Graffiti Markers, Paint, and Tools From 1970s - Now!
From Pilots to 94s: A Deep Dive Into Graffiti Tools from the 1970s to Today
When we talk about graffiti history, it’s impossible to ignore the role of the tools that shaped the art form—from the earliest graffiti markers in New York City's subway system to the highly specialized graffiti paint we use today. In this post, we’re taking a time-traveling look at how graffiti tools and supplies evolved over the decades, the innovations that defined each era, and the stories behind some of the most iconic brands in the scene.
1970s: The Birth of the Tag and the Rise of the Marker
The 1970s marked the explosion of graffiti in New York. Artists like Taki 183, Blade, Coco 144, and many others pioneered the tagging movement, using whatever tools they could get their hands on—cheap paintbrushes, hardware store ink, and early graffiti markers like Pilot and Magnum 44. Markers weren’t originally designed for graffiti. But once writers discovered that large nibs gave their tags greater visibility inside subway cars, tools like the Pilot became legendary. These early markers became the foundation of tagging culture and inspired the DIY ethic that still runs through graffiti today.
Grooved felt mops were often homemade – writers stuffed blackboard eraser felt into old bottles or even used shoe polish to make DIY inks. Outside on the street, spray paint became the ultimate tool. Hardware-store cans like Rust-Oleum (“Rust-O”) and Krylon were the workhorses of early pieces. Rust-Oleum was especially prized for its thick, durable finish. Creativity flourished with improvisation: writers famously grabbed plastic caps off Easy-Off oven cleaner, Scotchgard or Niagara spray starch to make their own “fat caps” for bolder strokes. And when budgets were tight, shoplifting (“racking”) paint from hardware and offices was commonplace – one graffiti memoir notes, “shoplifting, or ‘racking’, was the norm”.
Popular graffiti tools of the 1970s:
Pilot markers
Magnum 44
Homemade mops using shoe polish bottles
DIY inks with Flowmaster and blackboard erasers
Rust-Oleum spray paint (aka “Rusto”)
Krylon paint
Easy-Off caps for makeshift fat caps
1980s: Graffiti Goes Full Color
The '80s ushered in a new era—graffiti murals exploded in size, color, and complexity. Artists like Futura, Dondi, and Blade helped push graffiti from simple tags to elaborate burners and full-car masterpieces.
While spray paint was still racked from hardware stores, more attention was now being given to markers, which got bigger and bolder. Tools like the Uni Wide and Mini Wide became iconic for their broad strokes and drippy tags. These were the weapons of choice for many writers.
Graffiti marker innovations:
Uni Wide and Mini Wide markers
Flowmaster ink (prized for its vibrant, juicy flow)
Introduction of refillable pens and nib customization
This era solidified spray paint and markers as essential graffiti supplies, while racking remained a core part of the culture. If you weren’t stealing your paint, you weren’t “real”—a mindset deeply ingrained in the early graffiti community.
1990s: The Global Graffiti Boom and Brand Revolution
By the 1990s, graffiti had gone international. Crews were hitting walls all over Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and companies finally started paying attention. For the first time, graffiti-specific paint entered the market—ushering in a new golden age of graffiti tools.
In 1994, Montana Colors dropped the Montana Hardcore can, a high-pressure paint built specifically for graffiti writers. It featured brilliant color ranges and came with interchangeable caps, setting a new standard.
Key graffiti tool milestones:
Montana Hardcore (1994): the first graffiti-dedicated spray can
Refillable markers became the norm
DIY methods still persisted—homemade mops, mixed inks, felt tips
As graffiti got bigger and more organized, crews began pooling money to buy graffiti paint in bulk. Racking became less common, but still part of the culture. Meanwhile, American hardware paint shifted too: Rust-Oleum introduced the American Accents line, and Valspar/WoodSaver glimmers came into play by mid-decade.
Graffiti pens went high-tech. The 90s saw the rise of refillable metal markers like Japan’s Pilot PX-30 and German Molotow pens. By the late ’90s, graffiti crews often pooled cash or hit up defunct paint stores to stockpile good cans (Krylon, Rust-Oleum) and markers (Marvy, Sharpie).
2000s: Customization and Industry Explosion
The 2000s marked a major shift. Graffiti wasn’t just a subculture anymore—it became an industry. Paint brands refined their offerings, and the introduction of Montana 94 in 2009 changed everything.
With low pressure, high opacity, and over 140 color options, the Montana 94 was ideal for both high-detail work and quick burners. Around this time, Nitro 2G also entered the scene with a black perfect for getting up due to it’s high coverage and beautiful lines.
Meanwhile, the marker world was dominated by new power players. These brands brought graffiti markers to a new level with refillable systems, smooth ink flow, and durable nibs. At the same time, old-school brands like Krylon and Rust-Oleum began fading from the scene, replaced by specialty graffiti brands like Belton, Montana, and Ironlak.
Must-have graffiti tools of the 2000s:
Montana 94 (low-pressure, versatile, huge color range)
Nitro 2G (incredible opacity for outlines and fills)
Molotow & Grog markers
Belton spray paint
Sabotaz paint (notorious for its rank smell but vibrant output)
2010s and Beyond: Tech Meets the Streets
By the 2010s, the graffiti world had changed dramatically. Artists weren’t just hitting trains—they were selling canvases, running YouTube channels, and launching clothing lines. The rise of smartphones changed how writers sketched, scouted, and painted.
Where artists once memorized outlines to avoid carrying blackbooks (and incriminating evidence), now they could snap a pic of their sketch and pull it up in seconds. Lights from phones replaced headlamps, and flashlights making nighttime bombing safer and sneakier. People even began mixing tech in weird, less practical ways that are awesome despite the lack of practicality such as drones, strange spray nozzles that more so splatter but leave interesting marks, and even 3D printed caps. As the years progress, so too does the tools, and writers will always be resourceful and make use of whatever they can get their hands on.
Digital meets analog:
Phone lights for nighttime painting
Sketches saved on devices, not in blackbooks
Social media influencing graffiti styles, trends, and gear
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