Stick and poke ink is one of the key ingredients that will improve the safety, quality and longevity of your hand made tattoosStick and Poke Tattoo ink is one of the key ingredients that will improve the safety, quality and longevity of your hand made tattoos
Stick and poke ink is one of the key ingredients that will improve the safety, quality and longevity of your hand made tattoos
You might have heard of reckless individuals tattooing themselves using pen ink, but when it comes to tattoos, going cheap is never an option. High-quality and sterile stick and poke tattoo ink will greatly improve your hand poked tattoos. Professional ink is affordable and will guarantee peace of mind and avoid troubles.
Stick and Poke Tattoo Ink Types
There are two main types of tattoo inks:
Stable Pigment-based Inks
It’s very unlikely you will be using stable pigment-based inks for your homemade tattoos since they have to be mixed. This type of ink is often presented as “old school”. Alla Prima is the most well-known brand of stable pigment-based inks.
Pre-dispersed Or Pre-made Inks
Pre-made inks are the most common. These inks don’t require mixing and you only have to shake the bottle before use. For stick and poke tattoos, we recommend to go with this kind of ink, as it is easy, cheap and fast.
Stick and Poke Tattoo Ink Components
Inks contain two main elements: pigments and carriers. However, they can contain a few different pigments and products with specific functions such as astringents.
Pigments
You can find metal-based, vegetable-based or plastic-based pigments. These substances appear as pigments (powder particles) with different sizes depending on ink types. In pre-dispersed tattoo inks, the pigment particles are finely broken up.
Carriers
Carriers keep the pigments evenly mixed, disinfect the solution and insure the ink is pathogens-free. Can be composed of water, surfactants (glycerine, propylene glycol) or hamamelis water. Hamamelis (witch-hazel) water is a plant-based solution, used as an astringent to tighten and firm up the skin, reduce bleeding and ink rejection, attenuate skin redness and soothe the discomfort.
Stick and Poke Tattoo Ink storage
Storing your tattoo ink in a proper environment is important to keep it safe and in good condition. Check the following guidelines to maintain the quality and extend the life of your stick and poke tattoo ink:
- Always shake your ink bottle before each use.
- You should store stick and poke ink away from sunlight or high heat, as this could alter the pigments or dry up the solvent.
- Never keep your tattoo ink in freezing condition, as it separates the different chemicals composing the ink and therefore alters its quality.
- Needless to say, you should never keep a bottle that could have been contaminated or altered by biological contamination, temperature or other factors.
- Remember to use your ink before it expires. Don’t use bottles that do not carry an expiration date.
- If you buy a bottle, do not use it if it is not sealed.
- After use, close the cap tightly and wipe the pouring ink with a sterile cloth.
- Never pour your needle directly in your ink bottle.
- Avoid manipulating the ink bottle during tattooing. Fill one or more small ink-cups with the ink required for the tattoo and keep the bottle away from the working area.
- It is crucial to avoid touching the ink bottle with unwashed hands or equipment to prevent cross contamination.
Suggested Stick and Poke Tattoo Inks
Any quality tattoo ink will work: World Famous Tattoo ink, Radiant Ink, Eternal Ink, Intenze… Make sure that you are using a reputable ink that includes the ingredients, it comes sealed and includes the expiration date.
You can get some pretty great stick and poke tattoo ink and many other DIY tattoo supplies by visiting our store.