold separately and can be installed at home or by any local shop.
Standard Grit, Printed Surface
The graphic is printed below the abrasive layer, so a printed sheet grips exactly like a plain one. What changes is how the board looks when you flip it — most skaters only ever see the underside of someone else's deck, so the top is the surface you live with.
Sheet Dimensions
Sheets are cut at 9 x 33 inches, which covers any deck from 7.75 up to 8.5 inches with room to trim. Trim the perimeter with a blade against a file for a clean edge.
How to Apply Griptape
- Clean the deck. Wipe the top surface — dust under the adhesive becomes a permanent bump.
- Peel and align. Remove the backing and float the sheet over the deck before it touches. Line up the nose first.
- Press outward. Set it down from the centre and push toward the edges, working air out as you go rather than trapping it.
- Score the edge. Run a file or an old blade along the perimeter until a white outline appears — that line is your cutting guide.
- Trim and burnish. Cut from underneath along the scored line, then rub the offcut around the edge to knock down the burr.
Common Questions
Does custom griptape wear out faster than plain griptape?+
No. The print sits beneath the grit layer, so the abrasive surface is unchanged. The graphic fades where your shoes make contact most — the same way any griptape shows a wear pattern.
Will custom griptape still grip properly?+
Yes. We use standard-grit tape, so traction is the same as a plain black sheet. Printing changes the appearance, not the abrasive.
How do I apply griptape without bubbles?+
Lay the sheet down from the centre outward, press along the nose and tail first, then work the edges. File the perimeter with the edge of an old blade or a file before trimming, and use the offcut to burnish the border.
Can I get griptape pre-applied?+
Yes — decks ship with standard black griptape already installed, so the board arrives ready to mount trucks on. The custom printed sheet is sold separately and can be laid over your deck whenever you want the graphic.
More on the boards themselves in skateboard deck art.