Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make Tattoo Ink

Making your own tattoo ink takes about 2 hours.

Many tattoo artists can design and create tattoos; fewer also makes their own inks. Knowing how to make your own ink can be useful to the do-it-yourselfer or in gauging the experience level and knowledge of tattoo artists who are being considered for body art.

Things You'll Need

• Face mask
• Gloves
• Dry pigment
• Vodka, Listerine, witch hazel or distilled water
• Medical grade glycerine
• Propylene glycol
• Blender and/or mason jars
• Safety equipment
• Sterile ink bottles

Instructions

1. Sterilize the tools by washing and drying them thoroughly. Soak them in sterilization liquid, such as sterilizing alcohol for 1 minute. Wear a paper mask and gloves.

2. Mix 7/8 quart of vodka, 1 tbsp. of glycerine and 1 tbsp. of propylene glycol until the mixture is clear.

3. Add 1 to 2 inches of powdered pigment and stir in enough liquid from Step 2 to create a slurry in a blender or jar that fits on a blender,

4. Blend the slurry on a low speed for about 15 minutes, then on a medium speed for an hour. If you are using a jar that fits on a blender, release pressure buildup every 15 minutes.

5. Pour the ink through a funnel into ink bottles or use a baster to siphon the ink into the ink bottles. Also add a sterile marble or glass bead into each bottle to help with mixing.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not a trained tattoo artist or if you are not conversant in aseptic techniques and procedures, work with someone else who is experienced the first time you make ink.

• Store ink away from fluorescent lighting or sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation will alter and distort certain pigments.

• Listerine or witch hazel can be used as substitutes for vodka. Distilled water can also be used, though it is not antibacterial.

• Pigments are not generally toxic but wearing a mask during mixing is advised as pigment particles can cause irreversible lung damage. Do not heat-sterilize pigments or mixtures once pigment has been introduced. The pigment chemistry can change and toxicity can occur as a result.

References

• Tattoos: Tattoo ink