Graffiti can come in many forms. Graffiti can be in the Ideological or hate graffiti, racial, religious, or cultural slur. These types of graffiti are aimed at inciting anger and violence and need to be removed quickly. Gang graffiti is used to mark gang territory, list members, offer drugs or contraband for sale, or send warnings to rivals. It may include letters, symbols, or numbers known only by gangs and law enforcement.

Generic graffiti includes random markings, initials, and declarations of love, social commentary and profanity. These forms of graffiti are non-threatening messages and have no particular style or recurrence. Tagging is the most popular form of graffiti. It is the act of vandal's who apply their personal moniker quickly and repetitively. The tag is a marking that is usually unreadable and applied using spray paint or
permanent markers. The goal of the tagger is to do extensive damage to public and private property by applying the tag on surfaces such as fences, street signs, walls, trucks.

Large pieces are detailed colourful cartoon-like characters and take some time to construct.  Stencils are becoming more popular with vandals. The Vandal will make the stencil before hand and in a “bombing “or “session” apply the stencil to as many places as they can. These stencils are often very creative however they are still considered graffiti.