Traditional tattoo inks can contain animal-derived ingredients and many people are surprised to learn this. The most common animal products found in conventional tattoo inks are glycerin from animal fat, gelatin from bones and connective tissue, bone char used to deepen black pigments and shellac secreted by lac beetles. However, the industry has shifted significantly and many professional studios now use inks that are entirely free of animal products. Getting a fully vegan tattoo is straightforward if you ask the right questions and check a few things before your appointment.
Animal-derived ingredients in traditional tattoo inks
Tattoo ink is a suspension of pigment particles in a carrier solution. Both the pigment component and the carrier can contain animal-derived ingredients in conventional formulations. The four most common animal-derived ingredients in traditional tattoo inks are glycerin, gelatin, bone char and shellac. Each plays a specific functional role in the ink and each has a widely available plant-based or synthetic alternative in vegan formulations. Understanding what each ingredient does and where it comes from helps you have an informed conversation with your artist about whether the inks they use meet your requirements.
Glycerin
Glycerin is used in tattoo inks as a stabiliser and viscosity regulator. It prevents the liquid from drying out in the bottle, helps the ink flow smoothly during application and carries the pigment evenly into the skin. Glycerin can be derived from either animal fats such as tallow (rendered beef or sheep fat) or from plant sources such as soybean or palm oil or synthesised entirely from petrochemical sources. The problem for vegans is that the source of glycerin is rarely specified on product labels, making it impossible to determine which type is present without contacting the manufacturer directly. Vegan inks replace animal glycerin with vegetable glycerin, which performs identically.
Gelatin
Gelatin is used in some tattoo inks as a binding agent, providing a degree of structure to the ink formulation. Tattoo gelatin is produced by boiling animal bones, skin, hooves, ligaments and tendons with water to extract the collagen protein. This is the same process used to produce food-grade gelatin and is considered the most significant animal ingredient in conventional tattoo ink by most vegan organisations. Gelatin is present in some but not all conventional inks; its use varies between manufacturers. Vegan inks substitute synthetic binding agents or plant-derived alternatives that perform the same binding function.
Bone char
Bone char, sometimes listed as natural carbon, is produced by charring animal bones at high temperatures. It is used in some black tattoo inks to achieve a deeper, denser black pigmentation. The same process is used in other industries including sugar refining. Not all black inks use bone char; many conventional black inks use carbon black derived from other sources. Vegan black inks use carbon-based pigments derived from plant sources or mineral sources rather than animal bones. If you specifically want a very deep black ink, confirming the carbon source with your artist is worthwhile.
Shellac
Shellac is a resinous substance secreted by the lac beetle and is used as a binding agent in some tattoo inks as an alternative to gelatin. It is the second most common animal-derived binder after gelatin. Importantly, shellac production involves not just the secretion of the lac beetle but also the incidental processing of beetle bodies: around 25 percent of commercial shellac product consists of insect debris. For vegans who avoid all animal-derived products including insect-derived substances, shellac is not acceptable. Vegan inks avoid shellac in favour of synthetic or plant-derived binding agents.
Animal products beyond the ink
Ink is not the only part of the tattooing process that can contain animal products. Stencil or transfer paper, which artists use to apply a design outline to the skin before tattooing, is sometimes made using lanolin, a fatty substance derived from sheep's wool. Disposable razors used to shave the tattooing area often have a moisture strip containing glycerin, which as noted may be animal-derived. Aftercare products recommended by artists can contain lanolin, beeswax, cod liver oil or animal-derived glycerin. If you want your entire tattoo experience to be free of animal products, checking each of these elements in advance of your appointment is worthwhile.
| Element | Potential animal ingredient | Vegan alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Tattoo ink | Glycerin, gelatin, bone char, shellac | Certified vegan ink brands using vegetable glycerin and synthetic binders |
| Stencil transfer paper | Lanolin from sheep's wool | Spirit stencil paper and several other brands are certified vegan |
| Shaving razor | Glycerin moisture strip (possibly animal-derived) | Bring your own razor with a plant-based moisture strip |
| Aftercare balm | Lanolin, beeswax, cod liver oil | Plant-based balms using shea butter, coconut oil or jojoba oil |
| Aftercare soap | Animal-derived glycerin | Fragrance-free, vegan-certified soap |
How to ensure your tattoo is fully vegan
The most effective step is to contact your chosen studio before booking and explain that you want a fully vegan tattoo. Ask specifically which ink brands they use and whether those brands are certified vegan, whether their stencil paper is vegan and what aftercare products they recommend. Most professional studios are knowledgeable about their product ranges and many now carry vegan inks as standard or can source them on request. Well-established vegan ink brands include Eternal, StarBrite, SkinCandy, World Famous and Stable Color among others, though always verify current formulations directly with the manufacturer as product compositions can change. Bring your own aftercare products if you are unsure about what the studio stocks. A good artist will be entirely comfortable discussing this and will not be offended by the question.
Questions About Our Products?
Contact our Leighton Buzzard studio before booking if you have questions about our inks or aftercare products.
Tattoo Aftercare AdviceFor full aftercare guidance and studio contact details, Visit our tattoo aftercare page for full guidance and studio contact details.
More from the Tattoo FAQs
This article is part of our Tattoo FAQs hub, covering everything clients want to know about tattoos, inks and the tattooing process. Browse every question we answer at our Tattoo FAQs hub.
Read more about tattoo inks, aftercare products and skin care at our Tattoo FAQs hub. Find more answers at our Tattoo FAQs hub.