Best Tattoo Ink Brands [Review] in 2021

There are a ton of brands selling similar products providing a lot of options for tattoo artists nowadays. But you need some guidelines to differentiate between them and choose the best for you. We have listed out some things to consider before you buy tattoo ink.

Manufacturing Country: When buying tattoo ink, make sure to check where it is manufactured. The reason behind that is there are several reports available of tattoo inks causing allergic skin issues to the customers. FDA found several inks contaminated with microorganisms which can be seen here.

As per the report such brands, when injected into the skin, can cause infections and skin diseases. Remember to prefer the products that are manufactured in the US and abide by the safety rules of the FDA.

Ingredients: Another important thing that must be considered while buying a tattoo ink is its ingredients. Double-check that all the ingredients of the ink are organic, derived from natural resources, and no artificial chemicals are involved in the manufacturing of the product.

You should also verify the Vegan-friendliness of the ink i.e. it doesn’t contain any animal glycerin and no animal testing. There are mostly two options available in tattoo inks, the first one is Pre-dispersed which follows “Shake & Use” pigments. While the second type is Stable pigments in which you have to mix and thin before using.

Price Range: The price range is the third and one of the most important factors to consider. Normally, the tattoo inks range cost between 0.5$ to 1$ per 1oz bottle. The price can be different for premium products such as black inks but it will be close to the mentioned range.

If you are a beginner you can start with a 1-color bottle or go with a 3-color or 6-color ink set offered by different brands. For the experts, we prefer to choose one best brands and buy their full-color sets because it will cost you less per bottle and you get to have a wide variety of colors.

As you’re on the hunt for some fresh tattoo ink you will come across more brands than you can count, some cheap, some renowned for their celebrity exposure, and some basic inks. 

But what makes a good tattoo ink brand? 

To begin with, they use safe ingredients and use safe manufacturing processes to create their products, they use sterilisation in their packaging to ensure complete safety in their products. 

Good manufacture will also allow you the option to check their material safety standard sheets and adhere to US standards for quality, safety, and purity. The best tattoo ink brands will have a fair reputation and have a good customer base. 

A wide selection of colors is important too, including sets. But the most important factor in these sets is that the colors remain vibrant even after a few years with the right care.

You may need to pay a little more to get the better brand, but remember you’re paying for safety, longevity, durability, shelf life, and quality. 

In 2018, the FDA found some branded inks to be violating the safety rules and regulations. For several reasons, we cannot name them, but we can make you aware of the issues observed by the FDA. Few brand products were found to be contaminated with bacteria capable of causing serious injury.

These tattoo inks contained microorganisms that may cause skin infection and other serious health injuries when injected into the skin. Symptoms include the appearance of rashes, allergic reactions, or even permanent scars on your body.

FDA found around 6 contaminated inks and is working with them to remove harmful ingredients. Health Officials used Microbiological Cosmetic Methods to find out risky ingredients.  Make sure the brand you select has the following characteristics:

• Natural Ingredients
• I prefer U.S.A. manufactured brands
• Strong Packaging
• Good Reputation

In general, tattoo inks made in the USA or EU must follow safety standards when regulating certain ingredients. FDA tends to avoid heavy metals and toxins in all their formulas. 

Brands with a good reputation maintain fresh stock and always put an expiration date on their bottles; they also follow stringent roles in creating their product.  Don’t go for cheaper options like tattoo inks made in Asia, as the chances are that it won’t follow these standards. 

Which tattoo ink is safest?

Today I have selected my top vegan-friendly options and renowned brands which offer natural ingredients in their formulas. Quality is my top priority, so if you select any of the brands I have chosen today, I can guarantee that you are getting the very best.

I would recommend going for a tattoo ink that is a US brand, as they are all FDA approved; this essentially means they are free of heavy metals and other toxins per FDA rules.

Always check the ingredients and reviews if you are sensitive to certain ingredients, but if you’re going for a reputable brand, you shouldn’t have any issues.

What are the best vegan tattoo ink brands?

Nowadays, there’s a wide range of vegan tattoo ink brands available; in my top picks, all brands are actually vegan and don’t test on animals. One of my favorite vegan and natural tattoo ink brands has to be Kuro Sumi; they have an excellent selection of tattoo inks. 

Millennium Mom’s is another excellent vegan-friendly brand that doesn’t use harmful materials in its ingredients. 

What tattoo ink lasts the longest?

Black and grey are the most durable tattoo colors; thanks to the dense and bold appearance, they last a lot longer and don’t tend to fade quickly. 

Vibrant colors such as pink, yellow, light green, and some blue colors tend to fade much quicker; deep reds and darker, richer colors are also more prone to fade, no matter the brand. 

What are the best hypoallergenic tattoo ink brands?

Viking Tribe, Intenze, Millenium Mom’s, and Kuro Sumi are all excellent hypoallergenic and allergy-friendly brands. These brands are non-toxic, vegan and the majority use organic ingredients that are gentle on the skin. 

My best advice is to spot check and test the tattoo ink you’re looking to use to see whether it would cause a flare-up or reaction with your skin; you can also advise your tattoo artist. 

I hope after reading this article related to Best Tattoo Ink Brands, you will never face any difficulty while purchasing tattoo ink for your daily use. It is very important for you and your skin before purchasing any tattoo ink.

So, don’t forget to tell us which brand you are going to try first? If you have tried other brands that are not on the list, let me know your favorite tattoo ink brands.

Happy Shopping!