Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Tattoo Ink

If you feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of tattoo inks available on the market, I suggest you carefully read this article first. It can help you avoid the hassle of testing and selecting from multiple brands of ink. Through discussions and summaries with Mario, the pioneer in the tattoo ink industry (founder of Intenze), we provide you with the ultimate guide to choosing the best tattoo ink.

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Is the tattoo ink you are currently using really safe?

In all the interviews with Mario, we came to one conclusion: safety is the most important consideration when it comes to tattoo ink. Is the ink you are currently using or planning to buy really safe? We hope you can check according to the following steps:

Is it a well-known brand? Which brands are known for their safety?

Time is the most direct way to test a tattoo ink brand. Poor-quality tattoo ink will eventually be eliminated from the market with the passage of time, while brands that have stood the test of time in the tattoo ink market have proven themselves to tattoo artists. For example, well-known brands like Intenze, Dynamic, World, Eternal, and others have made significant contributions to the tattoo ink industry.

Among them, Intenze Ink and Eternal are renowned for their focus on safety and product quality.

Check if the Tattoo Ink is Sterile

Sterile packaging is crucial for the safety of tattoo ink, ensuring that the ink is free from harmful bacteria and contaminants. All inks should be processed in professional sterilization facilities using gamma ray sterilization techniques to guarantee purity and safety. Before purchasing tattoo ink, you need to ask the distributor about these factors.

Additionally, Intenze is committed to transparent production processes, allowing consumers to clearly understand each step. In the industry, Intenze is widely regarded as a benchmark brand. It not only meets high safety standards but also ensures that through strict quality control, every bottle of ink provides the best experience for tattoo artists and their clients.

Understanding Organic/Inorganic Tattoo Ink

The fundamental difference between organic and inorganic tattoo inks lies in the proportion of pigment components.

Organic inks have a higher proportion of organic pigments than inorganic ones, and vice versa. Organic pigments are composed of carbon rings and chains, while inorganic pigments are derived from natural minerals.

Generally speaking, organic pigments offer brighter, more vibrant colors, making them suitable for tattoo designs that require bold, vivid effects. In contrast, inorganic pigments are softer and more subdued, ideal for designs seeking a more natural look. Understanding these differences can help you choose the ink that best suits your needs.

Check the Ingredients List of the Ink

Tattoo ink is composed of: Pigments + Carriers

Many pigments inevitably contain some heavy metals, with the most common being:
iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, aluminum, chromium, lead, arsenic, titanium, zinc... High-quality inks ensure that these heavy metal contents are within safe and compliant limits, but counterfeit or poor-quality brands may not care about this.

The most harmful and toxic substances confirmed to be carcinogenic are arsenic, lead, cadmium, naphthol, cinnabar, chromium oxide, and cobalt.

Note: (Red tattoo inks often contain iron oxide, which can cause itching, allergic reactions, and other "red reactions" in some clients.)

Check if the Tattoo Ink is FDA/REACH Certified

"Compliant" doesn't always mean "safe," and "safe" doesn't always mean "compliant."

The current regulatory standards for tattoo ink can refer to FDA and REACH guidelines. It is well-known that the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks and does not require ink manufacturers to list ingredient compositions. However, publicly available ingredient lists and compliance with FDA standards are the bare minimum for a good ink brand.

The new EU REACH regulations have established a new standard for the tattoo ink manufacturing industry. Inks that comply with EU REACH certification indicate that the ink meets strict safety standards.

The Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Tattoo Ink

Tattoo Ink Concentration/Flow Rate/Types：

There are two types of tattoo ink:

1. water-based tattoo ink 
2. oil-based tattoo ink.

Tattoo Styles

 Black and Gray Tattoo Style Ink Recommendations:

Black and gray tattoo styles are becoming increasingly popular. This style relies solely on black and gray inks for shading and outlining. While experienced tattoo artists can create gray washes by diluting black ink, we recommend purchasing pre-made gray wash ink sets to avoid uneven coloring issues.

 Old School Tattoo Ink Recommendations:

Old school tattoo styles typically feature black, red, green, and yellow, but they are not limited to these four colors. These colors can be mixed with others depending on the design.

We recommend the following ink sets:

Bowery Ink Set by Bowery Stan Moskowitz & Intenze

Eternal Myke Chambers Color Set

Portrait Series Tattoo Ink Recommendations:

When creating color portraits, many people ask, "What color tattoo ink do you use?" without realizing that there's no single "flesh tone" ink. Skin tones are made up of multiple colors, and each person's complexion varies slightly. As you study a face, you'll notice a range of colors—reds, greens, and even blues. Adding the Portrait Series Tattoo Ink Set - Mike DeMasi to your current ink collection will provide you with the perfect palette for portrait tattoos.

Purchase Ink Brands Recommended by Tattoo Artists

If you're still unsure about which tattoo ink brand to choose, I suggest checking the social media of these brands to see the tattoo artists they sponsor. These artists have tried numerous ink brands throughout their careers and are unlikely to change their go-to inks. Their choices offer valuable insights, and you can select the right ink set based on the tattoo styles these artists specialize in.

An Often Overlooked Point When Choosing Black Tattoo Ink:

The market is flooded with black tattoo inks, and while they might look intensely black upon purchase, after healing, some inks can fade to blue or appear bruised. This often occurs because the pigment concentration isn't high enough. If you prefer water-based black inks, this issue tends to be more frequent. Therefore, when choosing black ink, it's crucial to ensure it retains a solid black appearance after healing.