Tattoo Supplies

Are you looking for fantastic tattoo supplies?

There are certain tattoo supplies that are indispensable for a tattoo artist.  Some of these supplies are required by laws and regulations that govern tattoo studios, while others make the job of the tattoo artist easier.  It’s important for tattoo professionals to make sure the studio where they practice their art is well-equipped with all the necessary tattoo supplies and equipment.

Tattoo Supplies for Tattoo Artists

Each tattoo artist should have a personal tattoo kit that contains the tools of the trade.  A well-equipped tattoo kit should include the following tattoo supplies:

  • One or more tattoo machines (also known as tattoo guns) – These tools are used by a tattoo artist to apply the tattoo.  A tattoo gun has a needle bar that holds one or more needles.  The needles are dipped into ink, and then the tattoo gun’s electric motor moves the needle bar rapidly up and down, pushing ink into the inner layer of skin.  Some tattoo artists like to use separate tattoo guns for different parts of a tattoo design, such as lines and shading.
  • Power source and controller – A power supply is needed for the tattoo machine, along with a foot switch for hand-free power control.
  • A variety of tattoo needles – Different types of needles are used for lines and shading in tattoos.  Lines are usually created with round needles, and shading with flat needles.  Local laws and regulations usually determine whether tattoo supplies like needles must be disposed of after each use or can be sterilized and reused.
  • Tattoo inks – Inks come in a variety of colors and are made from many different pigments.  Currently, the contents of tattoo pigments are not controlled or regulated by the FDA.  It’s up to each tattoo artist to decide which tattoo inks to use.
  • Miscellaneous Tattoo Supplies – These include ink caps (used to hold ink for dipping tattoo needles), disposable latex gloves, disposable razors (for removing hair from the tattoo area) and antiseptic soap

Tattoo Supplies for Tattoo Studios

In addition to each tattoo artist’s personal tattoo kit, a tattoo studio needs the following supplies:

  • Tattoo Flash – Tattoo studios provide customers with sample tattoo designs known as flash.  Customers can chose a design directly from flash, or use flash designs as inspiration for a custom design.  Most tattoo studios have catalogues of flash or framed flash art on the walls.
  • A thermal copier – This piece of equipment is used to copy a flash design and transfer it onto the skin of the person receiving a tattoo.  It can also be used to transfer custom designs.  A thermal copier is one of the tattoo supplies that ensures that the finished tattoo is exactly what the customer wants.
  • A tattoo chair – This item of equipment can add a professional look to any tattoo studio.  A tattoo chair resembles a dentist’s chair and is designed keep the tattoo customer stationary and comfortable while the tattoo is being applied.

In order to maintain sanitation and avoid the transmission of viruses and infections, some tattoo supplies are single-use only.  Items that aren’t single-use need to be thoroughly sterilized before reuse.  In order to perform sterilization, every tattoo studio should have an ultrasonic machine to clean tattoo tools and equipment and an autoclave, which performs sterilization with high pressure steam.

Business Supplies for Tattoo Studios

Since a tattoo studio is a tattoo business, all the equipment that you would expect to find in any retail store is needed in addition to tattoo supplies.  A cash register, signage and comfortable seating for waiting customers are important parts of any tattoo studio.  Many tattoo studios have neon signs to attract attention.

No matter how a tattoo studio is decorated, it’s important that it be kept sanitary.  All surfaces should be dusted and sanitized each day.  Floors should also be cleaned and mopped on a daily basis.  Tattoo artists must wash their hands before and after giving a tattoo and wear gloves while applying the tattoo.  Disposables like needles and gloves need to be put into a secure hazard container.  Cleaning supplies are almost as important as tattoo supplies when it comes to running a tattoo studio.