Do Tattoos Use Animal Products? What Is in Tattoo Ink and How to Get a Vegan Tattoo
Some traditional tattoo inks do contain animal-derived ingredients, and many people, including non-vegans, are surprised by this. The main animal products found in tattoo inks are bone char in black pigments, gelatin from animal bones and connective tissue used as a binder, glycerin derived from animal fat, and shellac secreted by lac beetles. None of these are universal across all inks: many modern professional inks are fully vegan, and the industry has moved significantly toward plant-based and synthetic alternatives over recent years. Animal products are also potentially present beyond the ink itself, in stencil paper, razor strips and aftercare products.
The question of whether tattoo inks contain animal products is one that most people outside the vegan community have never thought to ask, and one that surprises many when they first encounter the answer. The tattooing industry, like many manufacturing sectors, developed its products at a time when animal-derived ingredients were standard components of many processed products and the question of their provenance was not widely considered. As awareness of animal product use has grown and the vegan population has increased significantly, the industry has responded with a meaningful shift toward vegan formulations.
This page covers the specific animal-derived ingredients that have historically been used in tattoo inks and their vegan alternatives, the animal products that can appear elsewhere in the tattooing process, and the practical steps for ensuring a fully vegan tattoo experience.
Animal Products in Tattooing: What They Are, Where They Come From and How to Avoid Them
The Four Main Animal Products Found in Some Tattoo Inks and What Role Each Plays in the Formulation
Traditional tattoo ink formulations can include several animal-derived ingredients, each serving a specific function in the ink's performance or appearance. Understanding what each ingredient is, what it does and where it comes from clarifies both why it has been used and why vegan alternatives can replace it effectively.
Bone char
In black ink pigmentsBone char, sometimes listed as natural carbon or animal char, is produced by charring animal bones at high temperature. It has historically been used in some black tattoo inks to achieve a deep, dense black pigmentation. The carbon produced by charring bones has specific light-absorption properties that produce very deep blacks. In the context of tattooing this means the blackest possible black in the ink. Vegan alternatives use carbon black derived from non-animal sources, including lamp black (from burning organic compounds) or logwood-derived carbon pigments, which achieve comparable density without animal-derived ingredients. Not all black inks use bone char: many established black inks use non-animal carbon from the outset.
Gelatin
Used as a binding agentGelatin is produced by boiling the collagen-rich connective tissue from animal bones, skin, ligaments and tendons, typically from cattle or pigs. In tattoo ink it functions as a binder that holds the pigment particles in suspension and gives the ink its consistency. It is widely reported as the most common animal ingredient in traditional tattoo inks. Vegan alternatives use synthetic or plant-derived binders that perform the same function. Many modern professional tattoo inks use gelatin-free formulations as standard, particularly those specifically marketed toward the growing vegan client base.
Glycerin from animal fat
Used as a stabiliser and carrierGlycerin (glycerol) is a compound that can be derived either from plant sources (vegetable glycerin, typically from soy or palm oil) or from animal fat (tallow glycerin, a byproduct of fat rendering). In tattoo ink it serves multiple functions: it helps prevent the ink from drying out in storage, determines viscosity, and acts as a carrier for pigment. The difficulty with glycerin is that product labels rarely specify whether it is plant-derived or animal-derived, making it the hardest ingredient to verify independently. Vegan inks specify vegetable glycerin or kosher glycerin as their source, ensuring it is plant-derived. Asking the artist to check the specific ink brand's ingredient information is the reliable way to confirm.
Shellac
Sometimes used as a binding agentShellac is a resin secreted by the lac beetle (Laccifer lacca) and is used industrially as a coating, binder and finish in a wide range of products. In tattoo ink it is sometimes used as an alternative binder to gelatin. Approximately 25% of raw shellac consists of insect material alongside the resin, making it non-vegan by both ingredient and process. It is the second most commonly identified animal ingredient in tattoo inks after gelatin. Vegan inks use synthetic binding resins or plant-derived alternatives that perform equivalent functions without insect-derived components.
