Graffiti tags & handstyles: design theory & examples

What are graffiti tags?

In the context of graffiti „tags“ stands for one-colored signatures (pseudonyms) of graffiti writers. Decorative elements like stars, drips, arrows and/or splashes may be added to it. It is the basic form of a graffiti and a good point to start learning proportions and connecting letters for a graffiti sketch.

What do the numbers added to graffiti tags mean?

There are several possibilities for the meaning of the numbers added at the end of a graffiti tag:

1. In the US, the number can stand for the street the writer is living in
2. If the same name is used from several writers, the one who used it first will add „one“ or „1“ to his/her tag and subsequent writers the corresponding numbers
3. The number can also stand for a syllable
4. Year of foundation of a crew
5. Just personal preference of a specific number

How to draw handstyles/graffiti tags?

The best way to start out designing a graffiti tag is to just design one letter of the word and keep the others basic. Usually the first or last letter is the best choice. At the same time the letters should form to a shape – for instance: a laying triangle.

Example of a basic tag

As described in the paragraph above, the tag fits in the form of a triangle.

What are handstyles?

Handstyles are artistically done graffiti tags. I usually start to create my graffiti sketches by drawing the word I want to write as a handstyle. This gives me hints for connecting the letters and the general composition of the graffiti piece. Thus, I still got enough of steps to do to rearrange the letters if the composition is not the way it want it to be. In this article, I will explicitly post examples of this first step in my drawing process. So, you will see a growing collection of photos of handstyles in this post.

Example of handstyles

Example of graffiti tags & handstyles done with Procreate for iPad

Another great resource for handstyles is https://www.handstyler.com/. Check it out for additionally ideas.

If you feel quite confident about designing your graffiti tag, you can move on to our article on how to draw graffiti.

References:

• Das große Graffiti-Lexikon – Bernhard van Treeck