15 Best Black Tattoo Inks Of 2023
Get creative and have a long-lasting tattoo with high-pigmented and amazing black ink.
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Have you been looking for the best black tattoo ink? Well, your wait ends here. Tattoos are one of the most elegant and expressive of all art forms, and if you are someone with a knack for body art, you should know that it needs prime quality ink. Inserting ink in your skin can be tricky, and using just any ink can lead to many health and skin problems. While you would choose the best for your skin, it can sometimes be overwhelming as the market is full of brands promising to be the best. Black ink is the most in-demand color for tattoos, and no matter what your skin tone is, a black tattoo will play contrast on your skin and make it look absolutely gorgeous. Here are the 15 best tattoo inks available in the market that will make your tattoo last longer and give a deep pigment for your body art.
In This Article
Why Do You Need A Good Black Tattoo Ink?
Black tattoo ink is an essential product in every tattoo artist’s kit. It is richly pigmented and can also darken other colors effectively and quickly. It doesn’t matter if you are an expert or a novice, a black tattoo ink is as important to a tattoo artist as a cooking tool is for a chef. That is why it is important that you invest in a good black tattoo ink.
Let’s now take a look at the best black tattoo inks available online.
15 Best Black Tattoo Inks Of 2023
1. Stigma True Black Tattoo Ink
The Stigma True Black Tattoo Ink contains a high concentration of pigment. It is a durable, safe color that easily absorbs into your skin. This easy-to-use, highly stable tattoo ink enables easy layering and efficient delivery. It has a great texture, giving the color a vibrant glow. Additionally, the color does not fade easily.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Layers easily
- Fade-resistant
- Durable
- Highly pigmented
- Value for money
- Big size
Cons
- Might cause allergies in some
2. Bloodline All Purpose Black Ink
If you are looking for a tattoo ink that does not turn greenish over time, this product by Bloodline is the perfect choice! It has a very thick texture, which makes it suitable for different purposes like outlining and tribal tattoos. It is also skin-friendly and does not cause any allergic reactions like regular tattoo inks. This dark shade shows up on any skin tone.
Pros
- Adjustable shade
- Highly pigmented
- Good fragrance
- Does not change color
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
None
3. Dynamic Color Co. BLK(BLACK) Tattoo Ink
This professional quality pre-dispersed ink by Dynamic Color Co offers the most impressive pigmentation you can find on the market. It is well known for its smooth flow rate, which aids in precise detailing, outlining, and shading your tattoo. The ink is packed in a clear PET bottle, which is sterilized for extra safety. It gives you vivid results that heal fast and stay vibrant for the longest time. Watch this video to get a detailed review of the product.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Richly pigmented
- Hypoallergenic
- Budget-friendly
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
4. World Famous Triple Blackout Tattoo Ink
The World Famous Triple Blackout Tattoo Ink is a super opaque color. It is formulated without glycerin and toxins. This easy-to-work tattoo ink has a super thin consistency that quickly absorbs in your skin and makes your art pop. The color is skin-friendly and long-lasting, with an excellent flow rate.
Pros
- Easy to work
- Quick saturation
- Glycerin-free
- Sterilized
- Does not clog the cartridges
- Skin-friendly
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Runny consistency
Remember5. Kuro Sumi Outline Black Tattoo Ink
This super black tattoo ink by Kuro Sumi has a unique molecular structure that provides bright and long-lasting color. It is best suited for creating outlines. The long-lasting formula is curated using Japanese tattoo tradition that is handed down through generations. This tattoo ink has a perfect consistency to create a detailed portrait and tribal or Samoan tattoo. It does not contain any harsh chemical ingredients that can cause irritation to the skin.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Non-irritating
- Natural ingredients
- Long-lasting
- Chemical-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
6. Dynamic Color Co. TBK (Triple Black) Tattoo Ink
The Dynamic tattoo inks are well known for their smooth flow, which aids in precise detailing, outlining, and shading of your tattoo work. This super black shade is ideal for darker skin tones. It comes in a crystal clear PET bottle that is sterilized in heat for extra safety.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Hypoallergenic
- Budget-friendly
- Precise application
- Speeds up healing
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
7. Element Tattoo Inks Nighthawk Black
This super dark tattoo ink by Element Tattoo Supply is perfect for freehand stick and poke tattoos. It can also be used for perfectly shading and outlining your tattoos. The ink mixes well with any major brand of tattooing pigments (if needed). The top twist cap of this bottle has a seal lock to ensure safety. The unique formula quickens the healing time when tattooed correctly.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quick healing
- Richly pigmented
- Mixes well with other pigments
Cons
None
Did You Know?8. Millennium Mom’s Black Pearl Tattoo Outlining Ink
Get your hands on this professional quality ink by Millennium Moms that is tested for flow rate, consistency, and pigment life. The bold and deep color gives your tattoos a dark and clear lining and can also be used for shading. The bottle comes with a tipped nozzle, which makes it convenient and easy to use. It goes on super easily and has the perfect consistency. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting
- A little goes a long way
- Comes with a safety lock
Cons
None
9. Hawink Tattoo Ink – True Black
Although a new brand to the tattoo ink industry, the Hawink Tattoo Ink has occupied a special place with its professional quality pigmented colors. The pigments are formulated for easy absorption and last long without fading. The water solubility allows for low consumption and easy coloring. It also blends well with other inks that are suitable for lining and shading. It is the perfect option if you are a beginner.
