Tattoo ink then and now

In the early 2000s, ink was not as safe as it now.old school habits still existed.i remember as late as 2010 still shopping for black tattoo ink at the craft store.

Fortunately, things have changed dramatically. Today’s tattoo ink industry operates under far more scrutiny. In the U.S., the FDA monitors ink ingredients for safety, while in Europe, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) keeps chemical hazards in check. Many manufacturers voluntarily adhere to guidelines from organizations like the Professional Tattoo Association, which mandate proper labeling, toxicity testing, and batch tracking. These steps bring far more transparency and peace of mind to both artists and clients.

This shift toward accountability has had a real, tangible impact on safety. Red ink reactions were once common enough to be part of the everyday conversation among tattoo artists and clients. Now? It’s a rarity. Any client reaction I’ve seen lately has come from low-quality inks—typically gray-market versions available on Amazon, not reputable suppliers. Even then, traceable labeling makes it vastly easier pinpoint any issue that may arise.

But it’s not just safety that’s evolved. The creative palette has exploded. The early days of tattooing offered a narrow selection: red, black, green, yellow—and that was pretty much it. Today, the industry has an almost endless array of colors—jewel tones, soft pastels, UV-reactive shades, and vegan formulas are all on offer. Yet even with that variety, there’s something satisfying about mixing your own custom blends—a personal touch that clients still love, and I still rely on.

The quality of these newer inks also shows in how tattoos age. They hold brightness longer and rarely need touch-ups. My current favorite? Solid Ink, vegan, reliable, bright and bold. It feels good to use a brand that aligns with both ethical values and performance.

If you’re getting tattooed for the first time, know this: while no ink is 100% risk-free, the reputable brands of today are improved from what was around two decades ago. When you go to a professional artist using properly regulated, quality-tested ink, you’re trusting in a safer, more durable future for your tattoo. And that makes all the difference.