Tattoo culture is on the rise nowadays. You can’t spend a summer day in the city without noticing at least a few tattooed people. But if you’re an aspiring artist or just a common student who wants to try out this interesting art, the tattoo industry has some bad news for you. Enormous prices for all equipment, that is.
Of course, you may think that everything can be found for many times cheaper on some Asian wholesale marketplace. But don’t forget that tattoo equipment determines the quality of the picture itself. What is even more important, poor quality needles and the lack of basic rules of hygiene can lead to some really bad infections. In the worst-case scenario, negligence can even be lethal.
So, how can students afford all the essential gear for tattooing? Assuming they have the time for that, besides writing papers, preparing for exams, and earning money for a living. Well, the first thing you should keep in mind is balance. Some consumables like paper towels, cord covers, ink caps, or stretch film don’t need to be top-level. But the gun itself and needles can’t be neglected. For a budding tattoo artist, you can order tattoo supplies online as these essential tools and materials become the foundation of learning and growth. These essential tools and materials form the backbone of every tattoo artist’s toolkit, empowering them to transform visions into reality
This article will help students to understand better which tattoo gear essentials can be easily found for cheap, and what will call for some expenses.
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Handpoke
Handpoke is the style where you don’t use a tattoo machine. Just a needle, ink, and of course all the hygienic solutions. That means you need to buy way less equipment. It’s a perfect option for those who just want to try this art out. And it’s exceptionally good for students who can’t afford machines and all the additional expenses that come with them.
So, the list here is simple:
- Needle – you may use a single one or buy multiple, for example for faster shading.
- Ink – you may have seen some ideas like using pen ink, but don’t ever think about it. It involves a high risk of infection and future skin peeling (trust us, it’s really dangerous and disgusting). Cheap ink exists and will suit your needs very well.
- Green soap – to disinfect the skin before applying the needles to the skin.
- Paper towels – to remove the extra ink that remains on the skin.
- Rubber gloves – to prevent any potential infections.
The main thing you must keep in mind is that needles are single-use. That means you have to throw away the needles after the tattoo is done. But please, don’t throw them away literally, and pay attention to how they are disposed of. Make sure the needles won’t pierce the trash bag from the inside and potentially infect a person who grabs it.
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Beginner Kits
Beginner kits are usually considered to be controversial among experienced tattoo artists. But they’re called beginner kits for a reason and will do a good job for students. Don’t expect the guns in these kits to last you long, because they won’t. However, you’ll be able to do some more or less quality tattooing with them.
Why more or less? Because their power supplies aren’t that stable and durable and guns don’t provide excellent speeds and precision. But don’t worry too much, you won’t feel much of it as a beginner.
So, the first thing you need to do is research. One needs to be sure that the gun is in working condition, the needles won’t break during the process and the ink is suitable for tattoos at all. The easiest way to do it is to search for kits made by famous artists or studios, or just read their recommendations. Also, check the reviews on different resources.
The usual beginner kit contains:
- 2 coil guns – one for lining, one for shading.
- Needle set/combos – for shading and lining. Combos consist of a grip handle and needle in one piece.
- Cartridges – some guns use specialized cartridges instead of usual needles.
- Power supply and cord – to provide your gun with power.
- Ink – different kits have different color palettes. It’s recommended to start with black ink.
- Ink caps – small caps to store ink during the process.
- Foot pedal – to activate the gun.
- Rubber gloves – to keep everything hygienic.
- Rubber bands – to maximize the fixation of a needle inside the gun.
- Aftercare solution – to be applied to the skin after the tattoo is done.
Some kits even provide artificial “skin” for practice purposes, transfer papers, and specialized markers. Yet, you will still need to buy some consumables, including:
- Paper towels
- Gloves (most kits provide a very small amount of them)
- Green soap
- Sterilizing solutions (water + 70% alcohol or specialized solutions for gear sterilization)
- Power cord cover
- Stretch film
- Spray/squirt bottle
- Vaseline
- Razors
Don’t let the list scare you, though. Most of these are extremely cheap. You can also look into wireless tattoo machines since no cords can make it much easier for an artist who is just starting out.
Summing Up
As you could already guess, tattoos aren’t a cheap hobby and for a good reason. It’s a craft that involves piercing your skin with needles and ink, so everything must be 100% safe. However, handpoke technique and beginner kits offer a perfect opportunity for everyone on a budget to try this craft. Just remember about the rules of tattoo hygiene, don’t rush yourself, and do research before you even start anything.