What Are The Best Tattoo Inks?

What Are The Best Tattoo Inks

World Famous Limitless – World Famous Limitless is the newest tattoo ink range from the renowned US manufacturer that complies with the latest Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations in the EU. As World Famous Ink is a global manufacturer, the new EU REACH regulations provided an opportunity for the brand to create a new tattoo ink line that not only meets, but exceeds regulatory standards, resulting in an updated, world market-compliant product.

Introducing Limitless, the new EU REACH-compliant tattoo ink range from World Famous Ink that has been created by artists for artists. The World Famous Limitless line-up contains durable, versatile tattoo inks with research-driven formulations that fly into the skin with ease.

As with the original World Famous Ink colours, all Limitless tattoo inks are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and made in the USA.

  • What Are The Best Tattoo Inks
  • What Are The Best Tattoo Inks
  • What Are The Best Tattoo Inks

What type of ink do tattoo artists use?

Do different coloured inks have different components in them? – There are about 9 colours that are most frequently used in tattooing – they contain different ingredients. Black is the most commonly used tattoo ink. Natural black pigment is made from magnetite crystals, powdered jet, wustite, bone char, and amorphous carbon from combustion (soot).

The ingredients of black ink are iron oxide, carbon and logwood. Brown ink is made of ochre (iron oxides mixed with clay), blue contains sodium aluminium silicate (lapis lazuli) and copper silicate (Egyptian blue).

Red ink carries an increased risk of allergy and contains cinnabar (a toxic mineral) and naphthol pigments. The other commonly used inks are white, violet, yellow, green and orange. All of them contain a different combination of chemicals. It’s best to do your research before you head to the tattoo studio.

Which tattoo inks last the longest?

What is the BEST Black Tattooing Ink???

What Colors Last Longer in Tattoos? – Black and gray are the longest lasting color tattoos. These dark shades are dense and bold, making them less prone to fading. Vibrant and pastel colors like pink, yellow, light blue and green tend to fade faster. Credit: Instagram The shades commonly used in watercolors are very short-lived. Despite being incredibly popular, this style of tattooing requires frequent touch-ups. Credit: Instagram Credit: Instagram.

What is the safest tattoo ink Brand?

Starbrite Tattoo Inks – If you’re looking for staying power, then Starbrite is the brand for you. Created 25 years ago by Tommy Ringwalt, Jr. , Starbrite Tattoo Inks offer an incredible variety of colors – a variety constantly expanding as Tommy travels the world consulting with artists to find out what they want to see.

  1. All Starbrite’s tattoo ink is blasted with gamma radiation to kill all microorganisms;
  2. Developed in close connection with the FDA to follow strict guidelines, Starbrite is among the most rigorously tested and safest tattoo ink brands on the market;

This ink works well with a wide variety of tattoo styles, and is used by a wide range of tattoo artists to create their masterpieces. It’s pigment-based, which gives it vivid color. The colors are pre-dispersed for ease of use. Tattoos completed with Starbrite are known to heal well and stay true to color over time.

  1. This brand is built on quality and loyalty, and many artists use Starbrite exclusively;
  2. It’s important to note that this brand is so popular it’s widely imitated–so be sure to verify that you’re buying authentic Starbrite ink from a professional source;

Tattoo ink is the medium through which a tattoo artist creates the beautiful, meaningful and fun designs that clients walk through the door for. High quality tattoo ink lasts longer, looks better, and feels better – that’s why it’s so important for tattoo artists to use the best for their clients.

What is the best black ink for tattooing?

Is tattoo ink cancerous?

Cancer – Do tattoos cause skin cancer? This has been a question that researchers have been exploring for years. While there is no direct connection between tattoos and skin cancer, there are some ingredients in tattoo ink that may be linked to cancer.

  1. When it comes to cancer, black ink can be especially dangerous because it contains a very high level of benzo(a)pyrene;
  2. Benzo(a)pyrene is currently listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC);

Health officials and researchers are especially concerned about the effects of black tattoo ink, as it is the most commonly used color for tattooing. “Blackout” tattoos have also raised significant concern among health officials and researchers. This hot new trend may be especially dangerous since it requires individuals to have large portions of their bodies covered in thick, heavy solid black ink.

