Anyone know where to get tattoo ink?

[Woz]

Gday,
I've got a mate who does a bit of tattooing on the side, but is struggling to find some ink.

He's done the courses, bought the tools, done a heap of tattoos for various people, but can't find any ink to continue with it.

He's been looking for a while and believes that the only way to get it is through a tattooist however most he asks turn him down and the bloke he had been getting his ink through can't give him anymore for some reason I'm unsure of.

I was just wondering if anyone here knows where he might be able to acquire some ink?

I said I'd ask around for him because I think at the minute he's sick of me and a couple of the boys hassling him to do some work for us. :hihi:

He's more after black than anything else.

Thanks.

[DOC]

Hi Woz, i would guess all tat guys would source thier products from suppliers so do a search on tat supplies and you should do ok, the reason this is not just handed out is simple it is a regulated industry with health issues, and why these shops need to abide by the rules, there is no way i would have any work done unless it was in a properly set up and run outlet.

Cheers
Pete

[42.57lb]

Woz,

check out www.bodymodification.com

they might not stock any however they will be able to point you in the right direction for your boy to get some. There's also loads of useful stuff in Tattoo magazines too.

Hope you're pals got an autoclave, cause otherwise he's not sterilizing his equipment properly and that means that if one chaps got something blood borne and nasty any other chap that get's inked after is gonna have the same nasty stuff floating around his blood.

[GT 8888]

I was speaking to a tattoo artist the other day whilst having a small "touch up" and I asked him the same question. He told me that there are only a handful of reputable suppliers in Australia.

Try call the PTAA ( Professional Tattoo Assoc Australia) they should be able to point you in the right direction. At this stage I understand the industry is not regulated so you should be able to buy direct from the supplier.

Cheers

Brad

[RED_EL_XR8]

[rapidxr6]

I totally agree with the pros not supplying your mate with ink, one less "scratcher" on the street IS a good thing.
Leave it to the pros, with autoclave, years of experience and clean sanitary conditions.

[LTDHO]

Why can't he set him up properly? Is there much in it?

[42.57lb]

just an autoclave is like 15Gs

[Valknutr]

yeah the autoclaves are a tad expensive, plus you have to get health authority approval now, your mate is treading thin ice woz, he gets caught and he gets a substantial fine i believe, but then again he has to get caught first