Tattoo artists and enthusiasts are always searching for the deepest, darkest black ink to create stunning tattoos. Black ink allows for crisp lines, sharp detail, and high contrast. But with so many black inks on the market claiming to be the “blackest black,” how do you determine which one is the best?
What Makes a Black Tattoo Ink Truly Dark?
The darkness or depth of black tattoo ink is determined by two main factors:
- Pigment – The specific type and amount of carbon black pigment used in the ink formula. More pigment equals a darker color.
- Opacity – How well the ink covers and blocks light from shining through. A more opaque ink will appear darker.
High quality black inks use concentrated, jet-black pigments in a thick, opaque base to maximize darkness. Diluted, low opacity inks will appear faded and grayish in comparison.
The Darkest Black Tattoo Inks
Here are some of the deepest, most opaque black tattoo inks available today:
Intenze Black Ink
Made in the USA, Intenze Black Ink is designed specifically for tattoos. It contains a high concentration of triple-milled carbon black pigment for intense darkness. The thick consistency prevents fading or spreading over time. Intenze Black is pH balanced and vegan friendly.
Millennium Moms Black Onyx Ink
Millennium Moms Black Onyx exhibits stark, neutral black tones perfect for portraits, tribal, traditional, and Japanese style tattoos. The formula uses organic black pigment to provide depth and clarity. It has a thicker viscosity for easy application and retention in the skin.
Dynamic Triple Black Tattoo Ink
As the name implies, Dynamic Triple Black Tattoo Ink contains triple refined carbon black pigments suspended in a heavy body emulsion. The combination maximizes opacity so no light shines through the ink layer. It has a smooth, velvety texture for easy application.
World Famous Tattoo Ink Jet Black
World Famous Tattoo Ink Jet Black provides pure, saturated black with a matte finish. It contains finely ground pigments that settle evenly into the skin. The ink is vegan, and also free of alcohol, formaldehyde, and many common allergens that can cause reactions.
Bloodline All-in-One Pure Black Tattoo Ink
Bloodline All-in-One Pure Black Tattoo Ink is specially formulated using nano-processed pigments for deep, dark color saturation. The ink vehicle has a thicker viscosity to carry more pigment in every drop, maximizing opacity. It provides excellent flow and coverage.
How to Choose the Best Black Tattoo Ink
With so many inks to choose from, here are some tips for selecting the right black ink for your tattoo needs:
- Check the ingredient list – Look for “carbon black” or “CI 77266” at the top, which indicates a high pigment concentration. Avoid inks with lots of diluting fillers.
- Read reviews – Check what other tattoo artists and customers say about the ink’s opacity, flow, and performance over time.
- Ask about lightfastness – Make sure the ink is highly resistant to UV fading for long lasting blacks.
- Test it out – Try a small dot on fake skin to compare darkness against other black inks.
- Buy from reputable suppliers – Trusted brands like Intenze, Millennium Moms, Dynamic, and World Famous are known for quality.
Avoid “deal” inks from random eBay sellers, which could be diluted, expired, or contaminated.
How Tattoo Artists Use Black Ink
For tattoo artists, black ink is a crucial staple and the starting point for almost every design. Here are some of the main ways they utilize black ink:
- Outlining – Black ink is used to draw crisp, solid outlines and define edges of images.
- Shading – Varying depths of black shading are used to create dimension and a 3D effect.
- Cover-ups – Black ink’s opacity allows it to effectively obscure unwanted tattoos.
- Text/lettering – Black provides legibility and clarity for text, quotes, and script.
- Realism – Black offers strong contrast for realistic portraits and photo-like scenes.
- Tribal – The definitive color for traditional tribal tattoo designs.
Mastering application of black ink is a core skill for tattooists. The depth and richness of the black strongly impacts the overall quality of the tattoo.
Black Ink Healing Process
Fresh black ink tattoos will appear extra dark, with a slight gleam from ointment or plasma. As healing progresses, the black color will become more matte. Here’s what to expect:
- Days 1-6 – The black will seem dense, shiny, and clearly defined after removing initial bandage.
- Days 7-13 – Ink dulls slightly and may look a little cloudy or muddled as skin regenerates.
- Days 14-20 – Flaking skin falls away, revealing the true black color minus redness and plasma sheen.
- 4-6 weeks – Healed black ink settles into a rich, matte black shade that matches the color in the ink bottle.
Avoid picking scabs or scrubbing the area to prevent pulling ink out prematurely. Let the ink and skin fully settle before evaluating darkness.
Black Tattoo Ink Precautions
While black ink is generally safe when used correctly, be aware of the following precautions:
- Avoid UV exposure to prevent fading. Black ink can fade to an unwanted greenish hue when constantly exposed to sun.
- Touch up blacks yearly. Even the darkest blacks may need refreshing every 12-18 months.
- Watch for signs of allergic reaction to ink ingredients, including rashes, swelling, and weeping.
- Adhere to proper hygiene and aftercare guidelines to allow proper healing and prevent infection.
- Avoid potential pigment contamination by maintaining sterile needles, tubes, and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Tattoo Ink
Does Black Tattoo Ink Fade Quickly?
High quality black tattoo ink, properly applied, should retain its darkness for many years. However, some fading is inevitable over time, especially in areas exposed to regular sunlight. Proper skin care and sun protection will help black ink last longer.
How Long Does It Take for Black Ink to Heal?
While a black ink tattoo may look close to healed around 2-3 weeks, complete healing of the skin and pigment can take 4-6 weeks or longer. Avoid making any judgements on the ink color until full healing has occurred to see the proper settled shade.
Can You Mix Colored Inks With Black?
Yes, black ink can be safely combined with other colors to create new shades. For example, adding white ink will create shades of grey. However, to maintain consistency it’s best to mix inks from the same brand and formulation.
Will Black Ink Cover a Tattoo Completely?
In most cases, yes – a solid black tattoo can conceal virtually any unwanted design, especially with multiple treatment sessions. However, remnants may still be slightly visible under certain lighting conditions with extra layers needed for total opacity.
Conclusion
When choosing the best black tattoo ink, darkness, depth, and opacity are critical. Leading professional brands like Intenze, Millennium Moms, Dynamic, and World Famous offer intensely pigmented carbon black inks that cover and saturate skin for the sharpest possible tattoos. While a new black tattoo will heal through various faded stages, properly applied black ink should settle into a deep matte black when fully healed.
| Ink Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Intenze Black Ink | Triple-milled carbon black pigment; Thick consistency; pH balanced; Vegan friendly |
| Millennium Moms Black Onyx Ink | Organic black pigment; Thicker viscosity; Depth and clarity |
| Dynamic Triple Black Tattoo Ink | Triple refined carbon black pigments; Heavy body emulsion; Maximum opacity |
| World Famous Tattoo Ink Jet Black | Pure, saturated black; Finely ground pigments; Vegan; No harsh chemicals |
| Bloodline All-in-One Pure Black Tattoo Ink | Nano-processed pigments; Thicker viscosity; Excellent coverage |