Pros
- Easy absorption
- Durable
- Highly water-soluble
- Highly pigmented
- Does not fade
- Blends well
- Sterilized
Cons
None
10. Solong True Black Tattoo Ink
The high-quality True Black Tattoo Ink from Solong gives you a long-lasting and vibrant finish. It is smooth, skin-friendly, and does not cause allergies or irritations. The ink gives pure, homogenized pigment dispersion and can be used in manual tattoo pens as well as tattoo machines. The pigments are non-toxic and match a wide range of skin tones to create natural-looking tattoos The ink gets absorbed in the skin quickly and does not fade easily. It creates professional-quality tattoos.
Pros
- Skin-friendly
- Non-toxic ingredients
- Long-lasting impact
- Quick absorbing
- Matches many skin tones
- High pigment dispersion
- Budget-friendly
- Vegan
Cons
None
11. Allegory Premium Lining And Shading Black Ink
The versatility of being able to work on both shading and lining is what makes the Allegory Premium ink a solid choice for any artist. It contains liquid dispersed pigments created after consultation with scientists and tattoo artists. Depending on the type of tattoo, this ink can be used and diluted directly from the bottle or mixed with water to obtain the desired shade. The formula goes on smoothly and seamlessly onto your skin without causing any irritation or allergic reactions.
Pros
- Vegan
- Skin-friendly
- Highly pigmented
- Hypoallergenic
- Smooth application
Cons
None
12. Intenze Tattoo Ink Zuper Black
The Zuper Black Tattoo Ink by Intenze has a unique texture and is perfect for creating artistic designs. It comes in a tamper-proof bottle to keep accidents at bay. It is also hypoallergenic and does not cause any irritation to your skin.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Ideal for dark skin
- Sterile
- Tamper-proof design
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
13. World Famous Blackout Tattoo Ink
The World Famous Blackout Tattoo Ink is a glycerin-free, super opaque color. This tattoo ink is easy to work with due to its thin consistency. It has a high pigment content and a good flow rate, allowing the ink to saturate quickly in your skin. Additionally, this fast-flowing, vibrant color lasts long. This formula is purified, then sealed in a crystal-flex, waterproof bottle.
Pros
- Glycerin-free
- Skin-safe
- Opaque
- Long-lasting
- Good flow rate
- Cruelty-free
- Waterproof bottle
Cons
- Watery consistency
14. STIGMA Tattoo Ink Black Shading 2 Stage Grey Wash Black
The STIGMA Tattoo Ink Black Shading 2 Stage Grey Wash Black delivers a high-quality pigment that is intense and can be used to achieve a smooth color graduation from gray to black. This tattoo ink has a concentrated formula which gives the tattoo professional-looking layers and a high color density to add depth and texture. The durable tattoo pigment is skin-safe, CE-certifies, and has been tested by artists.
Pros
- Tested by professional
- Can be used for color graduation
- High-quality formula
- Intense pigment
- Easy to use
- Non-fading
Cons
- Thick consistency
15. Starbrite Tribal Black Tattoo Ink
If you are looking for a smooth textured, consistent flowing ink for your tribal tattoos, this black ink by Starbrite is your go-to. The ink is richly pigmented and offers vivid color saturation that lasts really long. It helps maintain the healing process without causing any irritation to the skin.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting
- Good consistency
- Vegan
- Nickel-free
- Iron-free
Cons
None
The next sections cover everything you need to know about tattoo inks – the ingredients, characteristics, and buying guide. Keep scrolling for more information.
