Which spray can caps are there?

The days of scouring hardware stores and supermarkets for the perfect spray can cap are over. Today, there are countless caps on the market, each designed for a specific purpose or effect. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the variety? In this article, we’ll break down how different nozzles work as clearly as possible.

Broadly speaking, you can distinguish between five main types of replaceable caps: Skinny caps, Fat caps, Soft caps, Needle caps, and Calligraphy caps. We’ve likely missed a few—if you feel something is missing, feel free to shoot us an email!

Every can has its cap

Beyond the types of caps, you also have different types of spray cans; specifically, the distinction between male and female cans. A male can requires a female cap, and a female can requires a male cap. It’s as simple as that!

A male cap has a protruding stem or nozzle that fits into the female valve on top of the spray can; most graffiti-specific caps are "male." Conversely, a female cap has a recessed opening that fits over the male valve on a can, such as the nozzle on a Montana Ultra-Wide.

In Europe, it is standard for street art and graffiti brands to use female cans and male caps. Because of this, we will focus on the various types of male caps.

Fat caps

A fat cap is a nozzle with a wide opening that sprays paint in a broad beam. Fat caps are typically used to cover large surfaces quickly and to create fast, fluid lines. They come in various sizes, ranging in spray width.

Within this category, you’ll also find Astro caps—nozzles that produce an enormous spray, sometimes reaching up to 14 cm in diameter.

Skinny caps

The skinny cap is another essential tool. Unlike a fat cap, it has a narrow opening that sprays a thin, concentrated beam of paint. Skinny caps are the go-to for precision work and sharp, fine lines. They are also perfect for small details and layering colors with accuracy. Various sizes are available to help you adjust the line thickness to your needs.

Soft caps

A soft cap is designed for creating smooth transitions and subtle fades between colors. Because the spray is wider and softer than a skinny cap, it allows you to cover surfaces quickly while maintaining soft, blended edges using a soft cap.

Needle cap

The needle cap is a unique nozzle in the graffiti scene. It features a very narrow opening at the end of a long tube, resembling a needle (hence the name). Needle caps are used for extremely fine, gritty lines and for adding tiny highlights or accents.

Using a needle cap generally requires more control, as the paint comes out quite fast in a very thin stream. They’ve become increasingly popular in recent years and are a must-have for your arsenal!

Various types of special caps.

Calligraphy caps

Calligraphy caps (or chisel caps) are used to create specific stylistic effects. These nozzles have a flat, adjustable tip that allows the artist to create lines that vary in thickness depending on the angle—much like a calligraphy pen or brush.

These are designed for detailed and complex lettering and characters. They are a favorite among artists who focus on elegant, expressive script and want to bring traditional calligraphy techniques to their spray work.

Montana Level Caps

Montana Level Caps were developed by the German company Montana Cans, famous for high-end products like Montana Black, Ultra-Wide, and the Montana Cans Special line.

Montana Level Caps are specifically designed to give the user maximum control over the spray width and paint distribution. Each level has its own unique output. The range covers everything from razor-thin lines to thick, high-pressure output.

The Level 1-6 system is designed for intuitive use. Generally, the higher the level number, the wider the spray. Levels 1 and 2 are perfect for fine, detailed work, while Levels 4, 5, and 6 are better suited for large surfaces and bold, flowing lines.

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect cap for your next piece, mural, canvas, or character!