The Best Tattoo Ink to Choose for Outstanding Results
Whether you indulge in tattooing as a hobby or pursue it as a profession, you need the best tattoo ink to produce the best results. Recently, there has been a surge in the number of brands that produce tattoo ink. To make your job easier, I am presenting to you the top tattoo inks available today.
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Top 5 Best Tattoo Inks on The Market 2017 - Comparision Chart
Rank | Image | Product Name | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | 96 /100 | ||
2 |  | 94 /100 | ||
3 |  | 95 /100 | ||
4 |  | 97 /100 | ||
5 |  | 96 /100 |
**Below, you'll see more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon.
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Understanding Tattoo Ink
Tattoo ink consists of two main ingredients: the pigment and the carrier. Many experienced tattoo artists prefer to mix their own inks by buying the pigments and carriers separately.
They do this because they prefer knowing what exactly goes into their ink. However, this needs expertise to perform and you may be better off buying pre-mixed ink from a well reputed brand.
Ingredients
The first ingredient is the pigment, which gives the ink its color. It comes in the form of powder and usually consists of metals or metal compounds.
For example, mercury is used as a pigment for producing red color, chromium for green, cobalt for blue and aluminum for purple.
Recently, more and more brands are starting to use plant-based pigments in their inks to maintain better health standards.
The second ingredient is the carrier, which is a liquid with which the pigment is mixed. Its job is to help the pigment enter the puncture point and get beneath the skin. Various carriers used include water, methanol, rubbing alcohol and glycerin.
There are some other specialty inks also available in the market today. Not all tattoo artists use them regularly but are used to achieve certain specific results. For example, glow-in-the-dark and UV inks soak up light during the daytime and come alive in the dark.
Henna ink is another popular form of Indian ink that is used to create temporary tattoos.
How to Choose the Best Tattoo Ink
There are many points to consider before choosing the ideal tattoo ink for your next project. You should always consider the following factors.
1. The Manufacturer Matters
You simply have to make sure that the tattoo ink you are going to use has been manufactured in a most hygienic way and has been rigorously tested to ensure user safety.
Since it is not possible for you to visit the manufacturing unit of every ink producer, the best you can do is buy tattoo ink manufactured by a brand reputed for quality. In fact, apart from health reasons, inks from a reputed manufacturer will also result in more vibrant and durable results.
Tattoo ink manufacturing is an industry full of closely guarded secrets and it is almost next to impossible to find out the process followed by any brand. However, you can make a better decision based on the type of materials that go into the ink.
For instance:
- StarBrite is a reputed tattoo ink brand that uses a water base and organic pigments.
- Kuro Sumi uses an organic base coupled with organic pigments.
- Moms uses a glycerin base, fluorescent dyes and polymer pigments.
- Skin Candy uses a propylene glycol base with metal oxide pigments.
It is important that you research these materials that go into the manufacturing process and identify if any one of them can cause any adverse skin reactions.
2. Don’t Compromise on Quality
If you compromise on the quality of tattoo ink just to save a few bucks, it will only lead to poor results in terms of durability and vibrancy, and can even cause severe skin reactions. However, this does not mean that more expensive inks will always offer higher quality.
One hallmark of lower quality inks is lower permeability and thinner consistency. Another point to consider is that higher quality inks available today are usually prepared with organic, vegan-friendly and non-toxic materials which ensures that health risks are kept at a minimum level.
It may also help to talk to more experienced tattoo artists and seek their opinions about the different brands they have used. Remember to question them about consistency and durability of the ink, its shelf life, vibrancy of the colors.
3. Know the Subject
Whose skin are you going to use the ink upon? Whether it is you or someone else, you need to find out the allergic history of the subject’s skin to ensure that the ink you use does not cause any untowardly reactions.
Some people, for instance, may be allergic to lead and it may be best to avoid using yellow, green and white inks that use lead as a pigment. One good way to go about this is to buy inks with organic pigments as they are usually more non-reactive and safer to use.
4. One Last Thing to Remember
If any tattoo ink manufacturer claims that its ink is FDA-approved, stay away from that manufacturer.
The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any ink from any manufacturer for injection into the skin.
Any one claiming otherwise is clearly indulging in false and fraudulent advertising and needs to be avoided.
Top 5 Best Tattoo Inks for Your Choice
Let’s take a look at the 5 best tattoo inks available in the market today.
1. Black Onyx Millennium Moms
Via Amazon.com
This is a USA-made tattoo ink. It is manufactured by one of the most reputed brand ‘Moms’ and may be trusted to deliver good results without causing any health issues.
Pros
- Not all shades of black set well on dark skinned people. However, this shade of black by Moms can be used to create beautiful expressions on dark skin as well.
- This ink offers good consistency over time and type of skin. This is especially important when using the ink to create intricate tattoos.
- This ink is pre-dispersed to provide a quick, smooth flow which may be very helpful for amateur artists.
- Apart from Onyx Black, this ink is available in more than 64 shades which means that you may be able to meet all your color needs by buying from this single line of products.
