15 Best Black Tattoo Ink for That Impressive Mark

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 26, 2024
Best Black Tattoo Ink for That Impressive Mark
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Express yourself through your art – whether it's your drawings in a sketchpad, tattoos on your skin, the shade of your lipstick, or the clothes that you wear,” says famous American tattoo artist, Kat Von D. For the perfect outcome of your body art, these best black tattoo inks play a major role and they truly deserve an investment. Ask us why? A tattoo lets you express your art and thoughts through creativity and treat your body with something that you can cherish forever!

After hours of research, we curated this list of 15 popular tattoo inks as we know picking out the best kind of tattoo ink can be tricky as there are so many fish in the ponds with promising taglines. However, these black tattoo inks have outshined ‘em all considering their formula, pigmentation, longevity, consistency, etc. Moreover, trials and tests conclude that black has become an eternal ink when it comes to tattoos, no matter what skin tone you possess. Take a look at the products to pick some vegan and cruelty-free products for yourself—

15 Best Black Tattoo Inks

Our very first recommendation is Millennium Mom's Black Onyx tattoo ink that comes in a handy bottle with 15 milliliters quantity. The top-rated black tattoo ink has a whopping 13k+ reviews that couldn’t praise the product enough. The pure and homogenized-disperse pigmented color promises to give you the brightest possible color that doesn’t fade with time. With 20 available colors, the tattoo ink boasts of providing you with the fail-proof best stick poke tattoo, which is mainly known for using the dot-work technique, unlike a tattoo gun.

Pros
  • Homogeneous dispersion
  • Pure color
  • Highest possible pigment
  • Sits well in the skin
  • Wide range of colors
  • Amazing flow rate
Cons
  • Dries up quickly
  • Amazon’s Choice

    Dynamic Color Co.- Black Ink

    Dynamic Color Co.- Black Ink
  • While researching for the best black tattoo inks, we found Dynamic Color Co. that comes with an eight-ounce ink in a PET bottle that promises to provide you with a premium-quality tattoo with an impressive pigment. It is one good black tattoo ink to use if you are looking for a smooth flow for outlining and shading. The product helps you create a vivid outcome that also ensures the longevity of the color. The ink is available in 30 other colors for you to create a magnificent piece of art.

    Pros
    • Crystal clear bottle
    • Hygienic
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Long-lasting
    • Bright and vivid
    • Wide range of colors
    Cons
    • Watery
    • Contains Isopropyl alcohol
  • Element Tattoo Supply Black Tattoo Ink- Nighthawk Black

    Element Tattoo Supply Black Tattoo Ink- Nighthawk Black
  • Based on our observation, we can say that Element Tattoo Supply Black Tattoo Ink is one of the best black tattoo inks for shading and outlining. Doing intricate tribal tattoos couldn’t be easier with this bottle of tattoo ink. It provides a good flow rate and disperses well in your skin for a great outcome. The ink remains dark and vivid throughout your lifetime and doesn’t fade over time! On the other hand, the ink can be simply diluted and watered down if you want the coveted grey wash.

    Pros
    • Great for grey wash
    • Best for shading and outlining
    • Pigmented
    • Easy-to-use
    • Twisted cap
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • Packaging could be sturdier
  • Viking-Ink B&W Tattoo Ink- Black Dynamite

    Viking-Ink B&W Tattoo Ink- Black Dynamite
  • Viking-Ink boasts of being in the business for more than two decades and delivering all kinds of supplies related to tattoos. Their B&W Tattoo Ink in the shade BLACK DYNAMITE Color comes in a sturdy 30ml bottle for you to have the greatest tattoo experience. Available in 26 colors, your stick poke session cannot be wrong if you are looking for something unique this time. What we really loved was the fact that the brand promises a vibrant color that doesn’t fade over time to keep your tattoo intact for a long time.

    Pros
    • Double safety closure jar
    • Long-lasting
    • Richly-pigmented
    • Wide range of colors
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Various sizes
    Cons
    • Too runny consistency
  • Bloodline Tattoo Inks- All Purpose Black

    Bloodline Tattoo Inks- All Purpose Black
  • Our 5th pick, Bloodline Tattoo Inks is a good black ink for tattoos with a standard volume of 29 ml which is enough for your tattoo session. The ink is richly pigmented and helps the tattoo to appear bright, bold, and long-lasting. The product disperses in your skin beautifully which makes your tattoo last long without fading the color. Not only that, you can even mix this ink with other colors for impressive and unique drawings.

