Starting out as a tattoo artist can be both exciting and overwhelming. Once you have your apprenticeship secured, it can be daunting knowing where to start in terms of choosing the best tattoo equipment as a beginner, including machines, inks, and needle cartridges. 

However, with the right guidance and quality equipment, you can start your tattoo career with confidence and creativity. Here at Killer Ink, we have created a list of equipment that are must-haves for beginner tattoo artists. 

Choosing Your First Tattoo Machine

When choosing a tattoo machine as a beginner, it’s important to consider what’s going to give you the best value for money as well as ease of use. A rotary tattoo machine is more suitable for beginners as it requires minimal tuning in comparison to a coil tattoo machine. 

Dragonhawk rotary tattoo machines are affordable and easy to use, including the Mast and Mast Tour S. They’re both available in a 3.5 mm stroke length which can be used for lining, shading, and colour packing, making them perfect for practicing different techniques. 

The FK Irons ONE is a high-quality and dependable wireless tattoo machine for artists at all stages of their career, including beginners. It is available in a 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm stroke length so you have the option to try out different styles and techniques. This pen-style machine from FK Irons is a lower price than other machines they have on offer, making it a good option for those just starting out.

Shop the range of tattoo machines for beginners we have available!

Compatible Power Supplies 

Power supplies are often sold separately from tattoo machines so it’s important to double check when purchasing whether you’ll need to buy a power supply. Make sure that the power supply can handle the voltage of your machine and check it’s compatible with your machine’s connections.

There are a few that are generally compatible with a range of rotary and coil machines, making them more cost-effective tattoo equipment for beginners! 

  • Critical Atom Power Supply - This is super versatile, being compatible with all coil and rotary machines, and with one button for all settings it’s easy to learn.
  • Musotoku Power Supply - Whilst this is on the higher end in terms of price, it comes from Musotoku, an expert in creating high-quality power supplies for tattoo machines. It’s compatible with rotary and coil machines and features the unique Nitro function which gives an extra boost for the first 0.5 seconds to help start even the heaviest motors or machines running on a lower voltage. 
  • Nemesis LED Power Supply - A power supply with a built-in hybrid latch meaning it can be operated without a foot switch, but if you prefer to connect a foot switch, you can! This supply is also on the lower range price wise, making it great for beginners looking to build their setup on a budget!
  • Dragonhawk Mast Skate Dual Mode Tattoo Power Supply – This sturdy, classic-style power supply can be used for up to two devices at once. It has an instant start-up mode to help with the movement of larger needle configurations. Plus, it’s even more affordable than the options above.
  • Compakt Power Supply – This power supply by Piranha is small but sturdy. It’s super easy to use so if you’re not familiar with tattoo equipment, it’s a good product to start with! Reliable and durable as well as cost-effective, it’s perfect for beginners and apprentices.

Essential Inks and Pigments for Beginners

There are several factors to consider when selecting inks and pigments as a beginner. For example, you should always choose reputable brands that adhere to safety standards. All of the inks we supply at Killer Ink meet the required safety standards, so you can be confident that you’re selecting from a range of reputable brands.

We recommend choosing a pre-dispersed ink as they don’t require mixing so are a little easier to work with as a beginner. High-quality and ease of use meets affordability with the following sets:

  • Kuro Sumi - Kuro Sumi Ink has a range of high-quality black inks, including the Zhang Po Greywash Shading Set from their EU REACH-compliant range, Kuro Sumi Imperial. This set was created in collaboration with artist Zhang Po and features six inks that were designed to allow artists to capture all the contours of real life in their tattoos. You can get the following colours in the set or individually; Angel Greywash, Saint Greywash, Sinner Greywash, Heaven White, Hell Black, and Devil Black.
  • World Famous Ink - World Famous has a range of tattoo inks that are suitable for beginners, including its EU REACH-compliant Simple Set from the World Famous Limitless range. The set contains a great mix of colours, including Red, Orange, Yellow, Dark Green, Dark Blue, and White. You can get the set of 6 or buy the bottles individually.

Needles and Cartridges: What You Need to Know

When looking for the best tattoo equipment for beginners, choosing high-quality cartridges is a good place to start.

