Best Parking Lot Striping Supplies for Contractors in 2025

Parking lot striping supplies make the difference between amateur-looking lines and professional results that last. 

The best supplies in 2025 include water-based acrylic paints, airless stripers, 39” ADA-compliant stencils, and measuring wheels. Your striping results truly are only as good as your supplies. So, having the right equipment will save time and deliver cleaner lines that reduce callback visits. 

Whether you're handling a 30-space lot or managing large commercial projects, the right tools turn what could be a tedious job into efficient, profitable work. In this post, we’ll explain which are the must-have supplies every contractor should have in their toolkit. 

Essential Parking Lot Striping Supplies

Professional contractors rely on five core categories of parking lot striping supplies to deliver consistent results. Each category serves a specific purpose, and cutting corners on any one can compromise your entire project's quality and durability. Here’s a look at each type of supply:

Striping paint

Striping paint is for marking new lines, ADA symbols, and curb markings on asphalt or concrete surfaces.

Types of striping paint: At a glance

Types of striping paint

• Water-based acrylic works best for standard jobs, with easy cleanup. Water-based paints can be used in sprayers without fear of clogging, and cleaning up requires only water; no solvents needed. 
  
  Most contractors choose this for routine maintenance work because it's cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

• Solvent-based paint delivers more durability and faster dry times in colder temperatures. The biggest advantage of solvent-based traffic paint over water-based paints is that it can be applied in colder temperatures and doesn't freeze easily. 
  
  The downside is that it costs more and requires careful handling due to higher VOC content.

• Thermoplastic paint offers premium performance for municipal and high-traffic applications. Thermoplastic paint contains plastic and, once it dries, can withstand much more abuse than normal paints, though it's significantly more expensive. 
  
  This option provides the longest-lasting results but requires specialized parking lot striping paint supplies.

Top brands

• Sherwin-Williams Pro-Park: Compatible with airless line stripers and available in white, yellow, fire lane red, and black
• Krylon Line-Up: Available in both water-based and solvent-based formulations
• US Specialty Coatings TECHLINE: Fast dry, versatile, high solids, durable, economically priced traffic line marking paint
• Capitol Barricade Line-PRO: Can be applied using both conventional and airless spray equipment

Line striping machines

Striping machines help apply paint in consistent, straight lines across various surfaces with professional precision.

Types of line striping machines: At a glance

Types of line striping machines

• Airless line stripers handle most commercial projects efficiently. The Graco LineLazer 3400 is the preferred choice of parking lot and seal coating contractors, delivering consistent results on large jobs. These machines pump paint at high pressure for smooth application.
• Aerosol-based machines work well for smaller jobs and touch-ups. The most basic striping equipment has an applicator on wheels, with the least expensive ones holding aerosol cans. They're good for contractors handling 10–20 parking spaces at a time.
• Ride-on systems boost productivity on large commercial projects. Graco LineDriver ride-on systems provide efficient coverage for contractors handling extensive striping work, reducing operator fatigue and increasing daily output.

Top brands

• Graco LineLazer Series: Industry standard for professional contractors
• Titan PowrLiner: Designed and built for contractors serious about completing medium- to large-scale striping projects quickly and profitably
• Newstripe: Offers both walk-behind and ride-on options
• Seymour Z-604: Designed exclusively for Stripe Traffic paints with easy-to-use application

Stencils and templates

Stencils and templates create consistent symbols, letters, and directional markings that meet ADA compliance and local regulations.

Common types of stencils: At a glance

Common types of stencils

• Handicap stencils guarantee ADA compliance with proper symbol placement. Available in multiple sizes from 21.5" to 42" with 1/8" thickness for durability. Most contractors stock 39" stencils as the standard size for parking applications.
• Arrow stencils guide traffic flow and indicate directional requirements. 42" standard arrow kits include both straight and curved arrows in 2-piece sets, and larger 90" arrow kits work better for main traffic lanes.
• Word stencils mark specialized areas like fire lanes, loading zones, and reserved spaces. Common options include NO PARKING, RESERVED, and FIRE LANE stencils in 12" to 48" sizes.
• Letter and number kits allow custom messaging for specific business needs. 29 or 38-piece alphabet stencil kits with 6" ProGrade letters provide flexibility for custom applications.

