Top Graffiti Spray Paint Brands in the UK

Introduction

The UK graffiti scene is vibrant, and so is the selection of spray paint brands catering to artists and writers. Quality matters – a good brand gives you reliable coverage, colour, and control. Over the years, a few graffiti spray paint brands have risen to the top in terms of popularity and performance. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the top graffiti paint brands in the UK, discussing what they’re known for and why artists dig them. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner building your paint stash, these names should be on your radar.

(Note: There are two “Montana” brands out there, which can be confusing. Montana Colors (MTN) is the Spanish brand, and Montana Cans is the German brand. We’ll clarify which is which below.)

Montana Colors (MTN)

Montana Colors, often just called MTN, is a Spanish brand that has become a staple in the UK and worldwide. Founded in Barcelona in 1994, Montana Colors introduced high-quality paints made specifically for graffiti artists, and they’ve been innovating ever since.

• Popular Lines: MTN offers several renowned lines. The most famous are MTN 94 (low-pressure, matte finish, huge colour range for precision work) and MTN Hardcore (high-pressure, glossy finish, bold colours for bombing and fills). They also have specialty cans like Mega (ultra large cans), Nitro 2G (chrome-killer black), and water-based spray paints.

• Why Artists Love MTN: The paint quality is top-notch – excellent coverage, vibrant pigments, and reliable valves that seldom clog. Writers praise MTN for its consistency; you know what you’re getting with every can. The variety is enormous too: with MTN 94’s 200+ colours, artists can find any shade they need.

• UK Popularity: In the UK, MTN is widely used for everything from legal murals to trackside throw-ups. It’s often considered a go-to brand, and many graffiti shops (including Paintbox) proudly stock it. Because Montana Colors was one of the first to cater specifically to graffiti writers’ needs, it has a loyal following.

• Fun Fact: The name MTN “94” commemorates 1994, the brand’s founding year, symbolizing its commitment to graffiti culture from day one. Meanwhile, “Hardcore” was named to reflect the hardcore nature of street bombing.

(And to avoid confusion: Montana Colors (MTN) is not the same as Montana Cans from Germany, which produces Montana Black/Gold. Both are great, but MTN is the brand we’re talking about here – the one behind 94 and Hardcore.)

Molotow (Belton Molotow)

Molotow is a German brand (the paint itself is sometimes branded “Belton” in Europe) with a reputation for innovation and quality. Established in the late ‘90s, Molotow quickly made a name with its unique products.

• Claim to Fame: Molotow is famous for its Burner series – especially the iconic Molotow Burner Chrome (one of the brightest, most reflective chrome silvers on the market). To complement the chrome, they also have Burner Black, a powerful tar-black that covers chrome (a true chrome killer). Molotow also pioneered the CoversAll line of black paints with bitumen for maximum coverage.

• Other Products: Beyond spray cans, Molotow produces high-quality paint markers (Molotow One4All), dripsticks, and inks. Many graffiti writers and street artists use Molotow markers for blackbook sketches or detail work on murals. But focusing on spray paint – Molotow’s premium cans include lines like Molotow Premium (high-quality all-round spray) and they have an affordable sub-brand called Flame.

• Flame Orange & Blue: Molotow’s sub-brand Flame offers two lines: Flame Orange (high-pressure, optimized for fast coverage) and Flame Blue (low-pressure, optimized for control). These are more budget-friendly but still excellent quality, making Molotow’s tech accessible to writers who need more affordable options. Flame Orange, in particular, is popular in the UK for those wanting a good high-pressure can without the higher price of flagship lines.

• Why Artists Love Molotow: German engineering in spray paint means reliable cans, precise valves, and great opacity. Molotow’s colour selection isn’t as vast as some competitors, but the colours they do have are highly opaque and lightfast. The brand also pushes the envelope – e.g., their no mixing-ball technology in Burner cans (less shaking needed, silent cans), or the bitumen infused black that was a game-changer for chrome outlines.

• UK Scene: UK writers appreciate Molotow for its consistent performance and the legendary chrome. It’s a top choice for anyone who needs that mirror-like silver or a super solid black. Many shops (like ours) stock Molotow alongside MTN as a complementary brand, giving artists the best of both worlds.

Dope

Dope (also known as Dope Cans) is a newer player relative to MTN and Molotow, but it’s been gaining traction in the UK graffiti community for its quality and price point.

• About the Brand: Dope is a European brand (originating from Poland) that focuses on delivering high-pressure, high-coverage paint at a competitive price. It might not have the decades of legacy that Montana or Molotow have, but it has carved out a niche.

• Notable Products: The flagship is Dope Nitro – a series of high-pressure cans with strong opacity. The Dope Nitro Black in particular has become known as a reliable chrome blocker (the brand itself labels it a chrome killer). Dope also offers a range of vibrant colours and chromes. Their colour palette is more limited than some bigger brands, but it covers the essentials for bombing and piecing.

• Why Artists Use Dope: One word: value. Dope cans tend to be priced a bit lower, making them attractive for artists on a budget or those who need a lot of paint for big projects. Despite the lower price, the quality is solid – good pressure output, decent colour opacity, and reasonable drying time. Many writers are pleasantly surprised that Dope performs on par with more established brands.

