Do you want to get into the world of tattooing? To start, you should know the different tattoo materials and what they are used for, such as needles, grips, thermal printers, etc. So, in this post, we provide you with a guide with all the basic materials you need to start tattooing in complete safety and hygiene. Take note!
What materials are needed for tattooing?
In addition to having the basic training and a degree in sanitary hygiene, which are essential, a tattoo artist requires a series of materials or tools to tattoo. The essential ones are:
Tattoo machine
Depending on the technique applied, we can differentiate two types of tattoo machines :
Coil machines: the hammer gives current to a small can, causing movement.
Rotary machines: They have a motor that moves the needle back and forth.
Power supplies
This element is responsible for supplying electricity to the machine so that it can function and move the needle. Now, there are different types of power supplies: those that connect directly to the electricity through a plug, wireless ones, or analog ones, which do not have a digital display to indicate the voltage.
Clip cords
Clipcords or cables connect the power supply and the machine, providing it with power to operate. Depending on the type of tattoo machine chosen, it will have one type of input or another, so it is important to take into account compatibility or the purchase of adapters.
Needles
Needles are the equivalent of a pencil, pen, or brush for making designs by hand. As we told you in previous posts, there are different types of tattoo needles, each of them used for different techniques and results. Broadly speaking, needles are classified by the gauge and the number of needles that come welded together.
Grips
Grips are another essential tool for tattooing. They are the element that allows you to support your hand and hold the needle, as they have a tip where the needle rests inside. Depending on the type of needle, the grip will have a different size, and it can also be disposable or made of metal, which must be disinfected.
Inks
Although it is true that there are inks of different colors, black ink is the basic one, since with it you can make lines and fills and even dilute it to have different grays ( gray wash ).
Thermal copier
A thermal copier is a type of photocopier to which the tattoo design is sent via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The design is printed on a heat-sensitive sheet, which will be the template that will transfer the design to the client’s skin, who will then assess whether the area or size of the drawing needs to be changed.
Disposable materials
As the safety and hygiene regulations govern the tattoo world, there are a number of disposable materials that are mandatory. It is important to remember that a tattoo is still an open wound, so it is normal for it to bleed when the design is applied to the skin and it is essential to avoid infections.
So, some of the single-use materials that a tattoo artist should always have are:
Disposable gloves.
Gauze.
Dressings.
Razors for shaving the area to be tattooed.
Plastic cups to hold the ink.
Paper to cover the stretcher and table where the tattoo materials are placed.
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