Tattoo Kits

What Are Tattoo Kits?

If you're serious about learning how to create your own tattoos or considering opening your own shop some day, sooner or later you're going to find yourself looking at tattoo kits. Tattoo kits are packaged collections of the typical tools of the tattoo trade that are available for sale in most states to anyone at least 18 years old.

What Is Included a Kit?

There are hundreds of tattoo kits on the market. Each manufacturer has its own idea of what should go into a particular level kit, so one company's professional tattoo kit may be the equivalent of another company's intermediate set, and so on.

Beginner Kits

In the typical beginner's tattoo kit you can expect to find:

• One tattoo machine, although the quality of the unit varies with kit pricing
• Variable power supply unit to operate the tattoo machine (Make sure a foot operation switch and clip cord are included.)
• A set of inks and caps
• Disposable tubing
• Sterile tattoo needles
• Antiseptic wash (brands vary, but Green Soap is popular)
• Flash art
• How-to booklet
• Practice "skin"
• Company catalog for ordering further supplies

Intermediate Kits

An tattoo kit 1945 prd1.htm intermediate tattoo kit will usually contain the typical items found in a beginner's kit with a few variations:

• Two tattoo machines, one for lining and one for shading
• A larger supply of needles and tubing
• A larger selection of inks
• Caps plus a holder
• Stencil paper for transferring tattoo designs to skin
• Antiseptic supplies, plus various bandages, gauze, gloves, etc.
• Aftercare kit

Professional Kits

Professional tattoo kits will contain many of the same items found in the intermediate kits but usually come with a larger supply of everything.

The biggest difference you will see with the professional kits is the inclusion of an autoclave with sterilization pouches and an ultrasonic unit. Both of these items are indispensable for sterilizing all reusable tattoo machinery and supplies between customers.

Autoclave

Note: It's strongly recommended that if you purchase a kit without an autoclave, you should buy one separately and follow operation instructions carefully.

Other Kits

In addition to the kits mentioned above, you may also be interested in other Body Art kits, such as the ones that use henna to create Mehndi designs.

Kit Pricing

Comparison shopping is the key to finding a kit that has everything you want at the best price you can possibly find. Because the quality and number of supplies included in a kit can vary so much, prices range from an inexpensive $120.00 for a beginner's set up to as much as $2,000.00 for a fully equipped professional set.

It is up to you to determine what you need versus what you can afford, but remember to think of your purchase as an investment. It makes sense to buy the highest quality equipment available, regardless of the kit size, even if you have to wait until you can afford it. Worst case scenerio, if you eventually decide tattooing isn't for you, you'll have an easier time reselling better brand name equipment than the cheap stuff.

Before You Buy

Before you decide which tattoo kit to purchase, why not put some serious time into research first? One of the best things you can do is spend time at a shop watching the professionals at work. Observe the tools they prefer to use and get their advice on the brands that give them the top-quality results that both they and their customers demand.

If you already have some tattoos of your own, your artist might be willing to take you under his/her wing as an apprentice and help you choose a tattoo kit that will really give you the tools you need to get started.

A Word of Caution

Tattooing is definitely cool, but it can also be very dangerous. There's always a chance of causing injury to the person receiving the tattoo, allergic reactions do happen, and both artist and customer are at risk for contracting blood borne diseases if proper sanitation and sterilization are not carried out every step of the way.

• If you plan to give someone a tattoo, think seriously about whether you are properly trained and prepared to act responsibly. Remember, you will have someone else's health and safety in your hands.

• If you plan to get a tattoo from a non-professional, visit a professional tattoo shop first to observe sterilization procedures, and ask yourself if the person who will be creating your tattoo looks prepared to offer you the same level of safety.

Where to Buy

Here are a few online sources for a wide range of tattoo kits. Quality varies, so comparison shop before making your purchase.

• TattooKits.com
• Code=HSE&Category Code=KITS1n Huck Spalding Enterprises, Inc.
• NewYorkTattoo.com
• Needle Jack Tattoo Supply
• Unimax

• Celebrity Tattoo Pictures
• Cross Tattoos
• Star Tattoos
• Wrist Tattoos
• Heart Tattoos

• Tattoo Airbrushing Kits
• Tattoo Flash
• Tattoo Supplies
• Tattoo Ink
• Tattoo Machines

• Body Painting Gallery
• Scorpio Tattoo Gallery
• Body Piercing Gallery
• How many tattoos do you have?
• Celebrity Tattoo Quiz