Things to look for in a quality safe tattoo kit

The most important thing to look for in a tattoo kit is single use tattoo needles and single use tattoo tubes. Unless you are a professional tattoo artist, you are most likely not going to have access to an autoclave. And Dont fool yourself, there is no acceptable way to sterilize your tattoo needles and tattoo tubes at home without an autoclave. Quality single use tattoo needles and single use tattoo tubes are going to come in pre-sterlized blister packs.

Beware of tattoo kits that come with stainless steel tattoo tubes and loose tattoo needles. Be sure to check that the tattoo needles and tattoo tubes in the tattoo kit come pre-sterilized. If you purchase a tattoo kit with stainless steel tattoo tubes, remember that you can only use them once then you MUST sterilize them in an autoclave before using them again. If you are starting out, a tattoo kit with disposable tattoo tubes and single use tattoo needles like the ones pictured above, are the only way to go.

A safe quality tattoo machine is going to be durable made of non-corrosive material. Most quality tattoo machines are going to be made of either iron, brass, steel, or aluminum. Most quality tattoo kits will include spare parts for tattoo machines, such as springs..

Make sure the tattoo kit you are purchasing comes with a power supply that will operate on the voltage and current in the country you are in. Quality tattoo kits will generally offer their power supplies either as self sensing or multi voltage, so that they can be used in many different countries.

Be sure to get a tattoo kit that includes a hazardous waste container… It is very important to dispose of your used tattoo needles in an approved hazardous waste container. Do not just throw your old used needles into the trash, they may very like hurt someone at a later date and spread disease.

Quality tattoo kits are going to normally include good color tattoo inks. Tattoo Kits should include ink caps for the tattoo ink to be dispensed into. Make sure your tattoo kit includes ink caps.

If you can try and find a tattoo kit that includes an instructional video. These are very good for the beginner so that they do not start blindly tattooing so to speak. They normally contain a wealth of information about the appropriate way to safely and correctly apply a tattoo.

Tattoo kits are true to the letter of the word; using the supplies contained within a kit, a person could give someone else a tattoo. Nearly every kit contains the following basic supplies:

1. Tattoo Machine (also called a tattoo gun). While some tattoo kits contain 2 or more machines, most starter kits will come with a single tattoo machine.
2. Tattoo Needles. Again, many kits contain extra or different types of needles.
3. Tattoo Ink. An assortment of different colors is usually included.
4. Power Supply. Every tattoo machine needs a power supply, and these are always included in a starter tattoo kit.
5. Misc. Accessories such as ink caps, razors,
6. Sanitary and Cleaning Supplies. This includes disinfectant spray, petroleum jelly, soap, gloves, and similar items.

Additionally, since the tattoo kit is usually aimed at an aspiring artist or someone who otherwise is looking to learn more about the trade, kits will often comes with tattoo DVD’s, books, manuals, and tattoo flash art books with instructions on how to use the tattoo supplies and how to get started in the tattoo industry.

Are tattoo kits a good source or method of buying tattoo supplies?

For a professional tattoo artist employed in a shop, buying a tattoo kit is not a good way to source the needed supplies. Tattoo shops buy their supplies direct from tattoo supply vendors. Furthermore, since a kit contains a little bit of everything, it would not be useful for an artist to buy a kit when he or she already has the basic supplies, such as an expensive tattoo machine, and would likely only need to refill on related accessories, such as individual and specific types of tattoo ink, needles, and so on.

However, for someone who is not a tattoo artist and would like to start: absolutely. A tattoo kit is a great way to acquire a buffet of the necessary tattoo supplies and accessories needed to get started.

However, in this article, we’ll look at 3 types of tattoo supplies being sold to shops and vendors that don’t get as much attention. These products are not used in the actual work of getting a tattoo, but rather relate to making it easier during or after the tattoo, and, in the case of our third item, in removing an unwanted tattoo.

Let’s take a look at these 3 tattoo supply products.

Skin Numbing Supplies. First off, we have what we can call numbing agents. These tattoo numbing supplies are used to decrease the level of pain and discomfort experienced when receiving a tattoo. While numbing agents are often seen as unnecessary by tattoo artist and shops, consumers increasingly find their use attractive, and as such, shops are responding accordingly and offering them as part of their service if desired.

