skateboard company.... help

[DustinJ]

hey everyone i need some help.... i've beein looking into starting my own skateboard company and i'm getting lost on the legal parts.... i don't know if leagally i have to press and make my own skateboards and put a logo on it or can i just find a place that sells blank decks and put my logo on it. i'm just lost on whats legal and what not.... sooo please help me. thanks, Dustin

[yourhostingspot.com]

Ask the manufacturer if they care. They most likely will not. I do know of companies that print logos on boards that are manufactured by other companies. If it makes you feel better, have them sign a document that grants you full permission to print your design and logo onto the boards they manufacture.

[MASapparel]

Ill try and talk to you on aim now

[DustinJ]

thanks for the help!!!

[pboychuk]

I see no reason why you would not be able to print your logo on a blank board. However, isnt part of marketing a skateboard you actually making the parts? Because I would figure different skateboards have different qualities. So, it may not be a unique brand if its not "your" board. just food for thought.

[Gaulkin]

Are you even a skateboarder?

[ASJ]

I've worked with various local skateshops that sell their own boards. They work with companies that sell blanks and screen their logos on them. I think it all depends on the manufacturers. There are companies that supply the boards for a bunch of companies and you just have them screen your logos on them.

Doing a quick Google search for "skateboard blanks" found this: Blank Skateboard Decks, Uncut Skateboard Blanks, Wholesale Blank Decks, Complete Blank Skateboards. Custom Skateboard Deck Printing. Made in the USA.

I also found this link: skateboard manufacturing on The Skateboard Directory

I hope that helps.

[DustinJ]

PBOYCHUK--- that was my thought on the whole thing. but that way i'm also thinking of startup costs, it would be cheaper to use blank deck and put my logo on it, once i start making a little more money but a press and make them myself, but its all up in the air right now.

GAULKIN---- yes i do skate. not that good but you don't have to skate good to start a company.

just so everyone knows i'm not starting a skate shop i'm starting my own board line.. just if there was any confusion.

[DustinJ]

spellcheck... buy**

[ASJ]

that was my thought on the whole thing. but that way i'm also thinking of startup costs, it would be cheaper to use blank deck and put my logo on it, once i start making a little more money but a press and make them myself, but its all up in the air right now.

My guess is that is a HUGE legal issue. Most companies have VERY unique and specific specs for their boards. If you go and slap your logo on them, that would be like putting a sticker on a Pepsi can and trying to sell it as your brand of cola.

My opinion, if you're really serious about doing this would be to talk to a manufacturer (like the ones I listed above). Then figure out your actual financial needs and if it is viable, proceed with the plans.

[DustinJ]

thanks ASJ, thats what my thoughts were, i found a company i can buy a skateboard press for about $425 which is pretty cheep, but the only thing is its a new item to them and its kind of in the testing process right now. you know i've been kind of bouncing back in for with either a skate clothes line or a skateboard company. but see i wouldn't even know where to start with a skate clothes line. and there are so many clothes lines trying to make it out there.

[CDRamming]

Be honest with yourself in your designs as well. There are many companies that produce "custom skateboards" I googled it and found many. One of them lets people upload their own designs and have their own "mini-shop" on the site and set the price of the board. They print it and have all brand name boards people can choose and then they print and mail it. There are some good designs and some not so much. Make sure your artwork and designs are liked by many people. My little brother wants to design shooes and a clothing line as well. He designs his own shoes already by using permanent marker on canvas shoes, he wears them and gets compliments on them all the time. So hes planning to start making shoes to sell. Put some of your designs on a skate forum or show them to friends of yours who skate and ask them if they would pay X amount to have that on a board. Not trying to be an asshole, just make sure you assess the market aspect of your product. I feel many people get caught up in profits and being the next Burton (2 guys starting small in their garage, now one of the largest snowboarding companies in the world). Think what sets your product above all the others out right now? Is it graphics? Quality? Cost? Speed? If you can stand out then go ahead, if you feel you will be another run of the mill "custom skateboard printer" you might want to consider a different niche within skating. Custom helmets or backpacks maybe?

[DustinJ]

thanks CDRamming, i understand what your saying completely, thanks for the help i appriciate it from all of you. i looked into it a little more and getting more and more serious about it.

[CDRamming]

Heres the link to the skate company I talked about in my post.
BoardPusher | Custom Skateboard Deck Graphics | Sell Your Own Skateboarding Decks

[MASapparel]

please do not go with board pusher. You just posting that shows that you have not done much research. Stay with it google all day and learn as much as you can. Like I said I am in the process of doing my own skate line so if you need anything done I do it all in house.