If you are planning to start your own tattoo parlor, or if you simply want to improve your skills as a tattoo artist and indulge in your love for tattoos, the first things that you need are great tattoo supplies. The quality of the tattoo supplies can make a huge difference to the tattoo art that you come up with.
Let us look into some of the basic tattoo supplies that you need, so that you can start creating beautiful and unique tattoo arts for your clients or friends immediately.
The Tattoo Machine
Of course the first thing that you need if you want to create tattoos is the tattoo machine, popularly known as the tattoo gun. A tattoo needle is inserted in this tattoo machine, which is then dipped into the tattoo ink. Once the tattoo machine is powered by the tattoo artist, it pierces the skin to deposit the ink and, voila! You have your tattoo!
The Needles
The needles that are going to pierce the skin should be of good quality and disposable. You should never use the same needle twice. You can use different needles that are used for shading and lining, thus creating various depths for the tattoo.
The Tattoo Ink
The tattoo ink is one of the most important elements of the tattoo supplies. The ink is an important component because it is going to be lodged under the skin for the rest of the person's life. Thus, it is important that the quality of the ink is up to the mark. Some of the reputed brands of tattoo ink include Intenze tattoo ink and moms tattoo ink.
Like most good tattoo brands, both Intenze tattoo ink and moms tattoo ink stock numerous colors of ink and in various sizes of bottles between 4 and 8 ounces, depending on what you need. You can also buy black light tattoo ink that is visible only under black light – a great style statement for raves. Look for quality ink when you shop for the tattoo supplies.
The stencil and the flash tattoo art collection
Flash art is a drawing that can be created into more intricate tattoos. As a tattoo artist, you and your clients can use these flash arts to come up with ideas for new tattoos. Or, you can simply tattoo one of these flash arts on your client. There are thousand of varieties of flash tattoo arts available and you are sure to find something that your client wants.
Once you have zeroed in on a design, the stencil will be used to create a copy of the design and will then be placed on the skin. The artist can use this stencil to draw the tattoo on the skin with his tattoo machine.
The Power Supply
Since the tattoo machine cannot be powered by a battery, you will need an external source of power that can be affixed with the help of a cable, to the machine. The machine can then be turned on and off with the help of a foot pedal, that is somewhat similar to a sewing machine in technique.
Other Miscellaneous Tattoo Supplies
There are a number of accessories that you may require, apart from these tattoo supplies. You can get gorilla grips for your tattoo machine that provides you with excellent grip, so that you can create the tattoo in a flawless manner.
The disposable tubes are yet another thing that you can get. They are made out of plastic and are much lighter than the steel tubes. The disposable tubes are much more hygienic. Other tattoo supplies that you may require include sanitary gloves, petroleum jelly, disinfectants and special tattoo furniture.
