Avoid these 3 Mistakes while Creating your Custom Shape!

How to Craft Killer Shapes Like Blast Skates

Designing the perfect skateboard deck shape takes know‑how, experience, a sharp eye for detail, and solid planning. 

Based on an insightful interview with Matthew Bromley, founder of Blast Skates, we’ve extracted three essential tips to avoid common pitfalls. Follow these guidelines to ensure your custom shape not only looks incredible but also performs flawlessly.

1. Don’t Shrink Your Design

Balance and flow are everything in deck shaping. Imagine squeezing a 10" wide, extreme flared‑out fish tail into an 8.5" frame—it would look off and compromise structural integrity. Distorting original curves weakens key areas. You should always keep proportions true to your vision to maintain both - aesthetics and durability.

2. Avoid a Dysfunctional Wheelbase

Even on shaped decks, the widest point (say, 10") can differ from your truck area
(for example 8.75"). That disparity has a huge impact on handling:

• Wheelbite: Too narrow = bad... Too long = bad 
• Inconsistent Pop: Misalignment can reduce your board’s pop!
• Unintuitive Handling: Riders lose confidence when the setup feels unpredictable. The wheelbase has a huge influence to that.
  
  

3. Infuse Personality and Hype

As Matthew Bromley puts it: “If you simplify function over form, you end up losing some character.” Popsicle decks are reliable, but shaped boards are your chance to make a statement. Make a standout piece! Don’t squander the chance to showcase your graphic on a truly special canvas! Unique silhouettes generate buzz and brand identity.

Want to deep dive? 

Read the full interview with Matthew Bromley on the Bubble Skate Magazine website for the inside story on how Blast Skates shapes are born.

Want to bring your idea to life?

Thinking about your own custom shape? We handle everything from the first sketch to the final drop! Just reach out to Daniel or Max. Let’s turn your idea into reality!