Pro tip: Use reusable heavy-duty plastic or aluminum stencils for clean edges and multiple uses. Made from flexible, lightweight materials that conform to various surfaces while delivering crisp, accurate markings.

Layout and prep tools

These tools are for measuring spaces, marking guidelines, and preparing surfaces before paint application.

Must-haves

• Measuring wheels ensure accurate spacing between parking stalls and compliance with local regulations. Digital wheels provide precise measurements for large lots.
• Chalk lines create straight guidelines for paint application. Professional stripers snap chalk lines by holding tight on one end and whipping the other with a wrist flick, not pulling up in the middle like carpenters. This method works better on pavement surfaces.
• Layout tape marks temporary guidelines and boundaries during complex projects. It's especially useful when creating angled parking or custom layouts.
• Marking wands apply temporary marks for spacing and alignment. Ergonomic paint wands feature rubberized handles, finger-length triggers, and gliding wheels for line marking on multiple surfaces.
• Blowers or sweepers remove debris and old paint chips before application. Clean surfaces provide better paint adhesion and longer-lasting results.
• Glass beads (optional) add nighttime visibility to striped lines. Glass beads are added to paint right after spraying, giving it highly reflective properties for nighttime visibility.

5. Add-ons and accessories

Add-ons and accessories improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and withstand demanding conditions.

Useful extras

• Drying fans or propane heaters speed up cure times in humid or cold conditions, reducing downtime between coats.
• Striping trailers and equipment racks organize supplies and transport everything efficiently between job sites.
• Cone dispensers help set up traffic control quickly and safely during active striping work.
• Paint can carriers reduce trips back to the truck and keep extra paint accessible during large jobs.
• Extra tips and hose reels prevent downtime from clogged equipment and make cleanup faster between jobs.

Where to Buy Trusted Parking Lot Striping Supplies

Finding reliable suppliers helps confirm you get quality line striping supplies when you need them, often with bulk pricing that improves your profit margins. Here are some standout suppliers:

NAC Supply

NAC Supply offers professional-quality road striping equipment and machines that can stripe everything from asphalt to concrete with fast-dry traffic paint. They stock major brands like Graco LineLazer series and maintain an extensive inventory for quick shipping.

• Specializes in: Graco equipment, professional-grade paints, measuring tools, and stencils. 
• The selection includes both basic and professional-grade equipment for contractors at any level.

Asphalt Sealcoating Direct

Asphalt Sealcoating Direct provides detailed guidance on paint selection, explaining the differences between regular and fast-dry formulations. They focus on educating contractors about proper asphalt line painting techniques and equipment choices.

• Specializes in: Paint education, thermoplastic options, layout tools like the Bigfoot Layout Tool, and contractor training resources.

Traffic Safety Warehouse

Traffic Safety Warehouse carries parking lot maintenance and safety supplies at wholesale prices, including speed bumps, parking stencils, signs, and pavement repair supplies. They offer comprehensive solutions beyond just striping.

• Specializes in: Complete parking lot solutions, safety equipment, signage, and maintenance supplies for contractors handling full lot renovations.

SONCO

SONCO's pavement marking supplies include everything from parking lot striping equipment to professional-grade paints and reflective additives. They emphasize comprehensive project solutions with coordinated equipment and materials.

• Specializes in: Project packages, crowd control equipment, professional-grade parking lot paint, and coordinated striping solutions.

Summing Up

Top striping results come from using high-quality supplies like water-based acrylic paint, airless stripers, ADA-compliant stencils, and accurate layout tools. These essentials ensure clean lines, faster work, and fewer callbacks. Add-ons like glass beads and drying fans enhance durability and visibility, while suppliers such as NAC Supply and Traffic Safety Warehouse offer reliable access to trusted brands.

