TATTOO INK AUSTRALIA

Selected by a practising tattoo artist with over 10 years of hands-on studio experience. Black ink, colour ink, and speciality inks from trusted brands — Waverly Color, Dynamic Color, Dermaglo, Obake Sumi, and Chroma Quality Colors.

Australian owned. Fast dispatch.

Availability
Price
Waverly Colour

Waverly Colour

$30.00
Dynamic Color

Dynamic Color

$45.00
Black Inks

Black Inks

$30.00
Dermaglo Ink

Dermaglo Ink

$30.00
Obake Sumi

Obake Sumi

$45.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Reds)

Chroma Quality Colors (Reds)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Blues)

Chroma Quality Colors (Blues)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Yellows)

Chroma Quality Colors (Yellows)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Greens)

Chroma Quality Colors (Greens)

$28.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Oranges)

Chroma Quality Colors (Oranges)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Purples)

Chroma Quality Colors (Purples)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Browns)

Chroma Quality Colors (Browns)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Greys)

Chroma Quality Colors (Greys)

$31.00
Chroma Quality Colors (Gray Wash)

Chroma Quality Colors (Gray Wash)

$30.00
Ink Mixer (stationary)

Ink Mixer (stationary)

$50.00

What Is Tattoo Ink?

Tattoo ink is a pigment suspension designed to be deposited into the dermis layer of the skin during tattooing. The quality of the ink determines how it flows through the needle, how it sits in the skin, and how it heals. High-quality inks have consistent pigment loads, smooth carrier solutions, and stable colour that holds over time. Cheap ink often leads to patchy healing, colour shift, or poor saturation — problems that show up weeks after the session when it's too late to fix.

Brands We Stock

We carry ink from brands that have proven themselves in real studio use over years, not just marketing.

Waverly Color — Smooth flow with strong saturation. A favourite for colour realism and traditional work.

Dynamic Color — Industry standard black ink since 1990. Tried and true for lining, shading, and bold contrast.

Dermaglo — Micro-dispersed colour that works with minimal effort. Vegan-friendly, no animal products. Known for fast healing with less scabbing and better pigment retention.

Obake Sumi — Japanese-style black ink. Rich, deep tones suited to heavy blackwork and bold shading.

Chroma Quality Colors — Full colour range including reds, blues, yellows, greens, oranges, purples, browns, greys, and grey wash sets. Reliable consistency across the entire spectrum.

How to Choose the Right Tattoo Ink

Your ink choice depends on the work you're doing, the needle you're running, and the result you're after.

  • Black tattoo ink — lining, script, bold contrast, blackwork, and grey wash blending
  • Colour tattoo ink — realism, traditional, neo-traditional, and illustrative styles
  • Grey wash sets — portrait work, soft shading, and tonal gradients

Ink consistency matters as much as colour. Thicker inks pack harder and suit mags for colour work. Thinner, smoother inks flow better through liners for crisp line work. Match your ink viscosity to your tattoo needle configuration and machine speed for the cleanest results.

If you're unsure which ink suits your setup, get in touch — we can recommend based on your machine, style, and technique.

Is All Tattoo Ink the Same?

No. Tattoo ink varies in pigment quality, particle size, carrier solution, and colour stability. The difference shows in the work. Higher-quality inks flow smoother, saturate in fewer passes, and heal more consistently. Poor-quality ink can fade, shift colour, or heal patchy — especially in lighter tones where pigment consistency matters most. The brands we carry are selected because they perform reliably across different skin types, needle configurations, and tattoo styles.

Is Tattoo Ink Safe?

Professional tattoo inks are manufactured to meet industry safety standards. Safety comes down to proper formulation, correct storage, sterile handling, and clean application. All inks we stock come from established manufacturers with documented safety standards. Always follow best-practice hygiene procedures and check expiry dates before every session.

What to pair with your tattoo Ink

Frequently Asked Questions

A smooth, consistent black ink is ideal for lining. Dynamic Black is the industry standard — it flows clean, wipes easy, and heals solid. Pair it with the right liner tattoo needle and correct machine speed for crisp, saturated lines with minimal spreading.

Black ink is formulated for contrast, lining, and shading — it's typically thinner with a smoother flow. Colour ink contains different pigment blends designed for saturation and long-term retention. Colours behave differently depending on the pigment — reds and yellows can be more sensitive to skin type and technique than blacks or blues. Each colour family has its own working characteristics.

Yes. Every bottle has a shelf life, usually printed on the label. Expired ink can thicken, separate, or lose pigment stability, which affects flow, saturation, and healing. Shake your bottles before each session and check dates regularly. If the consistency looks off, don't use it.

Professional tattoo inks from established manufacturers are formulated to meet industry safety standards and are not considered toxic when used correctly. Safety depends on the formulation, proper storage, sterile handling, and correct application depth. Cheap or unregulated inks can contain unlisted ingredients or inconsistent pigment quality, which is why we only stock from brands with documented manufacturing standards. Always use ink from reputable suppliers and follow best-practice hygiene procedures every session.

Cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal bottles tightly after every use to prevent contamination, drying, or thickening. Temperature swings can affect pigment consistency. Proper storage extends shelf life and keeps performance predictable.

Yes, but results vary. Thicker inks pack better through mags for colour work. Thinner inks flow cleaner through liners. Match your ink viscosity to your needle grouping — a thick colour ink through a tight liner will clog and skip, while a thin lining ink through a mag won't saturate properly. Your tattoo cartridge or needle setup should pair with the right ink consistency.

Some inks are, some aren't. Dermaglo is fully vegan-friendly with no animal products. Other brands vary by colour — some pigments historically used animal-derived ingredients. If vegan ink matters to your clients, Dermaglo and select Chroma colours are your best options from our range.

Pigment quality, application depth, needle configuration, skin type, and aftercare. High-quality inks with consistent particle sizes heal more evenly. Going too deep causes blowout; too shallow causes fallout. Proper aftercare — keeping the tattoo clean, moisturised, and out of the sun — protects pigment retention during healing.

Need Help Choosing the Right Tattoo Ink?

Blake and the Speedy Needle team have over a decade of hands-on tattooing experience — not just selling equipment, but using it daily. Get in touch for recommendations based on your machine, technique, and the results you're after.

  • Next-day dispatch Australia wide
  • Expert guidance on tattoo needles
  • Direct support from practicing tattoo artists
  • Informed product recommendations

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