If you’re a body ink enthusiast looking for a tattoo that’s subtle but has the power to turn heads (yes, such mythical designs do exist)—white ink will do the trick. White tattoo ink gives body ink designs a certain crisp edge. You can mix it with color (advisable to only mix the same brands) or just stick with dot or line designs that exude coolness, character, and a certain edgy charm.
The best white tattoo ink will really make your tattoo design pop. It will retain its vivid tones and crispness for years, and it won’t irritate your skin—leaving it looking like the underside of a chicken’s neck. But, with so many white tattoo ink products out there promising the earth on a stick, how do you know which ones will deliver the goods—let alone keep your skin safe? Well, I’m going to tell you—that’s how.
Roll up your sleeves, snap on your gloves and check out my definitive rundown of the best white ink for tattoo.
Let’s go.
Key takeaways
Much like when you’re looking for the right tattoo sunscreen, numbing cream, or lotion, when you’re looking for white ink—you should explore your options. Tattoos are permanent.
As such, choosing the right ink for your body art needs requires careful consideration. That’s why I talked to professional tattoo artists and carried out countless hours of research to create my shortlist.
If you’re looking for a white tattoo ink that covers all bases, DYNAMIC USA is my top pick for overall best white tattoo ink. If you want to splash out, the World Famous Tattoo set (including an epic white ink) is the one for you. Oh, and for reliable everyday use, Kuro Sumi will deliver the goods.
DYNAMIC USA tattoo ink at Amazon
Intenze Snow White at Amazon
World Famous Tattoo Ink set at Amazon
Pongnas White Ink at Amazon
Kuro Sumi Imperial at Amazon
Best Overall: DYNAMIC USA tattoo ink
Why it’s great: Boasting a nice price, plenty of excellent user reviews, and a crisp white hue, DYNAMIC is my top pick for overall best white tattoo ink. Packaged in a safe heat-sealed bottle, this 100% vegan formula is rich, vibrant, and built to retain its looks for many years. DYNAMIC’s white ink offering is easy to dispense, it comes in a generous portion size, and it’s used by countless tattoo artists across the globe. A real triple threat.
How it feels: This particular formula is designed for easy penetration, meaning it takes to the skin with ease. It’s smooth, cool, and boasts the perfect consistency for intricate lines and big, bold sleeve designs alike.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Fellas with a slightly lighter, paler skin tone might want to get something with a slightly more off-white hue.
Other Colors: n/a | Volume: 1oz or 8oz | Package Type: Bottle | Vegan: Yes
Best Budget: Intenze Snow White
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for a white tattoo ink that you can trust but doesn’t break the bank, this vibrant product from Intenze is the one for you. This ink’s brilliant white tone is pretty irresistible, making it perfect for adding striking details to multicolored tattoos or creating defined patterned or lined designs that stand out from the crowd. Considering its hugely wallet-friendly price, this is a quality product that is clean, consistent and gets the job done.
How it feels: This is slightly more watery than your average tattoo ink, but its consistency is smooth, and it’s easy to apply. It’s a great ink to work with and can produce amazing results.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some tattoo aficionados might want a tone that’s a little less bright and a consistency that’s a little less watery.
Other Colors: n/a | Volume: 1.01oz | Package Type: Bottle | Vegan: Unsure
Best Luxury: World Famous Tattoo Ink set
Why it’s great: If you want to go big and enjoy a luxury splurge—tattoo ink-style—this colossal set (that includes a lucious white tone) is worth considering. These inks are top-notch and designed for smooth application. You can let your creativity run wild with this striking selection of tones—and the white ink included in the set is out of this world. These inks (particularly the white one) are trusted by body art professionals and will really make your tattoo pop!
How it feels: Every tattoo ink in this lavish set boasts the perfect consistency, and it’s easy to decant them into a pot or container, ready for use. The white ink in this set offers maximum tattoo brilliance with minimal fuss or irritation.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is quite an expensive set, and if you just want a spot of white ink, this isn’t the one for you.
