The art of writing graffiti is alive and well. It is a practice that extends throughout societies, cultures, communities and peoples of all types and generations. The motivations people have for tagging vary. For some, it can be an effective way to communicate a message of a political or social nature. For others, it is simply a means of expression, a way of announcing their presence to the world. Whatever the case, graffiti writing is still a common phenomenon around the world. Rebellious youth continue to illegally mark the walls and public spaces of their communities, while professional graffiti artists create great works of art for the public to enjoy and consider.

There are all kinds of graffiti supplies on the market that graffiti artists of all levels use to create their art. Additionally, there are many taggers taking a DIY approach and creating their own tools of the trade as graffiti culture evolves. Outlined below are the top graffiti supplies used by taggers along with pricing and usage tips.

Spray Paint: What to Consider Before Buying Spray Paint

The heart and soul of each labeler’s supply collection is their spray paint; it only takes a can of cheap paint to get out there and start labeling. Of course, there are tons of options, and it’s best to think about a few key factors before deciding what type of paint to buy. First, what is the level of the tagger? For people just starting out, it’s probably best to stick with the inexpensive spray paint for the initial stages of learning graffiti. Second, what kind of project is spray paint used for? Labeling brick walls and concrete streets is one thing, but if the goal is to paint a specific personal object, such as a canvas or a car, the highest quality paint will work best. Primer and sandpaper are other investments to consider in that case, as using them along the way will make for a better end product.

There are also different tips or can lids to use on the cans available to achieve different effects, such as an extra wide or thin spray. Caps are usually cheap; three for a dollar or a pack of 25 for around $7.00.

Compare and Contrast: The different spray paint options on the market

The quality and price of graffiti spray paint varies. Fortunately, it’s easy enough for anyone to get started, as there is inexpensive spray paint that will do the job. From beginners to professionals, spray paint of different prices and qualities can be found in most cities.

At the low end, a can of spray paint can be as low as $0.99. Stores like Walmart and KMart offer these cheaper options, which can range from $0.99 to $1.50, depending on geographic location. These low-budget options are a great way to get started without breaking the bank.

As for mid-range options, the tried-and-true brand of spray paint called Krylon is perfectly acceptable, and in fact is used regularly by many labelers. It’s still fairly inexpensive, ranging from $2.45 to $3.15 per can, and can be found in the hardware sections of department stores like Walmart and Target. Krylon is sold in many different colors and styles (translucent, flat, shiny, metallic). The paint thickens with great coverage and is a solid choice for labelers.

At the higher end, high-quality spray paint like Valspar or Rustoleum can be found in caged areas at hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot, respectively. However, it is recommended to only invest in these for personal housing projects.

Serious taggers can shop online for the best marking spray paint on the market. Brands like Molotow and Belton sell spray paint in all different colors and shades with various tipped cans to produce certain effects when painting. Their cans can cost as much as $9.00 each, but they will certainly work just fine.

With so many different price point spray paint options on the market, taggers best try as many as they can to determine their weapon of choice. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference; the most expensive option is not always the best.

Stencils: Taking graffiti art to the next level

While spray paint covers a lot of ground (or wall) and is a lot of fun to use, it can only take graffiti artists so far. When graffiti artists want to take their graffiti art to the next level, they can turn to stencils for control and detail that simply aren’t possible with a single can of spray paint. Technically, templates can be made from any type of paper material, so labelers’ techniques for creating them differ.

Regardless of the material used in stenciling, a quality Xacto knife is needed to cut designs and shapes cleanly. Xacto knives can be found at any hardware store or even CVS or Rite Aid for around $3.00.

On the cheap (read: free) low end, cardboard can be used for stencil creation. Cardboard templates are useful for testing designs that are relatively easy to draw and cut out.

However, serious taggers can use wax paper designed specifically for stenciling. Waxed graffiti paper, which is translucent, holds up well after multiple uses and can be cut quite easily. It’s also thin enough for printing; this is key for labelers who want to create their stencil designs using a computer program like Photoshop and then print them. Wax graffiti paper can be found at a paper store, but it can definitely be found online at graffiti supply store websites. They are usually sold in bulk, for example: three sheets of 9″ by 12″ paper for $7.50 or six sheets for $11.50.

Markers: Fill in the blanks with ink and paint-based graffiti markers.

Markers go along with stencils as additional tools that most graffiti artists have in their supply kit besides spray paint. There is a large selection of graffiti markers on the market. Some are ink based while others are paint based. Like spray paint, it’s best to try different types and go with what is most comfortable and successful for the project at hand.

Just like stencils, it’s possible to take a DIY approach and create homemade bookmarks. Some taggers like to create their own materials; it allows them the creative freedom to experiment with colors and types of markers while keeping costs down. Detailed instructions and recipes can be found online.

Graffiti markers on the market vary in price and can range from $5.00 to $9.00. Some are ink-based, meaning they can be refilled with ink and reused. Others are paint based. Markers of all types can be found on graffiti product websites such as http://www.bombingscience.com, which includes all of the competing brands such as Molotow, Grog, Do’Em Dirty and others.

Spray paint, stencils and markers, oh my!

While fancy templates and markers will help new taggers create more dynamic images, they won’t give them inspiration or skill. All the expensive materials and know-how in the world are no good without time, dedication, hard work, and at least a little talent. The best graffiti artists have always been able to do a lot with little. They are the ones who take the tools they have and use them in unique and challenging ways the world has yet to see. However, everyone had to start somewhere, and it all starts with a can of paint.