In addition to the fear of carcinogens contained in the ink, individuals are also concerned about the way these tattoos cover the body. A change in skin pigmentation is one of the earliest signs of skin cancer, particularly melanoma.

When the body is “blacked out” with tattoo ink, individuals may not be able to notice these changes right away. For this reason, tattoos should never be placed over pre-existing moles, birth marks, or other skin discolorations or abnormalities. Another cause for concern is what happens to a tattoo after you’ve had it for a while.

Do all black tattoos turn green?

What’s In Tattoo Ink? – Tattoo ink is made of a solid color pigment and a liquid – usually an alcohol or water. The solid pigments can be plastic, metal, or any other solid and colorful component that won’t degrade over time. Usually, only black ink is prone to turning green with age, as the pigments are absorbed by your body.

  • However, other bright colors can fade too;
  • Although they won’t turn green, loss of definition and fading are common problems;
  • This is why quality is so important;
  • You should always be inked with high-quality ink , as the pigments are less likely to fade quickly, and you won’t experience an infection;

This can happen when you are inked with expired tattoo ink!.

What color ink fades the fastest?

When it comes to getting a tattoo, you’ve got a wealth of choices. Not only are there thousands of designs to choose from, but there’s also a myriad of colors. Since tattoos are permanent, you really want to make sure it continues looking great for as long as possible.

  1. Unfortunately, time is not kind on this form of body art;
  2. The chances are it will not look the same forever;
  3. Tattoo fading is something that occurs naturally, even if you look after your ink using the most detailed of tattoo aftercare guidelines;

Lighter and more vibrant colors, for example, yellows, greens, and pinks, typically fade faster than darker colors. Black and gray are the hardiest tattoo colors you can choose. Their dense and bold appearance means they last longer than any other color.

What’s the brightest tattoo ink?

Our Top Pick: Intenze Tattoo Ink – Know More Details on Amazon 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. One of the company’s standout features is its dedication to providing organic products that adhere to all of the strictest industry standards.

Intenze inks are utterly devoid of animal products, 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and match the requirements for both American and E. safety standards. The company also offers all their inks in pre-sterilized and sealed bottles to ensure they arrive at your location in perfect condition and without any added safety risks.

Intenze also continues to innovate on its manufacturing process to maximize user safety continually. They also maintain a quality control page where they outline all changes to their products for complete transparency. If you are buying tattoo inks for the first time and want a brand that brings the best possible assurance of safety and standout quality, you can’t go wrong with Intenze Tattoo Ink.

  1. Note: Intenze inks are relatively pricier than most of the competition;
  2. However, the price difference is unsurprising, considering their dedication to quality and user safety;
  3. Another central selling point with this brand is the wide assortment of product offerings available from the manufacturer—with more than 250 color options available, they have one of the most varied portfolios in the industry;
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Intenze also offers rare pastel colors like Banana Creme, Peach, and Creamsicle, which are tough to find anywhere else. All Intenze inks are suitable for all types of work (including lining, color packing, and shading) on all skin tones. Plus, the company offers useful usage tips like the right needle sizes and a host of other helpful guidelines (that new artists will appreciate) to use on each product page.

With their varied selection of products, their strict adherence to safety practices, and their established name in the industry, it is no surprise that legendary tattooists like Bob Tyrrell, Mike Demasi, Freddie Negrete, Mark Mahoney, and Boris have all formed coalitions with this brand.

Try out any of Intenze’s color ink sets or any of their ten pastel colors for significant discounts on arguably the best products in the industry. Most of their products are available in both 1-ounce and 12-ounce bottles.

What is the safest tattoo color?

There are a bunch of new colours and tattoo techniques on offer — neons, brighter shades, memorial tats where you mix in a bit of a loved one’s ashes (don’t judge; everyone grieves differently). But how far is too far? Take a look What are the safest colours? * Neon skin inks are loaded chemicals and mercury.

