Tattooing and Piercing Supplies

The Internet has taken most of the former job of the mail order catalog when it comes to tattoo and body piercing supply businesses. Some are run by artists who've been in the biz a long time and got into the technical side of things. Some are run by larger manufacturing companies, especially the piercing and jewelry supply companies in Asia.

As with any mail-order business, always be sure of product quality and return policies before you buy.

Here are many links to many tattoo and body piercing supply companies, as well as some select auctions of tattoo machines and supplies along with body piercing kits.

Know What You Are Doing - If you haven't taken any formal training in how to tattoo or body pierce, and if you haven't served an apprenticeship with a body artist who knows what they are doing, you have no business buying tattoo or piercing gear. A guided period of learning is absolutely necessary if one is to develop appropriate skills and maintain properly safe and sterile procedures.

Name Brand vs No-Name - One thing to contemplate when buying tattoo equipment is whether to get something from a brand-name manufacturer versus a no-name one. What do I mean by a brand name tattoo company? I'm talking about one founded by someone who worked in the tattoo industry for many years versus a manufacturing company who just decided to go into make tattoo equipment. My own preferences are for tools that come from designs and recommendations made by working artists with experience, made in my own country and with quality control and good sales support for their products.

Given all the problems with manufacturing in China lately, I'd have concerns over their metal quality and precision of craftsmanship.

You Get What You Pay For - One of the big debates for anyone just starting out in a career where you need to invest in tools is how to get the best gear at the best price. Saving some cash in the short term can sometimes result in substandard gear that then needs to be repaired or replaced, and that can be more costly than it would have been if good quality gear and tools had been bought in the first place.