Why Is 7-Ply Canadian Maple the Industry Standard for Skateboard Decks?
Share
7-ply Canadian maple means a skateboard deck made from seven thin layers of Canadian maple pressed together into one board. It is the industry standard for professional skateboard manufacturing, and it’s what most serious riders expect when they pick up a deck.
At Bubble Skatzz, we have been making skateboards since 2007 and have supplied more than 200 brands around the world. Every deck we make starts with this same material. In this guide we explain what 7-ply Canadian maple is, why the industry relies on it, how a deck gets made and what it costs to order.
What Does 7-Ply Canadian Maple Actually Mean on a Skateboard Deck?
When a deck is described as 7-ply Canadian maple, the label tells you two things. “7-ply” is the number of wood layers pressed together. “Canadian maple” is the wood those layers are made from.
Each layer on its own is thin. Pressed together in a mold, the seven layers become one board with the shape and strength a rider needs. At our factory, every deck is pressed from 7 layers of premium Canadian maple to give the right balance of strength, pop and durability.
If you’re comparing decks or reading a spec sheet, check these four things.
-
Number of plies. Seven layers is the industry standard.
-
Wood type. Look for Canadian maple, ideally hard rock maple.
-
Sourcing. FSC-certified wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
-
Shape specs. Width, length and wheelbase tell you how the board will ride.
A deck that’s clear on all four is usually made by a factory that takes its process seriously.
Why Hard Rock Maple Became the Go-To Wood for Pro Boards
Hard rock maple is the wood that professional skateboard decks are built on. At Bubble Skatzz, we mainly use premium Canadian hard rock maple because it is the industry standard for professional skateboard manufacturing.
For a brand, that standard matters for a few reasons. Riders already know and trust the material, so you don’t have to convince anyone your deck is made from the right wood. Shops know what to expect, which makes them more comfortable stocking a new label. And because it’s the wood professionals rely on, it gives a young brand credibility next to established names.
We pair that wood with premium materials sourced globally and strict quality control at every stage. The goal is simple. A deck from your tenth order should feel just like a deck from your first.
That consistency is the real reason the standard exists. Riders don’t want surprises when they buy a new board, and brands don’t want returns. Starting with the right wood is the first step toward both.
How Seven Layers Give a Canadian Maple Skateboard Deck Its Pop
The wood is only half the story. How those seven layers are pressed is what gives a Canadian maple skateboard deck its feel.
At Bubble Skatzz, each deck is pressed in a single mold for 45 minutes or more. During production, our team monitors lamination pressure as one of our quality checkpoints, so the layers bond together properly. Giving every deck that time in the press is a big part of how we keep a full production run consistent.
After pressing, decks are shaped on high-precision CNC machines and finished on automatic varnish lines. Both steps help each board match the one before it.
Here’s what that means for your brand.
-
Consistent pop from one board to the next
-
The same shape across a full production run
-
Durable decks built for everyday skating
For cruisers and old school boards, you can also choose from a curated range of engineered veneers. They give a deck a more premium, distinctive and refined finish that helps it stand out on a shop wall.
Is Canadian Maple the Best Wood for Skateboard Decks Compared to Birch or Bamboo?
For professional skateboard decks, Canadian hard rock maple is the industry standard, which is why it’s our default material. It isn’t your only option, though. We can also work with birch or bamboo on request.
Here’s how the three woods are offered at our factory.
|
Wood |
Availability at Bubble Skatzz |
|
Canadian hard rock maple |
Our standard material, sourced from FSC-certified forests |
|
Birch |
Available on request |
|
Bamboo |
Available on request |
If you’re building a brand around pro-style decks, Canadian maple is the safest choice because it’s what riders expect. Birch or bamboo can make sense for a special project or a product that needs to look different on the shelf.
Either way, talk to our team before you commit. We’ll go through the options for your shape and quantity and include them in your quote.
How a Maple Skateboard Deck Is Made From Veneer to Varnish
Every maple skateboard deck we make goes through the same production stages.
-
Master sheet cutting. Maple veneer sheets are cut to size.
-
Veneer dyeing. Veneers are dyed when a design calls for colored plies.
-
Drying. Veneers are dried before they go into the press.
-
Deck pressing. The seven layers are pressed in a single mold for 45 minutes or more.
-
Hole drilling. Truck holes are drilled.
-
CNC shaping. High-precision CNC machines cut the final shape.
-
Sanding and buffing. Edges and surfaces are smoothed, then checked again during QC buffing.
-
Varnishing. Automatic varnish lines apply an even finish.
-
Printing. Graphics are added by screen printing, heat transfer or digital printing.
Quality is checked along the way. Every board gets a wood inspection, lamination pressure monitoring, CNC precision checks and a final inspection. We keep detailed production records and can provide quality certificates on request. You can see photos of each stage on our production page.
Why FSC-Certified 7-Ply Canadian Maple Matters for Your Brand
Where your maple comes from is part of your brand story. At Bubble Skatzz, our decks are made from 100% Canadian maple, harvested and produced responsibly.
Here’s what sits behind every board.
-
FSC-certified maple sources
-
Certified sustainable wood vendors and responsibly sourced hardwood forests
-
100% waste recycling and zero-waste manufacturing
-
Renewable energy in our production
-
Carbon-neutral shipping options
These are points you can share with your own customers on packaging, product pages and social media. A rider who cares about how a product is made will notice, and so will the shops that stock it.
Responsible sourcing also supports the consistency we talked about earlier. Working with certified vendors means your wood comes from the same trusted supply chain order after order. For ideas on presenting your finished products, browse our branded goods catalogue.
What Blank Skateboard Decks in Canadian Maple Cost to Order
Our Premium Blank Skateboard Decks cost $150 for a 5 pack and $275 for a 10 pack. That works out to $30 and $27.50 per deck. Both are listed in our shop, so you can test the maple quality before placing a larger order.
For custom or larger orders, these are the main terms.
|
Order Term |
Details |
|
Blank deck 5 pack |
$150 |
|
Blank deck 10 pack |
$275 |
|
Custom order minimum |
Typically 50 boards per shape and size |
|
First orders |
MOQ reductions available for initial orders or sample runs |
|
Production time |
2 to 3 weeks for up to 500 boards, 3 to 4 weeks for larger orders |
|
Payment |
50% deposit to start, balance due before shipping |
|
Shipping |
Worldwide |
Because we sell factory direct, there are no middleman fees in our pricing. Approved dealers can see trade pricing by logging in to our wholesale section. For custom shapes, graphics or other woods, send us your specs for a free quote and we’ll reply in under 24 hours.
Common Questions About Hard Rock Maple Skateboard Decks
Here are quick answers to the questions we hear most about maple decks. You can find more answers on our full FAQ page.
How many layers are in a 7-ply Canadian maple deck?
Seven layers of premium Canadian maple pressed together into one board.
What wood does Bubble Skatzz use for its decks?
Premium Canadian hard rock maple sourced from FSC-certified forests.
Can I order skateboard decks in birch or bamboo?
Yes, birch and bamboo are both available on request.
How long is each deck pressed?
Each deck spends 45 minutes or more in a single mold.
How much do blank maple skateboard decks cost?
$150 for a 5 pack or $275 for a 10 pack in our shop.
What is the minimum order for custom maple decks?
Typically 50 boards per shape and size, with reductions for first orders or sample runs.
The right wood, pressed the right way, is what makes a deck worth riding and a brand worth trusting. If you’re ready to put your name on 7-ply Canadian maple, we’re ready to press it. Shop owners who want to stock our boards can also apply to become a dealer.