Ready to move from the sketchbook to the wall? Time to grab the right spray paint for the job.
With so many different types of spray paint out there though, it can be hard to know exactly which cans are the best for graffiti.
Don’t sweat it.
In this guide, I’ll cover 10 of the best professional spray paints for graffiti. Tried and tested by me throughout my 15 years of graffiti experience on a ton of different surfaces and weather conditions.
Stick around until the end too, because I cover 6 things you need to know before you grab some fresh cans.
Once you’re done, check out our guide to the best graffiti markers to complete your arsenal of graffiti tools.
Top 10 Best Spray Paints for Graffiti
Let’s get straight to it.
Here’s our complete rundown of the top 10 best spray paints for graffiti you can pick up right now.
1. Top Pick: Montana Black
– Pressure: High
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Orange Dot
For graffiti artists who need speed whilst also maintaining precision, Montana Black is our #1 choice as the best overall spray paint for graffiti.
Montana Black has been a legendary spray paint in the graffiti scene ever since it was released in the early 2000s by Germany-based manufacturer Montana Cans.
As the first ever spray paint made by graffiti writers, for graffiti writers, it’s known for being one of the highest-performing spray paints in the game.
And I couldn’t recommend it enough for both beginners and experienced artists.
Montana Black has a high pressure valve system, which makes it perfect for painting fast. Plus, it comes stocked with an Orange Dot Fat cap, which allows for super high coverage and thick lines.
Swapping out the stock cap for a skinnier cap like the Montana Level 1, you’ll have a good level of control over the can to achieve thin to medium-sized lines. This makes it a great all-round paint for most artists.
To top it all off, Montana Black also has a huge color palette of 180+ shades. So there’s a nearly endless amount of color combinations to choose from for every graffiti style.
If you’re new to Montana Black, I recommend picking up the 12 popular colors pack.
With this pack, you won’t need to worry about deciding between colors, which can be one of the hardest parts of buying spray paint. Plus, you’ll find out which ones you like the most for next time.
If you pick up some Montana Black cans remember to remove the plastic insert by lifting off the cap before use. It’s there to stop the paint from spraying out the can in transit and produces less plastic waste than a lid. Pretty smart.
If you’re looking for one of the best spray paints on the market, Montana Black should be the first choice for every graffiti artist.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Blick Art (US)
Cass Art (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Best all-round spray paint for graffiti artists | – More expensive than other graffiti paints |
+ 180+ color shades to choose from | – Stock cap is very wide |
+ Great for painting fast whilst maintaining control | |
+ Super opaque and vivid finish |
2. MTN 94
– Pressure: Low
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: MTN Skinny
MTN 94 takes the spot as the best spray paint for precision, which makes it a great choice for street art and graffiti.
It’s a good choice for beginners as the low pressure system makes controlling the can easier. Plus, it comes stocked with a skinny cap, which is great for achieving fine lines and details, whilst improving can control.
For filling in bigger areas using MTN 94, I recommend picking up a few fat caps to use alongside it.
NY fat caps, for example, work perfectly with MTN 94 for faster fill-ins, thicker lines and for practising things like flair tags. In fact, MTN 94 paired with a NY fat cap is one of my favourite combos for tagging.
In terms of colors, MTN 94 has over 210+ shades to choose from, so you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect colors for your piece.
I’ve found the colors I tried to be very vibrant too, and haven’t had any problems with cans clogging up on me, unlike some cheaper spray paints.
MTN 94 also doesn’t smell too strong either, which is a small benefit compared to cheaper formulas which can smell pretty bad.
Whether you’re buying paint for either graffiti or street art, MTN 94 is one of the best spray paints for both detailed work and high coverage. It’s the ultimate professional paint for artists.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Blick Art (US)
Cass Art (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Great option for beginners | – Cheaper options available |
+ 210+ color shades | – Low pressure isn’t great for painting fast |
+ Opaque and vivid color palette | |
+ Easy to control pressure system |
3. Molotow Premium
– Pressure: Dual
– Finish: Semi-Gloss
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Blue Dot
Molotow Premium is one of the most well-known paint brands in both graffiti and street art and is our best spray paint for versatility.
