Tattoo ink has three parts: pigment, which gives the color, a carrier liquid that suspends the pigment and helps it go into skin, and additives such as preservatives and pH stabilizers. The harder question for a professional is how closely the label matches what is in the bottle. This guide covers each component, what published research says about disclosure and contamination, and how we at BVShop (Beauty Visit Shop) suggest buyers read labels and manufacturer documents before restocking.
Key Takeaways
- Every ink combines pigment, a carrier solution and additives. Common carriers include water, glycerine, isopropyl alcohol and witch hazel, and each choice changes how the ink behaves.
- A study of 54 inks on the U.S. market found unlisted additives or pigments in 45 of them, so a label alone is not proof of composition.
- Color and brand name tell you nothing reliable about formulation. Two black inks, or two white inks, can differ in pigment and carrier.
- Ask for the current safety data sheet, ingredient disclosure with CAS numbers and lot traceability, and match the claims to the market you work in.
- Rules differ by region. U.S. and EU requirements are separate, and neither should be assumed to apply to the other.
Table of Contents
- The three parts of every tattoo ink
- Pigments: where the color comes from
- The carrier: what the pigment is suspended in
- Additives: preservatives, stabilizers and what else can be in there
- Tattoo ink versus PMU pigment
- What research found when labels were tested
- Rules by region
- How to read a label and manufacturer documents
- Black and white inks: why they need individual checks
- Restocking with documentation in hand
- A short checklist before you open a new bottle
- FAQ
- Sources
The three parts of every tattoo ink
According to New Zealand’s environmental regulator, tattoo ink is made of pigment, a carrier solution and additives. The pigment provides color. The carrier makes the pigment easier to apply to skin. Preservatives are there to help prevent bacterial growth after a bottle is opened, and stabilizers maintain pH.
That simple structure hides a lot of variation. Each part can be built from many different substances, and manufacturers combine them in different ratios. Two inks that look identical once healed can behave differently in the needle, in the stencil area and in the skin.
For the artist, the practical consequence is this: when you compare inks, you are comparing three separate decisions, not one. Look at what the pigment is, what carries it, and what else has been added.
Pigments: where the color comes from
Pigments are the particles that stay in the dermis and create the visible image. The same regulator notes that tattoo pigments can come from fruits and vegetables, minerals, synthetic materials, and heavy metals such as chromium, nickel and cobalt. In modern inks, a large share of colors are synthetic organic pigments.
A 2023 review of colorants in tattoo and permanent makeup inks lists several chemical families that appear in products, including azo, phthalocyanine, anthraquinone and other colorant classes. The review also points out that some inks contain substances of concern, and that artists may prepare their own mixtures or use pigments made for industrial applications, which makes the real contents hard to determine.
Organic and inorganic pigments
Inorganic pigments are mineral-based compounds, for example metal oxides. Titanium dioxide is the classic white and carbon-based pigment the classic black. Organic pigments are carbon-based molecules, many synthesized, and cover most of the bright colors. Neither category is safe or unsafe by name. What matters is the specific pigment, identified by its Colour Index (CI) number, and its purity.
Why CI numbers matter
A label that says “red” or “black” tells you nothing. A CI number identifies the actual colorant, and a good safety data sheet lists it together with a CAS number. We do not infer the formulation of any ink from its shade, so verify the CI code on the current bottle label and in the manufacturer’s documentation. Do not assume that all black inks, or all white inks, share one formulation. Black may be a carbon-based pigment in one product and a different composition in another. White may be rutile titanium dioxide in one and something else elsewhere.
The carrier: what the pigment is suspended in
The carrier keeps pigment evenly dispersed and carries it into the skin. The common carrier solutions include water, glycerine, isopropyl alcohol and witch hazel, and the choice affects the ink’s solubility, viscosity and permeability.
In practice that means:
- Water is the base for most carriers and sets the overall flow.
- Glycerine (and in some products propylene glycol) adds body, helps keep the ink from drying at the needle and affects how it feels in the machine.
- Alcohols act as a solvent and help the pigment disperse and wet the skin.
- Witch hazel is used in some formulations as part of the liquid base.
As an artist you notice the carrier in behavior: how the ink flows through a cartridge, how it saturates, how fast it dries in a cap. If you want to adjust a color or consistency, our guide to mixing tattoo ink for custom colors covers the practical side. Mixing different brands or carriers also changes what you can claim about the final product, which is a documentation problem as much as a color one.
Additives: preservatives, stabilizers and what else can be in there
Additives are the least visible and least consistently disclosed part. Their stated jobs are preservation and pH control. A preservative is meant to help prevent bacterial growth once a bottle has been opened, and a stabilizer keeps pH within range.