Identifying vegan inks: what to look for and ask
Because tattoo ink labels do not always specify the source of ingredients like glycerin (plant or animal), and because formulations can vary between different ink colours within the same brand range, the most reliable approach is to ask the artist to check the specific ink brand's documentation. Most established vegan ink brands publish full ingredient lists and explicitly certify their inks as vegan. Phrases like "vegetable glycerin", "kosher glycerin", "organic pigment" and "cruelty-free" on product information are the indicators to look for. If a studio cannot provide this information, requesting that they use a brand they can verify is a reasonable ask that professional studios are generally equipped to accommodate.
The Non-Ink Parts of the Tattoo Process That Can Also Contain Animal-Derived Products
Getting a fully vegan tattoo means being aware of animal products not just in the ink but in the other materials and products involved in the session. Several of these surprise even people who are aware that some inks contain animal ingredients.
Stencil transfer paper is used by artists to apply the tattoo design outline to the skin before beginning the session. Many standard stencil papers are made using lanolin, which is the fatty grease naturally secreted by the skin of wool-bearing sheep to condition their fleece. Lanolin is widely used in paper, cosmetic and skincare products because of its conditioning and water-resistant properties. Its presence in tattoo stencil paper is a common oversight even in studios that otherwise use vegan inks. Vegan stencil papers are available: Spirit vegan-certified paper is one example. If a fully vegan session is important to you, ask the studio specifically about the stencil paper they use.
Disposable razors used to shave the area before tattooing often have a lubricating strip on the razor head. Most standard razor lubricating strips contain glycerin, and as discussed, glycerin may be animal-derived. This is a minor contact with animal products during the session preparation. Bringing a razor with a certified vegan lubricant strip or a dry razor eliminates this consideration.
Aftercare products recommended by the studio or applied during the session can contain several animal-derived ingredients. Lanolin appears in many skin conditioning products and is a common ingredient in aftercare balms. Beeswax is another common tattoo balm ingredient. Cod liver oil, shark liver oil and other animal-derived compounds sometimes appear in wound-healing skin products. For people committed to a fully vegan aftercare experience, choosing products that specify plant-based ingredients and bear recognised vegan certification marks removes the uncertainty.
Vegan aftercare alternatives
Many plant-based oils and plant-derived skincare products provide excellent tattoo aftercare without any animal-derived ingredients. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter (from the shea tree) and cocoa butter are all widely available plant-derived alternatives that provide the moisturising and protective properties needed during tattoo healing. Dedicated vegan tattoo aftercare products, including certified vegan versions of established aftercare brands, are increasingly available. As always, whatever aftercare products you plan to use, discuss them with the artist before using them, as the size, placement and style of the tattoo can influence which approach is most appropriate for your specific healing.
The Practical Steps for Ensuring Every Part of Your Tattoo Session Is Free of Animal Products
Getting a fully vegan tattoo is entirely achievable and requires straightforward advance preparation rather than any compromise on design, quality or experience. The key is communication with the studio before booking rather than assumptions based on what products you hope they use.
Contact the studio before booking and ask specifically about their vegan options. Most professional studios in the UK are familiar with this question and either already stock vegan inks or can order them for a specific appointment. Ask about inks, stencil paper and the products they use during and after the session. A studio that cannot answer these questions or is not willing to check is probably not the most suitable choice for a client with vegan requirements.
Research ink brands used by the studio. Many professional tattoo ink brands now offer fully vegan certified ranges within their product lines. Brands including Eternal Ink, StarBrite, World Famous, Quantum, Dynamic Black and Solid Ink have vegan-certified formulations available. This is not an exhaustive list and brand formulations change; the artist or studio can confirm the specific products they use and their vegan status.
Bring your own products where needed. If the studio cannot provide a vegan stencil paper, a vegan razor or vegan aftercare products, bringing your own is a practical solution that most studios are happy to accommodate. Communicate this plan with the artist before the session so there are no surprises on the day.