    Pros
    • Versatile
    • Long-lasting
    • Bright and bold color
    • Excellent for outlining and shading
    • Recovers quickly
    • Blends really well
    Cons
    • Watery
    • Fragile packaging
  • Premium Ingredients

    Kuro SumiTattoo Ink- Outlining Black

    Kuro SumiTattoo Ink- Outlining Black
  • What made us enlist Kuro Sumi’s Outlining black tattoo ink is because of one primary reason — it claims to be the world’s best black tattoo ink for outlining. The black pigment is often hailed for its quality and thick consistency. The product also gives a decent flow that makes the tattooing process quite easy. This vegan-friendly tattoo ink free of harmful chemicals is your calling if you are looking for a high-quality formula with premium ingredients. Furthermore, the product claims to be cruelty-free which is an added benefit for environmental advocates.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Premium ingredients
    • High-quality formula
    • Good flow
    • Thick consistency
    • Free of harmful chemicals
    Cons
    • Packaging could be better
  • Most-pigmented

    Dynamic Tattoo Ink- Triple Black

    Dynamic Tattoo Ink- Triple Black
  • Dynamic Triple Black Tattoo Ink is indeed the blackest of ‘em all tattoo ink. Think again if you consider it to be just like the regular one because it’s not. While glancing through the features of the product, we found out that the tattoo ink promises to give a premium finish with the ingredients that disperse finely on your skin without making them look tacky. The vegan-friendly brand boasts of not trying its products on animals, making it a great choice for the ones who won’t compromise their morals for style.

    Pros
    • Truly pigmented
    • Vibrant color
    • Best for lining and shading
    • Excellent for grey wash
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Long-lasting
    Cons
    • Packaging comes without a seal
  • Fast Absorbing

    Hawink Tattoo Ink- True Black

    Hawink Tattoo Ink- True Black
  • Hawink Tattoo Ink comes in a 15ml bottle in the shade of true black and boasts of making the most pigmented tattoo ink for lining and shading. The tattoo ink delivers a premium finish that is widely favored by tattoo professionals and technicians for being a long-lasting and safe color. What we also liked is its easy-to-use, richly pigmented dynamic color that blends well into your skin while ensuring better color stability that doesn’t fade with time.

    Pros
    • Easy-to-use
    • Long-lasting
    • Little goes a long way
    • Easy-to-use
    • Absorbs faster
    • No fade guarantee
    • Richly pigmented
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive skin
  • Water-resistant

    Intenze Professional Tattoo Ink- Zuper Black

    Intenze Professional Tattoo Ink- Zuper Black
  • Intenze Tattoo Ink in the shade Zuper Black is a high-end tattoo ink with premium ingredients that gives you the tattoo pigment of your dreams. While analyzing the features of the product, we came to know that this vegan-friendly ink is perfect for the ones who care about the environment and it doesn’t also include animal testing. The deeply pigmented formula goes deep into the skin which makes it the best ink for tattoos on darker skin tones as well. It comes in a tamper-proof handy bottle to make your tattoo journey much smoother.

    Pros
    • Goes deep into the skin
    • Sterilized in a certified lab
    • Doesn’t dry out
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Richly pigmented
    • Best for black skin
    • Good packaging
    Cons
    • A little clumpy
  • Best Vegan-friendly

    Allegory Tattoo Ink- Black

    Allegory Tattoo Ink- Black
  • Allegory tattoo ink is your calling if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a premium formula. The product claims to be water-resistant and doesn’t fade with time. The thick consistency doesn’t hinder the smooth blending process and thus, it makes one of the best black tattoo inks among professionals. The most astounding reason to invest in this ink is its vegan-friendly formula that is further a boon for animal lovers and the ones who don’t sacrifice the environmental factor when it comes to beauty.

    Pros
    • Water-resistant
    • Consistent blending
    • Smooth flow
    • Easily dispersed
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Premium packaging
    Cons
    • Low viscosity
  • Fast Absorbing

    World Famous Tattoo Ink - Blackout Black

    World Famous Tattoo Ink - Blackout Black
  • World Famous tattoo ink in the shade of Blackout Black comes in a large 236ml packaging that delivers a premium finish to your tattoo. This cruelty-free product also boasts a vegan formula that animal lovers would love to rely on! The safely-sealed ink comes in a crystal flex bottle that is verified to ensure authenticity. What left us amazed was the richly pigmented formula that makes it an absolute favorite for artists who like bold tattoos on their clients.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Vegan-friendly
    • Safety sealed
    • Waterproof
    • Premium packaging
    • Tamper-proof label
    Cons
    • Runny consistency
  • Best for Rapid Coloring

    BAODELI Tattoo Ink- Super Black

    BAODELI Tattoo Ink- Super Black
  • BAODELI Tattoo Ink in the shade Super Black comes in an 8-ounce quantity that is packed in a premium handy bottle. The richly pigmented formula claims to penetrate and disperse into the skin with a smooth flow while the dynamic undertone of the product ensures easy absorption into the skin. The most-loved aspect is the pigmented color that comes with the soluble formula. Secondly, it also has a very rapid coloring while the specially formulated ingredients help the product not to dry quickly.

    Pros
    • Easy penetration
    • Homogenized dispersion
    • Doesn’t dry quickly
    • Dynamic undertones
    • Easy absorption
    • Rapid coloring
    Cons
    • Watery
  • Mom’s Black Pearl Perfect Black Outlining Tattoo Ink

    Mom’s Black Pearl Perfect Black Outlining Tattoo Ink
  • This black pearl outlining tattoo ink from Mom caught our attention because of three reasons. First, this high-quality tattoo ink is used by famous tattoo artists worldwide. Secondly, for someone whose heart wants grayish and black hues, this one makes the best outlining and shading ink. Lastly, its impeccable consistency adds more than thousand ratings to its credit. The best part — the ink is highly pigmented and leaves no place for any complaints.

