6 Best Tattoo Ink Brands for Professionals

Summary

High quality tattoo ink is essential for running a successful tattoo business. Cheap ink may be tempting for tattoo professionals just starting their business (or even those just looking to practice), but it can seriously affect the tattoo’s final result. Low quality ink also comes with several health and safety risks which can be detrimental to your clients, your business, and your professional reputation. This article will explore some of the best tattoo ink brands you can buy to guarantee you’re only investing in top quality products. Plus, we’ll cover what to consider before purchasing, the dangers of buying fake ink, and where to buy tattoo ink as a beginner.

High Quality Tattoo Ink Brands

High quality tattoo ink can be pricey, but it’s worth it to ensure your work comes out exactly the way you and the client expect. While the best tattoo ink for professionals will also depend on the clients’ specific needs, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tattoo ink brands to help narrow down your selection. 

Eternal Ink 

Eternal Ink is one of the best tattoo ink brands on the market, and considered a top pick of many tattoo artists due to its broad selection of colors (over 300!), organic pigments, and consistent quality. Certified sterile and vegan, Eternal Ink takes the utmost care in their ink preparation, from mixing to pouring to bottling to packaging. And with products available worldwide, they are a global hub dedicated to the safety and quality of their inks. 

Solid Ink 

Solid Ink stands out for offering a vast selection of highly pigmented, long-lasting colors, with quality ingredients sourced by longtime tattooer Federico Ferroni and manufactured right in the United States. Solid Ink gives artists the option to purchase single inks or sets, all at affordable prices. This ink is considered fast-healing and easy to work with, making it the ideal choice for tattoo artists of any skill level. 

World Famous Ink 

World Famous Ink has been in operation for over 50 years, offering a large selection of bold colors and pigmented black inks ideal for linework and shading. Their ink formulas are not only long-lasting and fade-resistant, but certified vegan (with no animal testing), and especially safe for sensitive skin. 

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Dynamic Color

While Dynamic carries a variety of colors, this tattoo ink is known for its prolific range of blacks that are perfect for outlining, filling, and shading. Their large selection of black pigments also makes it easier to mix the perfect gray wash for any design. Dynamic inks are smooth, durable, and budget-friendly for those looking to save some money on their supplies. 

Kuro Sumi Ink 

Kuro Sumi Ink uses environmentally friendly, vegan formulas that offer smooth consistency and ink flow, making it ideal for both Japanese and traditional styles. Kuro Sumi is hailed for its rich, black pigments and versatile gray wash capabilities, but they also offer over 59 super-concentrated colors to create the perfect hues and multidimensional effects for any tattoo design. 

Intenze Ink 

Intenze Ink carries bold, long-lasting colors and formulas crafted in pharmaceutical-grade, ISO-certified facilities to guarantee purity and sterility. Each ink batch undergoes strict testing to ensure perfect saturation and viscosity, and that each product is contaminant-free. Intenze Ink has been providing quality inks to patrons for over 30 years, with plenty of single-colors or color sets to choose from. Intenze Ink is quick to heal, and has a decent reputation amongst tattoo professionals for being smooth and easy to work with. 

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Key Considerations for Selecting a Tattoo Ink Brand

You can order ink directly from online retailers or manufacturers, but you’ll first need to do a bit of research to find the best tattoo ink brands for your clientele. Below, we outline some considerations to make before you invest in your supplies. 

Opt for inks with long-lasting, premium pigments 

The best tattoo ink brands contain durable, premium pigments that provide saturated color and are highly resistant against fading. While proper storage in the right conditions (such as away from sunlight and extreme heat) will also help extend the shelf life of your tattoo ink, investing in high quality tattoo ink from the start will give your product a better chance of surviving the elements – even after you’ve tattooed with it. 

Ensure the ink is produced under hygiene protocols

The best tattoo ink for professionals starts with how it’s manufactured. To lower the risk of infection or injury to your clients, ensure the ink you purchase complies with the minimum hygienic standard set by the FDA or any international safety guidelines. This means clean manufacturing facilities with appropriate storage, sterile equipment, adequate product testing, and the proper steps taken to reduce cross-contamination. Never make your own ink or buy from anyone who makes their own as you cannot guarantee its safety. 

Check the ingredients

You can order tattoo ink from countries outside of your own, but be aware that some places have a ban on certain chemicals that may increase the risk of illness, infection, or disease. Always check the ingredients to ensure your imports are in compliance with your own country’s regulations. 

Be cautious of fake tattoo ink brands 

There are several ways to spot fake ink, and some brand websites will detail just how you can tell their official products from counterfeits. Always make sure to check the labels for expiration dates and batch numbers to certify your product. High quality tattoo ink is expensive, but when it comes to your artistry, it’s worth the cost for a pristine result. So if the ink price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Why Fake Tattoo Ink Brands Should Be Avoided

Fake tattoo ink is never worth the risk. Read on to find out why you should avoid purchasing ink knock-offs and why it’s important to do your due diligence when it comes to selecting the best brand. 

Fake tattoo inks can lead to skin issues 

Fake tattoo ink is made with cheap, unsafe ingredients, which can affect the healing process or increase the risk of infection. 

The ink may have the wrong consistency

Fake ink is usually too thick or too runny, which can impact the consistency of your designs and make it difficult to create the right illustrations. 

The colors vary each time

The best tattoo ink brands use quality pigments that won’t dull or fade after the tattooing process. However, because of their low quality ingredients and inconsistent texture, fake ink can make it more challenging to predict how the tattoo will look after healing – or how it will even heal at all. 

Where to Buy Quality Tattoo Ink as a Beginner

As a beginner, it can be hard to buy high quality tattoo ink as many outlets require you to have your tattoo artist license or shop reference. Even if you’re just planning on practicing with fake skin, it’s important to use good ink to get the most accurate idea of what the final result will look like. Websites like Worldwide Tattoo and PainfulPleasures can provide the best tattoo ink for beginners without a license. 

Join GlossGenius and Grow Your Tattoo Business

Experimenting with different brands can help you find the best ink type for your tattoo business. Yes, investing in quality ink can be costly, but the risk of cheaping out on your supplies can cause you more issues in the long run. Certain designs or styles (such as shading or filling) may perform better with particular brands of ink, while some clients may have specific needs (like allergies or sensitivities to certain chemicals), making it that much more important to do your due diligence when it comes to selecting the perfect brand.

GlossGenius is the ideal partner for tattoo business owners. Our AI Marketing Assistant can aid your daily operations by providing ready-made email and SMS marketing campaigns, leaving you more time to stay present with your clients. Plus, our Client Management features offer more support than your basic CRM software, like two-way client communication or simply sending tattoo touch-up reminders. 

Try GlossGenius today and get 14 days free!

FAQs

Can all tattoo ink brands be trusted for safety?

No. Only reputable ink brands can be trusted to meet safety standards. Using counterfeit or knock-off ink can not only cause unpredictable results, but also cause injury or harm to your clients. 

Is using any tattoo ink brand in my tattoo machine okay?

No. You should only use high quality, sterile ink in your tattoo machines.

What should be the top priority when choosing a tattoo ink brand?

Aside from certifying your tattoo ink meets minimum health and safety standards, your top priority should be choosing the ink that best suits your clients’ needs. For instance, if your shop specializes in linework, you’ll want to stock up on inks that help deliver smooth, crisp lines. Or, if you’re known for your detailed murals, you’ll want to invest in tattoo ink that delivers vibrant, saturated colors.

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