A custom line of oil-based paint pens formulated to survive griptape, dirt and wear.
Product Development Materials Research E-commerce Consumer Goods
Regular paint pens fade and wear off within days on rough griptape. I developed an oil-based formulation and applicator built for skateboard surfaces, launched it on Amazon and sold 3,000+ units at a 4.5-star rating.
What I Did
01Bench-tested a range of paint bases on real griptape for wear resistance, color retention and resistance to dirt and moisture.
02Chose nibs that work with griptape's rough texture for clean lines and consistent flow.
03Stress-tested batches for abrasion, moisture and UV fading.
04Ran the Amazon FBA launch — listing, inventory and fulfillment — past 3,000 units.
Technical Highlights
01
A formula that survives griptape
Griptape is essentially sandpaper, and it chews through water-based and acrylic markers. The oil-based formulation was chosen for adhesion to coarse surfaces and for holding its color under dirt and moisture.
Design painted on griptape.Design painted on a deck.
02
Applicators matched to the surface
The nibs were selected to work with griptape's texture instead of fighting it, so lines stay clean and paint keeps flowing on a rough surface.
Replaceable nibs pull out by hand.Usage steps from the product listing.
03
Durability testing
Each batch was stress-tested against real skating conditions — abrasion, moisture exposure and UV fading — before it shipped.
Gallery
All 12 colors.Listing image showing customized boards.Amazon listing for the 12-color set.
