Blackout tattoos are here to stay. These bold tattoos have become radically popular statement pieces in the past year. Consequently, maybe you’ve had a few clients ask about them. Or maybe you’re looking to expand your skill set. Whatever your interest in blackout tattoos may be, one thing’s for sure: they’re hella challenging.
Blackout tattoos might look simple, but creating that solid, bold black look without any patchiness is no easy feat.
What Are Blackout Tattoos?
Blackout tattoos involve covering large areas of the body with solid, opaque black ink. Arguably the most popular type of blackout tattoo is the blackout sleeve. Some go far as to say that blackout tattoos aren’t “real tattoos” since they’re just solid pigment with no additional design. But people choose to get blackout tattoos for plenty of valid reasons: some choose blackout work to cover old tattoos, while others love the striking look of them, plain and simple. The appeal of a blackout tattoo lies in its ability to create a completely new canvas. You can even put new pieces over top blackout tattoos if your client desires. In a nutshell, they’re more versatile than one might think.
The best blackout tattoos are even, non-patchy, richly black, and opaque.
What Machine Should You Use for Blackout Tattoos?
Your choice in machine is critical for any tattoo, but perhaps most especially when doing blackout tattoos. High-stroke machines are ideal, preferably with a stroke length of 4.0mm or, even better, 4.2mm. Why? Higher stroke machines deliver a harder hit, which is essential for packing in solid black ink. Direct-drive machines are particularly effective because they provide consistent power and speed. These machines have the needle mechanism attached directly to the motor, ensuring steady performance throughout your session… and steadiness is key. We’ll touch more on this later, but consistent hits, power, steadiness, and speed are all critical factors for a successful, good-looking blackout tattoo.
Check out our stroke length blog to learn more about how it affects your tattooing.
What Needles Should You Use for Blackout Tattoos?
Of course, lots of things are up to your own preference. But (apologies for the absolutism here): the BEST needle configurations for blackout tattoos are #12 straight magnums with a regular taper. Things get a little more preferential when it comes to your needle count. Higher needle counts are preferable for packing in more color, but use the needle count you’re most comfortable with when choosing your straight mags.
BUT WHATEVER YOU DO… AVOID bugpins and curved mag configurations when tackling blackout tattoos. Here’s why.
- Bugpins: These have smaller needle diameters, resulting in smaller puncture holes. This means less pigment gets into your client’s skin, which is the exact opposite of what you want for blackout work.
- Curved Mags: These are problematic because of… well, the curve. The curvature in the configuration creates uneven depths of puncture holes, leading to patchy blackwork.
- Long Taper Needles: Needles with long tapers deliver slower ink flow and smaller puncture holes, which isn’t ideal for blackout tattoo: you want free-flowing ink with large punctures.
Blackout Tattoo Techniques – The Lowdown
Circular motions? Back and forth? Cross-action technique? All good. All you have to worry about is being consistent AF. Don’t change up your technique mid tattoo. Keep your machine at the same angle from start to finish. Maintain a consistent speed. Oh, and ensure the same number of passes over the skin. This level of precision is what makes blackout tattooing so much more challenging than it seems.
This is why we highly recommend practicing blackwork on things like APOF practice skins before tackling the real deal. You need to become a perfectionist when it comes to consistent technique, speed, and angling.
Choosing the Right Ink
You’ve got SOME free reign here. There are plenty of reputable brands like World Famous Ink and Dynamic that produce amazing black inks, perfect for blackwork. So, there’s no one ink to rule them all. But while preferences vary, most blackout artists agree that higher viscosity inks work best. Thinner inks meant for lining don’t pack pigment as effectively.
Pro Tip: Consistently check your ink throughout the session. Plasma from your client’s skin can dilute the ink in your caps. To avoid constantly refilling, set up multiple ink caps before you start. This way, when one dilutes, you have another ready to go.
Speed Matters
Blackout tattoos are meant to be done FAST AND FURIOUS. Working quickly reduces trauma to your client’s skin, helps them sit more comfortably, and lowers the risk of overworking the skin. However, don’t sacrifice consistency for speed—find a balance that works for you. (Again, this is why practice is so important—combining consistency with speed takes discipline and experience!)
Do’s and Don’ts
- DO NOT assume blackout tattoos are easy because they’re “just black.” They require disciplined practice and methodology.
- DO understand that different inks may require different tools and techniques. Experiment to find the best combination for each type of ink.
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid
We’re going to reiterate a few points we already made here, but they’re worth going over again!
- Impatience: Don’t rush the process. Blackout tattoos require steady, careful work.
- Inconsistent Needle Angle: Maintain a consistent angle to ensure even coverage.
- Ink Contamination: Use many small ink caps instead of one large one to avoid dilution from plasma.
Final Thoughts
Blackout tattoos demand precision, consistency, and the right supplies… at least, if you want them to look good. Experiment with different machines, needles, and inks to find what works best for you. With patience and practice, you can master the art of blackout tattoos and create stunning, solid black pieces that’ll drop jaws.
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