The reason it’s such a good all-around paint is mostly due to its dynamic dual-valve pressure system.
This gives it the feel of both a low and high pressure paint depending on the cap and how much finger pressure you use.
Molotow Premium also comes stocked with a medium sized cap. This allows for skinny lines when used close to the wall, all the way up to bigger lines when sprayed from a distance.
This makes it a great choice for any situation. Plus, Molotow Premium has one of the biggest color charts of any spray paint, with over 275+ shades available.
If you’re in the US, you may find Molotow Premium a bit more difficult to source as it’s from a German-based manufacturer. MTN 94 is a good alternative if you can’t pick it up near you.
Molotow Premium is a great choice if you need reliable, high quality spray paint for your next graffiti or street art piece.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Bombing Science (US)
GreatArt (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Great for beginners | – Stock cap isn’t great |
+ Excellent dual-valve pressure system | – Cheaper options available |
+ 275+ color shades to choose from | |
+ Opaque and vivid color palette |
4. Flame Orange
– Pressure: High
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Pink Dot
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Montana Black, Flame Orange is our pick as the best budget spray paint for graffiti.
Flame Orange is a high pressure, high output spray paint, which makes it a great choice for quick graffiti action.
It’s manufactured by Molotow as their cheaper line of spray paint, but it hardly compromises on quality.
In fact, Flame Orange are almost like a cheaper version of Montana Black as they have a similar feel in terms of pressure and output.
The Pink Dot Fat cap it comes stocked with is great for fast coverage. However, for skinnier lines, a skinny cap also performs very well on Flame Orange.
Flame Orange is a very good choice if you’re painting on a budget but also want spray paint with a premium feel.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Bombing Science (US)
GreatArt (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Cheap, but still good quality | – Pressure can be hard to control |
+ High pressure, high output | – Strong odour |
+ 100+ color shades | |
+ Best Montana Black alternative |
5. Flame Blue
– Pressure: Low
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Blue Dot
Flame Blue is a low pressure spray paint designed for precision and control. Because of its cheaper price point, Flame Blue is our best budget spray paint for precision.
Flame Blue has a very similar feel to other low pressure paints like MTN 94 and Montana Gold. However, its cheaper price makes it the better option for artists on a budget.
Although there are over 120+ color shades to choose from, from experience, the colors aren’t as vibrant as some of the more premium options like MTN 94.
This should be expected, however, due to the lower price as the formulas aren’t as high quality.
The spray paint has a great feel in hand and is great for beginners as the low pressure allows for more control.
Just be sure to swap the cap out for a skinny cap if you want finer lines, as the Blue Dot Soft cap it comes stocked with creates soft, wide lines. Throw on a fat cap for higher coverage in situations where you need to be fast.
Overall, Flame Blue is a great budget choice for all aerosol artists.
However, the spray can’s low pressure may be more suited for street artists or those who don’t need to paint quickly.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Bombing Science (US)
GreatArt (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Good budget option for beginners | – Colors aren’t as vibrant as premium options |
+ Great for precision and control | – Stock cap isn’t great |
+ 120+ color shades | |
+ Good option for street artists |
6. Molotow Burner Chrome
– Pressure: High
– Finish: High-Gloss
– Can Size: 600ml
– Cap: Pink Dot
If going huge and painting with speed is your style, Molotow Burner Chrome is our best spray paint for high coverage.
Molotow Burner Chrome’s power of high coverage has made it one of the most popular spray paints for graffiti, as it allows artists to fill their letters in very quickly.
The can goes a very long way too because it’s 600ml. Plus, the high-covering chrome means you won’t have to do multiple layers (depending on the surface), which can save a lot of paint.
Because it’s such a high pressure can, however, the formula is quite thin. So you might need to give it some time to dry on the wall before you use another color over it to keep things looking crisp.