The reds are perhaps the worst, because they also contain the highly toxic iron oxide and cadmium. * If you really want to get a permanent tattoo, stick with the basics. Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too.

Some parlous mix their own inks; it’s generally safest to use branded inks that list their ingredients, says Dr Amit Karkhanis, laser and cosmetic physician. Are there any natural alternatives? * Some tattoo studios have yellows and blues that are turmeric- and indigo-based. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Stick with the basics. Black remains safest. Blue and green inks with copper phthalocyanine pigments are safe too. (Shutterstock) Be cautious and plan well * Skin tone is important when planning a tattoo. Because melanin acts as a filter, bright colours such as reds, sky blues and yellows won’t look as you expect them to, says Ritopriyo Saha, founder of the Trippink tattoo studio in Bengaluru.

  • There are other colours that are naturally derived, but also many that make false claim, so always check the contents;
  • * A good tag to look for is EU certification;
  • Inks that say they are compliant with EU quality standards will have the lowest levels of toxicity possible;

* For dark skin tones, black and most shades of green work well. * Even if it’s not your first tattoo, do a patch test. Tattoo inks change; skin tones change. Take nothing for granted. * If there even a tiny chance that you will want the tattoo removed later on, avoid reds, yellows and oranges.

  • They are the most resistant to laser removal treatments;
  • Even for the other colours, removal takes an average of 15 visits over 8 weeks;
  • Best and worst spots * Muscular parts of the body — upper arms, calves, back — are good places if you plan to get a tattoo, says Dr Karkhanis;

* Avoid areas where the skin stretches such as the crease lines on the wrist, elbows or near the knees. “It will likely take longer to heal as there is constant pulling of the skin here,” he adds. * Avoid hands and feet. Sustained and direct exposure to sun, soap and water would make healing difficult and could cause the tattoo to fade.

Does tattoo ink quality matter?

Good quality tattoo ink costs a bit more but ensures long lasting bright colors, clean results and ensure a much more safe tattooing procedure overall. These inks prevent from higher risks of skin damage or spreading dangerous diseases.

Is there a difference in tattoo ink?

When it comes to  Tattoo Ink , there are a tonne of brands out there to choose from. It’s great to have a lot of colour options, but it can be a bit overwhelming especially for new tattoo artists who are still trying to figure out which inks and colour palettes work best for them. The vibrancy and finish of tattoo inks can vary quite a lot from brand to brand, so it’s important to find out which inks will give you the best results, whilst ensuring they are high-quality, safe tattoo inks from reputable brands!  Aside from the choice of colours, the main difference between ink brands are the ingredients the ink is made up of, and the measures of these ingredients.

It’s important to choose brands which contain organic ingredients, as organic inks tend to use carriers such as purified water and pigments that are made from all natural elements which make them much safer to use.

Don’t opt for brands which refuse to disclose what ingredients their inks contain. The safety of your customers is paramount, so your tattoo inks should be produced to the highest industry and health standards, pre-sterilised, and packaged safely. Nowadays most tattoo inks are  vegan friendly , and this is a really important factor for a lot of artists too.

Most tattoos will fade over time, but opting for the best tattoo ink brands will ensure that the inks fade a lot less. Of course, it’s important to continue to look after tattoos years after the tattoo is made, but good quality inks will certainly help with the longevity of the tattoo.

Different types of inks have different purposes and will produce varying results. Some inks are made specifically for lining, whereas others are others are intended for colouring solid areas, and the style of tattooing you do will have an influence on the type of ink and coverage you go for. We’ve listed some of the top tattoo ink brands that are available:  What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Radiant Colors All the way from Los Angeles,  Radiant Tattoo Ink  has been around for over 10 years, providing the tattoo industry with top quality, bold and brilliant colours. In 2016, the Radiant brand undertook a huge transformation, reformulating their tattoo ink, making it better than ever. The Radiant team worked closely with renowned tattoo artists across the globe, using sophisticated technology to create a sterilised, uncut homogenised organic pigment which produces solid, long-lasting, and bright colours.

