Engraved vs Printed Skateboards, A Thoughtful Comparison
If you are looking for a skateboard, for yourself or for your child, you will quickly notice that most boards use printed graphics. Engraved skateboards are less common, which often raises questions.
Both printed and engraved skateboard decks have their place in skate culture. This page explains the difference, so you can make a choice that feels right for how the board will be used.
If you are new to engraved decks, you may also want to read our guide on what engraved skateboards are and how they work.
How printed skateboard graphics work
Printed skateboard graphics are applied on top of the wood. They are usually screen printed or heat transferred onto the deck.
This method allows for:
- Bright colors
- High contrast artwork
- Bold, expressive designs
Printed graphics are the standard in skateboarding. They look great out of the box and are designed to be used, scraped, and eventually replaced.
With regular skating, especially boardslides, the graphic will wear away over time. That wear is part of traditional skate culture.
How engraved skateboard graphics work
Engraved skateboard graphics are created in a different way. Instead of printing on top of the wood, the design is engraved directly into the deck using laser engraving.
The graphic is cut into the surface of the wood, becoming part of the board itself.
This results in:
- A more natural, understated look
- Subtle variation in every deck due to wood grain
- A graphic that is not applied, but integrated
Each engraved skateboard is made one by one. No two boards are ever exactly the same.
Durability and how graphics age over time
All skateboards wear with use. Wood gets scratched, edges get damaged, and decks eventually need replacing.
The difference lies in how the graphic ages.
Printed graphics sit on top of the deck. After boardslides and regular skating, they often fade or disappear completely.
Engraved graphics age differently. Because the design is cut into the wood, it usually stays visible much longer, even after use. Boardslides will still mark the deck, but the engraved lines do not simply wipe away.
Engraving does not make a board indestructible, but it does mean the graphic remains readable and present for longer. This makes engraved boards especially interesting when a skateboard is meant to last, or when it is chosen as a gift.
Read our guide on choosing a skateboard as a gift →
Look and feeling
Printed and engraved skateboards also feel very different visually.
Printed graphics are often:
- Loud
- Colourful
- Expressive
Engraved graphics are:
- Calm
- Natural
- More subtle
This makes engraved skateboards well suited for children’s rooms, interiors, or display, while still remaining real, rideable skateboards.
Many parents choose engraved boards because they feel less like a toy, and more like something that belongs in their home.
When to choose printed or engraved
Both options are valid. The right choice depends on how the board will be used.
Choose a printed skateboard if:
- You prefer bold, colorful graphics
- The board will be skated hard and replaced often
- Visual wear is part of the appeal
Choose an engraved skateboard if:
- You want something personal or custom
- The board is a gift for a child
- You value longevity of the design
- The board may be used both for skating and display
If size plays a role in your decision, our skateboard size guide explains which deck sizes work best for kids, teens, and adults.
Why we chose engraving at Engraved Skateboards
At Engraved Skateboards, we love skate culture. But we also wanted to offer something different.
We chose engraving to create calmer, more considered designs. Boards with character and stories, not just surface graphics, especially for kids and families who are looking for something meaningful, personal, and long-lasting.
Every board we make is engraved on demand, one by one.
Made to ride. Chosen to display.