The Pink Dot cap it comes stocked with produces massive lines. But if you want something slightly easier to control, replace it with a skinny cap.
Pair Molotow Burner Chrome with thick black spray paint for outlining your letters, and you’ve got a great combo for graffiti bombing.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Bombing Science (US)
GreatArt (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Super high, fast coverage | – Strong odour |
+ Large 600ml tall can | – Hard to control |
+ High-gloss, reflective finish | |
+ Super wide Pink Dot Fat Cap |
7. Montana Black Pocket Can
– Pressure: High
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 150ml
– Cap: Orange Dot
For graffiti or street artists looking for something a bit more low-key to carry around, the Montana Black Pocket Can is our pick for the best pocket-sized spray paint.
At 150ml, this can is perfect for carrying around in a small bag or for putting in your pocket. However, don’t expect the can to last very long – especially compared to 400ml or 600ml cans.
The Montana Black Pocket Can only comes in 6 colors too, so it’s not great for painting big pieces with. Or for doing colourful pieces.
It’s best used for catching tags when you want spray paint, but don’t want to carry big spray cans around.
I recommend switching the cap out for a skinny cap if you want it to last longer. The Orange Dot fat cap the can comes stocked with drains paint fast, so be careful.
If you want a spray can that you can easily take with you on the go, choose the Montana Pocket Can. They’re also cheaper than traditional 400ml spray paint if you’re on a budget.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Spray Planet (US)
Graff City (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Fits in your pocket | – Small can size |
+ Great for tags | – Small color chart |
+ Fat cap for big tags and lines | |
+ High pressure |
8. Molotow Coversall Acrylic
– Pressure: Dual
– Finish: Matte
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Orange Dot
For a paint that’s less toxic to your health and the environment, Molotow Coversall Acrylic takes the spot as our best water based spray paint.
Unlike the other paints I’ve covered which use solvent or oil based formulas, Molotow Coversall Acrylic uses a water based formula instead.
This means it’s much less harmful to breathe in, so there’s no need to wear a respirator mask when using it. It also means it’s much better for indoor use compared to solvent or oil based paints.
However, water based spray paints do have their drawbacks.
They’re much more expensive than traditional spray paints, which makes the price hard to justify.
Plus, they’re less durable over time so the paint is more prone to fading – especially when exposed to bad weather. If you want your piece to survive for longer, I recommend using a primer over your finished piece to protect it.
Water based formulas also have a longer drying time of up to 15 minutes, which is a long time compared to instant drying solvents or oil-based spray paints.
Nonetheless, for spray paint that’s excellent for indoor use and better for your health, Molotow Coversall Acrylic is a great choice for water based spray paint.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Art Primo (US)
GreatArt (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Great for indoor use | – Expensive |
+ High-quality water based formula | – Less durable |
+ 90+ color shades | |
+ Better for the environment |
9. Loop Colors
– Pressure: Mid
– Finish: Satin
– Can Size: 400ml
– Cap: Loop Skinny
Loop Colors has recently taken the graffiti supply market by storm with its range of professional spray paint. Their standard 400ml can takes the spot as our best mid pressure spray paint.
Mid pressure spray paint sits in-between low and high pressure, making it a good choice for precision whilst also being able to cover quicker than low pressure paint.
Loop Colors comes stocked with a Loop Skinny cap too, which is a great cap from experience. You’re able to achieve nice fine lines with this cap – perfect for sketching or outlining letters.
You’ll also never run out of colors to choose from as Loop boasts over 180+ vibrant color shades. The white color specifically is super vibrant and reliable. It’s a personal favourite of mine.
If you want an all-around quality paint that won’t break the bank, Loop Colors is an excellent choice.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Blick Art (US)
The Bench (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Versatile pressure system | – Prone to overspray when close to empty |
+ Great for beginners | |
+ 180+ color shades | |
+ Great price per can |
10. Montana Ultra-Wide
– Pressure: Ultra
– Finish: Semi-Gloss
– Can Size: 750ml
– Cap: Ultra Wide
If insanely big tags are your thing, then the Montana Ultra-Wide is for you. This can takes the crown as the best ultra-wide spray paint.
