It’s not like other tattoos
What is White Ink?
White ink can be made out of titanium dioxide, lead (lead carbonate), zinc oxide or barium sulfate. Some white pigments are derived from anatase or rutile, this is just another form of titanium dioxide. Rutile is one of the highest refractive indices of any known mineral, an excellent choice for a white ink.
I asked a company if they used titanium dioxide for their white pigment, but they only responded with what they didn’t have in it, mainly lead. I get the feeling this is a running theme. When in doubt, ask for the MSDS, they should be shipped with their inks to the shop so they absolutely should have a copy.
What brand of White Ink?
Generally, from what I’ve been told, no matter what brand ink an artist normally uses, they will almost always use Starbrite for their white, which just so happens to be derived from rutile. (MSDS) I don’t have a favorite yet, but I’ve heard good and bad things about a few different brands, including Starbrite. Other top runners are Intenze, Millennium (MOMS), and Eternal. Frankly, as long as it doesn’t contain lead, I think you’re going to be ok. Allergies seem to be a rare thing.
Special Handling and Techniques?
There are three bits of information I’ve come across as far as special handling. Do not be afraid to ask for this! It’s on your skin permanently, and if you hurt their feelings or piss them off, you don’t want them to tattoo you anyway.
- Ask the artist if they use a plastic disposable or a metal tube when they apply white ink, and if they don’t use plastic, will they. The logic from a few sources has been that there will sometimes be a residue that will make the white ink a little grey. This is caused by the grinding between the needle and the tube. This is especially true with titanium based dyes, as they will act as a grinding agent between the needle and the tube. Go with disposable. I don’t care what they say.
- Another tip is to make sure the artist cleans the needle before dipping back into the white ink, even on the same job. Sometimes your blood will stain the ink. I’m not sure how this works considering you’ll be bleeding *in* your tattoo, but it sounds reasonable enough to me
- A bloodline is imperative with white ink tattoos. A blood line is when instead of ink, the artist will use water to wet the needle to outline your design. The dye from the stencil is then wiped away, leaving just the bloodline and no danger of mixing stencil dye with your white ink.
Is it for you?
It depends on your expectations. White ink tattoos are not bold, but most people like that about them. A lot of people like them because they look like a scar, or a branding. Usually it’s a very personal tattoo.
Essentially, you’re going to get varied results depending on your skin tone. Tattoos are not drawings on your skin, they’re drawings in your skin. Because a layer of your skin grows back over your tattoo after it heals a lighter skin tone will generally produce more visible results. Stay out of the sun!
Next: Where, How big, How detailed? Picking an artist. Healing tips and more! Facts and Myths (No grinding that ink in!) Examples, artists, and more!
Coming Shortly
Just setting this up, but I want to have as much information in one place as possible. Yes, I bought a domain just for this purpose. Crazy, isn’t it?
I just got tired of all the googleing I had to do in order to figure something out, and there’s just *not* enough information out there that isn’t scattered all over creation.
Here, I want to show examples, methods, tips, tricks, user contributed experiences, as well as confirm fact and dispel myths.
I hope you find it useful!
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