Be careful with the word sterile. Research on infections after tattooing has noted that opened and unopened ink bottles have been found to contain bacteria, and that some manufacturers claim their inks are sterilized but are not required to report sterility testing to authorities. So treat sterility as a claim to document: look for the manufacturer’s own statement on the product page or data sheet, for the sterilization method named, and for lot-level information. Do not infer sterility from a sealed cap or a brand reputation.
Safe handling still matters after the bottle is open. Use fresh, single-use caps for each client and keep bottle tips from touching anything. Our articles on disposable versus reusable ink holders and on how to clean and sanitize reusable ink holders go through the options.
Tattoo ink versus PMU pigment
Both are colorants placed in the skin, and they share many raw materials, but they are sold as different product categories for different work. PMU pigments are made for procedures such as brows, lips and eyeliner, and they are formulated and presented with that use in mind. Tattoo inks are meant for body tattooing.
For a buyer, the point is to keep the categories apart on paper:
- Buy a product for the use the manufacturer states on its label and documentation.
- Do not use a tattoo ink in place of a PMU pigment, or the reverse, because the shades look alike.
- Check which regional rules the manufacturer says the product is made to meet, and for which category.
The 2023 review mentioned above covers both tattoo inks and permanent makeup, and describes how the regulatory frameworks differ between the U.S. and the EU. That is the reason the same ingredient question can have different answers depending on where you work.
What research found when labels were tested
The most useful single study for a U.S. buyer is a chemical analysis of commercial inks sold in the United States. It found that 45 of 54 inks contained additives or pigments that were not listed, showing discrepancies between listed and observed compositions. The authors also discuss possible concerns with ingredients such as PEG, propylene glycol, PAHs and primary aromatic amines, and note that some adulterants may pose allergic or other health risks. They also state that safety testing for the intended intradermal use is not performed before inks reach the market.
This is not a verdict on any product or brand, and it should not be read as one. It is a reason to put weight on documentation from the manufacturer rather than on a front label, and to ask for lot-level information.
Health concerns linked to ink composition
The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s tattoo resource notes that chemical analyses frequently identify substances classified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic in inks, including PAHs and primary aromatic amines, and stresses the importance of regulatory oversight on purity. It also says that the long-term movement of pigment particles to lymph nodes and organs remains unexplored in terms of full clinical significance.
A clinical review of adverse reactions summarizes the concerns most often tied to ink: allergic reactions, granuloma formation, phototoxicity and potential long-term risks from heavy metals such as chromium, nickel and lead, and from PAHs. It reports allergic reactions most frequently with red, black and green pigments, and that pigments can be transported through the lymphatic system to organs such as the liver, spleen and lungs, with long-term implications still under research.
What this means at the chair:
- Ask every client about previous reactions to tattoos, metals or pigments, and about allergies, before you start.
- Keep lot numbers of the inks used in each session in your client records, so a reaction can be traced.
- Advise any client with a suspected reaction, such as persistent swelling, raised areas or intense itching, to see a physician or dermatologist.
- Do not make blanket statements to clients that an ink is safe, approved or suitable for everyone.
Rules by region
What a label may and may not contain depends on where you work, and the rules are separate.
United States. According to the 2023 review, the FDA considers tattoo inks cosmetics, while local jurisdictions regulate color additives. State and local health departments also set studio licensing and practice rules. Check your own state or county health department for what applies to your studio.
European Union. The same review identifies REACH and Regulation 2020/2081 among the EU rules that apply. If you work in the EU, or buy inks for EU clients, the manufacturer’s REACH documentation matters. Our article on REACH-compliant tattoo inks explains what to verify, and what a REACH claim does and does not tell you.
Elsewhere. Other countries have their own rules or none. Never present a U.S. or EU requirement as a worldwide standard, and never assume a claim made for one market holds in another.
Because BVShop serves professionals in several markets, shipping terms and available products depend on the destination. Check the current terms on bvshop.com for your country before ordering.
How to read a label and manufacturer documents
A bottle label is a starting point. These are the items we recommend checking, in this order.
- Product name, batch or lot number and expiry or period-after-opening information. Without a lot number you cannot trace a problem.
- Stated intended use. Tattoo ink or permanent makeup pigment, as the manufacturer defines it.
- Ingredient list. Look for specific names rather than only a color. Where the list is incomplete, ask the manufacturer for the safety data sheet.
- Safety data sheet (SDS). It should be current and name the substances, ideally with CAS numbers. Be wary of vague references to proprietary blends in place of identified components.
- Pigment identification. CI numbers or equivalent, checked against the current bottle and the manufacturer’s documentation.
- Carrier information. Which of water, glycerine, alcohols, witch hazel or other components are used.
- Sterility and preservation claims. What is claimed, how, and what documentation backs it.
- Regional compliance statements. Which market the claim covers, and which regulation it cites.