Tattoo Aftercare Supplies. Next we have a class of products designed for tattoo aftercare. These products are used to aid in the healthy healing of a fresh tattoo. Aftercare products is usually creams, balms, and soaps. An example of a popular brand of tattoo aftercare products is Tattoo Goo. For more information, see the following article: Aftercare Tattoo Supplies.

Tattoo Removal Cream. Last let’s address the products known as tattoo removal creams. These are over the counter topical lotions (or creams/gels) applied to the skin whose purpose is to remove the tattoo ink from the flesh. Over repeated treatment, tattoo removal cream products such as Tat B Gone or Wrecking Balm are said to severely fade or entirely remove a tattoo. There use is not considered proven by tattoo removal professionals and their inclusion for sale a tattoo shops may be considered dubious. However, we want to note their existence here in this article as they’ve become a prominent market of their own that does indeed fall within the realm of a site dedicated to being a guide to all tattoo supplies. Since tattoo removal creams are sold without a prescription, there sale over the internet for at home tattoo removal has become enormously popular, despite the lack of clear results attainable from their use.

I live in NY, but I got this tattoo in Canada, 2 months after my 18th birthday. My dad designed it for me with the tattoo artist that day. It means so much more to me because of that.

The dragonfly symbolizes endurance and my mental and emotional growth and maturity. It is said that people who have the dragonfly as their totem have had passionate and emotional early years, but as they grow older they achieve emotional and mental clarity and control. That’s me.

The character to the dragonfly’s left is the kanji symbol for “LIFE.” The symbol is a reminder to me that I have so much to live for, that the life I lead for last ten years does not have to be the one that leads me for the next ten.

And if you look closely there is an “S” where the dragonfly’s body should be because I am that creature and that creature is me.

I GOT THIS TATTOO SO THAT WHENEVER I LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND TO THE PAST I CAN REMEMBER THAT I HAVE ENDURED, THAT I HAVE GROWN, AND THAT THAT PART OF MY LIFE IS BEHIND ME…

I do not know if this guy is a member of TattCafe but if he is, I am sure that there is a the perfect partner for him in our database!

I try to never forget my first experience, and how nervous I was when I first started thinking about getting a tattoo. I had so many questions, and no one could seem to answer them to my satisfaction. The answers I got only led me to more questions. I was told to make sure my artist used an autoclave…what the heck is that? And I read somewhere that the machine and clipcord should be covered with plastic…the whoosywhatsit? I started realizing I had so very much to learn before I was going to let anyone touch my skin with that noisy little contraption.

The more I learned, the more I loved. I became engrossed in all body art had to offer, and decided it was something I wanted to be on the inside circle of, not just a passerby. I wasn’t satisfied with the idea of just getting a tattoo anymore – I wanted to learn more about the actual process and how to do them myself. As I entered my apprenticeship, I discovered a information I never saw from the outside.

I decided to make it my personal mission to share this information with everyone I come in contact with that has even had a fleeting thought of getting a tattoo. I want to preserve the longevity and respect of an artform to be truly admired, not feared. But in order to do that, people need to be educated on how to keep themselves safe, and how to identify the difference between a good tattooist and a bad one. My beginner’s guide is part of my mission of spreading that information. Please don’t keep this information to yourself. Pssst…pass it on!

We’ve seen prices for as little as $20 for a good tattoo gun up to around $100 or so for a tattoo gun but usually you can get multiple tatoo guns if you purchase a tattoo kit.

Types of Tattoo Guns
There are two major types of tattoo guns, and that is the normal lining tattoo gun and the shading tattoo gun. The shading tattoo gun is only to be used for shading and it comes designed to do shading work, not the fine line work required of most tattoo guns.
Lining Tattoo Gun – used for lines and detail work
Shading Tattoo Gun – used for tattoo shading (duh) Also called a tattoo shader or shader gun

You have many options when searching for a tattoo artist. In the 80s and 90s you primarily had to ask friends, family and other people who have tattoos. Now, with the advent of the internet, you can get reviews on tattoo sites and from Google local. For more detailed shop ratings, specialty information and samples of work from local artists, you can visit online sites such as Tattoo.com.

