How to Buy a Tattoo Kit

If you want a tattoo, but don't want to go to the trouble and expense of seeing a tattoo artist, you can go the do-it-yourself route. With a kit, you can apply images to your body.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Study what you need to begin tattooing. There are set items required to even start practicing in the tattoo industry such as a tattoo machine, power supply, inks and needles.
2. Peruse tattoo magazines. In most if not all of the magazines that sell advertising space, you will run across information about buying tattoo kits. These ads may list the items included in the kit or just provide you with a company name and contact information to request further details.
3. Contact tattoo supply companies. Most of these businesses offer at least one or more tattoo kits for sale. You can find these companies online, looking through tattoo magazines, attending conventions or talking with established tattoo artists. Some of these companies will also offer custom kits.
4. Attend tattoo conventions. Larger conventions draw all sorts of vendors. Some of these may offer kits at the convention or can send you home with information about the kits they normally have available.
5. Compare what's included. Once you've gathered information about several different kits, then compare what each kit has to offer in comparison to the others. Some kits only offer one tattoo machine, while others might include both a liner and shader or your choice of two or three different machines. Some include a limited amount of inks or lower end brands, where others might offer better brands or larger quantities.
6. Price shop. After you take an inventory of what's included in each kit, compare that to the price tag. The lowest priced might contain items that will have to be replaced immediately due to poor quality or too small a quantity.
7. Check on shipping cost and time. Depending on where your package will be shipped from, the amount of shipping time and cost required will differ.

Tips & Warnings

• There are literally hundreds of tattoo kits available from numerous companies. Each company will have their own idea of what belongs in various kits including those for beginners, immediate and professional level kits.
• Make sure the tattoo kit you buy includes a clip cord and foot switch so you can hook up your tattoo machine to your power supply.
• You can also find tattoo kits, sometimes at a cheaper rate, for sale on eBay, but be sure you know what to look for including brand names.
• Be sure you know what you're doing before you tattoo a person. That's why they make tattoo practice skin and apprenticeship programs. You can seriously injure or pass infections to individuals you tattoo, if you don't know how to tattoo or disinfect properly.
• Buying a tattoo kit does not automatically make you a tattoo artist. Anyone over the age of 18 can buy one in most states, but that doesn't mean you know how to properly use one, so don't make the mistake of calling yourself a tattoo artist when you don't have the experience to have earned the title.