  1. Talking with other artists is a great way to get honest, tried and tested opinions on different ink brands, but it’s important to remember that what may work for one artist may not necessarily be right for another, so try out different brands and find out what works best and feels right for you;

Radiant Ink is completely vegan friendly. Unlike many tattoo ink brands, Radiant’s whole range of standard colours is available in 1/2oz bottles, (as well as 1oz and 2oz), which is ideal for those who are wanting to try it without committing to a larger bottle. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Eternal Ink One of the leading brands that are proven to be non-toxic is Eternal Tattoo Ink. Their inks are composed of organic pigments, free from any animal by-products so are vegan friendly. Founded by Terry “Tramp” Welker, Eternal Tattoo Supply has been around since the 1980’s, and are one of the most established tattoo brands out there. Their main goal is to constantly look for ways that will help and support tattoo artists in creating high quality, lifelong designs What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Intenze Ink Mario Barth, Intenze Tattoo Ink founder has dedicated years of his life producing high quality sterile tattoo inks. I ntenze probably have one of the largest range of colours on the market, and their top quality tattoo inks meet both USA and EU quality standards, with a third-party lab verifying their purity after they are sterilised. Intenze inks flow well and go in nicely to the skin, and the crisp colours stay vibrant for years. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Kuro Sumi Ink Kuro Sumi Tattoo Ink  includes a range of colours created using a formula that has descended from centuries of Japanese tattoo artists. It’s a superior quality ink that is renowned for its outstanding lining and shading inks. Created using vegan friendly and purely organic elements, Kuro Sumi’s range contains a variety of grey wash options and some brilliant colours. The Kuro Sumi range also features a Cherry Shading Ink and Bronze Shading Ink, which have a really unique finish. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Solid Ink All Solid Ink Tattoo Inks are manufactured with the highest quality organic pigments and are 100% vegan friendly. They’re super concentrated to ensure maximum colour saturation, and are easy to work with, super bright and heal very well. They’re approved by CTL lab in Bielefeld, Germany for safety and skin reactivity, complying with EU legislation. They have a beautiful colour range to choose from. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Fusion Ink Fusion tattoo inks were developed by Adam Everett, and feature an incredible range of organic colours. Their inks have a thicker consistency, higher pigment value and high viscosity making them bold and bright. They’re sterilised to the highest standard, and are vegan friendly. Fusion ink is super smooth, and a really easy tattoo ink to put into the skin. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Obsidian Ink Obsidian Black is ‘the perfect black tattoo ink’. It features a thin viscosity whilst maintaining a very deep black, making it absolutely perfect for lining and shading alike. Made in the UK with the highest purity of carbon black pigment available along with being vegan friendly, hypoallergenic, Sterile and ResAP 2008 compliant, Obsidian is sure to be ever present in your set-up for years to come.

  • They’re vegan friendly too;
  • It has been developed and perfected over time by experienced tattoo artists with 20+ years of ink formulation knowledge behind them;
  • It is a multi-purpose versatile black ink great for lining, shading and filling large solid areas;
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It goes into the skin really smoothly and washes down for super soft greys ideal for realism. What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Nocturnal Ink Nocturnal Ink was formulated by Franco Vescovi and tested over two years by co-owner and legendary tattoo artist Jack Rudy. Their goal was to create an ink that works very similar to Talens and Pelikan, which are some very well-known drawing inks used by the tattoo industry for the last 30 years. They wanted the fluidity of those inks but it had to be darker and shade even smoother.

  • Unlike Talens and Pelikan, they wanted their ink to be made for the sole purpose of tattooing;
  • They’re also vegan friendly;
  • Launched at London Tattoo Convention in 2014, Nocturnal Inks have proven to be extremely popular, and the go-to ink for black and grey artists;

It can be quite overwhelming when it comes to choosing tattoo inks, and the ‘best’ tattoo ink is often down to personal preference, but we hope that this guide has helped in giving you an idea of the different ink ranges out there. There are of course other important factors that will affect the outcome of your tattoo such as the type of tattoo machine and needles or cartridges you choose, and again there’s a brilliant choice of brands out there for artists to choose from. ← Previous Post Next Post →.

What’s the best tattoo needles for lines?

