Griptape, that seemingly simple strip of sandpaper, is far more than just a functional necessity on a skateboard. It’s a canvas for self-expression, a subtle indicator of a skater’s style, and a testament to the evolution of skateboarding itself. You can often gauge a skater’s personality and trick repertoire just by looking at their grip job. (Patchwork grip? They’re likely to be a technical skater. A bold graphic? Expect some stylish tricks.)
Despite its ubiquitous presence on our decks, many of us haven’t stopped to consider the fundamentals: What materials are used? Who manufactures it? And what’s the deal with pro models? This curiosity led us to explore the world of griptape, consulting with manufacturers, marketers, and griptape aficionados to uncover the details of this essential skateboarding component.
A Brief History of Griptape
In the early days of skateboarding, when surfers started adapting their skills to the streets in the 1960s, the need for better grip became immediately obvious. Initially, skaters experimented with various solutions like Slip Check, an anti-slip spray designed for surfboards, and DIY concoctions using resin sprinkled with sand. Some even resorted to repurposing safety tape from staircases or truck steps. The problem was the inconsistent and often unsuitable grit.
One particular type of griptape, nicknamed “Pizza Tape,” had a surface so rough that it resembled pizza toppings. “That stuff was dangerous!” recalls Beau Brown, an early 70s skater and the founder of Flypaper, the first dedicated skate griptape brand. “The grit was incredibly coarse – probably around 50 grit, while today’s griptape is closer to 70.” A lower grit number means larger grit particles and a rougher surface.
As skateboarding gained popularity in the 1980s, industrial non-slip tape brands like Wooster and Mactac began to capitalize on the emerging market. They sold their existing products to skateboarders as a way to generate revenue.
Then came Bud Smith, an employee at the industrial manufacturing company Jessup. Recognizing the potential of the rapidly growing skateboard scene after his son got a Vision board, he made the critical link between manufacturing and the skateboarding industry by attending trade shows and establishing connections. According to Brown, “Bud was the key figure in bridging that gap.”
After Smith secured his first major order from Powell Peralta, the rest of the skate industry followed suit, establishing Jessup as the dominant griptape brand of the time.
Fast forward to today, and the core composition of griptape remains essentially unchanged. Most skate grip is still made from silicon carbide, and we have largely standardized grit sizes and application methods. The griptape used by a legend like Eric Koston in his iconic video part “Menikmati” is practically the same material used on your board today.
A close up image of a skateboard deck showing black griptape.
The Griptape Industry Landscape
While the fundamentals of griptape haven’t shifted significantly, the industry has seen considerable changes. Manufacturing has largely moved to Asia, but the number of actual griptape manufacturers remains relatively small. It’s a curious fact that some competing brands utilize the same manufacturing facilities for their products.
Jessup appears to be the only major brand both manufacturing and selling griptape within the United States. Mob Grip also has its own exclusive manufacturing facility. However, a substantial number of companies source their griptape production from Asia, then handle the cutting and printing processes in the US. Ben Woody, VP of Product at NHS (the company that makes Mob Grip), confirms that, “Basically all the smaller brands come from the same source.”
While variations exist in grit levels (from Jessup and Mob’s M-80 to the extra grippy standard Mob) and width options, the underlying material is largely standardized.
The griptape market is dominated by a few leading brands. Some emerged from within skateboarding, like Grizzly and Mob, while others originated in the wider industrial manufacturing sector, such as Jessup.
According to ActionWatch data from earlier in the year, Mob currently leads in sales to the US skateboarding market. Interestingly, Shake Junt has surpassed Jessup in sales, highlighting an interesting development as mid-tier brands strive to challenge the top players.
Given the nature of griptape as a commodity, profit margins are generally low. “We prioritize using the best raw materials, resulting in a higher per-sheet cost,” says Woody from Mob. “The additional processes, equipment, and labor required represent a significant investment. Despite a modest increase in prices in recent years, the price of a standard black sheet of Mob grip is only slightly higher than it was a decade ago.”
The Rise of Independent Griptape Brands
Beyond the major players, a multitude of smaller griptape brands have emerged across the globe. Paul Labadie, founder of the European griptape brand Ashes, explained that his motivation in 2013 was to have “an outlet for complete creative control and to build a team with my favorite skaters. No one in Europe had a griptape sponsor at the time, so I had the chance to pick whomever I wanted.”
