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Graffiti and Street Lettering Styles

While some view graffiti as vandalism, others see it as a type of expression in which artists spray-paint their names (known as tags) or other significant words on walls, trains, billboards and other public spaces. Many different lettering techniques and alphabet styles have been developed, since each artist is unique, but several general versions can be identified, such as bubble letters, arrowed letters, the blockbuster style or the wild style.
  1. Bubble Letters

    • Bubble letters are bulbous or balloon-like versions of the 26 letters of the alphabet. Their sides and corners may be completely rounded or only slightly rounded with straight edges. Bubble letters may be tightly squeezed together to fit a smaller space or they may be spread out and more easily readable. Letters done in this style may be left unfilled or colored in. They may be single-colored, multicolored, or decorated with patterns.

    Arrow Lettering Styles

    • Some graffiti artists decorate their work with multidirectional arrows that are attached to the tops or bottoms of the letters. The arrows may be made to look three-dimensional to create an even more eye-dazzling effect. Graffiti done in this style may be left empty or filled in with one or more colors.

    The Blockbuster Style

    • The blockbuster lettering style is used to fill large spaces. A graffiti artist using this technique may use any kind of font or alphabet style in making larger-than-usual letters of a word being written. They are spread out with large spacing between each letter to fit into an entire extended space. Words made in the blockbuster style are typically done in all-uppercase letters. This lettering style is a popular choice for trains and other large surfaces.

    The Wild Style

    • The wild style of street art is a lettering technique that makes it difficult for viewers to decipher any messages. Graffiti artists writing in this style blend their text together so that the individual letters are hard to make out. Then artists will elaborately decorate the text in a way that the letters are often hidden or covered up. The result is a complex piece that typically cannot be read or understood by unknowing observers.

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