With an ultra-high pressure valve and a specialist ultra-wide cap, the Montana Ultra-Wide packs a punch, to say the least.
This 750ml spray paint is able to cause serious damage in a very short space of time. But be warned, your can control will be pushed to the limit as it’s very difficult to work with.
Unfortunately, due to the ultra-high output, the can runs out very quickly. Plus, it’s pretty expensive for how little you get out of it.
The Montana Ultra Wide is great for playing around with, but it’s not great for beginners trying to learn.
If you’re new to graffiti, try grabbing a few cans of Montana Black instead to develop your can control before trying spray paint like this.
Otherwise, enjoy the insanity of the Montana Ultra-Wide.
VIEW ON OTHER VENDORS:
Blick Art (US)
Graff City (UK)
Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
+ Perfect for giant tags | – Very messy |
+ Ultra high pressure valve | – Runs out fast |
+ Choice of 10 colors | – Expensive |
+ Fast drying |
6 things to know before buying spray paint for graffiti
Before you pick up some fresh cans for your next piece, it’s a good idea to know a bit more about choosing the best spray paint for you.
Here are 6 things to know before you pick something up from our list.
1. High pressure vs low pressure spray paint
Most professional spray paints come in two types of valve pressure: low pressure and high pressure.
Low pressure spray paint has less pressure pumped into the can during production. This means less pressure is released when the can is used, so the paint comes out slower.
This makes low pressure spray paint the better choice for anyone who wants more control over the can. Although it also depends on their graffiti style.
Beginners, street artists or any artist producing detailed work will likely prefer using low pressure spray paint for better precision and can control.
High pressure spray paint, on the other hand, has a higher amount of pressure pumped into the can during production. This means the paint is released from the can quicker than low pressure paint.
This makes high pressure spray paint better in situations where artists need to fill large areas quickly or need to paint fast, like graffiti.
However, this speed comes at the cost of control. So if you’re a beginner, it might be better to choose a lower pressure spray paint when starting out.
2. Matte vs gloss vs satin finish
Graffiti and street art spray paints leave different finishes when they dry. The most common finishes are matte, gloss and satin.
Spray paint with a matte finish means that the paint will appear flat, and not reflect any light.
A gloss (or semi-gloss) finish will leave a glossy paint look on the surface which will reflect light better than matte spray paint.
And finally, a satin finish will leave a silky or velvety finish on the surface. This kind of finish is less common in professional art spray paints.
The kind of finish you choose will depend on the effect you want to achieve. Although, don’t get too hung up over the finish of the spray paint you choose.
It can be hard to tell the difference between finishes as the type of surface you’re painting will also play a part in how the paint looks when it dries.
3. Different stock caps
Each spray paint featured on this list comes with a cap already attached to the can. But not all caps are created equal.
Caps come in different sizes which will affect how big or small your lines are. The most popular spray paint caps you’ll find are skinny, medium and fat caps.
Skinny caps are one of the most common types of caps. They spray thin lines which are best for things like sketching, outlining and creating small details.
Medium caps are less common but still widely found. These caps lie in between skinny and fat to create medium sized lines. Great for slightly thicker outlines and filling in small to medium sized areas.
Fat caps can usually be found stocked on high pressure spray paint. When sprayed, fat caps create big lines which are great for filling in large areas quickly or creating flares.
When choosing the best spray paint for you, don’t worry too much about the cap it’s stocked with.
Try the cap that comes stocked on the can. If you like it, great. If not, grab a pack of caps and switch it out for another.
Most graffiti and street artists have caps they prefer that work best for their style of graffiti. But you’ll only find the one that works best for you through trial and error.
