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Plenty of extra tattoo supplies, such as needles, inks, and tubes are absolutely necessary for the profession tattoo artist. Like it or not, tattooing is a huge business and the artists are trained professionals and businessmen no matter how they may appear. Their product is the quality of their artwork, their skill in applying that to skin and of course, their time. It’s not easy becoming a tattooist. Even after several years of training the average apprentice still hasn’t touched skin with a needle let alone owns any equipment. Most of them have paid a lot of money just to learn the skill much like every professional in any field.
Once that skill and knowledge is acquired there are still a number of things that have to be purchased and lined up before a tattoo artist can begin working. Currently there are no licenses or certifications for individual artists that have to be completed in most states although OSHA requires anyone who is in contact with blood to take Universal Precautions training every year. These precautions teach the artist how to properly protect themselves and their clients from blood borne diseases and infections, most notably hepatitis and staph infections. The needle can travel at over 200 injections per minute each one making a new wound so the possibility of contamination is very high.
In most states the operator or owner of a tattoo shop or parlor has to get a license to operate their business and this requires them to meet a high level of cleanliness and employ artists and other employees who have taken the UP course. Clean tattoo supplies and equipment are always stocked and there should be at least one autoclave for sterilizing equipment. Cleanliness in a tattoo parlor is absolutely necessary and can increase the reputation of the artist by working in a well established shop. Be weary of artists working from basements, kitchens or traveling from place to place unless it is at an established tattoo convention. Some truly amazing artists often work at these conventions allowing for many samples of work from around the world under one roof, just be sure to book them early.
Each artist should have at least two machines, one for shading and one for lining. There are a number of adjustments that have to made to adjust between the two if one machine is used which takes up a lot of precious time and doesn’t allow for inspiration. Many working artists have four machines so they can autoclave two of them while still being able to work. That’s right, even the machines have to be autoclaved to protect from cross contamination, yet another reason not to trust the basement tattooist even though they are using brand new sterile needles and tubes.
Disposable tattoo supplies do make the tattoo artists life much easier but they are not a substitute for an autoclave. The needles will be consistently sharper than reusing needles which benefits both the person being tattooed and the person applying it.
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