However, Labadie quickly learned that securing high-quality griptape was not straightforward. “The problem was that I was never sure who I was talking to. Some claimed to be the factory itself but were actually just agents. I received samples that I was happy with a couple of times, but the actual batch of griptape ended up completely different when I received it.”
While he has now established a successful working relationship with a Taiwanese company, Labadie cautions that starting a griptape brand is not a recipe for financial stability: “I don’t think there’s space for many more griptape companies. To be profitable in the griptape business, you either have to buy low-quality grip or sell a huge amount of it. My accountant often questions my commitment to it!”
Image shows a variety of griptapes with different colours and cut-out designs.
Standing Out From the Crowd
While die-cut teddy bears and spray-painted Spongebobs might seem like modern griptape trends, they actually represent a long-standing branding tradition.
In the 1980s, Madrid Skateboards produced boards for various companies, leading them to brand their griptape to make their boards instantly recognizable. They decided to punch a fly shape out of the tape, giving birth to Flypaper, the first branded griptape. This logo was so impactful it even appeared on the first Vans collaboration, the Vans Fly model, in 1987. While Flypaper remains in production today, unique cut-outs, like the popular teddy bear shape, are common at skateparks.
Grizzly started as a wax company, named after a bear-shaped baking mold. Torey Pudwill and his friends used this mold to make wax. They eventually began using the bear shape as a DIY cut-out on griptape they acquired for free and then resold to skate shops. This clever upcycling of the mold led to the development of one of the most recognizable skate brands.
Aside from colors and graphics, top brands use other methods to enhance brand recognition. Shake Junt has created full-length videos, setting them apart from their competition. Jessup recently announced their position as the “official griptape sponsor of USA Skateboarding,” and Mob claims to have the “biggest and best team in skateboarding.” Each company has a valid point of differentiation.
The Spectrum of Griptape Colors
“We’ve seen increased sales of colored griptape over the past five years, along with new products like ultra-clear, ultra-white and various colorways,” said Rob Jessup, President & CEO of Jessup. The popularity of pro model graphics and artist collaborations has also increased. Jessup offers a Signature Series featuring artwork by Silas Baxter-Neal and Danny Wainwright, while Mob has graphics by Nora Vasconcellos and Eloise Dorr.
However, vibrant grip can still be controversial. Dutch pro skater, Candy Jacobs, even joked that her love of colorful griptape was a “bullshit reason” why brands didn’t take her seriously.
According to Jessup, “black is still the biggest selling color in the market.” Despite this, most grip companies have capitalized on the trend of offering more colors to increase retail prices and boost their profit margins.
Image of various skateboard decks with different coloured griptape
The Future of Griptape
What does the future hold for griptape? Are we likely to see a groundbreaking innovation in griptape technology? Despite robust research and development departments, advanced labs, and numerous patent filings, a radical shift in the technology seems unlikely.
Throughout history, there have been attempts to reinvent griptape. Simon Woodstock famously skated a carpet-covered deck in a 1993 competition. Mob developed micro-perforations to prevent air bubbles. Gou Miyagi is known for skating with fabric. A German company called “Save Your Shoes” offers griptape made from synthetic fiber. However, these innovations remain on the fringes.
Sustainability is becoming a key focus. Brands like Jessup are increasingly using recycled materials and refining their manufacturing to reduce their environmental impact. However, the most significant changes are likely to happen in the market. Smaller griptape brands will continue to emerge and branding from clothing and deck companies will continue to move from stickers beneath the board to graphics on top. Shane Maloney from Full Circle, the makers of Flypaper, notes that, “Griptape is now an item that other non-griptape brands are incorporating into their product lines, like RIPNDIP, and deck brands who are printing their own designs and logos. Everyone is trying to cash in on the top of the board – everyone wants a bite of that real estate.”
While the world of griptape is interesting, it’s something we typically only notice when it’s not quite right. A good sheet of grip is one you don’t even think about. Labadie concludes: “If I had to bet, I’d say that just like skateboards have been the same for at least the last 30 years, we’ll still be using sandpaper for a while.”
