Selecting the suitable tattoo ink is crucial, as even subtle differences in consistency can impact your tattooing experience. Whether you seek specific colors or blending options, numerous reputable brands cater to your needs. This guide highlights top-quality tattoo ink brands trusted by professionals and apprentices, crafted with expertise by seasoned tattoo artists.
A quick look at the Best Tattoo Inks
- Best Quality, Dynamic Black Ink. Skip to Review
- Best Liquid Type, Element Tattoo Supply. Skip to Review
- Best Traditional, INKEEZE Mutant Serum. Skip to Review
- Best Super-Black, Hawink Tattoo Ink. Skip to Review
- Best Cheapest, Allegory Premium Lining. Skip to Review
- Best 14 Set Color Superior, STIGMA Tattoo Ink. Skip to Review
Best Quality Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Black, 8oz
- Brand: Dynamic Color Co
- Paint Type: Tattoo
Product Review
Dynamic Black Ink is a top-tier choice for tattoo artists. Proudly made in the USA, its rich pigment content ensures vivid, long-lasting colors. The smooth flow rate caters to precision work, outlining, and shading.
With 30 colors available, artists can blend to their heart’s content. Dynamic Color prioritizes authenticity, arriving in anti-counterfeit PET bottles with sterilized seals. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, offering stunning ink and ethical peace of mind. Trust in over three decades of time-tested quality.
Pros
- Premium Quality and High Pigment Content
- Smooth Flow Rate
- Authentic Packaging and Hygiene
- Established Reputation Since 1990
- Wide Range of 30 Colors
- Vegan and Cruelty-Free
Cons
- Limited Color Variety
- Higher Price Point
- Premium quality tattoo ink
- Impressive pigment content
- Smooth flow rate for precise work
- Authentic packaging in crystal clear PET bottles
- Anti-counterfeiting Dynamic logo coating
- Sterilized product with Dynamic Color seal
- Time-tested since 1990
- Vibrant, long-lasting colors
- Expanded range of 30 colors
- Custom blend possibilities
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Skin-safe and environmentally friendly
Best Liquid Type Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Black
- Brand: ELEMENT TATTOO SUPPLY
- Paint Type: Liquid
Product Review
Element Tattoo Supply’s Black tattoo ink is a top choice in the industry. As a Californian-made product, it’s trusted by tattoo artists worldwide. This permanent ink yields an enduring, intense black that can also be diluted for versatile shading.
The twist-top cap minimizes mess, allowing easy pouring and mixing with other major brands. It’s perfect for outlining, solid shading, or freehand tattoos. Plus, it’s cruelty-free, making it a responsible choice for artists who care about animals. A compact 1oz bottle is ideal for on-the-go tattooing, ensuring beautiful grey wash and tones with simple water addition.
Pros
- Exceptionally dark black ink, highly rated in the tattooing industry.
- Versatile for outlining, shading, and solid black tribal tattoos.
- Trusted by tattoo artists worldwide and widely used in the industry.
- Made in California, USA, ensuring quality and safety standards.
- Permanent ink that stays dark and can be diluted for greywash.
- Convenient twist-top cap for mess-free pouring and compatibility with other pigment brands.
Cons
- While it’s highly regarded, its premium quality might come with a higher price tag.
- Limited bottle size (1oz) may require more frequent replenishment for busy tattoo artists.
- Element Tattoo Supply Black Tattoo Ink
- Rated as one of the darkest in the tattoo industry
- Versatile for outlining, shading, and solid black tribal tattoos
- Trusted and used by tattoo artists worldwide
- Made in California, USA
- Permanent, long-lasting ink that maintains a dark black hue
- Can be diluted with water to create greywash
- Easy-to-pour bottle with a twist-top cap, reducing mess
- Compatible with major brands of tattoo pigments
- Suitable for outlining, solid shading, and freehand tattoos
- Pre-dispersed black ink made with water, alcohol, and carbon black
- Small 1oz bottle for convenient travel
- Easily creates beautiful shades of greywash and tones with added water
- Cruelty-free tattoo ink, not tested on animals
Best Traditional Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Green – Mutant Serum
- Brand: INK-EEZE
- Style: Traditional
Product Review
The INKEEZE Mutant Serum LIMITED EDITION seamlessly merges the NFT world with tattooing, featuring the exclusive ‘Murray’ design. This green tattoo ointment has a unique formula that won’t clog machines and lasts long.
A must-have for tattoo artists and collectors alike, it’s a great value at 16oz. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and boasts a delightful lavender fragrance. Elevate your tattoo care with this innovative product from the leaders at INKEEZE.
Pros
- Creative NFT Integration.
- Unique Formula.
- Non-Clogging.
- Great Value (16oz).
- Collectible Item.
- Supports the Tattoo Industry.
Cons
- Limited Availability.
- Higher Price.
- It has a special edition Mutant Ape Yacht Club tattoo ointment
- Features ‘Murray’ The Tattooed Mutant Ape #18308
- Creative NFT integration with Yuga Labs IP
- Specially formulated unique blend of ingredients
- Doesn’t clog tattoo machines, preferred by artists
- 16oz container for great value and collectibility
- Suitable for both tattoo application and aftercare
- Infused with essential oils, vegan, cruelty-free, lavender fragrance
- Proudly Made in the USA
- Supports and enhances the Tattoo Industry
Best Super-Black Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Super Black
- Brand: Hawink
- Paint Type: Tattoo
Product Review
Hawink Tattoo Ink is a top-tier, 100% new brand known for its exceptional quality. Professional tattoo technicians trust it, and it offers outstanding color stability, ease of use, and vibrant hues.