4. Different can sizes
Some of the best spray paints for graffiti and street art come in a variety of sizes between 50ml all the way to 750ml.
400ml cans are by far the most popular can size and the standard size for most spray paint brands. If you’re a beginner, I’d highly recommend using 400ml cans to start.
600ml cans are also a popular choice. Known as tall cans, they’re usually higher pressure to compensate for the extra paint. Pair with a fat cap to cover large areas fast.
150ml cans are rarer, but they’re preferred by those who like a smaller can to carry around. This can size is usually known as a pocket can.
750ml cans are specialist cans, commonly known as booster cans. They’re ultra-high pressure and usually contain wide caps for insanely wide lines.
If you’re new to graffiti and street art, start with 400ml spray paint cans. Once you get better at using these, branch out to different can sizes.
5. Choosing colors
Choosing the right colors for your graffiti piece can be tricky. Especially if you’re buying paint online as you won’t know exactly how the color will come out.
My best advice is to pick colors and test them out. If you like a color, you’ll remember it. If you don’t, try another one.
It’s pretty much how all graffiti and street artists have to figure it out too, so don’t be too put off when it comes to choosing colors.
Pick your colors and roll with them. It’s really the only way to find out if they’re what you’re looking for or not. Plus, it’s fun to experiment with different colors either in the streets or at a local chill spot.
6. Spray paint safety
I won’t preach too much, but solvent or oil based aerosol spray paints aren’t great to breathe in.
So it’s a good idea to wear a spray paint respirator when you’re painting a graffiti or street art piece.
Water based spray paints are an exception as they use a water based formula which is much less harmful to breathe in than solvent or oil based paints.
However, water based spray paints are much more expensive and less durable than oil or solvent based spray paints.
Final thoughts on choosing the right spray paint
Now you know everything there is to know about choosing the best spray paint for you, here’s a summary of everything I’ve covered.
Plus, I’ve included a few expert tips for getting the most out of your brand new spray cans.
What’s the best spray paint for graffiti?
Montana Black is our top choice as the best spray paint for graffiti.
This is because of its high pressure valve system which allows for fast painting. Paired with its pink dot fat cap, you’ll be able to cover large areas with speed.
Montana Black also has over 180+ vibrant colors to choose from. Plus, its matte finish offers a flat, authentic look which is perfect for graffiti.
What’s the best spray paint for precision?
MTN 94 takes the spot as our best spray paint for creating precise work, making it ideal for muralists and street artists.
Precision and control are very important for street artists, especially if they’re doing complex or detailed work. This makes MTN 94 the perfect choice because of its low pressure and skinny stock cap.
MTN 94 also has a huge 210+ color shades to choose from, so there’s a color for pretty much everything.
Plus, if you need to fill large areas, a fat cap on an MTN 94 can is a great combo for high coverage.
Do I need to buy extra caps?
Buying extra spray paint caps when you make a spray paint order isn’t essential. Stock caps are usually more than enough to work with.
However, if you want to experiment with new caps to test different line styles, I’d recommend picking up a few different sized caps.
Spray paint caps are quite cheap, so they shouldn’t add too much to your order. Plus, caps can be reused if properly taken care of.
How do I get the most out of my spray paint?
Any graffiti or street artist will tell you that the cost of spray paint can quickly add up, especially if you’re painting a lot.
So to get the most out of your spray paint, here are a few useful tips:
- Shake the can well before use. If a can hasn’t been shaken in a while, the pigment naturally splits from the rest of the solution. Be sure to shake the can very well before use to get the best color.
- Spray the can out after use. When you’re finished using a can, turn it upside down and spray it until no more paint comes out. This unclogs the spray paint valve so it can be used again later on.
- Be careful when using fat caps. Fat caps are great for high coverage and big lines, but they also drain paint very quickly. Instead, try to stick with skinny caps to get the most out of your can. Only use fat caps when you need to.
Grabbed some new cans and are ready for some fresh markers? Take a look at our complete guide to the best graffiti markers you can cop right now.