Jumping into the world of tattooing can be exhilarating—and overwhelming. With countless tools, too many colors to count, and an entirely new vocab to learn, it’s easy to feel intimidated. Add to that the responsibility of creating a permanent piece of art on someone’s skin, and the pressure is real. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you take your first steps with confidence. 

 

One of the first things you’ll need as a beginner tattoo artist is a solid palette. Navigating ink catalogs can be daunting, but this blog makes it easy. Here’s your essential guide to the must-have inks for getting started tattooing the World Famous way. 

 

Black Ink: The Foundation of Every Tattoo 

No matter your style, black ink is always the backbone of your work. From outlining and shading to bold black fills and cover-ups, black ink is used in almost every tattoo. 

Not all black inks are created equal. World Famous offers a range of blacks tailored to specific needs: 

  •  Legendary Outlining InkOpens a new window – A solid go-to for crisp, precise lines, thanks to its thinner, lower-viscosity formula. It flows smoothly through your needle, making it easier to pull clean lines without snagging or dragging—great for artists still perfecting their outlines. 

  • BlackoutOpens a new window – A versatile black ink that works well for lining, shading, and even some solid fills. It’s got a rich, deep pigment and goes in smoothly, which makes it a solid choice if you want an ink that can handle a bit of everything while you experiment with different techniques. 

  • Triple BlackoutOpens a new window – If you’re working on solid black fills or tribal designs, Triple Blackout is one of the most concentrated blacks out there. It packs in deep and holds up well over time, making it ideal for bold, high-contrast work. 

 

To get started, we recommend finding an outlining ink you love. Then pairit with a grey wash set for shading and gradients. 

 

Want to understand the differences between our black inks? Check out the full guide hereOpens a new window. 

 

Grey Wash: Essential for Realistic Shading 

Grey wash blends black ink into varying degrees of dilution to create gradients. It’s most commonly used in realism, portrait tattoos, and soft shading. 

 You can buy them premixed or mix your own grey washes according to your needs. However, self-mixing grey wash inks usually takes a lot of experience and know-how. 

 

Rather than trying to mix your own grey wash early on, opt for a professionally blended set to ensure consistency. Our World Famous 3-Bottle Grey Wash SetOpens a new window is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a reliable range of tones to help you develop your shading skills. 

 

Primary Colors: The Key to Versatile Tattooing 

Alright, so let’s say you’ve mastered lining and grey wash techniques. Adding color to your work is the next step (if you’re a color artist).  This is where things get overwhelming. There’s a huge selection of colors available—pastels, neons, earth tones, neutral tones, and more—where do you even start? 

 

This may sound boring... but we recommend starting with a Primary Color Ink SetOpens a new window. This set provides a well-balanced selection of foundational colors. And you can do a LOT with the foundational colors. Use this set of primary colors to create a huge variety of designs while learning to mix and dilute your inks effectively. Sets like this also include black ink, giving you an all-in-one solution for building your starter palette. 

 

Your Essential Beginner Ink Set 

Building a strong foundation starts with the right tools. To recap, all beginners should have: 

✅ A foundational black ink – Choose a versatile black for outlines and shading.  

✅ A grey wash set – Essential for realistic shading and soft gradients.  

✅ A primary color set – A curated selection of must-have colors to kickstart your color tattoo technique. 

 

With these three ink types, you’ll be well-equipped to start tattooing. Remember, as with anything, practice is key—take your time, refine your technique, and don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing and layering colors. 

 

For our World Famous Family in the EU, be sure to check out our REACH-compliant inks. 

Now you’re ready to start tattooing the World Famous way!