With durability and low consumption, it ensures long-lasting results. This safe and sterilized ink, backed by CE certificates, comes in a generous 6.7oz (200ml) package, allowing for dynamic shade creation and seamless skin absorption.
Pros
- Trusted by pros for quality.
- Stable, easy, pure colors.
- Durable, low consumption.
- Safe, long-lasting.
- Sterilized pigments, CE certified.
- Easy absorption into skin.
Cons
- Smaller package size (6.7oz).
- Higher cost for quality.
- Color stability, ideal for long-lasting tattoos
- Easy to use, suitable for professionals and beginners
- Pure, vibrant colors for dynamic designs
- Durable with low ink consumption, cost-effective
- Safe, CE certified for quality assurance
- Long-lasting results, maintaining tattoo integrity
- Sterilized pigments using gamma rays for hygiene
- Package includes 6.7oz (200ml) of high-quality ink
Best Cheapest Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Black
- Brand: Allegory Ink
- Paint Type: Tattoo
Product Review
The Allegory Premium Lining 8oz ink is a game-changer! Its smooth consistency makes lining and shading a breeze, while its vegan-friendly formula aligns with my values.
The individually boxed packaging adds a touch of luxury, and the fact that it’s made in the USA assures quality. A must-have for tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike.
Pros
- Precise Lining and Shading
- Vegan-Friendly
- Individually Boxed
- Made in the USA
- Long-Lasting
- Versatile
Cons
- Higher Price
- Limited International Availability
- Product: Allegory Premium Lining 8oz Tattoo Ink
- Usage: Suitable for Lining and Shading
- Formula: Vegan-Friendly
- Packaging: Individually Boxed for Hygiene
- Origin: Made In the USA
Best 14 Set Color Superior Tattoo Inks
- Ink Color: Black
- Brand: STIGMA
- Paint Type: Tattoo
Product Review
STIGMA Tattoo Ink is With each 15 ml bottle, it’s efficient and eco-conscious. It ensures lasting, pure, and fade-resistant tattoos.
Tried and tested by countless tattoo artists, this ink delivers ease and precision.
Sourced from the USA, it comes with CE certificates and professional testing reports, ensuring safety and reliability. STIGMA understands the art of tattoos, dedicating years to perfecting machine performance and ink quality. For artists and enthusiasts alike, this ink is the ultimate choice for creating vivid, long-lasting masterpieces.
Pros
- High Quality: STIGMA Tattoo Ink delivers top-tier quality with vivid, long-lasting, and safe results.
- Vibrant Colors: 14 versatile colors offer professional-grade tattoo performance.
- Texture Enhancement: Enhances tattoo texture for added visual appeal.
- Versatile: Suitable for both professional and personal use, with eco-friendly 15 ml bottles.
- Safety Assurance: Utilizes natural pigments and sterilization for safe tattooing.
- Expertise: Backed by years of research in tattoo machine performance and ink quality.
Cons
- Limited Color Range: Only offers 14 colors, limiting artistic options.
- Higher Price: Premium quality comes at a relatively higher cost.
- 100% new brand with a commitment to high quality.
- Ensures color stability, pure hues, and exceptional durability.
- High pigment concentration formula for long-lasting, textured tattoos.
- Offers 14 commonly used colors for professional and efficient tattooing.
- Eco-friendly 15 ml capacity to minimize wastage.
- Tested and approved by thousands of tattoo artists.
- Imported materials from the United States ensure quality.
- Backed by professional testing reports and CE certificates.
- Efficient delivery for convenience.
- Supports diverse bright color matching needs.
- Utilizes herbal raw materials and natural pigments for bright, fade-resistant colors.
- All pigments are gamma-ray sterilized for safety.
- The result of years of research in tattoo machine performance and ink quality.
FAQS
The best tattoo inks are known for their vibrant colors, long-lasting results, and safety for artists and clients.
No, not all tattoo inks are safe. Choosing inks from reputable brands that meet industry safety standards is crucial.
You can consult a tattoo artist who can recommend the best ink colors based on your skin tone and design.
It’s recommended to leave tattooing to licensed professionals, as improper use of inks can lead to health risks and subpar results.
Tattoo inks typically have a shelf life of 1-2 years, but it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s expiration date for safety.
Yes, vegan-friendly tattoo inks are made without animal-derived ingredients, suitable for clients with ethical preferences or allergies.
Factors To Consider When Buying Tattoo Inks
- Safety and Composition:
- Check for inks made from non-toxic, organic materials.
- Ensure the ink does not contain harmful additives or heavy metals, which can cause allergies or health issues.
- Color Quality and Pigmentation:
- Look for inks with vibrant, long-lasting colors.
- Consider the ink’s consistency and how well it spreads on the skin for smooth, even coloring.
- Sterilization and Hygiene:
- Choose inks from reputable manufacturers who follow strict sterilization processes to prevent contamination.
- Please verify that the ink packaging is sealed and tamper-evident to guarantee its sterility.
- Compatibility with Skin Types:
- Opt for inks suitable for different skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Consider vegan or hypoallergenic options if clients have specific skin sensitivities or preferences.
- Brand Reputation and Reviews:
- Research the reputation of the ink brand within the tattoo industry.
- Read reviews and testimonials from other tattoo artists to gauge the quality and reliability of the ink.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure the ink meets regulatory standards and is approved by relevant health authorities.
- Check for certifications and compliance with local tattooing regulations to avoid legal issues.
Prioritizing quality, safety, and professional guidance when selecting tattoo inks ensures exceptional artwork and the recipient’s well-being. With proper care and adherence to industry standards, tattoo artists can create stunning, enduring designs that stand the test of time.