You’ve been to a million tailgating parties and you’ve noticed something – most of the cornhole sets seem kind of boring. Sure, they’re not meant to be art pieces, but they could do better in the visual department. Then you come across a few that look well-designed. You tell yourself that you want to own one of those custom cornhole boards that commands attention. The question that follows is how to make that possible, and what steps you’ll have to take to make that happen.

Then there’s the question of whether you’re a designer or not. If you are, great. If not, customizing your cornhole set might seem like tricky business. You’re probably not going to sign up for an art class in the hopes of creating some Picasso-like masterpiece. However, that doesn’t put you at a dead end, since there are quite a few ways to get around this. Remember too, that the main purpose of these boards is for the game of cornhole, so there’s no need to get wrapped up in a state of artsy obsession.

If You Can’t Draw It, Leave It for Someone Else

If you’re good at weaving lines and paint blotches together, then by all means, have fun painting your cornhole set. If you’re not, don’t sweat it. You can overcome the problem by simply hiring designers, or buying custom cornhole boards from a reputable company. Gone are the days when vendors would sell plain wooden slabs – you can find a variety of boards to suit your taste. All you have to do is look.

What You Can Find:

• Your Team’s Colors – This one goes without saying. You can find the colors of your favorite team, whether they’re in a college or major league.
• Outdoors and Nature – If you’ve got an interest in things like wildlife, you can pick up a cornhole set that’s painted with the sights and objects of nature.
• Flags and Symbols – Patriotic? If so, you can find boards that are decked out with the symbols that mark bravery, power, and honor.

Blank Canvasses

Now let’s say your creative juices are flowing. The vision for your board is unique, and it doesn’t fit into any of the categories mentioned above. That’s where the “blank canvases” come in. These are the cornhole boards for sale that are literally blank, allowing you to plaster them with whatever you want. The beauty of this is the fact that you can own something that is truly unique and individual to you. It feels rewarding to know that your cornhole board is really one in a million.

Working with a designer who has experience with graphics and illustrations is the next thing to consider, if you’re not much of an artist. Their skills can remove the barrier of not being able to draw or paint, so that’s one less stress you’ll have on your back.

K.I.S.S.

Some of you out there know a thing or two about drawing and illustration. If so, keep in mind that what you draw on paper may not look the same when a tailgating vendor prints the illustration. Custom cornhole boards do give you freedom of choice, but that doesn’t mean you should lose all self-control. In other words, there are some ideas that can ruin the look of your board. If you’ve ever seen a poster that jumbled your eyes, perhaps one that gave you a headache, then the visuals were most likely cluttered. Remember when teachers told you to “keep it simple, stupid”? You’re obviously not stupid, but it’s a reminder that too much “flash” can ruin your work, whether it’s design or otherwise. So how can you prevent yourself from going overboard?

How to Keep the Design Simple:

• Don’t Overdo the Color – Ask any artist – the use of color is like walking on a tightrope. Too little or too much can ruin their work. The wrong combination looks even worse. Therefore, make sure to apply the same principles of color theory from other arts when designing your cornhole board.
• Stick to One Theme – Your best bet is to stick to one idea (which we’ll discuss shortly), rather than trying to apply two or more. Doing so is a quick way to turn your board into a disorienting mess.
• Avoid Larger than Life Portraits – Finally, try to stay away from those “magnum opus” ideas. These could be concepts that are better suited for large-scale paintings or posters. Cornhole boards have limited space, and you wouldn’t be too happy if your hard work didn’t fit when the graphics were printed.

Go for Something You’re Really Passionate About

Finally, you have to be 100% sure that what you desire for your board is what will make you happy. Think about it: once it’s painted on, it’s almost impossible to remove the design (unless you do some serious wreckage to the board). So make sure it’s something you like!
For the most part it’s a simple choice, since the design you choose is something that you’ve most likely had in mind for a while. But you can make the process easier if you find yourself struggling to make a decision.

How to Finalize You Choice:

• Is It Something You’ll Regret? – Sometimes our passions get the best of us. Perhaps we’re in a particular mood or disposition, and we might vent our frustrations. Something that’s risque or absurd might seem funny for a while, but later you might wish it stayed in your head. So think twice about it. Also, a “clean” design might seem like a good idea now, but something better may pop up afterwards. Therefore, try to brainstorm as many ideas as possible so that the golden ones don’t stay behind, only to come out after the fact.
• What Does the Idea Really Mean to You? – If you’re stuck between two great ideas, then that’s where you’ll have to dig deep. Think about what rouses more emotion or feeling within you. Perhaps one idea looks cool on the surface, and you’re sure that others who look at it will be impressed. However, your other design might revolve around a childhood memory, or the long-lived passion you have for a particular sports team. You would most likely pick the latter, since it’s something that will remain with you for a long time.

Make It Happen

With these three tips in mind, you can be sure to own a custom cornhole board that you will enjoy looking at for years to come. There’s no reason that you have to settle for what everyone else has! With that said, just make sure to be realistic about what you want and what you can do. That will also mean that you should remain mindful of your budget and the time it may take to execute your idea. Remember to give some serious thought to your intended design, since it will be hard to remove afterward. Apply these tips, and you’ll own a board that both pleases your eyes and inspires others!

Need advice on designing a custom cornhole board? Give us a shout so that we can help you with the process!