• UK Availability: Dope isn’t in every shop, but it’s increasingly available (and yes, we stock it!). It’s particularly popular among those who do a lot of painting and need bulk cans without breaking the bank. Also, the specialized products like Dope Nitro Black give writers another tool in the arsenal for those tricky chrome outlines or rainy-day missions (Nitro Black works in cold weather nicely).

Loop Colours

Loop Colours is an Italian brand that has quickly become a favourite across Europe and in the UK since its launch around 2014. If you haven’t heard of Loop, here’s the lowdown:

• The Basics: Loop was created by writers, for writers, with an emphasis on consistent output and a medium pressure system. Loop cans are technically medium pressure – aiming to balance between control and speed – and they come with a smooth valve system that a lot of artists rave about.

• Colour Range: Loop offers a growing range of colours (100+), all in a nice matte finish. They focus on highly opaque colours that cover well. Their palette has a mix of classic graffiti primaries and some unique tones.

• Why It’s Popular: Loop hit the scene with a user-friendly can that feels comfortable whether you’re doing details or fills. Many compare it favourably to MTN 94 in terms of control, but with a bit more pressure to also do quick fills when needed. It’s sort of an all-rounder can. The paint quality is high (manufactured in Italy with quality pigments), and coverage is excellent.

• UK Uptake: In the UK, Loop has been making waves especially among artists who like to try new gear. It’s stocked by several graffiti retailers and has a reputation for reliability. Some muralists have switched to Loop as a primary paint due to its consistency in different weather conditions (it performs well even in the damp UK climate).

• Extra: Loop’s branding is also pretty sleek – the cans have a distinctive single-color design with a loop logo, which stands out on a shelf. It might not be as universally available as MTN or Molotow yet, but it’s certainly one of the top brands to know.

Ironlak

Ironlak is an Australian-born brand that made a big splash in the mid-2000s by offering affordable spray paint aimed at graffiti writers. It also found its way to the UK and earned a place in the top brand conversations.

• Affordable Graffiti Paint: Ironlak’s major selling point was price. They undercut many established brands on cost, making it possible for younger writers or those without deep pockets to buy more paint. This democratized graffiti in a way, allowing more people to paint large productions without spending a fortune.

• Quality and Improvements: Early on, Ironlak had mixed reviews – some loved the price and color selection, others found issues with valve consistency or opacity. However, the company listened to feedback and continuously improved their formula and can design. Modern Ironlak cans are much better in terms of coverage and reliability than the first batches.

• Colour Range: Ironlak offers a solid range of vibrant colours and usually a gloss finish. They also expanded into multiple lines like Ironlak Reload (for faster output), Sugar (a more eco-friendly paint), and others, but the main Ironlak line remains popular.

• Use in the UK: Ironlak became popular in the UK for those on a budget and for big jam productions where you might need dozens of cans. It might not always match the finesse of MTN or Molotow for detail work, but it gets the job done for large-scale colour blocking and throw-ups. Many writers keep a stash of Ironlaks for situations where quantity matters.

• Why It’s Still a Top Brand: By sheer visibility and usage, Ironlak ranks among top brands because it’s been widely adopted, especially by up-and-coming writers and at graffiti events. The brand also sponsors a lot of graffiti artists and events, which has kept it in the spotlight. Over time, the quality has improved, and it continues to be a go-to for many.

Honorable Mentions (Montana Cans, Others)

It’s worth noting a couple of other big names:

• Montana Cans (Black/Gold): This is the German Montana brand. Their Montana Black (high-pressure) and Montana Gold (low-pressure) lines are extremely popular worldwide and used by many UK artists as well. They offer excellent quality comparable to MTN and Molotow. We focus on MTN at our store, but Montana Black and Gold deserve a shout as they are top-tier paints in their own right.

• Kobra & Sabotaz: These are other European brands (Italy and Greece respectively) that have presence in the UK. They cater to the value segment similar to Ironlak and have their loyal users.

• Others: Brands like Grog (for markers/inks) or Krink (for markers/ink, limited spray selection) also play a part in the graffiti scene, but when it comes to spray paint cans, the ones we discussed above are the heavy hitters in the UK market.

Conclusion

The top graffiti spray paint brands in the UK offer something for every style and budget. To recap:

• Montana Colors (MTN): The Spanish legend known for 94 and Hardcore – a balance of quality and variety.

• Molotow: German precision with the famous Burner series and more – ideal for those who demand reliability and innovation.

• Dope: A rising star offering high-pressure cans that won’t break the bank, including chrome-killer black magic.

• Loop Colours: The Italian newcomer combining control and coverage – quickly becoming a UK favourite.

• Ironlak: The budget-friendly Aussie import that opened doors for many writers, continually improving in quality.

Each of these brands has earned its spot through years of being on walls and trains, tested by the harshest critics: graffiti writers themselves. At the end of the day, “best” can be subjective – some writers swear by one brand exclusively, while others mix and match to get the best out of each. If you’re in the UK and serious about graffiti or street art, it’s worth trying a bit of each to see what works for your style. And of course, you can find all the top brands at Paintbox, either in-store or online, ready to supply your next masterpiece.