If you opt for a rotary machine or pen-style machine, you’ll need tattoo needle cartridges. These typically come with needles already integrated into them, designed as a single unit where the needle configuration is fixed within the cartridge. You can benefit from more convenient tattooing because you don’t need to assemble the needles with tubes and bars and tips like you would when using a coil machine. It can also be slightly more cost-effective!

Stellar 2.0 cartridges are perfect for beginners!  You can choose from a range of different configurations, including round liners, round shaders, and all types of magnum needles. Each configuration has a different taper length, so you can practise creating different effects, including lining, shading, and colour packing. 

The cartridges are easy to use and understand due to the unique identification system. Configurations and individual cartridges are colour-coded, and the needle size and diameter are printed on the shell of every cartridge. 

Safety is really important when choosing cartridges, as it is when selecting any tattoo equipment, which is one reason why we love Stellar 2.0. And, like any quality cartridge, they come with a safety membrane that prevents fluid and ink from flowing back into the machine, protecting you, your customer, and your equipment.

Stencil and Transfer Tools: Perfecting Your Designs

There are a range of stencil solutions that are affordable and provide a great stencil transfer, making them great for beginners. Some of our favourites include:

  • Hornet Honey Stencil - Provides clear and defined lines that stay throughout the entire tattoo procedure - plus it smells amazing!
  • Recovery Stencil Lock - Creates precise tattoo stencil lines as well as prevents irritation during the tattoo process and promotes healing. 
  • Crybaby - Gothbaby Stencil Bond - Dries fast, offers longevity throughout the entire tattoo process, and provides clear lines.

Pair your stencil solution with the perfect transfer paper for you, such as from Elite, UNISTAR®, OZER, ReproFX, and Clear Cut. 

Practice Skins and Fake Skins: Hone Your Skills Safely

A Pound of Flesh is a leader in manufacturing realistic, responsive, and anatomical tattoo practice skin. They’re the best tattoo equipment beginners can invest in as it closely mimics the texture, feel, and responsiveness of real human skin, allowing you to hone your skills more accurately, as if you were working on a real client.

We supply hands, arms, feet, legs, heads from a range of companies, as well as options like babies, cats and grapefruits from A Pound of Flesh, so you can be a little weirder and more creative when practicing your techniques!

Aftercare Products: Ensuring Proper Healing

There are so many important stages of the tattoo process, including making sure you provide good aftercare advice to your customers so their tattoos stay vibrant and heal well! 

Sometattoo aftercare products we love are:

  • Hustle Butter Deluxe® - A natural, organic, vegan butter that can replace any petroleum-based product. It’s made from mango, coconut, papaya, and other shea butters making it smell amazing and feel soothing on the skin. It also has multiple uses and is suitable for use before, during, and after the tattoo process. 
  • Recovery Aftercare Tea Tree Oil - This affordable oil can be used to care for tattoos, minimise swelling or soothe blow-out. Only a small amount is needed so it’s sure to last a while!
  • Hornet Protective Tattoo Film - This micro-perforated tattoo film protects fresh tattoos from bacteria, germs, and physical damage. The fabric is breathable, flexible, and waterproof so tattoos stay dry and protected while still allowing everyday movement! It also comes with an integrated cutter as part of the box so you can cut to the right length without needing scissors. 

Building Your Own Tattoo Kit

If you’re wanting to save yourself the hassle of picking everything yourself, you can opt for one of our starter tattoo equipment kits that are perfect for apprentices! You can either build your own or pick one ready-made.

If you build your own, you can choose from:

You can also choose to add some useful extras, such as tattoo ink cups, concentrated green soap, and disposable razors. 

At Killer Ink, we’re not just a supplier but an enthusiast just like you. We’re committed to supporting you every step of the way, including giving you the knowledge to pick the best tattoo equipment for every stage of your career.

With our curated list of top-rated tattoo equipment, you'll be well-equipped to hone your skills and develop your unique style. Embrace the learning process, practise diligently on practice skins, and soon, you'll be creating stunning tattoos with confidence and precision. Happy tattooing!

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