Another benefit of checking out these sites is that they often offer individual galleries for each artist so you can see samples of everyone’s work and pick your favorite tattoo artists.
Step 3 – Caring for Your Tattoo:
Taking care of your tattoo is very important for two reasons. First, you don’t want it to get infected. And secondly, you want to preserve the color and brilliance of your tattoo. Remember, the first two weeks after you receive your tattoo are the most important for preserving your artwork.

Everyone heals differently, but you should see the tattoo become less red and start to heal after a few days. You may see some bruising, rashes, skin peeling or broken blood vessels during the healing process. You want to make sure to NEVER handle the tattoo during the healing process. When cleaning or moisturizing, make sure to use an industry approved lotion such as Tattoo Goo. Use rubber gloves when applying the lotion and make sure to use the appropriate applicator.

Make sure your tattoo artist provides detail instructions on care. If he/she has any printed materials, take a copy with you. And remember, even after your tattoo is completely healed, it is important to protect the color.

This ancient symbol of both Mother and Father nature (depicted in the vertical and horizontal line) can represent many things, including the rising and setting of the sun as well as life and death.

It was the cross itself that was inked on the body of Otzi the Iceman, who roamed the earth around 3300 BCE.

While we’ll never know what significance the cross bore during the Ice Age, the symbol itself has been around for quite some time and that makes it a significant symbol in history.

For many reasons besides faith alone, the cross has significance that ranges from spiritual to cultural beliefs.

What has become widely recognized as a symbol of the Christian faith, there are hundreds of different cross styles to choose from.

If you’re considering a cross tattoo think ahead what sort of placement ideas may fit best. Due to their very sensitive and often very personal nature, a cross tattoo makes sense when it’s placed in a visible location where you can actually see it and feel the comfort and peace in its presence.

Consider wrist, chest. arm and ankle tattoos for your cross and you’re certain to feel a bit more connected to your faith or spirituality.

Types of Cross Tattoos
Christian Cross Tattoos
The most popular of cross tattoos, the Christian cross represents the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Celtic Crosses
Introduced by Saint Patrick and also known as “Saint Luke’s Cross”, Celtic crosses are beautiful and ornate and are depicted as a standard cross with a circle around the center. The circle is believed to represent heaven, earth and eternal love.
Egyptian Ankh
Representing fertility and life, the Ankh pre-dates the Christian cross and is depicted as a traditional cross with a loop at the top.
Crucifix
The crucifix is a very prominent in the Catholic, Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches and symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross.
Choosing a Cross Tattoo

While many crosses bear significant Christian or religious beliefs, others offer nothing more than an individual expression of style. Gothic and Western rhinestone-enhanced cross designs are fancy takes on the cross and are worn merely for their fashionable statement.

Before you ink this ancient symbol, determine what significance a cross bears to you. The cross can be added to many tattoo designs to offer memorial peace and life to your body art; so plan this holy piece carefully.

How do I know this? Well, unfortunately, there has been a cannibal attack on the French Polynesia island of Nuku Hiva and it has been revealed that the man suspected of the attack has a tattoo of the Kaioi tribe below his left shoulder. 31-year-old Henri Haiti had acted as a guide for 40-year-old German traveller Stefan Rami, taking him into the jungle to hunt for goats. Haiti is a guide, registered with the local authorities. But Rami never returned from the goat hunt and his charred remains were later found at a campfire site by authorities.

‘Fears that outdoor fanatic Mr Ramin had been cooked and devoured erupted after his charred remains were found on a campfire on Nuku Hiva following a goat hunt.

Although locals described their shock at the island being linked to cannibalism, a picture of Haiti revealed that he sports a tattoo of a Kaioi warrior on his left shoulder.’
This story is just plain crazy and at present time, Haiti remains on the run. Locals claim that there would not be any cannibals on their island and that such a thing has long since gone out of fashion. Yet it’s difficult to deny that cannibalism is indeed a possibility given Haiti’s tattoo, signifying his connection to the Kaioi people. I guess it’s true that some tattoos are more dangerous than others. I would recommend not getting too close to anyone who has a tattoo like Haiti’s and my sincere condolences go out to the family of Stefan Rami.