What Ingredients Make Up The Best Tattoo Inks?
Black is the most commonly used tattoo ink. It contains natural pigments made from powdered jet, magnetite crystals, amorphous carbon, bone char, and wustite. The ingredients include carbon, iron oxide, and logwood.
What Are The Characteristics Of The Best Tattoo Inks?
- The tattoo ink follows the safety, quality, and purity regulations of the US or EU standard.
- The ingredients are organic, vegan, and safe for the skin.
- The pigments are long-lasting and give you a solid design.
What To Look For In The Best Black Tattoo Ink?
- Purpose
Before you purchase a black tattoo ink, you must be aware of what it would be used for, the type of tattoo you want, and the category it falls under. From poke and stick to gray washing, lining, shading, and filling or tribal – the choices are many. Knowing what your ink will be used for gives you an idea of the category of ink you need to consider.
- Formula
The type of ink also plays a major part in the selection process. Vegan inks are made from natural resources and plant-based glycerin, while non-vegan inks might contain heavy metals that can be toxic. Also, sometimes, inks are tattoo specific. For example, an ink that is specifically designed for shading and lining cannot be used for tribal tattoos.
- Quality
Before choosing any ink, make sure that the formula is well pigmented and of high quality. As tattoos stay as a symbolic mark throughout your life, it is really important that you choose the best.
- Consistency
There are no rules for this, but it is better to choose a black tattoo ink that is not too dry or too thick. The perfect consistency is choosing one between these two. If your ink seems watery, you can try shaking the bottle for the perfect consistency.
Infographic: How To Choose A Black Tattoo Ink For Your Next Tattoo
One of the most elegant tattoo colors that complements all skin tones is black. Due to the fact that it is fade-resistant, it is also a safe color. But how do you pick the best black tattoo ink when there are so many options? Check out this infographic to know which factors to consider. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic 
Black tattoo inks are essential for every tattoo artist! Highly-pigmented black tattoo inks can offer seamless application and provide you with a long-lasting tattoo. Black tattoo inks also help in outlining, detailing, and shading the tattoos. You should choose tattoo inks that are skin-friendly and don’t cause added acne, itches or allergic reactions to your skin. Moreover, it is better to use tattoo inks that are completely vegan and cruelty-free. You should also avoid the ones that come with chemically-induced ingredients.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, the author, is certified in makeup artistry and image consulting. She agrees that tattoos look best with intense color pigmentation, which is why she recommends using the above black tattoo inks. Each of these inks was checked and vetted out from other mediocre products. She poured over each of their product reviews on different forums to make this list. These inks were chosen based on shade variety, intense pigmentation, long-lasting effects, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy different black tattoo inks for different uses?
Yes, you need to have different tattoo inks for different purposes or styles.
What if I develop a rash or allergy to tattoo ink?
If your skin develops a reaction after tattooing, it is most probably due to contaminated and unsterilized tattoo equipment. Sometimes, it may also be due to bad quality ink. Make sure to consult with your dermatologist in case of any allergy or rash.
Is vegan tattoo ink safer and better?
If your tattoo ink is vegan, it does not mean it is better or safer for you. But it is safer and better for the animal kingdom, and we suggest you make a guilt-free choice.
Will black tattoo ink cause a blowout effect?
The blowout effect depends on the artist’s grasp and not on the ink. Proper positioning and light pressure help you avoid it. If you press too hard on the client skin, it will cause a blowout effect even with the best ink in the market.
What’s the darkest tattoo ink?
The Nocturnal Premium Tattoo Ink is the darkest. The highly pigmented color has incredible fluidity and is formulated with organic ingredients.
How do you make black tattoo ink darker?
Use a medium cone needle to darken your black tattoo. Position the needle facing towards the horizontal of your skin. This will help you to get the most ink on the upper layer of your skin and achieve a darker tattoo.
How can I make my tattoo stay black?
• Always draw the tattoos in areas that will experience the least friction, for example, the back of your neck.
• Moisturize the areas thoroughly using a toxin-free moisturizer.
• Drink a lot of water to enrich your body with natural moisture.
• Cover your tattoo when out in the sun.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking reduces collagen production and affects skin elasticity. Once your skin becomes less elastic, the tattoo color starts fading.
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