Mestre Tigre aka Pixaçâo Rollers

Years ago, I began documenting my experiences, travels, and tools on a personal blog. Back then, I was driven by curiosity and a desire to share what I discovered in different corners of the world. Today, with the perspective that time provides—and now that we operate as a team—I want to give that material a second life.

This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a way to show where we come from and why we do what we do at FIRMA ROLLERS. I want to share this knowledge gathered over two decades in the urban art scene, rescuing chronicles that—while originally written in somewhat rudimentary English—contain the core of our identity: travel, graffiti, and the relentless search for the perfect tool.

ONLYMARKERS BLOG

A cidade não para

São Paulo is a city that leaves a mark on you. After visiting several times, it’s impossible not to be drawn to its energy: the food, the music, and, of course, its unique visual culture. From the vibrant pieces of the VLOK crew, with whom we shared paths in those years, to the omnipresent Pixaçâo.

Standing in front of a prédio (building) covered in pixos is an experience that’s hard to process. The heights they reach are incredible, and the style maintains a sharpness and aggression that defines the city’s landscape.

During those trips, we set out to find the exact tool that Pixadores used to stamp their Turma’s name at the highest points. The search led us to Mestre Tigre rollers, which at the time dominated the Brazilian market. You could find them anywhere: from tiny neighborhood hardware shops to 24-hour department stores.

We didn't need to experiment with different formats; the Pixadores themselves told us which ones were the true street standards. They pointed out the two models that actually ruled the scene:

The 90mm wide roller: The go-to tool for covering surface area.

The 40mm all-plastic roller: A smaller, more manageable version, ideal for its lightness and ease of transport.

Standing in front of a prédio (building) covered in pixos is an experience that’s hard to process. The heights they reach are incredible, and the style maintains a sharpness and aggression that defines the city’s landscape.

Those plastic rollers we brought back in our backpacks from Brazil were much more than just hardware store tools; they were the seed of an idea. As graffiti writers and travelers, we have always valued mobility and discretion.

Today, based in Barcelona, that same philosophy guides FIRMA ROLLERS. After 20 years of navigating the urban art industry and collaborating with a vast global network of artists, we have moved from discovering tools to creating them. Our brand is born from that accumulated experience and a deep respect for street culture. That early interest in the "pocket format" we witnessed in São Paulo is what we apply today—offering tools designed by and for those who need to paint anywhere, at any moment.