The path of the tattoo artist is filled with innumerable decisions about design, style, and implementation. One of the key factors in creating a piece of enduring excellence is selecting the right tattoo supplies. Today, I’d like to delve deeply into a critical part of this art form: tattoo inks.
A veteran in the tattoo industry, my years of experience have taught me the undeniable importance of quality tattoo inks. As mundanely as it may sound to novices, experienced tattoo artists grasp the indisputable fact that it’s not just the artist’s skills that weave the magic. The choice of ink plays a substantial role in how brilliantly a tattoo comes out and how long it retains its dazzle.
When I reflect on my journey, it’s impressive how tattoo ink has evolutionized over time. When I started my career as a tattoo artist in the late ’90s, options for tattoo inks were pretty limited. There were just a handful of reliable brands, and choices in terms of color and quality were rather restricted. The palette leaned heavily toward the primary colors, giving us artists fewer avenues for detailed colored tattoos. Not that it stopped the dedicated artist, but it definitely set limits on creativity.
However, over the past two decades, the tattoo ink market has expanded substantially, echoing the growing popularity and acceptance of tattoo art worldwide. The result? Artists now have access to a vast range of hues, qualities, organic materials, and even inks that glow in UV light. It’s like being a kid in a ink-strewn candy store!
When it comes to tattoo ink brands today, we are spoilt for choice. From Intenze, Millennium Moms, to Kuro Sumi, each brings something unique to the table. Some inks offer vibrant colors, some, a smooth flow, and others hold a reputation for longevity. However, the important thing is not just to get swayed by fancy packaging or big names but understanding what works best for you as an artist, and more importantly, for your clients’ skin and health.
So, how do you choose, given the myriad options? I always recommend artists to experiment. Use different inks, blends, and hues on practice pads. Understand how they flow through your machine, how they react with the skin, and most significantly, how they heal. To my surprise, some of the inks I overlooked turned out to be fantastic when I gave them a chance.
On a personal note, I remember one such case a few years back. A client wanted a tribal design with an unusual blend of colors. Due to the complexity and uniqueness of the colors, the readily available inks were falling short. So, I decided to experiment with a lesser-known brand of ink. I admit, it was a risk, but guess what? The result was stunning, and the tattoo healed brilliantly.
Lastly, but not least essential, is the question of safety. With the advent of vegan inks and organic inks, a high degree of focus on safety regulations has been developed in the tattoo ink industry. A word of advice here would be to always research the ink’s components before you buy. Keep educating yourself about any recalls or issues reported related to any brand.
When we talk about tattoo supplies, inks undoubtedly are the lifeblood of our designs. Remember, each touch of the needle is not just infusing a color but a piece of emotion, a memory, a story into someone’s skin.
Today’s tattoo industry is gifted with a myriad of inks, brands, and hues. With such range comes the responsibility of choosing wisely, experimenting diligently, and above all, respecting the art form and the skin you work on. In my years of experience, I’ve learned that exceptional tattoo inks don’t make you an excellent artist, but they undoubtedly help you better narrate the stories you etch skin-deep.
So here’s to the unsung hero of our tattoo supplies—we raise our machines to you, dear Inks! Let’s continue to experiment, innovate, and create with you, all in the pursuit of crafting lasting stories and unforgettable art.