To manage striping projects efficiently, paving contractors turn to platforms like OneCrew. It simplifies estimating, scheduling, and tracking for all paving services (including striping), which helps crews stay on time and on budget while boosting profitability.

Keep Striping Jobs Sharp and on Schedule

Having the right parking lot striping supplies gets you clean lines, but managing the business behind those lines requires the right platform. 

That's where OneCrew comes in.

Paving contractors who handle striping work need a platform built for their unique challenges. You're likely coordinating multi-day projects, managing materials and equipment, and often handling striping alongside sealcoating, patching, and other paving maintenance services.

Here's why paving contractors choose OneCrew for their striping and maintenance operations:

• Estimating built for paving projects: Create accurate bids for striping jobs using site plans and aerial imagery. Build templates for common striping patterns and maintenance packages. Close deals faster with professional proposals that show what you'll deliver.
• Project scheduling that works: Assign crews and equipment to striping jobs alongside your other paving work. Balance resources across multiple projects and keep field teams updated with mobile schedule access and site information.
• Manage your complete service mix: Handle striping, sealcoating, crackfilling, patching, and snow removal all in one platform. Track profitability across different service types and identify your most profitable work.
• Job tracking: Monitor material usage, labor hours, and project progress as work happens. Catch cost overruns early and keep projects on budget with job costing data.

Ready to manage your paving and striping business with confidence? Join hundreds of paving contractors who've upgraded their operations with OneCrew. Book a free demo today to see how OneCrew simplifies everything from estimating striping jobs to final invoicing.

FAQs

1. What type of paint should I use for asphalt line painting?

The best paint for asphalt line painting is water-based acrylic for most standard jobs because it's cost-effective, easy to clean up, and works well in spray equipment. Choose solvent-based paint if you're working in temperatures below 50° or need faster dry times. 

For high-traffic areas or premium jobs, thermoplastic paint offers the longest-lasting results but requires specialized application equipment.

2. Do I need a ride-on or walk-behind striping machine?

You need a walk-behind striping machine for most parking lots and smaller commercial projects, while ride-on machines work best for large lots, highways, or when you're handling extensive daily striping work.

Choose ride-on equipment only if you're regularly striping large areas where operator fatigue becomes a factor.

3. How long does striping paint take to dry?

Striping paint takes 15–30 minutes to dry to no-track condition in normal weather, with fast-dry formulations curing in as little as 2 minutes. 

Water-based paints typically need 20–45 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity. Solvent-based paints dry faster in cold conditions. Hot, dry weather speeds up curing times, whereas cold or humid conditions can extend drying to 1–2 hours.

4. Where can I get ADA stencils for parking lots?

You can get ADA stencils for parking lots from suppliers like NAC Supply, Traffic Safety Warehouse, SONCO, and Asphalt Sealcoating Direct.

Look for 1/8" thick reusable plastic or aluminum stencils that meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and deliver clean edges. Most contractors stock 39" handicap stencils as the standard size for parking lot applications.

5. Can I use water-based paint for curb markings?

Yes, you can use water-based paint for curb markings, and it's actually the preferred choice because it's easier to clean up and works well with brush or roller application. 

Water-based paint adheres properly to concrete curbs and provides good visibility when applied correctly. However, make sure the curb surface is clean and dry before application for best adhesion and longevity.

6. Can OneCrew help manage line striping projects?

Yes, OneCrew helps paving contractors manage line striping projects alongside their other maintenance services like sealcoating, crackfilling, and patching. 

OneCrew handles estimating, scheduling, and job tracking for striping work, whether it's standalone contracts or part of larger paving maintenance packages. You can track material usage, labor costs, and profitability in real-time to keep striping jobs profitable.

7. What’s the most efficient way to quote striping work?

The most efficient way to quote striping work is to measure linear footage on-site or from aerial imagery, then apply your standard rate per linear foot based on line width and paint type. 

Build templates in your estimating system for common layouts like standard parking spaces, ADA spots, and directional arrows to speed up the process. OneCrew's estimating tools let you create quotes quickly using site plans and standardized pricing for different striping services.