Flat Tattoo Needles – Flat needles are needles that are soldered in a straight line to a needle bar. These needles are the most popular for lining because their shape lets them deliver more ink to the skin. This means clearer, darker lines with just one stroke. Larger flat needles can be used for color fills and deliver more quickly with just one pass. Flat needles are marked FL (Flat Liner) or, less often, FS (Flat Shader) for short.

What voltage should a tattoo liner run at?

Thanks For Submitting Your Message! – Check back here to see your message once we’ve reviewed it. What voltage do people use for lining and shading when using a tattoo pen? Submitted by: Gary John Wood 2 years ago 1 Answers Reading Time: < 1 minute Hi Gary, voltage settings are always depending on your style of tattooing, the machine you are using and your personal taste. You should take time with your machine to find out which voltage is the right for you and the machine. Generally most artists use voltages around 7v-9v for lining (8 should be a good start) and 8-10v for shading. Please login or Register to submit your answer Want to know something you can't find here? Ask A Question.

What tattoo ink is the darkest?

Zuper Black tattoo ink, the darkest and most intense black developed by INTENZE! Now available in both 1 oz and 12 oz bottles.

Does any tattoo ink stay black?

When it comes to tattoo ink, there are a fair few brands out there that always prove to be very popular. Choosing the right tattoo ink is really important, and making sure you get the right ink for the tattoos you’re creating can make a big difference when it comes to making bold and solid tattoos that last a lifetime. Black tattoo ink is used in lots of tattoos, being the staple ingredient for lines and shading, with some artists going through black tattoo ink faster than any other colour. There are different types of black tattoo inks for lining and shading, so it’s important to get the right one for the job, and the right one for you! What Are The Best Tattoo Inks We’ve listed some of the top black tattoo inks out there, so if you’re after the perfect black ink and aren’t too sure which ink to go for, then take a look at some of our favourites, and check out the most popular black tattoo inks on the market Eternal Lining Black Eternal Ink Lining Black is a strong, solid colour which retains its boldness over time. The ink itself is an organic, non-toxic option and gives a clean, crisp line. It’s manufactured by one of the oldest tattoo suppliers in the industry, who have years of experience, and it’s one of the most well-known and trusted brands out there. Dynamic Triple Black New to the market, Dynamic Triple Black has the same ingredients as the original Dynamic Back, but with a higher pigment content. Original black is all-purpose so is great for both lining and shading, however Triple Black is best for colour packing and shading. Hailed by many artists as the richest black they have ever used, Dynamic Black Ink has a reputation for going into the skin very easily and staying dark after healing. Radiant Ink – Real Black Radiant Tattoo Ink was reformulated and re-branded a few years ago, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Now our top-selling tattoo ink, Radiant colours are highly pigmented, and heal very vibrantly, maintaining their boldness and standing the test of time. There are a few different options in their black ink range, including Tribal Black (best for colour packing), Turbo Black (perfect for lining), and Real Black which is a brilliant all-rounder, and one that we’d highly recommend to all of our customers. Nocturnal Super Black World renowned tattoo artists Franco Vescovi and Jack Rudy have come together to provide an ink line that works like the drawing inks used in the industry with one important thing in mind: this ink is actually made for tattooing. With the same fluidity as those drawing inks, the Nocturnal Tattoo Inks are darker and even smoother. Nocturnal Tattoo Ink is organic with only three ingredients: organic pigment, ethyl alcohol, and sterilised water. No harsh chemical solvents are in this ink. Intenze Zuper Black Intenze Zuper Black was invented by world famous tattoo artist Mario Barth. Perfect for solid colouring giving the deepest, darkest black finish, it comes in a large 12oz bottle, so it is a popular choice for those who primarily do solid black work. Eternal Ink – Maxx Black A new one from Eternal Tattoo Ink, the latest offering in black tattoo ink is Maxx Black. Maxx Black is a smooth, opaque, single pigment black tattoo ink without a colour shift or undertone. A truly   black   ink that goes in black and stays black!  It’s suitable for line work, shading, or being thinned to create your own dark grey wash. Maxx Black has a thinner viscosity than Eternal Triple Black and a similar one to Eternal Lining Black for comparison. Obsidian Obsidian tattoo ink is brand new to the tattoo ink market! Hailed as ‘the perfect black tattoo ink’, it has a thin viscosity whilst maintaining a very deep black, making it absolutely perfect for lining and shading alike. Made in the UK with the highest purity of carbon black pigment available along with being Vegan friendly, Obsidian is hypoallergenic, sterile and ResAP 2008 compliant. It has been developed and perfected over time by experienced tattoo artists with over 20+ years of ink formulation knowledge behind them.

