The Origins of Sakura Streaks

Originally established in Japan in 1921, Sakura has long been credited with the invention of “cray-pas” or crayons mixed with pastels. The company’s initial business focused on manufacturing and distributing semi-transparent water colors and wood block inks. It was 1978 with the invention and distribution of the Sakura “Solid Marker” that turned Sakura into a household name among graffiti writers worldwide.  The popularity of Sakura’s Solid Marker, aka Sakura Streak aka Sakura Mean Streak is primarily because it has an ultra-smooth application and your Streak Mark dries to permanence within minutes. Furthermore because it is an oil based solid marker, the Sakura Streak can write on almost any surface, even when wet!

To get a better understanding of Sakura Streaks, and their different properties, let’s take a close look at Sakura’s paint marker models: Jumbo SC-L, Solid Paint Marker, and Mini SC-S.

 

Jumbo Sakura SC-L (red), Solid Marker (yellow), and Mini Sakura SC-S (green)

The Solid Paint Marker aka Sakura Streak

Sakura Solid Markers are commonly known to most graffiti writers as “streaks”, “streakers” or “mean streaks”. The Sakura Solid Marker is essentially a semi-hardened stick of oil-based paint packaged in a glue stick-type tube. It’s physical dimensions are roughly 5 inches in length and 13 millimeters in diameter.  When you pull the top off the Sakura Solid Marker the rounded point is ready to mark.  What makes Sakura Solid Markers slick is that they come complete with a twist bottom that allows you to push up more of the stick as the marker tip wears down with usage. To be honest, these markers are pretty much the top of the line when it comes to solid markers. Not only do Sakura Streaks write on just about anything, including surface materials: metal, concrete, wood, glass, rubber, paper, plastic, canvas and more, but the formula of the stick is perfectly malleable and does not dry out.  Having worked with almost all of the solid markers on the market the Sakura Streak definitely is the hands down all around best. The Sakura “Solid Marker” is available in 12 different colors; including eight solid colors, three fluorescent colors (shown below) and one glow-in-the-dark option (not shown) all available on Sprayplanet.com.

 

Sakura Solid Marker colors: White, Orange, Green, Yellow, Purple, Blue, Red, and Black

 

Sakura fluorescent colors: Fluorescent Yellow, Fluorescent Orange, and Fluorescent Pink

 

Key Features of the Sakura Solid Marker

• Handheld
• Fast, easy application
• Waterproof
• UV Resistant Solid colors
• Marks surfaces through water, rust and dust
• Low odor and Non-toxic
• Twist bottom

Pros              

• Requires no shaking/pumping to get paint flowing
• Virtually no mess during usage
• No clogging of tip/applicator
• Marks at any angle
• Fast dry time

Cons

• Can be removed, or “buffed”, with industrial type cleaners/solvents depending on the surface.
• Fluorescent colors fade quickly when exposed to UV light

 

Overview of Sakura Mini SC-S aka Mini Streak

As the name suggests the Sakura SC-S, or “Mini Streak”, is essentially a miniature version of its big brother, the Sakura Solid Marker. Much like the Sakura “Solid Marker”, it is also a hardened stick of oil-based paint encased in a tube, however, instead of the twist bottom feature this particular model has a break-away shell to be removed as the point wears down. The Sakura SC-S physical dimensions are roughly 4 ½ inches in length with a point that is around 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter. The Sakura “Mini Streak” is significantly slimmer than the “Solid Marker”, with a hard-exterior body resembling that of a pen or thin tube of Chapstick. The Sakura “Mini Streak” is also available in 11 different colors all on Sprayplanet.com, but the color palette is slightly different than the “Solid Marker” color range as there are no fluorescent colors available.

Sakura SC-S Mini colors: Green, White, Purple, Red, Sky Blue, Black, Yellow, Blue, Vermillion,  Yellow Green, and Orange

 

Spray Planet Field-test: The Sakura SC-S, or “Mini Streak”, is ideal for tags in those small, cutty spots.

