Tattooing is a mystifying art form. The ancient practice dates back to the Neolithic times and yet remains as relevant as ever.
Think about it. How many celebrities are instantly recognisable by their tattoos? Whether it’s Harry Styles’ butterfly-bearing chest, David Beckham’s angel-adorned sleeves or Justin Bieber’s pious pieces that coat his body. Tattoos, like art, are vehicles for expressing personality.
Hence why getting high-quality inkings is crucial. A quick glimpse at online compilations such as Ink Master’s ‘Worst Tattoos Ever’ clips will reinforce this. For clients, there are plenty of skilled tattoo artists in London to choose from, it’s just a case of finding one to suit your personal style and aesthetic preferences.
Yet, how do budding tattoo artists ensure their work is top-notch? One straightforward way to kickstart your career cleanly is with a first-class tattoo machine.
Celebrity tattoo artist Pablo, who goes by the name Certified Letter Boy, has curated a glittering clientele including Liam Payne, Sabine Getty and all three Beckham brothers Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz. He started his tattooing journey in Peru, tattooing friends for ten pesos a piece after buying his own machine. We asked The London Social artist about the process of sourcing the right tattoo kit for beginners.
What tattoo kits would you recommend for beginners?
“For beginners, it’s crucial to prioritise quality and safety over price. I would recommend investing in kits from reputable manufacturers known for their commitment to both safety and craftsmanship. Brands like FK Irons or Cheyenne are excellent starting points, as they offer equipment that is reliable, user-friendly, and designed with the professional artist in mind. These kits might come at a higher initial cost, but the investment is worth it for the quality and safety they ensure.”
What would you tell people to avoid when looking for a tattoo starter/beginner kit?
“One of the key things to avoid is the temptation to purchase inexpensive, low-quality equipment. They are generally made with inferior materials and lack the reliability and safety standards required for professional tattooing. Such equipment can compromise not only the quality of your work but also the safety and health of your clients.”
How does someone go about starting a career as a tattoo artist?
“The most traditional and effective way to start a career in tattooing is through an apprenticeship with an experienced and respected artist or studio. This path allows you to learn the craft hands-on, under the guidance of professionals who can impart not just technical skills but also ethical practices, hygiene standards, and client care principles.”
Discover the best tattoo kits for beginners that promise a safe, state-of-the-art tattoo. All options included are recommended by professional artists to help you get tattooing.
Best tattoo machines for beginners at a glance:
- Best for user-friendly excellence: Critical Torque Pen Machine - £879.99, Barber DTS
- Best for personalisation: Dragonhawk Mast Wraith - £133.59, AliExpress
- Best for beginners with a high budget: FK Irons Spectra Flux - £989.94, Amazon
- Best for beginners with a low budget: Dragonhawk Mast Tour Pen - £103.20, Dragonhawk
- Best for wireless portability: Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited - £859.99, Barber DTS
- Best for full machine set: Bishop Packer Power Wand - £1079.99, Barber DTS
Shop now
FK Irons Spectra Flux
Best for: beginners with a high budget
FK Irons machines typically range from £600-£1100, but for good reason. The machines are considered some of the best available, no doubt due to their versatile array of features. The Spectra Flux is the brand’s first wireless machine and battery pack combo. Pick from two covetable colourways, Stealth or Chromium and enjoy up to 10 hours of power with a rapid 90-minute recharge time.
Weighing just 178 grams and boasting a 4mm stroke and an LED Voltage Indicator for checking battery life, changing voltage and pairing with Bluetooth, the tool guarantees top-tier tattooing.
Buy now £989.94, Amazon
Dragonhawk Mast Wraith
Best for: personalisation
Dragonhawk machines sit on the lower end of the price spectrum, but they are a worthy pick for beginners on a modest budget. Most of the brand’s machines sit within the £130-£200 range and have plenty of noteworthy features. These include built-in batteries, a stroke of 3.5 mm which is suitable for both shading and line work and a lightweight design of only 55 grams, making it easy to transport when travelling.
Note the shorter battery time of 5-6 hours which may not be suitable for completing larger pieces.
Buy now £133.59, AliExpress
Dragonhawk Mast Tour Pen
Best for: beginners with a low budget
Considered an all-rounder pick for beginners, Mast Tour Pen is the smallest member of the Dragonhawk family. Petite but far from obsolete, the tool is easy to clasp with a diameter of 25mm and a stroke set of 3.5mm. Ensure your linework and shading are second to none with the micro-pen, which further features a wireless battery and a Mass Your rotary tattoo machine.
Buy now £103.20, Dragonhawk
Critical Torque Pen Machine
Best for: user-friendly excellence
Critical Torque’s Pen machine is recommended by Barber DTS. The machine is one of the best on the market, thanks to its user-friendly features that suit beginners. The 1.5” digital colour display is loaded with handy features from timers to assist in tracking tattoo lines.
Take advantage of the Vibration Dampening Solution that promotes a quicker, smoother tattoo and a powerful custom German Brushless Motor that enables a sleek finish. Pricions Strike Technology promises the best outcome possible, which is guaranteed wherever you take the machine due to its wireless design. Need to tackle a large back piece? The machine has a battery life of 15 hours.
Buy now £879.99, Barber DTS
Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited
Best for: wireless portability
Cheyenne is another brand that comes recommended by the pros. Expensive but mighty, the machine comes kitted out with a user-friendly, rechargeable batter with 5 hours of power and a lengthier charging time of 3 hours. Use the single button to operate the equipment and control the output frequency of the machine using the intuitive motion control.
What’s the machine best for? Gentle shading and delicate hand work on particularly sensitive areas of the body.
Buy now £859.99, Barber DTS
Bishop Packer Power Wand
Best for: full machine set
Splash out on a full tattoo machine set. Bishop Rotary and Critical Tattoo joined forces to create this decked-out kit, which includes a patent-pending magnetic backplate which allows for a 360-positioning of the battery. Select from the choice of a 5.0 Liner, 4.2 Packer or 3.5 Shader and make use of ample power time with the Power Wand Battery Pack and Power Wand Shorty Battery Pack.
Want everything ready and waiting to go in one kit? This is where to start.
Buy now £1079.99, Barber DTS
