Last month, I received a message that broke my heart. Sarah from Berlin had just received her first DeckArts limited edition piece – a stunning collaboration with street artist Viktor that she'd been waiting weeks for. But when she tried to mount it herself, she ended up with a crooked installation, visible screws, and worst of all, a small crack in the deck from drilling in the wrong spot.
"Stanislav, I love the artwork, but now it looks cheap on my wall. Did I ruin it forever?"
This happens more often than you'd think. After three years of helping customers transform their spaces with skateboard art, I've seen every mounting mistake possible. The good news? Most are completely preventable with the right approach.
Today, I'm sharing the exact mounting system we recommend to DeckArts customers – the same method I use in my own home and that interior designers have adopted for their high-end projects.
Why Mounting Method Makes or Breaks Your Display
Here's the truth most people don't realize: the mounting system is just as important as the artwork itself. I've seen incredible pieces look amateur because of poor installation, and I've seen mediocre graphics elevated by professional presentation.
When I first started DeckArts, I assumed people would figure out mounting on their own. Big mistake. After dozens of customer support emails and some unfortunate Instagram photos, I realized we needed to educate people on proper installation techniques.
The difference between amateur and professional mounting comes down to three factors:
- Invisibility: The hardware shouldn't compete with the artwork
- Security: The piece should feel solid and permanent
- Precision: Perfect alignment and spacing every time
The Tools You Actually Need
Let me save you a trip to the hardware store by telling you exactly what works. I've tested dozens of mounting systems over the past three years, and this is the minimal kit that delivers professional results:
Essential Tools:
- Stud finder (the magnetic type works best)
- Level (24-inch for single boards, 48-inch for multiple pieces)
- Drill with bits (3/32" and 1/8" sizes minimum)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil for marking
- Safety glasses
Hardware That Actually Works:
- French cleat system for boards over $200
- Low-profile wall mounts for standard installations
- Toggle bolts for drywall without studs
- Wood screws for stud mounting
Avoid those cheap "skateboard wall hangers" you see on Amazon. I've had customers report failures within weeks, and the aesthetic is terrible.
The Professional Mounting Process
After mounting hundreds of pieces (both for photos and helping customers troubleshoot), I've refined this process to eliminate common mistakes. Follow these steps exactly, and you'll get gallery-quality results every time.
Step 1: Planning Your Layout
Before touching any tools, spend time planning your arrangement. I use painter's tape to outline each piece on the wall – this lets you adjust spacing and alignment without any commitment.
Single Board Guidelines:
- Hang at 57-60 inches from floor to center (standard gallery height)
- Allow 6-8 inches clearance from furniture below
- Center on wall features like mantels or couches
Multiple Board Arrangements:
- Maintain 2-3 inches between boards for individual pieces
- Use 1-2 inches for triptych sets (they should feel connected)
- Keep the arrangement within 60% of your furniture width below
Step 2: Finding Your Anchor Points
This step separates amateur from professional installations. Wall studs provide the strongest mounting, but they're not always where you need them.
Stud Mounting (Preferred): Use your stud finder to locate solid framing. Mark with light pencil marks – you'll cover these later. Standard studs are 16 or 24 inches apart, so plan accordingly.
Drywall Mounting: For lighter pieces (under 3 lbs), quality toggle bolts work perfectly. I prefer the spring-loaded type that expand behind the drywall. Never use simple plastic anchors – they fail over time.
Step 3: The DeckArts Mounting Method
Here's the system I developed specifically for skateboard art after testing everything available:
For Premium Pieces (Over $200): Install a French cleat system. One piece mounts to the wall, the other to your skateboard. This creates an invisible, incredibly secure connection that lets you easily remove pieces for cleaning or rearrangement.
For Standard Installations: Use low-profile mounts that attach through the truck holes. This maintains the skateboard's original design while creating clean lines on your wall.
Critical Measurements:
- Truck holes are typically 2.125 inches apart
- Use 1.25-inch screws for stud mounting
- 2-inch toggle bolts for drywall installations
Step 4: Precision Installation
This is where patience pays off. Rush this step, and you'll have crooked artwork that bothers you every time you look at it.
Marking Your Points:
- Use your level to ensure perfect horizontal alignment
- Double-check measurements before drilling
- Mark all holes before drilling any – this prevents cumulative errors
Drilling Technique:
- Start with a small pilot hole
- Drill slowly to avoid splitting (especially with vintage boards)
- Clean holes immediately – wood dust shows on dark graphics
Test Fit Everything: Before final installation, test your hardware with the actual skateboard. Make sure it sits flush against the wall and feels secure.
Advanced Techniques for Multiple Pieces
Creating stunning arrangements with multiple skateboards requires different approaches than single installations. Here's what I've learned from working with interior designers on high-end projects.
The Triptych Method
For three-board arrangements (our most popular format), treat the installation as one large piece rather than three separate ones.
Spacing Formula:
- Measure your total wall space
- Subtract combined width of all three boards
- Divide remaining space by 4 (two ends + two gaps)
- This gives you perfect proportional spacing
The Gallery Wall Approach
When mixing skateboard art with other pieces, maintain consistent spacing throughout. I use a 2.5-inch gap between all elements – it creates visual cohesion while letting each piece breathe.
Pro Tip: Start with your largest or most important piece, then build around it. This creates natural focal hierarchy.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Great Art
After helping hundreds of customers troubleshoot installations, these are the mistakes I see repeatedly:
The "Eyeball" Error: Trusting your eye instead of measuring tools. Humans are terrible at judging level and spacing. Always use your tools.
The "Hardware Store Special": Buying whatever mounting hardware looks close enough. Cheap hardware fails and looks amateur. Invest in proper materials.
The "Rush Job": Trying to install everything in one evening. Take your time, especially with expensive pieces. Better to wait and do it right.
The "Forget the Future" Problem: Not planning for rearrangement or additions. Install systems that allow flexibility as your collection grows.
Maintenance and Long-term Care
Proper mounting isn't just about installation – it's about preserving your investment over time.
Regular Checks:
- Inspect mounting hardware every six months
- Tighten screws if needed (wood naturally expands and contracts)
- Clean mounting points when dusting artwork
Environmental Considerations:
- Avoid direct sunlight (fades graphics over time)
- Maintain consistent humidity (prevents wood warping)
- Keep away from heat sources like radiators
When to Call a Professional
While most people can handle standard installations, some situations require professional help:
- Mounting on brick, concrete, or plaster walls
- Installing heavy pieces (over 5 lbs) without stud access
- Creating complex multi-piece arrangements
- Working with vintage or extremely valuable boards
I always tell customers: when in doubt, consult a local handyman. The $50-100 cost is nothing compared to replacing damaged artwork.
The Transformation is Worth the Effort
Remember Sarah from the beginning? After walking her through this process via video call, she remounted her piece properly. The difference was incredible – same artwork, but now it looked like a professional gallery installation.
"It completely changed how the piece feels in my space," she told me later. "Now I'm planning to add two more boards to create a full triptych."
That's exactly the reaction we're going for. Proper mounting doesn't just display your artwork – it elevates your entire space and makes you excited to show it off to friends.
Your skateboard art deserves to be presented beautifully. Take the time to do it right, and you'll enjoy the results for years to come.
I regularly share installation tips, new mounting techniques, and behind-the-scenes content from DeckArts installations. Follow along for more practical advice on transforming your space with skateboard art.
Author: Stanislav Arnautov
Founder of DeckArts
🔗 More content on Instagram: @rntv
🌐 Personal website: stasarnautov.com