Before any tattoo artist can draw a design’s masterpiece on your skin, he/she must make use of several tools to get the job done. It’s not only about the ink and the needle used. Tattooing is a very intricate process if you take a good look at the whole picture.
These tools are practically the same among all tattoo artists nowadays (save for some variation), hence this article will be generally helpful in pointing out each of the tools used in the whole process of your tattoo session.
1. Tattoo machine
Considered as the core of the tattoo toolkit, this comes in the form of the classic coil machines and rotary machines. The usage of such depends on your tattoo artist’s style. Your artist can choose to work with one, or sometimes, several of these machines are also used all at the same time.
2. Power supply
Electric tattoo machines require power, so it is only imperative for any tattoo parlor to have a stable power supply. These machines often vary in the power voltage they need. To address the matter accordingly, there are specific power supply for tattooing purposes with cautious voltage control.
3. Needles
These needles are needed by the machine to control and move around. Needles generally come in various arrangements suited for different tasks, and they are often in the form of rounds and flats. The major deciding factor on what needle to use boils down on your chosen design’s shading and coloring.
4. Inks
Tattoo inks are composed of fine pigment powders, water, propylene glycol, alcohol, or glycerin. It can be brought pre-mixed for your own convenience, but you can also buy pigments and carriers separately if you ever want to try tattooing yourself. It is important to only use sterile components to avoid any complication or damage.
5. Autoclave
Tattoo parlors often cater a great number of patrons every day. With that, it is crucial to ensure each tool used is sanitary and not clean. Having an autoclave allows easy sterilization of used equipment between clients.
6. Hygiene kit (gloves, anti-bacterial soap)
These are two of the other minor tools you’ll need for every tattooing session. You need to do everything in your power to prevent the transfer of any blood borne disease, especially when you and your clients are at the risk of infection. Anti-viral sprays are also ideally to have for the very same reason.
7. Disposable razors
There are cases where you’ll have to shave a hairy area of the skin you’re working on. Even if it’s not that hairy, it is still encouraged for you to have a smooth canvass to work on for an easy tattooing session. The antibacterial soap is needed again to wash the area after you’re done with the shaving.