In the 90’s, graffiti writer KR became well known around the San Francisco area for inventing a silver ink that left his tags with an expressionist like drip. KR’s ink evolved into “Krink“, a popular and trendy line of inks, markers and t-shirts that now adorn the shelves of swanky boutiques in the US, Europe and Japan.

In the New York Times Magazine article “Tag Sale“, Rob Walker writes: “The evolution of KR’s ink from something a guy made to illegally tag city streets into a brand available in slick retail settings mirrors the way graffiti — or the graffiti aesthetic — has been absorbed into pop culture over a period of decades.”

Thanks to stores like A-life - a street-wear boutique on NYC’s Lower East Side - and the avant-garde Colette in Paris carrying the markers, Krink has become a mainstream brand on the graffiti scene.

Krink also appears to be the preferred choice for taggers in Vancouver. In fact, I witness kids (Krink in hand) scrawling their tags on buses, the SkyTrain, and transit shelters on a daily basis. Last night, the back of the bus echoed with the rattle of an empty Krink marker rolling around on the floor!

So is Krink quality? Or is it the brands sleek minimalist packaging and elite pop-culture tie in’s that make it the marker of choice? I remember when tagging with a black Magnum 44′ was about as cool as it got!