How to Glue Graffiti

Shepard Fairey smoothes out his freshly glued artwork.

Not all graffiti is made with paint. Some pieces of graffiti, called "paste ups," are made of paper. The graffiti design is drawn, painted or printed onto the paper and then mounted to the wall or canvas using a gluten-based adhesive called wheat paste. Street artists Swoon, Shepard Fairey, WK Interact and JR are famed for their paste up artworks, all of which are mounted to walls using wheat paste. Wheat paste is an ideal adhesive for paste up graffiti because it's strong enough to hold up against harsh exterior elements, such as rain, wind and snow.

Things You'll Need

• Graffiti on paper
• Bucket
• Flour
• Water
• Sugar
• Metal spoon
• Paint brush
• Paint roller and tray

Instructions

1. Combine three parts boiling water with one part flour and a half part sugar in a bucket.

2. Use a metal spoon to stir the mixture.

3. Load up a paint brush with the wheat paste and apply the paint to the wall using even strokes.

4. Prepare a flat surface or a table -- the floor also will do -- with a sheet of plastic or a drop cloth to protect the floor from splattered or spilled wheat paste.

5. Lay the piece of graffiti onto the flat surface and gently apply the paste to the back of the piece.

6. Roll the paper up onto the wall, starting at the bottom and moving up. Smooth out bumps creases and air bubbles along the way.

7. Seal the piece of graffiti on the wall by applying a top layer of wheat paste over the graffiti.

8. Allow the paste at least one day to dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Wheat paste can be used on interior and exterior walls.

• Surfaces with a glossy finish must be sanded down with a course-grade sandpaper. This will help the glue to adhere properly.

• Do not glue graffiti to public or private property without the explicit consent of the property owner. Unsolicited graffiti is illegal.