Is it worth it?

[usuario7]

Here in Spain I know that many tattoo artists do their own inks.
My question is if is worth it do your own or is it better buy it already done?

How many of you "make" your own inks?

Thanks.
Sandro-

[xxxMDKxxx@Gmail.com]

Here in the U.S. the only people I know that make there own inks are those that are in prison.
I think it would be best man if you bought some premade inks.

[the colorist]

i have mixed my own inks from dry pigments.they turned out ok,but its cheaper and less of a health risk to buy them premade from a reliable source

[nstat2]

i have mixed my own inks from dry pigments.they turned out ok,but its cheaper and less of a health risk to buy them premade from a reliable source

yeah definitely agree, ive done the same and it was real messy.

[usuario7]

Thanks to all a for quick reply.
That's what I though better buy it pre-made.
Salut
Sandro

[krazy_tattooist]

yeah id have to say premade too, though im just getting into mixing my own inks but more for knowldege and to learn something new than anything else

[papadurivage]

This is a straight up preference issue.. self made inks aren't any different than pre made dispersions really.. the only real difference is that you don't have to take the time to make them.. it takes a good hour or two to make one color (provided that you only have one blender going at a time).. just like with anything else tattooing related(making machines, needles, etc..), if you know what you are doing you can achieve results that are just as good, or better than production line stuff. It's a learned skill, and some people will be better at it than others.. I know guys on both sides of the fence.. some people make their own.. some people buy pre made.. I have both in my skin, and honestly, so far the self made inks seem to hold up better, but then again that guy really knows his ink.. Its your call.. do what you wanna do..

[Martin]

how can you really be sure that the inks you mix yourself are sterile?

[papadurivage]

how can you really be sure that the inks you mix yourself are sterile?

Well this goes back to the knowing what you are doing thing... If I'm mixing my own inks.. I'm gonna make sure they are not contaminated.

The even better question is:

How do you know the inks you buy are sterile?

Answer: they aren't.

Sure, inks you buy are assumed to not be contaminated.. but, alot of people confuse that with being sterile.. in fact, alot of things used in the tattooing process aren't medically sterile.. sure, the needles, tubes, and such are, but what about the gloves we use? the ink caps we put the ink in? tongue depressors we use to smear A&D? the razor we use?.. none of these are sterile.

[Rockabillytattoo]

Hey guys

Here is a quote from an interview with Filip Leu back in 04 regarding premade and mixing inks:

"As far as inks go I use National Inks. I went through a spell of using Fairweather Inks around five years ago, but changed back. My dad always said there really is no easy ink to get into the skin. I still mix all my inks from ground powders (by hand) in a pestle and mortar. At times I stopped doing this, but soon went back to it. I found the bought pre-dispersed inks less satisfactory and noticed their lighter colours used to fade quite easily."
Filip Leu 2004

Rock on!!