London’s streets are a living canvas. From the bold murals of Shoreditch to the hidden tags tucked under railway arches in Peckham, the city’s street art scene thrives on more than just talent-it thrives on the right gear. If you’re an artist rolling through the city with a backpack full of spray cans and a handful of caps, you need to know where to restock. This isn’t about tourist traps or big-box art stores. This is about the real spots where working street artists buy their paint, their caps, and the tools that keep their work alive.
Where the Pros Shop: The Core Supply Hubs
There are three places in London that every street artist knows by heart. The first is Artbox on Kingsland Road. It’s not flashy. No neon signs. Just a narrow shop with steel shelves crammed with spray cans from Montana, Molotow, and Ironlak. The owner, a former graffiti writer from Berlin, keeps a handwritten board behind the counter listing current stock: “Montana 94 Gold: 12 left. Molotow Premium: 8. Caps: all sizes in stock.” You don’t ask for help-you scan the board, grab what you need, and pay at the back. No receipts. No questions.
Second is Street Supply Co. in Camden. It’s the only place in London that sells caps by the individual piece. Not packs. Not sets. Single caps. Want a fat cap for big fills? A skinny for fine lines? A mushroom for control? They have over 80 types. Artists come here to build custom kits. One regular, a muralist who’s worked on 12 buildings in East London, told me he’s been buying his 14mm Fat Cap here for six years. He says, “If the cap doesn’t feel right, the line dies.”
Third is Underground Paint in Bermondsey. It’s a warehouse space with a backroom where artists trade cans. You bring a half-used can of red, and you walk out with a full one of black. No money changes hands. Just trust. It’s not legal. But it’s real. And it’s been running since 2018. The police know it’s there. They’ve never shut it down. Why? Because the artists here clean up after themselves. They tag the walls. They also paint over the tags.
What’s in the Can? The Paint That Lasts
Not all spray paint is made equal. Street artists in London use three main brands, and each has a role.
- Montana Colors is the go-to for durability. It’s the brand that survives rain, sun, and being painted over. The Montana 94 series is the gold standard for outdoor murals. It dries fast, holds pressure, and doesn’t clog.
- Molotow Premium is the artist’s favorite for detail work. It’s got a smoother spray, less overspray, and the caps are precision-engineered. If you’re doing portraits or lettering, this is what you reach for.
- Ironlak is the budget powerhouse. It’s cheaper, slightly less consistent, but still reliable. Most new artists start here. It’s also the brand you’ll find in bulk packs at street markets-perfect for tagging multiple walls in one night.
Most artists avoid cheap cans from hardware stores. Why? They clog. They fade. They don’t stick to brick. A 400ml can of Montana costs £8.50. A 400ml can of Walmart spray paint? £3. But the Walmart one won’t last a month in a London downpour. Artists don’t cut corners on paint. They know what’s at stake.
The Caps: The Secret Weapon
Caps are everything. A fat cap lets you cover a 2-meter wall in 15 seconds. A skinny cap lets you write your name in 3mm letters on a brick wall. But caps wear out fast. One night of heavy tagging can ruin a cap. That’s why artists carry 10-20 spare ones.
Here are the top three caps used in London:
- Fat Cap (14mm) - Used for base coats. The go-to for filling large walls. The Molotow 14mm is the most popular. It holds pressure well and doesn’t spit.
- Slender Cap (4mm) - For outlines, fine lines, and lettering. Artists use this to add detail after the base is dry. The Ironlak Slim is the most common.
- Mushroom Cap (8mm) - The middle ground. Good for medium-sized tags and controlled fills. It’s the cap most people don’t realize they need until they try it.
Some artists even modify caps. They melt the ends with a lighter to change the spray pattern. Others tape them with electrical tape to reduce airflow. These aren’t hacks-they’re techniques passed down from artist to artist.
Where Not to Go
Don’t waste time at Art Shops on Oxford Street. They sell acrylics, canvases, and paintbrushes. None of that works on concrete. Don’t go to B&Q or Homebase. Their spray paint is for garden furniture. It chips. It fades. It looks amateur.
And avoid online stores that promise “free delivery” and “bulk discounts.” Most of them ship from overseas. By the time your cans arrive, the paint’s settled. The pressure’s low. The caps are mismatched. Street art in London is fast. You need gear you can grab on the way to your next spot.
What Else Do You Need?
Paint and caps aren’t the whole kit. Most artists carry:
- A mask-not just any mask. A P2-rated one. Spray paint fumes in enclosed spaces like tunnels can knock you out. Artists who skip this end up in A&E.
- Latex gloves-to keep paint off your skin. Some paints contain heavy metals. You don’t want to absorb them through your hands.
- A small brush-for touch-ups. Sometimes the paint doesn’t stick right. A brush with 3mm bristles fixes it.
- Wet wipes-for cleaning your hands before you touch your phone or wallet. It’s basic hygiene.
One artist I met, who’s been tagging since 2015, told me: “I’ve lost more than 50 cans to the police. I’ve been chased through three boroughs. But I’ve never lost my gloves. Or my mask. Those are non-negotiable.”
The Rules of the Game
There’s no official rulebook, but there are unwritten laws:
- Don’t steal another artist’s tag. It’s not just rude-it’s dangerous. You’ll get painted over. Or worse.
- Don’t tag over a mural unless you’re invited. Murals are community work. Tagging over them is vandalism, not art.
- Always clean up your trash. Empty cans, tape, gloves. Leave the wall better than you found it.
- Know your zones. Some areas are “no-go.” Others are “open.” Ask a local. They’ll tell you.
London’s street art scene isn’t about fame. It’s about legacy. The best pieces aren’t the ones with the most likes. They’re the ones that survive. The ones that stay through winter, through rain, through being painted over three times. And they survive because the artists who made them knew where to get the right paint. The right caps. The right tools.
Where can I buy spray paint for street art in London?
The best places are Artbox on Kingsland Road, Street Supply Co. in Camden, and Underground Paint in Bermondsey. Artbox has top brands like Montana and Molotow. Street Supply Co. sells individual caps. Underground Paint runs a trade system where artists swap unused cans. Avoid big-box stores-they sell paint that won’t last outdoors.
What’s the best spray paint brand for London street art?
Montana Colors is the most trusted for durability, especially the Montana 94 series. Molotow Premium is best for fine details and portraits. Ironlak is a budget-friendly option for beginners and large-scale tagging. Avoid cheap hardware store brands-they fade fast and clog easily in London’s damp weather.
What caps do street artists use in London?
The three most common caps are: the 14mm Fat Cap for filling large areas, the 4mm Slender Cap for outlines and lettering, and the 8mm Mushroom Cap for balanced control. Artists buy these individually at Street Supply Co. in Camden. Many also modify caps by melting the ends or taping them for custom spray patterns.
Do I need special gear besides paint and caps?
Yes. Always carry a P2-rated mask to avoid inhaling fumes, latex gloves to protect your skin, a small brush for touch-ups, and wet wipes to clean your hands. Many artists also carry a small toolkit with tape, a lighter (to modify caps), and a rag. These aren’t optional-they’re part of the job.
Is it legal to buy street art supplies in London?
Buying spray paint and caps is legal. But using them on public property without permission is vandalism. Shops like Artbox and Street Supply Co. sell to anyone over 18, no questions asked. However, the city has increased patrols near known tagging spots. The key is knowing where you can legally create art-like approved walls, commissioned murals, or private property with permission.
If you’re serious about street art in London, don’t just grab the first can you see. Know your paint. Know your caps. Know your spots. The city doesn’t reward luck. It rewards preparation.