Tattooing, a craft that blends artistry with precision, requires a diverse range of tattoo supplies to achieve intricately detailed and colourful skin etchings. When you think about tattoo supplies, many items come to mind: Needles, stencil papers, power supplies, foot pedals, etc. But today, we’re going to focus on one of the most overlooked yet crucial components—tattoo inks.
In my journey as a tattoo artist and as an online tattoo supplies seller, I realize that understanding the ink’s ins and outs is instrumental for both beginner and seasoned tattoo artists. Ink is essentially the medium through which artists give life to their visions. Let’s walk together through this less traversed, still colorful, path of tattoo artistry.
A Splash on Tattoo Inks
Back in its early days, tattoo inks were a simplistic concoction of soot and water. Fast forward to the 21st century, tattoo inks have evolved to a broad spectrum of vivid colors with unique properties. Modern tattoo inks are a blend of various components, primarily pigments and carriers. Pigments can comprise metals, plastic, or plant-based materials, providing you with a rainbow of color options. Carriers, often ethanol, purified water, or witch hazel, keep the ink infection-free and assist in application by enhancing the pigment spread.
Choosing the Right Ink: A Spectrum of Considerations
Now, how do you pick the perfect tattoo ink from the variety of options available in the tattoo supplies market? Let me share how I go about it based on my tattooing experience.
Quality and Safety. Tops on my list are quality and safety. Always aim for inks that are sterilized and comply with safety regulations. Remember, you are working on a living canvas, so it is absolutely critical that the ink is safe and will not cause harm in any form.
Vibrancy & Longevity. Next up is the vibrancy and longevity of the colors. The right tattoo ink should be vibrant and long-lasting. It’s heartbreaking to see a tattoo fade after a short amount of time, so invest in inks known for their durability and vibrancy.
Consistency. On a practical level, the consistency of the ink plays a crucial role. Thick ink takes more effort to work into the skin, while thin ink might run and cause blurring. Strive to find a balance by experimenting with a variety of brands until you find the one that suits your style best.
Our Top Picks for Tattoo Ink
For the benefit of artists beginning their journey, let me share a few favorite ink brands that never disappointed me in my career:
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Intenze Tattoo Ink. Intenze is known for its richly pigmented and long-lasting colors, making it a preferred choice among many professionals. Moreover, it is vegan-friendly and adheres to strict safety guidelines.
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Kuro Sumi Tattoo Ink. A brand beloved for its impressively deep black ink, perfect for outlines and tribal tattoos. Kuro Sumi’s colors also have a good reputation for vibrancy and longevity.
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Fusion Tattoo Ink. Fusion offers an extensive range of bright, long-lasting colors. They are vegan-friendly and have excellent flow properties, making them a joy to tattoo with.
Conclusion
Understanding tattoo inks is an essential piece of the tattooing puzzle. A competent tattoo artist is not just someone skilled with the needle, but someone aware of the ingredients tattooed into their client’s skin. It’s an art to choose a bottle of ink from countless options available in the tattoo supplies market, but once you master it, the difference it makes to your work is profound.
So, the next time you draw up your unique, vibrant design, remember to give some attention to your tattoo ink too. After all, your masterpieces are as brilliant as the colors that bring them to life.