Key Features of the Sakura SC-S Mini Maker include:

• Handheld
• Small, lightweight
• Fast, easy application
• Waterproof
• UV Resistant
• Marks surfaces through water, rust and dust
• Low odor and Non-toxic
• Break-away body (no twist bottom)

Pros of the Sakura SC-S Mini Streak             

• Discreet
• Perfect for tags in tiny spaces/areas
• Requires no shaking/pumping
• Virtually no mess
• No clogging
• Marks at any angle
• Fast dry time

Cons of the Sakura SC-S Mini Streak

• Tip feels somewhat flimsier when compared to “Solid Marker” model
• Wears down quick; Outer body needs to be broken-away constantly for continued use
• Can be removed, or “buffed”, with alcohol-based cleaners/solvents

 

Sakura Jumbo SC-L  aka Jumbo Streak

On the opposite side of the size spectrum from the “Mini Streak” comes Sakura’s SC-L model, also known as the “Jumbo Streak”. This Sakura model is essentially an over-sized version of the classic Sakura “Solid Marker”. Despite it being bulkier and considerably thicker in diameter (approx. 16-18 mm), the Sakura “Jumbo Streak” is only about a ½ inch longer than the “Solid Marker”. This extra-large model works in the same way the mini streak does with the break-away body feature to expose more marker as it wears down with use.  Currently the Jumbo Streaks have a limited color palette to only 4 basic colors: Yellow, Red, Black and White (shown below) all available on Sprayplanet.com.

 

Sakura SC-L Jumbo colors: Yellow, Red, White, and Black

                                 

Key Features of the Sakura SC-L Jumbo Marker

• Handheld
• Fast, easy application
• Waterproof
• UV Resistant
• Marks surfaces through water, rust and dust
• Low odor and Non-toxic
• Break-away body (no twist bottom)

Pros of the Sakura SC-L Jumbo Streak              

• Ideal for large, intricate tags
• Tip lasts considerable amount of time before needing to break-away body
• Requires no shaking/pumping
• Virtually no mess
• No clogging
• Marks at any angle
• Fast dry time

Cons of the Sakura SC-L Jumbo Streak

• Tip feels somewhat stiffer when compared to “Solid Marker”; not as smooth
• Much bulkier than “Solid Marker” and “Mini Streak”
• Can be removed, or “buffed”, with alcohol-based cleaners/solvents

 

 

 

Sakura Streaks - Split Streaks

With the help of FadeBomb, we bring you pre-split Sakura “Split Streak”. After years of writers creating these by hand, Spray Planet has added pre-split streaks to the Sakura solid paint marker line-up. As the name implies, the “Split Streak” is a spliced mixture of color that creates a smooth blend when being applied to any surface. The advantage to using a split streak, is that the blend is always unique, distinct, and different with each and every use.  This mixture of colors allows each user’s tag to be even more unique and are unlikely to be replicated. The “Split Streak” is available in the regular Sakura “Solid Marker” model and the Sakura SC-L “Jumbo Streak” model.

 

Top view of Sakura Solid Markers and Sakura SL-C Jumbos in multiple 3-way, 4-way, and 8-way color splits

 

 

Sakura Solid Marker Split Streaks

The “Solid Marker Split Streaks” are virtually identical in design, shape, and functionality to the regular Sakura “Solid Marker” model including the twist up bottom feature. The “Split Streak” comes in a 3-way, 4-way and 8-way split and includes a wide range of color mixes including: Black/Red/Purple; White/Blue/Green/Yellow; Blue/Orange/Green/Yellow; and Blue/Red/Yellow/White/Orange/Green/Purple/and Fluorescent Pink just to name a few (shown below).

 

Sakura Solid Marker Splits are available in 3-way, 4-way, and 8-way color splits.

 

Spray Planet Field-test: Sakura Split Streaks write smooth and create versatile and unique tags based on color split.

 

Sakura Jumbo Solid Marker Split Streaks

The Sakura “Jumbo Solid Marker Split Streak” is identical in design, shape, and functionality to the SC-L “Jumbo Streak” model with the break-away body feature. However, because of the limited color palette available in the SC-L model the color splits are sold in only 3-way and 4-way splits (shown below).

 

Sakura Jumbo Split Streak with break-away body feature is available in 3-way and 4-way color splits

 

Spray Planet Field-test: Jumbo split streak is ideal for intricate tags or monikers

 

Pros of Sakura Solid Marker Split Streaks             

• Distinct, unique tags
• Requires no shaking/pumping
• No clogging
• Marks at any angle
• Fast dry time

Cons of Sakura Solid Marker Split Streaks

• Slightly messier than regular single color streaks
• Can be removed, or “buffed”, with alcohol-based cleaners/solvents 

 

Sakura Solid Markers - Spray Planet Final Ruling

It can’t be denied; Sakura makes an extremely high quality product. Whether you are catching tags with the Sakura “Mini Streak”, “Solid Marker”, or “Jumbo Streak” you are ultimately going to be satisfied with the end result. Complete with a wide range of features and optimal functionality, the Sakura streaks are a must have marker for every graffiti writer.