REACH Database for Inks


Documents for Tattoo and Permanent Makeup Inks/Pigments
Select a brand from the menu above to download the documents.

Please note that we're still working on gathering various reports and some files might be missing. We are working to add required documentation as REACH compliant products become available.
If you have any additional concerns about any products we're selling feel free to contact us.

Tattoo contract template
Here you can download an example template for a tattoo contract for use with your customers. The base can be freely modified to suit your preference. Please note that this is not a formal agreement made by an authority. The contract template also includes basic aftercare instructions. Tattoo contract template can be downloaded here: in Finnish | in Swedish | in English

 

 

FAQ for tattoo inks

How/where should I store tattoo ink?
Store ink at room temperature, in a clean environment and make sure it is protected from direct sunlight. Note that inks contain distilled water and therefore can freeze if stored in a too cold place. Be sure to avoid high temperatures as well.

How do I know if the ink has expired?
The ink bottles have the expiration date on the label. In addition to the expiration date the label also has a symbol which tells you how long the product is safe to use after opening. It will look like this. The number indicates how many months the product is safe to use after opening. If there is no symbol, use the product within 12 months of opening.

What should be done if the client is allergic to an ingredient in the ink?
We recommend allergy testing with every customer. Test should be made for all ink brands and batches that are going to be used for that specific tattoo, regardless of whether or not possible allergies are already known. If the client is known to be allergic to any dye or chemical we do not recommend taking tattoos or permanent makeup.

Allergies and their levels of sensitivity are individual, so it is impossible to know in advance if the ink could possibly contain some ingredient that will cause an allergic reaction, as the reaction could be caused by an ingredient previously unknown to the customer.

There are certificates for inks that show test results for the ingredients. Many ingredients have permissible limits that are allowed for the product and must not be exceeded, and sometimes the amount of ingredient is so small it cannot even be measured technically with certainty (ppm = parts per million). This means that even though the ingredient is not listed on the label, very small undetectable amount might still occur. However this applies to any and all products on the market today, not just tattoo ink.

Not taking a tattoo or permanent makeup is the safest option if sensitivity or allergy for any dye/color is already known to exist. If you still choose to tattoo the client we recommend allergy testing. You can find the instructions for allergy testing below.

Allergy Patch Test Information:
1.) Using either soap and water or alcohol, clean a small area of skin on the inner surface of the forearm.
2.) Apply a small quantity of the Pigment/Ink as prepared for use, to the area and allow it to dry.
3.) After 24 hours, gently wash the area with soap and water.
4.) If no irritation or inflammation is apparent, it may be assumed that no hypersensitivity to the pigment/Ink exists. The test however should be carried out before each application.

What is the Safety Gate list?
Safety Gate (formerly known as RAPEX) is the European rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products and it is based on the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) (2001/95/EC). It allows for the exchange of information between the Commission, Member States and certain other countries included in the system of measures regarding products posing a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers.

The Safety Gate system applies to consumer products such as toys, electrical appliances, motor vehicles and cosmetics. The system applies also to products for professional use and products posing environmental risk. The system does not apply to pharmaceuticals, medical devices or food, all of which are covered by other mechanisms.

The competent national surveillance authority of each Member State has the statutory obligation to use the Safety Gate system to report any dangerous products found on the market and inform the system about measures taken to eliminate the risk. In Finland the notification obligation is enforced under the Act on Notifying the Commission of the European Communities of Measures Restricting the Placing on the Market, Sale and Use of Certain Products Presenting a Serious Risk (1197/2009), the "RAPEX Act".

Each Member State must have a national Safety Gate Contact Point, which for example in Finland is Tukes.

You can search for products in Safety Gate list hereWe are also keeping an eye on the FDA's (in US) list that is similiar to the Safety Gate in Europe just to be safe even though it does not concern products on the European market. You can search for products on the FDA's list here.

What should I do if the ink I use shows up in the Safety Gate list?
First check the  manufacturing lot from the ink bottle, is it the same as listed?  From the Safety Gate list you can see the brand of the tattoo ink, product name, batch number and/or lot number. If your ink is not from the same manufacturing lot/batch, you do not have to do anything, withdrawal does not concern your ink. In case you have the same batch number and/or lot number, stop using the product and contact the supplier you bought the ink from. Your supplier will inform you how to proceed with customer return and product exchange.

How do we handle possible withdrawal?
We check the Safety Gate list on a weekly basis. If we notice our product there, we immediately stop selling the product, and personally contact all customers who bought it. It is rather rare situation, that original ink would be withdrawn from market. We try to keep buffer in our stock, so in withdrawal situation the product most likely can be found there, and has not been sold forward.

How do I know my inks are original?
If you buy your inks from official distributors and well known trusted suppliers in the industry, your inks are original. If you buy inks from eBay or some other not known suppliers in tattoo industry, you most likely buy copies of original inks. You can find copies made of every major ink brand in the tattoo industry. Many of the Safety Gate bans and withdrawals concern copies of original inks.

By using copy inks you take a high risk for serious health issues to your customer. These inks can contain large amounts of dangerous ingredients. In some cases you can recognize a copy by the label, but many of the pirated products are made to look original. Know your supplier, and buy the real stuff.

What Ink brands comply with my local legislation?
The inks bought from us can be used in most countries worldwide and follow the latest EU regulation. If you hesitate, check your local legislation, or contact our customer service, and we try our best to help you with this issue as well. All our inks are 100% original and classified as safe to use.