Graffiti Starter Kit: What to Buy When You're Starting Out
Walking into a graffiti shop for the first time can be a lot. There are hundreds of colours, a wall of caps, and people talking about pressure and chrome like you should already know what that means. You don't need most of it to get started. This guide covers what to buy first, three ready-made starter kits at different budgets, and the mistakes we see beginners make most often.
The short answer: start with 6 to 12 cans of one good all-round paint, a mix of caps so you're not stuck with the stock nozzle, and a paint marker for sketching and practice. Add a proper mask and gloves. That's a full first kit for roughly £33 to £61, depending on how many colours you want.
Loop Colours Pack6 cans £28 · 12 cans £54Shop the pack →
Graffiti Cap Mix Pack12 caps for £5Shop caps →
Full Graffiti Writer's Setup£61Shop the setup →
Posca PC-5M 8-Pack£25Shop Posca →
What you actually need to start
1. Spray paint: 6 to 12 cans
Pick one brand to learn on, so you get used to how it feels before you start comparing. We'd suggest Loop or MTN 94. Loop is a medium-pressure can that covers well and costs £4.75, which makes it the best value for practising fills. MTN 94 is low pressure, so it gives you more time to control a line and is more forgiving while you learn. Our Loop vs MTN 94 comparison goes through the differences in detail.
When you choose colours, think about jobs rather than favourites: one or two fill colours, a dark colour or black for outlines, a white for highlights, and something for the background. That's six cans already.
2. Caps
The cap is the nozzle on top of the can, and it decides how wide the spray comes out. Cans come with a stock cap, which is fine for some things, but you'll want at least a fat cap for fills and a skinny cap for outlines. Caps also block, so keep spares. Our Cap Mix Pack gives you three each of fat, skinny, needle and pocket caps for £5, and our beginner's guide to graffiti caps explains which one does what.
3. A paint marker
A lot of your learning happens away from the wall. A paint marker lets you sketch letters, practise outlines and add small details to finished pieces. The Posca PC-5M 8-pack is £25 and works on paper, wood, canvas, metal and glass.
4. Safety kit
Spray paint fumes and overspray aren't something you want to breathe in. Wear a proper respirator with filters for paint fumes and particles (A2P2 filters are the usual choice), not a paper dust mask, and use nitrile gloves. Old clothes help too. Our guide to storing and handling spray paint safely covers the rest.
Three graffiti starter kits
Here are three setups we'd recommend, built from packs we stock.
Starter kit 1: First cans, £33
- Loop Colours Pack, 6 cans: £28
- Graffiti Cap Mix Pack: £5
Six Loop colours picked by our artists to work together as a palette, plus 12 caps. That's enough for a first piece on a legal wall. If you'd rather learn on a low-pressure can, swap the Loop pack for the MTN 94 6-pack in basic colours (£34), which includes a black and a white.
Starter kit 2: More colour, £59
- Loop Colours Pack, 12 cans: £54
- Graffiti Cap Mix Pack: £5
Twice the colours, and the 12-can pack brings Loop down to £4.50 a can. A good choice if you're planning to paint regularly or sharing a kit with a friend.
Starter kit 3: The full writer's setup, £61
The Full Graffiti Writer's Setup puts the practice essentials in one bundle:
- 6 cans of MTN 94 in matt black
- A Posca PC-5M paint marker set in 8 standard colours
- 3 fat caps and 3 skinny caps
It's built for learning letters: black for outlines and structure, Poscas for sketching and detail. Add a Loop Colours Pack when you're ready for colour.
Want to paint chrome?
A silver fill with a black outline is a classic for a reason: it's quick, it covers well and it stands out. The chrome and black 6-pack gives you 3 cans of Molotow Burner Chrome 600ml and 3 cans of MTN Nitro 2G black for £42. Our guide to the best chrome spray paint explains how to get a clean chrome piece.
Where to paint
Only paint where you have permission. London has legal walls where anyone can paint, and they're the best place to practise without pressure. Our guide to legal graffiti walls in London has the details. At home, old boards, plywood and canvas are good for practising can control.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Not shaking the can enough. Shake for at least a minute after you hear the ball rattle, and give it a few more shakes as you go. Unmixed paint sprays thin and patchy.
- Standing too close. Too close and the paint drips. Too far and it goes dusty. Start further back for fills and move in for lines.
- Moving too slowly. Keep your arm moving in smooth, steady passes. Stopping in one spot is what causes drips.
- Only using the stock cap. Fills take forever with a thin cap, and outlines go fuzzy with a fat one. Swap caps for the job.
- Buying lots of colours and no black or white. You'll get through black and white faster than anything else, for outlines, highlights and fixing mistakes.
- Not clearing the cap. When you finish with a can, turn it upside down and spray for a second or two until only gas comes out. That stops the cap from blocking.
- Skipping the sketch. Draw your piece on paper first. It's much quicker to fix letters with a pen than with a can.
- Skipping the mask. Even outdoors, you're standing in your own overspray. Wear one every time.
Learn with an artist first
If you'd like someone to show you can control, caps and letters before you buy your own kit, our graffiti workshops in London are two-hour sessions led by working artists, with every can, cap, mask and glove provided. Plenty of people do a workshop first and then build their own kit afterwards.
Shop spray paint packsShop caps
Order online for UK delivery, or choose free click and collect from our shop at 389 New Cross Road, London SE14 6LA, usually ready within 24 hours.
Graffiti starter kit FAQs
What do I need to start graffiti?
Six to twelve cans of spray paint, a mix of caps, a paint marker for sketching, a respirator mask and gloves, and somewhere legal to paint. You can add more colours and specialist paints like chrome as you go.
How much does a graffiti starter kit cost?
Around £33 for six Loop cans and a cap pack, up to £61 for our Full Graffiti Writer's Setup with cans, Poscas and caps. A respirator mask is extra.
What's the best spray paint for beginners?
MTN 94 is the most forgiving to learn on, because its low pressure gives you more control. Loop is the best value for fills and covers faster. Either is a good first choice.
How many cans do I need for my first piece?
A small first piece usually takes 5 to 7 cans. Our guide to how many spray cans you need shows how to work it out for any size.
Can I buy spray paint if I'm under 16?
No. In the UK it's illegal to sell spray paint to anyone under 16. Under-16s can still learn at one of our workshops, where all the paint and safety kit is provided.
Can I order online and collect from the shop?
Yes. Choose free click and collect at checkout and pick your order up from 389 New Cross Road, London SE14 6LA. It's usually ready within 24 hours.