Black tattoo ink is always used in tattooing. We’ll help you choose the nice, black tattoo ink that you would rely on at all times.
Tattooing involves many different colors for ink, but the classic one, basic and essential, and darkest is of course the black ink. It is still the best pigment for the shading and bold lines, outlines, and extraordinary highlights.
But, to choose a nice black pigment for tattoos is not as easy as it seems, and you have to make sure it is a durable and bold pigment! There are too many options and offers on the market, and you probably want to cut the research time in half, and simply get a product and start working.
Best overall
Premium Pick
Runner Up
Well, we could certainly help you find the best black tattoo ink fast and efficiently, for the best prices and with great quality features. From our research, we managed to make a list with reviews; see our suggestions for black tattoo ink for tattoos, and you’ll decide easily!
These are our top 3 picks we have for you. It won’t be hard to choose a black tattoo ink if you know about each of these and their features. We covered their basic and useful information, as well as details, in all of the sections below. Let us help you with your choice, and you’ll see that investing in a good black ink is quite simple!
Read also: Best Tattoo Inks Sets & Best Rotary Tattoo Machines
Why do you need a good black tattoo ink
Black tattoo ink is one of the essentials for tattooing. Yes, of course, some tattoos are done without a black color at all, but almost always, some black ink is needed. It is an essential ink to have, for outlines, shading, or coloring. Also, with a well-pigmented black ink, you can darken other colors fast and easily.
The black tattoo ink is for all tattoo artists. It doesn’t matter whether you are an apprentice or an expert – this is essential that you must have. The black tattoo ink is as essential to an artist, as the cooking tools are essential to a chef. It has multiple usages, it’s practical, almost every tattoo design includes black colors, and most (if not all) outlines are done with this color ink too.
The Best Black Tattoo Ink in 2022
1. Black Onyx Millenium Mom’s
Best overall
If you need to purchase a trusted brand of good ink consistency, this could be your pick. It’s a good middle between liquid and too thick, and the black pigment doesn’t fade. The perk here is the nice consistency and pigment evenness too.
We start our list with the best overall pick, the brand Millenium Mom’s. They offer bold and lasting pigments that are nicely mixed to perfect homogenized formula. With this ink, you know you’ll get a dark and deep color that stays as good as the first day of tattooing. The formula is good and not too thick, or too watery. The effect is not fading at all, and there won’t be a need for you to redo lines in the future.
Read also: Best White Tattoo Inks
Package dimensions are 3.7 x 3.39 x 1.06 inches, with a total weight of 1.6 ounces.
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Homogenous formula consistency
- Perfect thickness level
- Durable pigment
Cons
- You might need to use more (depending on the boldness of the design)
2. Dynamic Black Tattoo Ink
Premium Pick
If you need to find the best black tattoo ink for unique details and delicate shadow shading, you can freely choose this. With Dynamic black ink, you could easily create complex shadowing with ease.
Next on this list is our premium pick, the brand Dynamic Colors. They offer their ink in various amounts and sizes, and here the consistency and texture are perfect for both shading and lines. All of the ingredients used are vegan and of course, Dynamic doesn’t test on animals. A good perk with this black tattoo ink is that it is nicely used for a specific faded grey-wash and delicate shadowing too.
Package dimensions are 6 x 6 x 6 inches, with a total weight of 8 ounces.
Pros
- Good consistency
- Vegan ingredients
- Great for shadowing and grey-wash details
- The pigment doesn’t fade at all
- Smooth and easy for work
Cons
- The order could be a bit late (on rare occasions)
- Carefully close the bottle (the cap might seem loose)
3. Bloodline Tattoo Ink All Purpose
Runner Up
Bloodline Tattoo Ink All Purpose
Maybe you’re a tattoo artist that wants practical and easy work. So, you don’t have too much time to research various black inks, when you could now have one that’s fit for all purposes in tattooing? This is your pick for go-to black tattoo ink.
Now it’s time for the runner up choice, the Bloodline brand. They named this ink All-purpose black, and this is practical-sounding enough, right? Good for bold lines, for sharp outlines, shading, or coloring in black. The pigment Bloodline makes is durable and bold enough for any tattoo design – so no need for corrections or repeating lines after some time. The consistency is nice and smooth when it enters the skin.
Package dimensions are 4 x 1 x 1 inch, with a total weight of 1.45 ounces.