- Tattoo experts have long suggested that Moms inks are triple-checked for critical factors such as color consistency, flow rate and pigment life, making them a safe option to invest in.
Cons
- It may not be the best choice for artists who are looking at buying inks made using only organic ingredients.
2. 14 Millennium Moms PRIMARY #2 Tattoo Ink
Via Amazon.com
Also from the house of Moms, this lot consists of American made tattoo inks. Each bottle contains 30 ml of ink that is reputed for its high standards of quality.
The colors included in this lot are agent orange, black cherry, red rum, pink pussy cat, grey hound, magic magenta, money green, power white, tropical teal and suede.
Pros
- Inks included in this lot offer good consistency which is especially important when creating complex and intricate designs.
- These inks also feature a good flow rate and long pigment life which is necessary to create high quality tattoos that last long without losing vibrancy and depth.
- Beginners and amateur artists may be better off buying ink sets like this one rather than single colors to ensure that different inks do not negatively react with each other.
- All the inks in this lot have a long shelf life.
- Tattoo experts have long suggested that Moms inks are triple-checked for critical factors such as color consistency, flow rate and pigment life, making them a safe option to invest in.
Cons
- If you are looking for ink that is prepared using only organic ingredients, this may not be the best option for you.
- If you are on a tight budget, you may want to consider buying individual ink bottles as per your current requirement instead of this pack.
3. StarBrite Essential 25 Color Set 2
Via Amazon.com
StarBrite is another highly reputed tattoo ink manufacturer which manufacturers over 46 different colors. Each bottle of ink in this pack of 25 is sterilized, unopened and made in USA.
Pros
- All the inks provided in this set by StarBrite are pre-dispersed with a thin consistency that ensures that the ink flows smoothly without any issue.
- Inks made by StarBrite are well reputed to hold on their vibrancy and depth over long periods of time – something that is of utmost important to any tattoo artist.
- All the inks available in this pack are made using organic pigments and a water base which may help avoid allergic skin reactions in most people.
- Beginners and amateur artists may be better off buying ink sets like this one rather than single colors to ensure that different inks do not negatively react with each other.
- StarBrite tattoo inks also have a long shelf life which may prove helpful in the case of some colors that you may not use immediately.
- First time buyers will be relieved to know that StartBrite has been manufacturing inks for over two decades, making them a highly trusted name.
Cons
- If you are on a tight budget, you may have to settle for fewer individual bottles of ink.
4. Kuro Sumi Tattoo Black Outlining Ink
Via Amazon.com
This is one of the most used and reputed outlining inks produced by leading ink manufacturer Kuro Sumi.
Kuro Sumi tattoo inks are created using top-secret procedures passed down through many generations of Japanese tattoo artists and are known for their high quality in terms of durability, safety and vibrancy.
Pros
- All ingredients used in this ink are vegan-friendly which is good news for artists who prefer to stay away from inks that use animal products.
- This ink contains only organic ingredients which may make it safer to use on more people without any untowardly skin reactions.
- Kuro Sumi has been in the tattoo ink business for several decades, making it a highly trusted name amongst even the most experienced tattoo artists.
- Most users of this ink have reported that it runs very smooth and offers good consistency which is great for both simple and even the most intricate designs.
- Even years after application, Kuro Sumi colors are known to not lose their vibrancy and depth.
Cons
- Some users have reported that the ink may be a little thinner than other options in the market.
- The shape of the bottle that this ink comes in has been criticized by few to be a little inconvenient.
5. Kuro Sumi Tattoo 100% Authentic Black Outlining Liner Ink
Via Amazon.com
Another product by reputed manufacturer Kuro Sumi, it is quite popular amongst several tattoo artists.
This product is imported from Japan, where it is manufactured under stringent hygienic conditions to ensure that the ink is safe to use and produces high quality results.
Pros
- All ingredients used in this ink are vegan-friendly which is good news for artists who prefer to stay away from inks that use animal products.
- This product from reputed manufacturer Kuro Sumi is made using organic materials which may make it more suitable for use on more number of people without the fear of adverse skin reactions.
- This ink offers a very good level of consistency and a very smooth flow which may be of great help especially for beginners.
- Skeptical first-time buyers can stay rest assured as Kuro Sumi is one of the most established and trusted names in the tattoo industry.
- Even years after application, Kuro Sumi colors are known to not lose their vibrancy and depth.
- This ink also offers a good shelf life.
Cons
- This product is slightly on the pricier side compared to other products on this list.
- Some users have expressed that this ink may be a little thinner than its rival options.
Conclusion
Whether you are an amateur tattoo artist or decently experienced, the StarBrite pack of 25 inks may be the best option to go for. It is produced using all organic materials, offers good vibrancy and depth over longer periods of time and the various colors included in this pack may prove sufficient for any design, no matter how intricate.
I hope this guide on best tattoo ink will help you make the right decision for your next project. If you have any questions to ask, suggestions to make or experiences to share, always feel free to leave me a comment.