Perfect for people who like thinner blended ink, this versatile ink is suitable for lining, tribal work, and shading. This ink blends well with other pre-made washes. It has a thinner viscosity than other inks, but still heals perfectly.

It is a multi-purpose versatile black ink great for lining, shading and filling large solid areas. It goes into the skin really smoothly and washes down for super soft greys ideal for realism. These are just a few of the black tattoo inks we have to offer, so if you want to check out even more of the best black tattoo ink on the market, then head over to our store where you can see the full range. There’s a black tattoo ink out there to suit the needs of all artists, and we’re guaranteed to have the perfect one for you!  If you have any questions regarding tattoo inks , then make sure you get in touch with us through our website, or leave us a comment in the box below. ← Previous Post Next Post →.

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What do tattoo artists use to draw tattoos?

What Are The Best Tattoo Inks Credit: Sarah Harvey Whether it’s a picture from the wall of the studio or a custom design brought in by a client, successful tattoo artists transfer designs from drawing to skin. But so many often wonder how exactly they do it. Truth is, tracing is a time-honored artistic technique. Heck, the Renaissance masters would trace and transfer designs to a canvas before painting those priceless portraits and frescos in museums throughout the world.

The best tattoo artists utilize this same process as a guide to accurately create intricate artwork on the skin. Dip pens and tracing paper are valuable tools used to create what is called a “tattoo stencil,” and helps ensure a client will get exactly what they want from their ink.

After a traced design is applied, the artist can use their skills to follow the lines and fill in the blanks for the perfect tattoo. Here is how this whole thing works.

Why do tattoo artists use red pencil?

May 19, 2016 8 Comments Its time again for another installment of Stencil Science, where we tell you way more than you would ever want to know about tattoo stenciling. Last week, we talked about how to keep the stencil on the skin. This week lets talk about the color red and why it’s a good choice in stenciling.

Before we get into the weeds here about what “color” really is, lets get something out of the way- the COLOR “red” isn’t dangerous in stenciling. There has been a lot written and discussed about using red-colored permanent markers for drawing on the skin, and S8 discourages artists from using products that were not designed for use on the skin for stenciling.

But the important thing to remember here is that not all reds are created equal because the colorants that human beings have used color things red are incredibly different. Humans have, over the course of our long and illustrious history, used two different types of winged beetle, carcinogenic metals, and beets, to color things red.

The colorant that is used in red-colored permanent markers is probably not great for human skin because permanent markers aren’t designed for use on human skin. We’re a little different. S8’s labs take safety seriously.

So we only use colorants that are approved for use on human skin by every major cosmetic regulatory body. It was a hassle to find colorants that worked, were approved, were tuned in such a way that was compatible with thermographic printers, and stayed on the skin for long periods of time.

Why did we do it? To begin, lets recap why we stencil. We use stencils to visualize the future tattoo and provide guidelines for session. Which means that stencils have to be visible on the skin, last for extended periods of time, and be distinguishable from the ink that the artist is using to outline.

What does it mean for a stencil to be visible on the skin? And whose skin are we talking about? Skin color is largely a function of the amount and type of melanin present in the skin. Dermatologists spent most of the late 19 th and well over half of the 20 th century attempting to created classifications for skin colors- most notable are Von Luschan’s Chromatic Scale (with 36 categories) and Fitzpatrick’s Scale (with 7 meta-types).