    Pros
    • 12 fluid ounces
    • Easy to use
    • Best tattoo ink for dark skin tones
    • Available in 2 sizes
    Cons
    • Unsatisfactory
  • Mummy Tattoo Ink

    Mummy Tattoo Ink
  • While patrolling online for a good black tattoo ink, we bumped into this one from the brand named Mummy. Its safe and easy to use formula made us enlist this product right at the first glance. Furthermore, this black tattoo ink is used extensively by every professional tattoo artist for whom quality matters the most. The most impressive feature — the color of the ink neither fades nor causes any skin allergies or rashes.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting
    • Vibrant and bright
    • Organic ingredients
    • Non-toxic formula
    Cons
    • Very thin consistency
  • Tatooine Tattoo Ink Set of 6

    Tatooine Tattoo Ink Set of 6
  • This is your sign to not only invest in one dynamic black ink but also upgrade your collection with the rest of the vibrant colors, such as yellow, white, green, red, and blue in one go. Tatooine’s set of 6 inks is specially crafted for tattoo artists who are looking for organic pigments and longevity. Moreover, this product fulfills all of their needs and necessities and comes in a unique packaging.

    Pros
    • Budget-friendly
    • Doesn’t leak
    • Convenient to use
    • Best ink for blackout tattoo
    Cons
    • Watery consistency

    How to Select the Best Black Tattoo Ink?

    Before you invest in an ink tattoo for your next tattoo session, let this buying guide help you—

    a) Category: You should choose the ink based on your need. There are different inks for gray washing, tribal, shading, lining, and filling. You must be aware of your purpose before choosing your ink. The category of ink plays a major part in the outcome of your tattoo. The inks that are made for lining and shading cannot give you the desired result for tribal tattoos. Similarly, you need specially made inks used for tribal tattoos.

    b) Ingredients: If you want vegan inks which are derived from plant-based ingredients, they often contain glycerine and can be runnier in consistency while the non-vegan inks consist of heavy metals to make them thicker.

    c) Formula: Make sure the ink is well pigmented because this piece of art is meant to stay throughout your life. Thus, the ink must give you the desired and vibrant result.

    d) Consistency: It is better to stick to ink that is not too dry or not too thick as thicker consistency doesn’t disperse well into your skin. Similarly, a thin consistency doesn’t give you a vibrant result.

    e) Safety: Make sure you invest in the best inks for lining and shading only after considering their safety and quality. It should come with a seal lock and in a sterilized bottle. Secondly, look whether the ink or the brand follows purity regulation stated by EU or US standards. 

    These best black tattoo inks are your savior especially when purity, quality, and regulatory standards matters for you the most. These are long-lasting, pigmented, and safe for your skin to make the perfect shading, outlining, and detailing for a seamless experience. Before you decide to purchase the ink, be very sure what kind of tattoo you are going to get, next, you have to come up with the desired design. Lastly, do not ignore the components of the ink that are going to stay forever on your body.

    FAQ's

    Which tattoo ink lasts the longest?
    Black is the safest color of ‘em all as it is most often fade-resistant. The ink color also goes with any skin tone which makes it universally flattering.
    Is tattoo ink safer and better?
    It is better to stick to black tattoos as they contain fewer harmful ingredients than colorful ones. Other than that, you can opt for vegan tattoo inks which are derived from plant-based ingredients and are free of harmful chemicals.
    What’s the darkest tattoo ink?
    Dynamic Triple Black Tattoo Ink is the darkest tattoo ink that you can find online.
    Do tattoo artists use new ink every time?
    Well, truth be told, they don’t! Many tattoo artists don’t throw away the residue after using it on one client. Unless it is a premium studio, they tend to use the leftovers on the next client most of the time!
    What brand of tattoo ink is the safest?
    Kuro Sumi is a Japanese brand of tattoo ink that is considered to be the safest.
    What if I develop a rash or allergy from tattoo ink?
    If you develop a rash or allergy from tattoo ink, use a steroid ointment.
    Will black tattoo ink cause a blowout effect?
    The blowout effect will only occur if the tattoo artist applies too much pressure when applying ink to your skin.
    Do all black ink tattoos turn green?
    After a period of time all black ink tattoos turn green. However, it depends on how you care for your tattoo and the quality of the ink used by the artist.
    How do you keep black tattoos black?
    You can keep black tattoos black by beginning it aftercare right from day 1.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani, our beauty and makeup expert, loves tattoos and hence we sent her on a mission to curate a list of the best black tattoo inks. After hours of research, she found out that black tattoo inks play a major role in expressing your art through creativity. To note more, out of the above-mentioned list, her favorite one is Millennium Mom's Black Onyx tattoo ink which promises to give you the brightest possible color that doesn’t fade with time. You can also take a look at the rest of her top picks which she curated keeping in mind the formula, pigmentation, longevity, and consistency. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More