Read also: Best Lotion for Tattoo Aftercare
Pros
- All-purpose black ink
- Bold and durable pigment
- Non-fading
- Smooth and simple to work with
Cons
- Some shipping specifications could cause a mix up in labels for some orders
4. Kuro Sumi Tattoo Ink
If you want a black tattoo ink that is not ‘pitch-black’ but still very dark, this is your perfect pick. You will work with it smoothly, and if you want to darken or change other ink colors, this one makes a good match for that too.
From the brand Kuro Sumi, we list their black tattoo ink that’s made of vegan ingredients only. This ink even though it’s black, has a specific ‘brightness’ to it, in case you need a black shade that is a tad lighter than usual. Once the ink gets under the skin, it is smooth lines and strong pigment. Its pigment is also perfect to mix with colors; it results in nice shades and tones.
Package dimensions are 2.25 x 1.25 x 6 inches, with a total weight of 5.6 ounces.
Pros
- Vegan
- A light shade of black, perfect for delicate details
- Smooth and simple to work with
- Great for mixing/adding to colors
Cons
- You might need to go over a line again to see the light shade absorbing well
5. Black Tattoo Ink Nighthawk Black
Black Tattoo Ink Nighthawk Black
This black tattoo ink would be a great choice for you if you like the blackest black pigment for any tattoo. It is made with good ingredients, and leaves a nice strong black under the skin!
From the brand Element Tattoo Supply, we single out their black tattoo ink that has a reputation like maybe the darkest black you can find! Even though it’s immensely black, it is amazing for shadows, lines, or anything else, plus, it mixes with other colors well too. It takes a minimal amount of time for healing, and it doesn’t have any harmful chemicals like solvents or acrylic.
Package dimensions are 1 x 1 x 4 inches, with a total weight of 1.31 ounces.
Pros
- Trusted brand
- Extremely dark pigment
- Great for all tattooing styles
- Minimal time to heal
- Organic ingredients
Cons
- Unwrap/unpack carefully, to avoid lid leaking (not tightened enough)
6. Millennium Mom’s Black Pearl
Pick this black tattoo ink if you like extremely dark and precisely bold outlines and colorings too. It won’t be a hassle to work with, because it goes very smooth under the skin as well. This also means you won’t repeat the lines!
Again, we have the Millenium Mom’s with their black ink. This ink is supposedly labeled as great for outlining, even though it is amazing for all tattooing styles, like coloring and shading too. When you pour the ink into a holder or small cup, it will not dry out so fast when exposed to oxygen. It is smooth and flows beautifully under the skin.
Package dimensions are 7.7 x 3.2 x 1.8 inches, with a total weight of 15.2 ounces.
Pros
- Great for outlines, and other styles too
- Ink won’t dry fast in the air
- Smooth flowing under the skin
- Strong black pigment
- No need to repeat lines
Cons
- Maybe repeat the shaking of the bottle (to even out the pigments)
7. Intenze Professional Tattoo Ink Zuper Black
Intenze Professional Tattoo Ink Zuper Black
If you want an extremely black tattoo ink that won’t oxygenate fast, this is your pick. This ink is very dark and will not fade fast, so you can now do perfect black tattoos without repeating the job.
From the Intenze Products, we have a strong black pigment that gives off a bold and dark shade under the skin. It has a formula that will not dry easily when in the open air, and the packaging is done perfectly, with a tight and secure bottle. All of the ingredients are vegan, and this is not tested on animals at all. This ink will also not fade fast and stay long under the skin.
Package dimensions are 8 x 3 x 3 inches, with a total weight of 1 pound.
Pros
- Dark black
- No easy drying in the open air
- Tight and secure package
- Vegan ingredients
- No fading under the skin
Cons
- The formula may seem watery for some
- It leaves of discrete shadow for doing lining
8. Intenze True Black Tattoo Ink
Pick this black tattoo ink if you like a simple way of working – one black ink for more purposes and uses. For example, with this one, you can do lines and colors, and shading too. Another big perk is that this is a visible ink under any skin tone, and always leaves a strong color.
Again we continue with Intenze, this time the True Black ink they offer. They make the ink with vegan ingredients, so you’ll be getting a no cruelty product. With this, you can freely do both coloring, as well as lines, or shading. The pigment was created to be a perfect match for all skin tones and not fade – leaving a vivid and nice color behind.
Package dimensions are 5.98 x 1.26 x 1.18, with a total weight of 1.94 ounces.
Pros
- Vegan
- Perfect for lines, coloring, shades
- Strong pigment
- Not fading fast
- Vivid on all skin tones
Cons
- The formula could seem watery to some (shake bottle well before use though)
9. Stigma Black Color Scale Tattoo Ink
Stigma Black Color Scale Tattoo Ink
Don’t go through the hassle to find certain brand names; this one is certified, and the strong black pigment will not fade after your session. The formula includes a good concentrate of black ink that looks the same under the skin, as in the bottle.
