Location

We preferably like to have a solid color helmet to start your design with; white, black, silver etc. are all fine. The graphics that are done by helmet manufacturers at the factories take more time to prepare for us and we, in turn, charge for that service. Please don’t do any surface preparation to “help us out”, other than removing after market stickers that you may have put on the helmet; we can also remove these, for a small fee. Please also send the visor with the helmet, since we will be photographing your finished design for our portfolio and possible inclusion on our web site gallery.

Turnaround

Our turnaround time varies mainly due to our current customer load, as well as our racing clientele during racing season. When we speak with you, we can give you an estimated date of return.

Pricing

At TC’s Specialized Graphics, we try our best to make it affordable for people to have a custom designed helmet to fit their own sense of style and personality. We realize that this is a fun process for the customer and we like to keep our pricing very reasonable. Our pricing still starts at only $300.00. That starting price is for a basic one or two color design. Prices increase based on the complexity of the design, but we feel it’s important to make original art available at fair prices.

We can work out payment as a partial amount up front and the rest when it’s nearing completion, or for the entire amount, when you send us your helmet. We accept personal, cashier checks, money-orders and PayPal (that takes cash and credit cards). Understandably, because of fraud issues we have found it much easier for both parties that you send checks well in advance, in order to clear the banks and not delay the shipment of your newly designed helmet, that you will be anxiously awaiting to see.

Renderings

We can do a color rendering for you to give you a concept of how we’ve interpreted your thoughts and ideas for a design. This helps certain customers visualize and feel more confident about what they will soon be receiving. We are happy to provide this service for sketches (within reason) at no extra cost to you. Although we are happy to talk with you about ideas for design, for obvious reasons, we don’t send out renderings until we have your helmet here.

Our Process

First, we remove any stickers that are above the factory paint, such as manufacturer labels and warnings. Then, we remove the visor and mounting plates to the side panels, etc., to get down to the true shell of the helmet. Once this has been accomplished, we thoroughly clean the helmet with a professional strength wax and grease remover. Our next step is to mask off all rubber parts of the helmet, preventing paint from getting on or in anything it shouldn’t. From that stage, we sand the helmet vigorously. We take pride in our preparation, especially the sanding process. We know that the overall graphic and clear coat is the skin of the helmet, but the sanding and prep are the heartbeat; without great care and attention to detail in this sanding process, the graphic work is truly worthless (since the paint won’t adhere correctly and soon start chipping or peeling away). We then proceed to the priming and painting of your new creation.

This process varies, depending on what we’ve agreed upon. The clear coat goes on in a muti-coat process that produces a high gloss finish, that is then hand buffed to maximum shine. No matter how simple or complex your design, helmets always receive the same quality clear coating. After your helmet has cured for a couple of days, we reassemble, photograph (for our portfolio and possible web site gallery), rebox it, and get it on its way back to you. Be assured that we use only top quality paint and materials.

Shipping

We charge you basically what it costs you to ship your helmet to us, and we’ll let you know a price before you send your helmet, so you can include it on your check. We always include insurance to protect your new creation in transit. The USPS Priority Mail has always been very reliable and affordable. If you have a Fed Ex or UPS account we can also ship that way for you, just include an Airbill or account number for us to use.