  1. In the case of the Von Luschan Chromatic Scale, there was a substantial amount of inconsistency in readings- observers held colored glass slides next to the subject’s skin, which introduced user-error and bias- and so this scale has largely fallen out of favor for scientific use; it is still often used in cosmetics;

The Fitzpatrick Scale is still widely used by dermatologists as a means of classifying skin based upon anticipated sun tanning and sun burning. This scale is so widely used, in fact, that the Unicode Standard uses the Fitzpatrick types for emoji. Today, scientists also use spectrophotometers to measure the reflective and transmissive properties of skin, but this does not lend itself well to easy categories.

  1. When developing a tattoo stencil, a one-size-fits-all approach is impossible;
  2. Instead, S8 Labs decided to develop 3 different stencil colors;
  3. The first was RED;
  4. RED was designed for skin types that roughly correspond with Types I-IV on the Fitzpatrick Scale;

The other two fit specific visual needs inside Types V and VI- we hope to announce those colors later this year. Red as a color is well suited to these lighter skin types for a handful of reasons. While we really won’t tackle “color” in hugely abstract terms, it is really important to remember that what we seen is not simply an exercise in color or chromaticity.

Variables like luminance, lightness, brightness play huge roles in what we see as “color,” and chromaticity itself is a function of hue and colorfulness/saturation/chroma/intensity/excitation purity (the “appearance parameters”).

And everything we see is electromagnetic radiation that is “bouncing” off of objects- but just as important are the frequencies that don’t reflect off of the object. If all of this sounds hugely complicated, that’s because it is- researchers working on these sorts of concepts are found in stealth fighter programs, digital sensor departments for companies like Apple, or (like S8’s lab team) the art and body mod material space.

  • We encourage every tattoo artist to go down this rabbit hole of concepts, and we’ll probably write some about each one of these ideas a little later;
  • Virtually any stencil will “pop” on very light skin- that is to say that they will be visually distinct enough for an artist to differentiate between stencil and underlying skin;

This is because light skin is comparatively luminant- most colorants (outside of some fluorescent yellows) will be less luminant than very light skin, allowing easy visual distinction. The red colorants that we use are no different. But there is more to it than visual separation from the skin.

The stencil has to be visually distinct from the ink. Most modern tattoo movements rely heavily on black ink. Be it heavily outlined new school and kustom kulture work, robust traditional and neotraditional pieces in full color, black and gray washed tattoos, or heavy all-black tattooing, we can all agree that black is the new black.

And this is where red makes all the difference. See, black is an achromatic color with very low luminosity. It absorbs huge swaths of the visible electromagnetic wavelengths that we see, meaning that the degree of visual separation between light skin and black lining ink is dramatic.

The issue with traditional purple stencils is that the colorant used in purple stencil also has very low luminosity. While this creates a substantial degree of visual separation between light skin and a purple stencil, the purple is too similar to black lining ink.

This can mean that artists are unable to determine whether a section has been lined, or whether the line weight was appropriate. The color red is different. Because the red colorants that we selected are more luminant those used in traditional purple stencils, and because of red’s chromatic attributes, red is an ideal color both in theory and in practice for black lining on skin types I-IV. This is an image of two stencils- an S8 RED and a traditional purple. We drew a quick line across the top using a permanent marker (broke our own rule, but we did it for science). It visually shows what it took us nearly 1000 words to describe. Basically, its easier to tell the difference between red and black than purple and black.

Red provides the greatest possible visual separation when compared to lining ink. So why did no one make a red tattoo stencil sooner? Physics. We’ll cover that next time when we discuss how a thermal stencil-making machine works.

Remember to leave your questions and comments in the area below or on our facebook page. And follow us on instagram for images of our product at work and discount codes.

Can you use printer ink for tattoos?

Use any ink laying around the house ( the worst: pen ink and printer ink). Maybe you could just inject some toxic chemicals directly into your bloodstream? 3.

Can pen ink be used for tattoos?

Pen Ink – With the number of art stores and online warehouses that you can purchase from, pen ink should never be an option for tattooing. Pen ink is easily accessible and cheap. Still, it is not meant to enter your body in any way, shape, or form. Pen ink is highly toxic and unsterile.