Safety Data Information

What Tattoo Artists Should Look for When Purchasing Tattoo Ink

As a professional tattoo artist, the ink you choose isn’t just about color and saturation. It’s about safety, consistency, and compliance. Not all tattoo inks are created equal, and purchasing low-quality or unregulated ink can risk your reputation and your client's health.

Here are the key factors every tattoo artist should consider when buying tattoo ink:

MSDS/SDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) – Understanding What’s in Your Ink

What is an MSDS/SDS?
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a critical document* that provides:

  • A complete list of ingredients used in the ink
  • Potential hazards or safety precautions
  • Proper storage and handling instructions
  • First-aid measures in case of accidental exposure

Why is this important?

  • It ensures full transparency; you know exactly what is in the ink.
  • Helps artists comply with their region's *health and safety regulations.
  • Ensures the ink does not contain harmful or banned substances (such as heavy metals or toxic preservatives)
  • Protects both you and your clients from allergic reactions or long-term health risks.

Pro Tip: If a tattoo ink company refuses to provide an SDS/MSDS, that’s a red flag—they may be hiding unsafe or unregulated ingredients.

Sterilization Certification – Ensuring Ink is Safe for Skin Application

What is Sterilization Certification?
Tattoo inks should be sterile before they touch the skin. Proper sterilization ensures that the ink is free from bacteria, mold, fungi, or other harmful microorganisms that could cause infections.

Why is this important?
Tattooing is a skin-invasive procedure using unsterile ink that can *lead to infections, allergic reactions, or serious health complications.

To eliminate contaminants, certified sterile inks are processed using gamma-ray sterilization or other approved methods.

A sterilization certificate proves the ink has undergone rigorous decontamination before reaching the artist.

Pro Tip: Always check if the ink brand provides proof of sterilization. Brands like INTENZE manufacture ink in a world-class clean room* and sterilize all inks before packaging, ensuring the highest safety standards.  

REACH Compliance & Heavy Metal Testing – Avoiding Toxic Ingredients 

What is REACH Compliance?
REACH is an *EU regulation* that ensures tattoo inks do not contain *toxic, carcinogenic, or harmful chemicals*. Inks that meet *REACH standards* have been extensively tested for *skin safety and long-term health effects*.  

What should artists look for? 

  • Ink should be free of heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.  
  • It should not contain carcinogenic azo pigments that break into toxic substances over time.
  • It should meet international safety standards, ensuring it is *biologically safe for tattooing.

Pro Tip: If an ink brand does not have independent lab testing or REACH compliance, it cannot be guaranteed to be safe for long-term skin use.  

Batch Number & Traceability – Knowing Where Your Ink Comes From

Why is a Batch Number Important?  
A legitimate, high-quality tattoo ink will have a batch number on the bottle, making it fully traceable to its production.  

What does this ensure? 

  • You can identify affected batches if there’s a recall or safety issue.
  • It proves the ink was made in a controlled, certified facility*, not a low-quality knockoff.
  • It ensures consistency between batches, so your colors always heal similarly.

Pro Tip: INTENZE inks are fully traceable, meaning every bottle can be linked back to its exact production date, raw materials used, and quality control tests performed.  

Made in a Certified Facility – Avoiding Unregulated "Backyard” Inks

Not all tattoo ink brands manufacture their products in *controlled, regulated environments*. Some inks are made in *unregulated facilities* where contamination risks are high.  

What should artists look for?

  • Tattoo inks made in ISO-certified and clean room environments.
  • Inks manufactured under *Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure quality and consistency.
  • No artificial thickeners, fillers, or dangerous additives

Pro Tip: INTENZE was the first tattoo ink company in the world to achieve ISO 9001:2015 (quality control) and ISO 22716 (cosmetic GMP) certification. This guarantees that every bottle is made under the world's strictest health and safety regulations.  

Expiration Dates & Proper Storage

Tattoo inks expire, and using old or improperly stored ink can result in poor healing, infections, or color instability.  

  • Always check the bottle for a precise expiration date.  
  • Store ink in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
  • Do not use ink that has separated or developed an unusual smell; this could indicate contamination.

Pro Tip: High-quality inks, like those from INTENZE, are designed to last without degrading in color or performance as long as they are stored properly.  

The Bottom Line: How to Choose the Right Tattoo Ink  

Choosing the correct ink is more than just vibrant colors. it’s about safety, performance, and reliability. As a professional tattoo artist, always look for:

  • An SDS/MSDS sheet to verify the ink’s ingredients and safety profile.  
    Sterilization certification proves the ink is free from harmful bacteria.
  • REACH compliance or heavy metal testing to avoid toxic substances.  
  • Batch number traceability to ensure product consistency and safety.
  • Ink made in a certified facility* to guarantee quality and sterility.  
  • A precise expiration date and proper storage recommendations

Brands like INTENZE prioritize these safety standards, setting the gold standard for professional tattooing worldwide. Don’t settle for inks that cut corners or lack transparency. Your clients, art, and reputation deserve the best.