What is the best brush for someone just starting out in pinstriping?

A great starting point for beginners is the Mack Series 10 sword brush. It is an industry standard that helps new artists learn the necessary control for clean lines.

Which brush brands are recommended for professional pinstriping?

Professional-grade kits typically include Mack Series 10 sword brushes (00–0), Kafka brushes for precision flow, and specialty quills like Wizard Black Widows or Von Dago Pineapple Express lettering quills.

Can tattoo artists easily transition into pinstriping?

Yes, many artists bridge the gap between tattooing and pinstriping. The precision required for tattooing translates well to using traditional sword brushes and high-end enamels.

What is the best pinstriping brush for a beginner?

The Mack Series 20 Size 00 or 0 is widely considered the gold standard for beginners due to its versatile squirrel hair and sword shape that helps with flow control.

What paint is used for pinstriping?

Traditional pinstriping is done with high-quality lettering enamels like 1-Shot, which provide the high pigment and slow drying time needed for long, smooth pulls.

Pinstriping brushes and supplies| pinstriper.com

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Mack Series 10 pinstriping brush | Blue squirrel hair sword striper
Price range: $15.75 through $20.30
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Hanson/Mack King 13 pinstriping brush | Todd Hanson pinstriping brush
Price range: $17.20 through $19.70
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Norris Trickster (M/NT)
Price range: $26.50 through $27.80
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Kafka Longliner
$25.00
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Alien Deathhawk Hanson/Mack pinstriping brush
Price range: $18.90 through $20.80
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Broad liner pinstriping brush series 40
Price range: $14.49 through $29.79
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Mack Fast-Lite pinstriping brush
Price range: $25.20 through $27.90
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Mack 1644 pinstriping brush
Price range: $12.65 through $14.40
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Mack sword striper #1 #2-Tom Kelly pinstriping brush
$18.11
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Kazan squirrel hair pinstriping brush | Mack Series 250 Long Handle Striper
Price range: $13.40 through $23.22
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Mack lite (ML)
Price range: $24.30 through $27.00
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Mack-Belly (MB)
Price range: $19.90 through $25.75

The Ultimate Pinstriping Brush Guide

Whether you’re pulling your first line or you’re a seasoned pro, your brush is the most important tool in your kit. This guide breaks down the “Big Three” brands and the specific shapes you need to master the craft.

The Big Three: Mack vs. Kafka

Mack Brushes: Ser 10 Pinstriping brush Hand-crafted and traditional. Unbeatable for those long, classic “miles of lines” due to the superior paint load of Blue Squirrel hair. Designed for smooth, flowing strokes with excellent control, precision, durability, and dependable performance on every project.
Kafka Brushes: Designed by Steve Kafka the scroll brush solves problems as “flare outs” during turns.” These excel at tight turns and circular designs where traditional swords might struggle.
The Black Widow: Created by Steve “The Wizard” Chaszeyka. The go-to for heavy scrolling and intricate patterns that require extra “snap.”

Quick Reference: Brush Shapes

Brush Type	Best For…	Hair Type
Sword Striper	Long, straight lines and panel work.	Blue Squirrel
Scroll / Script	Tight curves and intricate filigree.	Synthetic / Blend
Broadliner	Great for wide line graphics	Squirrel Hair

Beginner Recommendation

If you’re just starting, we recommend a Mack Series 10 (Size 0). It’s forgiving, holds a great amount of paint, and is the industry standard for learning “the pull.”

Brush Care Tip

Never let the paint dry! Enamel is a brush killer. Clean with mineral spirits immediately and store your brushes “dressed” in a light coat of brush oil to keep the hairs supple and shaped.