Snowboard and Longboard Graphic Design
For those that might want to create their own custom graphic, this is a simple guide to help accomplish that. We like Illustrator for the overall layout and Photoshop for any particular individual elements or enhancements, but to each their own. We originally wrote this for snowboard graphics but for the most part this applies to longboards as well.

Illustrator vs Photoshop
While each has their different buttons, a larger apples to bananas comparison point is that Illustrator is vector based and Photoshop is raster based. Look that up if you don't know the difference and it will become a whole lot clearer on why each has strengths in different areas.

creativebloq.com comparison
digitaltutors.com comparison

Vector vs Raster
vector-conversions.com article


Dimensions - 33cm x (Board length + 10cm)
Resolution - 150 dpi or better (we do 200 dpi on all in-house graphics)
Prefered Exported File Types - .png, .jpg (highest quality possible)


Free graphics applications to help you create your designs

Gimp
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Raster based (Similar to Photoshop).

Krita
Krita is a FREE digital painting and illustration application

Inkscape

Free Graphic Software List



Board Design Tips
Here are some of the things we've learned over the years creating art for boards and dealing with the various complications.


Graphic Obstacles
- Snowboards are long, thin, with bindings and a stomp pad. These can all be problematic in your design. Avoid important graphic features where these items are placed.

Critical Placement
- Avoid art that has to be aligned perfectly. Some shifting may happen during layup and anything like center lines or edge lines will likely not be even. Plan on graphics being off by as much as an inch, then you won't get something unexpected.

Edge Cut Art
- Let the art run off the board and be cut away. Frequently we design graphics that exceed the border of the board and end up getting trimmed away. In many cases we feel this is a pleasing effect. See what you think.

Images from the Web
- When grabbing images from online here are some things to keep in mind. Search for the largest image possible. Google images has search tools to only search for "large" images. Anything small that you increase in size will be pixilated. If you submit a graphic made of tiny squares, you'll get a board with tiny squares.
- When finding pictures realize that all images are rectangular. If, for example you see a circular design, but it has a gray background, this is a part of the image. If you know graphic apps well, you know the time it may take to clean up an image. Those that are new, this may be more than what you wish to deal with.

Google Size Search Tools
Large is good but if you take this further and select "Larger than" and then "20 MP" you will get pictures that will probably cover your whole snowboard. Now understand, if you're looking for pictures of say Deadpool, your search will be somewhat limited at 20 MP, but it's a great place to start. Then if you don't find what you like, then you can choose to search at a lower size, but this may mean having to revise your desired look. For example, you decide you don't like any of the 20 MP pics of deadpool, so you go down to 10 MP or so. These probably won't cover your snowboard (Maybe a longboard), so you might find two pics and put one at either ends of the board. Whatever you do, really avoid stretching images. As a rough guide, I'll zoom into 200% and if it's looks pixilated, dump it. Don't wish it to look ok...

Color Accuracy
- Dye Sublimation printing is very crisp, yet due to the multitude of variables in the process and time involved we ask that an exact color match is not imperative.

Using Graphic Applications
- One simple bit of the process, often not realized by those new to design is that we frequently bounce between several graphic applications. In one case, Adobe Illustrator may be good for layout, but Photoshop has more manipulation tools, so a logo or special effect may be created there, saved, and then brought into Illustrator. Other apps like Fireworks allow for more manual tool effects such as smudging. Try several and see what works best for you.