Shepard Fairey's No-Cook Recipe
Shared with permission by Shepard Fairey — the artist behind OBEY and the iconic Obama HOPE poster.
Instructions
- Mix flour and water in a bucket or container. Use roughly a 1:1 ratio — equal parts flour and water by volume.
- Stir until smooth. You want a consistency similar to pancake batter or thick paint. If it's too thick, add more water. Too thin, add flour.
- That's it. No cooking required.
Shepard's Notes
- This simple recipe has been used for decades of street art.
- Works best when applied generously — don't be stingy with the paste.
- Apply paste to the wall first, place your flyer, then apply more paste on top.
How to Wheat Paste
Basic Technique
- Choose your surface. Rough surfaces like brick, concrete, and unfinished wood work best. Smooth or painted surfaces are harder to stick to.
- Prep your paste. Bring it in a bucket or large container. A wide-mouth jar works for smaller runs.
- Bring a brush. A cheap 3-4" paint brush works perfectly. Some people use foam rollers for large pieces.
- Apply paste to the wall. Brush a generous layer of paste onto the surface, slightly larger than your flyer.
- Place your flyer. Press it onto the wet paste, starting from the top and smoothing downward to avoid air bubbles.
- Seal it. Brush another layer of paste over the top of the flyer. This seals it and makes it more weather-resistant.
- Smooth it out. Use your brush or hands to press out any bubbles and ensure the edges are sealed.
Pro Tips
- Weather matters. Dry conditions are best for application. Rain right after pasting can wash your work away before it dries.
- Thicker paper helps. Standard copy paper works, but heavier stock (like 80lb cardstock) holds up better over time.
- Work quickly. Especially in public spaces. Have your materials ready and your process down.
- Respect the space. Private property, small businesses, and community murals deserve respect. Utility boxes, construction barriers, and abandoned buildings are more appropriate canvases.
- Layer for longevity. Multiple coats of paste on top create a more durable seal.
- Clean up. Wipe your brush on newspaper between uses. Paste washes out with water before it dries.
Alternative Methods
Cooked Wheat Paste
The traditional method — stronger hold, requires heat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, helps adhesion)
Instructions
- Whisk flour and 1 cup of cold water in a pot until smooth (no lumps).
- Bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Slowly pour the boiling water into the flour mixture while stirring constantly.
- Return the mixture to the stove on medium heat. Stir continuously until it thickens (2-3 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let cool. Add sugar if desired.
- Use within a day or two. Refrigerate if storing overnight.
A Note on Legality
- Wheat pasting on property without permission is technically illegal in most places.
- Know the laws in your area and the risks you're taking.
- Consider legal alternatives: community boards, designated posting areas, and permission-based murals.
- This guide is for informational purposes. What you do with it is your choice and your responsibility.