Irrespective of how elaborate your technical setup is, one crucial element that can make or break any tattoo is the ink: the magic potion that brings all the color.

Tattoo inks can influence everything from the vibrancy of the artwork, the quality of the finish, how long the tattoos maintain their consistency and how quickly they fade over time and your customers’ safety during the aftercare period.

Furthermore, emphasizing the implication of ink selection is that various ink types serve different purposes (some inks are exclusively for lining, others work best for shading, while others still only produce the best results when used for a specific tattooing style.)

Consequently, there is no overstating the importance of choosing the right ink for the whole tattooing process.

However, choosing the perfect ink for the job is no easy feat, especially for newbie artists without a clue on the best inks for their craft and style. A few more variables enter the picture.

First, you have to find inks that perfectly match the hues in the concept for your piece. Next, you have to filter from the abundance of options on the market, a task that can quickly get overwhelming.

Lastly, and most importantly, you have to ensure that your selected inks are products that prioritize your customers’ safety. The best brands use only non-toxic, preferably organic ingredients, feature safe, secure packaging, and adhere to the strictest health and industry standards.

Here, we simplify the process by providing you with a shortlist of vetted tattoo inks to streamline your ink selection process.

Choosing the Right Ink:

Some guidelines to consider when choosing to ensure you end up with consistent, reliable, and safe ink include:

• Consider sticking to the top brands. Many industry-leading manufacturers strictly vet their ingredients for effectiveness, efficiency, and safety while incorporating production processes that adhere to the strictest safety regulations.
• Ensure that the brand adheres to both S. and E.U. standards for quality, purity, and safety
• Check the product manufacturer’s material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• Always check the ingredient list for any potential toxins or allergens.
• Only use products that you receive in a pre-sterilized and completely sealed state
• Check reviews to ensure that the ink maintains its consistency and vibrance at least past the first year.
• Consider paying a bit more for premium brands as the extra price is often worth it in terms of quality, colorfastness, and safety.

Our Top Pick: Intenze Tattoo Ink

Create any list of the best tattoo ink brands today, and Intenze Tattoo Ink is guaranteed to be one of the first names that appear. Established in 1978, Intenze Ink has one of the longest track records of producing some of the industry’s highest quality inks.