Graffiti starter kit: what you really need (checklist + budget)

Getting into graffiti does not have to be expensive or complicated. With a low of medium pressure spray can, a few caps, protection for your lungs and a blackbook to practice in, you already get a long way. In this blog you will read what belongs in a good graffiti starter kit, roughly what it costs and which beginner mistakes you are better off skipping.

What you need to start doing graffiti

Before you run out the door with a bag full of cans, it helps to know what you actually need. The basics are smaller than you think. This is the checklist that gets every beginner going:

• spray can: a low or medium pressure can gives you control while you are still learning the technique.
• caps: different nozzles for thin lines and wide surfaces.
• protection: a mask with filter and a pair of gloves.
• practice material: a blackbook or sketchbook to develop your letters.
• a spot: a legal wall or your own panel where you can paint freely.

The rest is expansion. As soon as you notice what suits you, your stash grows by itself.

Spray cans for beginners: go with low or medium pressure

The biggest difference between spray cans is the pressure. A low or medium pressure can releases the paint more calmly, so you work more precisely and get fewer drips. A high pressure can sprays faster and covers larger surfaces, but it asks for a steady hand. As a beginner you therefore start with low or mediume pressure.

Our first pick is Loop Colors. It is our own brand, sprays nicely under control, has a big colour range and costs around €4.30 per can. If you want variety, Kobra Paint is a strong second choice: grab the LP for control and the HP once you want to fill bigger areas faster. Looking for something else, then Montana Black and Dope Cans do the job too, though they spray a bit punchier and suit you better once you are a little further along. You will find all the options in our spray cans and caps.

Caps from skinny to fat

The cap decides how wide your line gets, and that matters more than most beginners think. You get somewhere with the standard cap on your can, but a set of caps opens up a whole new world at once. Roughly there are two flavours you start with:

• skinny caps: thin, tight lines for outlines, details and small accents.
• fat caps: wide lines for fills and quickly covering large surfaces.

Start with a couple of each. That way you learn which line suits your style and which caps you want more of. Loose caps and mixed bags are waiting in our caps.

Protection for your lungs and hands

Spray paint might smell nice, but the fumes are nothing to be casual about. Even a can that smells like strawberry stays harmful to breathe in. A mask with filter therefore belongs in your starter kit from day one, especially when you work indoors or in a closed space. Watch for protection class A1P2 or A2P2, because those filter the paint fumes that matter. Gloves are the second must, unless you enjoy walking around with coloured fingers for a week. Check our respirators for the right masks and filters.

Practice without hitting the street right away

Your first lines do not have to land on a wall. In fact, that is a waste of your paint and sometimes of your sleep. A blackbook is the classic way to develop your tag and your letters. With markers you sketch out your ideas, look for your style and try new things before you go big. Old pieces of cardboard or wood are perfect to test your caps and your control on the can. That way you do not waste a good wall on a line that still needs to grow.

Where you are allowed to paint legally

You cannot just go wherever you like, and a fine is an expensive way to learn. Luckily there are legal walls and halls of fame across the Netherlands where you can practice freely. Find a spot near you and paint with a clear head. Our blog has an overview of legal graffiti spots to get you started.

What a graffiti starter kit costs

You can start on a small budget and expand later whenever you want. Below you see two examples: a starter kit to get a taste and a complete kit to get going seriously. The prices are indicative and based on what is currently in our shop.

If you would rather not puzzle it together yourself, take a look at our packs. The maths is already done for you there.

Common mistakes when you start doing graffiti

Everybody makes beginner mistakes, but a few are easy to skip. The classic one is spraying too close to the wall, which makes your paint run and leaves your piece full of drips. Another shame is buying ten colours right away when you learn perfectly well with three or four. Many starters also underrate the mask, while your lungs do not give you a second chance for that. And the most expensive mistake of all: painting illegally before you have found a legal wall to build your basics on.

Frequently asked questions about starting graffiti

The questions beginners ask us most often, with a short and honest answer for each.

What does it cost to start doing graffiti?

With a starter kit you spend around €50. For a complete kit with a better mask and more cans, count on roughly €100.

Is graffiti legal?

On your own property or a legal wall it is fine. On someone else's property without permission it is not, and that earns you a fine. So start at a hall of fame.

Do I really need a mask?

Yes. Spray paint gives off harmful fumes, including brands that smell nice. A mask with filter class A1P2 or A2P2 belongs in every starter kit.

Ready to grab your first can

Starting graffiti is not about owning as much gear as possible, but about the right basics. Grab a low or medium pressure can, a few caps and good protection, and practice first in your blackbook or on a legal wall. After that the rest grows along with you. Put together your own starter kit in our spray cans and caps and lay down your first lines.