From the Solong manufacturers, we have the Stigma black tattoo ink. This ink has a pure and bold pigment of the highest concentration in its formula. You won’t have to repeat the lines, because the outcome is a nice color behind. The ingredients, as well as the manufacturing, are certified and renown. With this ink, both lines, and colorings turn out good.
Package dimensions are 6.5 x 1.6 x 1.5 inches, with a total weight of 5.93 ounces.
Pros
- Bold and pure pigment
- Concentrated formula
- No fading
- Good for colors, and lines
- Certified and renown
- Great customer service
Cons
- For extreme black-only large designs, it might not be the perfect fit
10. BAODELI Tattoo Ink
If you like to offer your customers something unique, this is it. To offer ink made from plant pigments sounds quite attractive. This black tattoo ink will not irritate the skin because it doesn’t have toxic ingredients, so feel free to boast if you use it!
As the last listing of this list (not the least though quality-wise), we have the BAODELI brand. This ink is also another that’s popular in the tattoo community, mostly for its source of pigments. The ink is made with natural pigments from plants, i.e., natural colors. The formula ingredients are not toxic, and they are non-irritant as well. Once you open the bottle and see the color, you will notice a colored residue, and not watered down the liquid, even if the formula just appears like that.
Package dimensions are 4.1 x 1.5 x 1.1 inches, with a total weight of 1.59 ounces.
Pros
- Renown brand
- Natural plant pigments
- Non-toxic
- No irritations
- Bold color
Cons
- The consistency seems watery at first glance (shake bottle well before use)
How we picked and tested these best black tattoo inks
We researched in detail about the types of ink, or how the black tattoo inks may differentiate. Still, some factors (merits) mostly overlap in all black inks, and to ensure you picked the right type, it should cover at least a few (if not all) of the following:
- Homogenous formulas
- Average thickness (after shaking the bottle)
- Pigment durability
- Organic/vegan ingredients
- For more tattooing styles (lines, shades, coloring)
- Easy flow under the skin
- No drying once opened
Black Tattoo Ink Buyer’s Guide
Should the black tattoo ink be very thick or watery?
There are no clear-cut rules for this, but there is a general rule of thumb that ‘too liquid’ and ‘too dry-thick’ are not what you want from the ink. The perfect consistency is right between these two; you’ll know it once you see it after shaking the bottle and using it with the cartridges. As we mentioned above, even if an ink seems watery, just shake the bottle and try it out – results often turn out different despite first glance impressions!
Do I have to buy a few different black tattoo inks for different uses?
No, not at all. This is why we say that black tattoo ink is an essential one, and every artist should have it. If you need to do outlines, just be as precise as possible, and if you need to do shades, use the technique and grasp that you always use for shades. Black is a versatile pigment and can be brightened or used by itself, for all tattooing styles.
Some ‘lighter’ black pigments are indeed good for light shadows, just as a very dark pigment is good for extremely dark shadows and ‘effects’ – in general, black ink can be brightened if needed, so start with the basics.
What if I develop a rash or allergy to the tattoo ink?
Developing a skin reaction will not have anything to do with the ink pigment. If you manifest symptoms of a mild or serious skin issue, it is probably unsterilized or contaminated tattoo equipment, or the ink is not a top-notch quality and has suspicious ingredients. More often than not the equipment factor is excluded, and rarely certain ink ingredients are the cause for skin problems in individuals with sensitive skin.
Is vegan tattoo ink safer and better?
This is exclusively your personal preference, whether you advocate animal rights strictly and at all times.
Will black tattoo ink cause a blowout effect?
The blowout effect does not depend on the ink, but it depends on the artist’s grasp. Whether the ink is black, or any other color, precision and light pressure is a good thing, but pressing too hard on the client’s skin will make a blowout, even with the best ink on the market.
Conclusion
It is essential to obtain an ‘essential’ like the black tattoo ink for your business. It is the one color that is simplest to work with, yet so crucial for all tattooing types. To remind you, our winner was the best overall in our list, the Black Onyx Millenium Mom’s ink; a durable black pigment with perfect consistency. Then, we mentioned the premium pick Dynamic; it stands out for perfectly done shadowing and grey-wash techniques. And, as a third suggestion (out of all 10), we singled out the runner up Bloodline; it is hard for this ink to fade under the skin.
Whether you choose based on certain features, if not all, make sure to have a good quality black tattoo ink at all times. This is your most important pigment to have, so make sure it’s good!