Are vegan inks safer or better performing than non-vegan inks?
A common claim in marketing for vegan tattoo inks is that they are safer or better for healing than traditional inks. The evidence for this is limited. Vegan inks are not inherently safer by virtue of being vegan: safety and allergic reaction risk depend on the specific chemical compounds in the ink regardless of whether they are animal or plant-derived. Plant-based compounds can cause allergic reactions as readily as animal-derived ones. The reason to choose vegan inks is ethical, not because they are demonstrably safer. Choosing a reputable professional ink brand from a licensed supplier, whether vegan or not, is the primary safety consideration.
How the Industry Has Shifted and What to Expect From a Modern Professional Studio
The tattooing industry has shifted meaningfully toward vegan products over the past decade. This has been driven by growing client demand, increased awareness among artists of the animal product content of traditional inks, and the genuine availability of high-quality vegan alternatives that match or exceed the performance of their traditional counterparts.
Many professional studios now stock vegan inks as a matter of course rather than as a special order item. Vegan stencil papers are widely available and used in many studios without specific client request. The conversation about vegan tattooing is increasingly mainstream rather than niche, and most professional UK tattoo artists are familiar with the products and prepared to accommodate the request.
A fully vegan tattoo artist is one who uses vegan inks, vegan stencil paper, vegan soap and spray for the session, and recommends vegan aftercare. Some artists have made this their standard practice for all clients regardless of whether the client has made a specific request. Seeking out an artist who specifically identifies as working with vegan materials removes the need for client-side verification of every product.
It is worth acknowledging that if you have existing tattoos done with non-vegan inks, there is nothing to be done about the past. The practical focus is on making future tattoo sessions vegan. For people new to tattooing who are committed to a fully vegan practice from the outset, the products and artists needed to achieve that are genuinely available and accessible in the UK.
What Vegan People Should Know About the Products Used in Laser Tattoo Removal
For completeness, the question of animal products extends to tattoo removal as well as tattooing. Laser tattoo removal itself, as a physical process using light energy to fragment ink particles, does not involve animal products in its mechanism. However, the aftercare products applied following laser removal sessions can contain the same animal-derived ingredients found in tattoo aftercare: lanolin, beeswax and animal-derived glycerin can all appear in the soothing and protective products used post-laser.
If vegan aftercare is important to you in a removal context as well, the same approach applies as for regular tattoo aftercare: request information about the products the clinic uses following removal sessions, and bring your own certified vegan alternatives if needed. The skin after laser removal is sensitive and needs appropriate care; plant-based options including aloe vera gel, coconut oil and shea butter provide appropriate soothing and barrier properties.
Do Tattoos Use Animal Products: The Answer and the Action Plan
Some traditional tattoo inks do contain animal-derived ingredients: bone char in some black inks, gelatin as a binder, animal-derived glycerin as a stabiliser and shellac from beetles. These are not universal across all inks and the industry has moved significantly toward vegan alternatives.
Animal products also potentially appear in stencil paper (lanolin), disposable razor strips (glycerin) and aftercare products (lanolin, beeswax). A fully vegan tattoo requires attention to all of these, not just the ink.
Fully vegan tattoos are entirely achievable at many professional UK studios. Contact the studio in advance, ask specifically about their vegan options across all stages of the process, research the ink brands they use, and bring your own products for any elements they cannot confirm as vegan. Most professional artists are familiar with the question and happy to accommodate it.
Animal Products in Tattooing: Key Facts
Tattoo Studio in Leighton Buzzard
Gravity Tattoo Is Happy to Discuss Vegan Options for Every Part of Your Session
At Gravity Tattoo in Leighton Buzzard we can discuss the inks and products we use and advise on vegan options for your session. Contact us before you book to talk through what works for you.
Part of our Tattoo FAQs Guide
Tattoo FAQs
Clear, honest answers to the most commonly asked questions about tattoos, covering health, body, ageing and everything in between.