What the label cannot tell you
The table below summarizes what you can and cannot conclude.
| What you see | What you can conclude | What you cannot conclude |
|---|---|---|
| A color name | The intended shade | Which pigment, or its purity |
| A brand name | Who is responsible for the product | Formulation, allergen status or compliance |
| “Sterile” on the label | The manufacturer makes a claim | That testing was reported or independently verified |
| A complete ingredient list with CI and CAS numbers | The manufacturer disclosed components | That unlisted trace substances are absent |
| A REACH or regional compliance statement | The manufacturer asserts compliance for that market | That it applies in other countries |
| An SDS dated recently | The documentation is being maintained | Suitability for every client |
The owner-run rule we apply at BVShop is simple: do not infer formulation, allergen status, sterility, approval or REACH compliance from a brand or a color. Read the documents for the specific lot you are about to use.
Questions to send to a manufacturer
When the documentation is thin, a short written request usually clarifies it:
- Can you provide the current SDS and a full ingredient disclosure with CAS numbers for this color?
- Which pigments, by CI number, are in this product, and which carrier components?
- How is the product sterilized or preserved, and for how long after opening is it intended to be used?
- Which regional regulations does this product claim to meet, and in which markets?
- How are lots tracked, and how can I look up a batch?
Keep the replies with your supplier records. They are useful for client questions, for inspections and for your own purchasing decisions.
Black and white inks: why they need individual checks
Black and white are the colors artists use most, and the ones where assumptions are most common. A black can rely on a carbon-based pigment or on something else, and a white can be built on titanium dioxide or on another system. The carrier also varies, which changes how the ink flows and saturates. For that reason we describe these as examples to check, not as templates.
Two examples in our catalog:
- I Am Ink First Generation 6 True Pigment Black, offered in 50 ml and 100 ml sizes.
- I AM Ink First Generation 0 White Rutile Paste, offered in 50 ml, 100 ml and 200 ml sizes.
For each, confirm the pigment composition, carrier and any regional compliance statements against the current bottle label and the manufacturer’s documentation before you decide that it fits your work. If you want background on the brand’s line, see our Panthera tattoo ink guide for how we describe another range. The same method applies to it.
Restocking with documentation in hand
BVShop (Beauty Visit Shop) is an online retailer of professional tattoo, PMU, microblading, piercing and beauty supplies. We do not perform procedures. Our role is to help professional buyers compare products and find compatible supplies in one catalog, with current product information and destination-specific shipping terms shown on bvshop.com.
If you are building or restocking a kit, start from the tattoo supplies collection, where inks, cartridges, needles and related consumables sit together. For the wider picture of what a working station needs, our tattoo supply list and our guide to machines, inks and cartridges for studio work cover how the parts fit together.
When you order, keep the product page details, lot numbers and any documentation you requested together in one place. Our aftercare picks from professional artists are worth adding to the same order, since the way a client heals is part of how any ink performs. You can also browse the full range from the BVShop home page.
A short checklist before you open a new bottle
- Is the lot number readable, and does it match your delivery paperwork?
- Do you hold the current SDS for this exact product?
- Does the stated intended use match the work you will do with it?
- Have you verified the pigment CI codes and carrier from the bottle and manufacturer documents?
- Does the compliance statement cover your market?
- Do you have fresh, single-use caps and a clean setup ready?
- Have you recorded the lot number in the client’s file after the session?
FAQ
What is tattoo ink made of?
Tattoo ink combines pigment, a carrier solution and additives. The pigment gives the color, the carrier (often water, glycerine, isopropyl alcohol or witch hazel) helps it go into the skin, and additives such as preservatives and pH stabilizers are meant to keep the product stable. The exact substances differ by product, so check the manufacturer’s documentation for each one.
Are all ingredients listed on the label?
Not always. A study of 54 inks sold in the U.S. found unlisted additives or pigments in 45 of them. For that reason, professionals ask for the safety data sheet, ingredient disclosure with CAS numbers and lot information, instead of relying only on the label.
Do black and white inks share the same formulation?
No, and you should not assume they do. Pigment and carrier can differ between products of the same color. Verify CI codes and the carrier on the current bottle label and manufacturer documentation for every ink you use.
Is tattoo ink regulated the same way everywhere?
No. In the U.S., the FDA treats tattoo inks as cosmetics and local jurisdictions regulate color additives. The EU applies rules including REACH and Regulation 2020/2081. Check the rules for the country where you work and ask manufacturers which markets their compliance statements cover.
What should a client with a reaction to an ink do?
They should see a physician or dermatologist, especially for persistent swelling, raised patches or intense itching. As the artist, you can help by providing the lot number and product names used in the session.
Sources
- Getting ink: how tattoo ink has been made and used through the ages, New Zealand EPA
- Types of colourants used in tattoo and permanent make-up inks, 2023
- What’s in my ink: an analysis of commercial tattoo ink on the U.S. market
- TATTOOING: Background, IARC
- Tattooing: immediate and long-term adverse reactions
- The Risk of Bacterial Infection After Tattooing
