Tattooing is a popular body art that has been in practice since the prehistoric times. Although you can get a tattoo done from a tattoo parlor, tattoo ink can also be made at home. We discuss two ways to make homemade tattoo ink, using paper ashes and graphite powder.
You Might Have Heard
In ancient India, temporary tattoos were made using powdered leaves of the henna plant.
You can make tattoo ink at home if:
- You just want to test how a tattoo would look on you.
- Such a tattoo is temporary, so you can try it for this reason as well.
- You can also go for this option if you are finding it too expensive to get a tattoo done from a tattoo artist.
If kids want to try it, we recommend them to take permission from their parents or elders and also perform the following procedures under their supervision.
2 Ways to Make Tattoo Ink at Home
Method 1: With Paper Ashes
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Paper, preferably biodegradable (for making ashes)
Water
A blunt pin or needle
Method of Preparation
- Take a ceramic plate or bowl that is fireproof.
- Take a paper, and place it in the plate or bowl, preferably biodegradable. Set fire to it with a lighter or matchstick from one corner.
- As a safety precaution, see that you do not leave the window open or a fan switched on. There should be no wind in the room to avoid the fire from spreading.
- Burn enough quantity of paper accordingly, taking into consideration your requirement of tattoo ink.
- To make a thick paste, add water sparingly to the ashes.
- Your tattoo ink is ready. Finally, dip a blunt needle or pin into the ink and draw the desired tattoo design.
Method 2: With Graphite Powder
Ingredients You’ll Need:
A graphite pencil
Knife or saw
Hammer
Shampoo, mild liquid soap, or bodywash
Glossy paper like wax paper or butter paper
Method of Preparation
- Break the pencil sideways in such a way that you are able to extract the graphite from it. Use a knife, saw, or hammer to do so.
- Place the graphite on a glossy paper like a wax paper or a butter paper.
- Using a hammer, grind the graphite to a fine paste.
- It is easier to collect the powder from the glossy paper as it does not stick to it.
- Now for the solvent, add some shampoo, liquid soap, or bodywash to the powder and make a paste of it. Mix enough quantities of graphite powder to your solvent so that you get a smooth consistency; it should neither be too thick nor too runny. The consistency should be such that it just spreads on your skin.
Double-check that the ingredients you are using are non-toxic and skin-friendly. The tattoo ink is in close contact with your skin; thus, the right choice of ingredients is very important. Take the necessary safety precautions while performing the above-mentioned procedures.
Note that homemade tattoo ink will not have the quality of professional tattoo ink. You can get a tattoo done from a tattoo artist if you want a more professional finish to your body art.