spraytype

Spraytype is a technique for producing typographic forms using spray-applied paint, often via stencils or masking. It enables rapid lettering with textured edges and a residual spray texture. The term can refer to the practice itself and to works produced in this manner. Common materials include aerosol spray paints, masking stencils, and sometimes airbrushing for refined control.

Origins lie in graffiti and street-art communities of the late 20th century, where artists experimented with spray to render letters quickly across surfaces. In the following decades, spraytype was adopted by graphic artists and designers interested in tactile, street-influenced typography. It remains associated with urban contexts but is also used in studios and installations.

Techniques and tools: A cap with adjustable spray width, various stencil materials (vinyl, acetate, or cardboard), and masking allow letters to be formed from negative space. Artists layer colors, adjust distance, and vary motion to control opacity and edge hardness. Gradients and halo effects are achieved by extended spray time or multiple passes. Cleanup and ventilation are important considerations in practice.

Styles and applications: Hard-edged type created with precise stencils contrasts with soft, spray-feathered letterforms achieved by lighter passes. Spraytype is used in murals, posters, album art, installations, or experimental typography projects. Although durable when sealed, spraytype remains susceptible to weathering, and works are often treated as ephemeral in outdoor contexts.

See also aerosol art, graffiti, stencil art.