All about Tattoo Inks

In this article we will talk about Tattoo inks, how to choose yours, what are the differences between the various types, how to maintain and conserve, among others.
As this topic originated from questions asked by you, our customers, we will organize it with questions and answers. As this topic originated from questions asked by you, our customers, we will organize it with questions and answers.

How to choose your paint?

To choose the ideal ink, it is necessary to take into account, among other things, the origin and quality of the ink.
One should pay close attention to the brands available, evaluate the time that they are in the market, the authorizations and certificates in your region, and it is also worth researching tattoos already healed with these inks. 
This way you will be sure that the end result will be to your liking. The paint brands we work in our store (Eternal Ink, Workd Famous, Dynamic, Intenze, Black Scorpion and Kuro Sumi), are renowned worldwide, and have been in the market for a long time, providing all the quality necessary for a good job.
Another very important factor in choosing your paint is the type of work to be done. Is your style Black and Gray Realism? Colorful Realism? Tribal and Maori? Old School or Neo Traditional?
For each type of work, the type of ink, especially in the case of blacks and whites, where there are differences between densities, is a personal choice but can be made with the help of observing some details that we will talk about below.

What are the differences between the different blacks and the different whites?

When dealing with blacks and whites, the main differences are due to the density of the pigment, that is, the amount of pigment in the ink tube. Some types of paints are thicker, in order to facilitate pigmentation on the skin, and others are thinner, in order to make it easier to work, or for mixtures, in the case of some whites. 
Most brands have several types of black, such as the Dynamic, as Black, it's the Triple Black, where the difference is precisely in the density of the pigment. While one is more recommended for line work, or softer shadows, the other is recommended for filling large areas of black.
The same happens in whites, where in World Famous for example, there is the Fuji MT Mixing White that has very little pigment in its content, with the intention of serving to make mixtures of paints, and have the White House, this already thicker for application of Highlights or white areas directly on the skin.
In one way or another, the choice of black and white should be made by you, adapting to your work method.

What is the difference between GrayWash and Ashes?

There is a lot of confusion regarding the Ashes and Graywash, not only in the composition but also in the application. Ashes are unique pigments, each with a different "color", while Washes are basically black in diluted in different concentrations. 
While the application of a shade of Gray should be done with the application of a darker gray color, GrayWash can be darkened by insisting that the needle pass through the skin, although not recommended, because it hurts the skin too much.

How to make your own Gray Wash?

As previously stated, Gray Washes are basically diluted black.
You can buy GrayWashes sets, from several different brands, or you can buy your favorite Black, and also your favorite Thinner and make your own GrayWash set. 
The amount of black and thinner varies according to the taste and style of work of each artist. It usually starts with at least 3 different shades, where one has a higher concentration of black, a medium, and the other with a higher concentration of diluent. This scale can be made with 5 tones, or more if you prefer.
Some artists perform the dilution directly on the Batoque when preparing the workbench for Tattoo, counting on the experience of years. But dilution can be done in an empty ink tube, sold in our store, to use the same dilution concentration many times.

What is the validity of the paint once opened?

In general, paints should be used within 12 months of opening.

Best way to conserve your ink?

The best way to conserve the paint is in a cool place, away from the sun, always very tightly closed, thus avoiding accelerated decomposition and drying before the deadline for use.

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