Other Colors: 11 additional tones | Volume: 1oz x 12 | Package Type: Bottle | Vegan: Yes
Best on Amazon: Pongnas White Ink
Why it’s great: As one of Amazon’s top white tattoo inks, this long-last semi-permanent white tattoo ink is a joy to work with, boasts a refreshing pigment, and doesn’t break the bank. Made from plant extracts, this vegan formula is ‘no fade’, meaning that you can achieve crisp, bold tattoos that turn heads everywhere you go. This ink also includes ingredients that help it retain its brilliant white pigment for longer—a winning combo!
How it feels: This ink has a smooth consistency, and it’s easy to prep before use. It also boasts minimal irritation and excellent skin absorption.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: There are better brands out there for a bit more money but if you’re just starting out, this is still a solid choice.
Other Colors: n/a | Volume: 1.0oz | Package Type: Bottle | Vegan: Yes
Best Everyday: Kuro Sumi Imperial
Why it’s great: This smooth, reliable, and fuss-free formula from Kuro Sumi is a top choice for tattoo professionals worldwide, making it the top choice for best everyday white tattoo ink. The ink’s ‘Heaven White’ tone really stands out from the crowd, with hypnotic hues that will transform any tattoo design from average to astounding. It’s easy to work with and made with a blend of high-quality ingredients, making it a great choice if you’re working with multiple tattoos.
How it feels: This has a robust and consistent texture that makes it perfect for both shading and intricate lined or dotted designs. Shake well before use!
Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you’re looking for a more traditional tone of crisp white, this might not be the one for you.
Other Colors: n/a | Volume: 1.48oz | Package Type: Bottle | Vegan: Unsure
Buying Considerations When Choosing White Tattoo Ink
Pigmentation
First of all, when choosing the best white tattoo ink for your needs, you should check that it’s likely to work well with your particular skin pigmentation.
If you’re going for a minimal tattoo design that relies heavily on white tattoo ink, checking that your potential product will work with your pigmentation is important. But, if it’s to complement a bigger or more intricate design with black or color-rich sections, you’ll be able to be more flexible with your choice of ink.
Ingredients
Another important thing to consider when choosing the best white ink for tattoos is the ingredients. Check the label carefully to see whether your ink of choice contains ingredients that create a crisp color tone (like titanium oxide or zinc oxide) and that the ink’s formula is trusted.
If you have sensitive skin or any allergies, you should also check to see if there are any ingredients that are likely to cause you issues. That’s the last thing you want when inking your body.
Safety
Last but certainly not least, you should make sure that the brand, as well as the product you’re looking to use, is 100% tried, tested, and safe. Look at the brand’s track record, read reviews, and make sure everything is above board before pressing the ‘buy’ button.
Why you should trust us
I only have a couple of permanent tattoos (big thanks to my niece for the temporary sticker sleeve), but I love body art. I also know many body ink lovers and professional tattoo artists.
It doesn’t hurt that I’ve been researching and writing about all things man with FashionBeans for quite some time now. From conversations with experts, I was able to develop a tried-and-tested shortlist. I also did extensive web-based research and product comparisons to finalize my epic shortlist of the best white tattoo ink products on the market. Enjoy.
Final verdict
With the perfect price-to-quality ratio as well as a decent portion size and a wonderful tone of brilliant white, DYNAMIC is my undisputed top pick for best white ink for tattoos. It’s used by plenty of pro tattoo artists and has a formula that offers an incredibly crisp and vibrant finish.
But, while DYNAMIC came out on top, every ink on my hitlist is, well…epic. So, consider your personal inking needs, work your way back through the list—and take your pick.
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- What’s the best way to use white tattoo ink?
Without the right skills or approach, even the best tattoo ink will fail to create a head-turning masterpiece. White tattoo ink is no exception.
When you’re using white tattoo ink, it’s important to have a clear-cut vision. You can use white ink to create very subtle, chunky line designs. Or you can use it on black ink to highlight certain parts of your design. It’s also possible to use white ink as shading with certain visual designs.
Whatever you use your white ink for visually, make sure you do your prep beforehand and follow the manufacturer’s instructions down to the letter.
- Does white tattoo ink fade?
White tattoo ink does fade. It tends to fade at a similar rate as black or colored inks and, in some cases, can morph into a slightly yellowish tone over time.
The best way to preserve the life of your white tattoo ink is to use a good aftercare product as well as a good tattoo soap. Oh, and don’t go for cheap inks with poor reviews or poor-quality ingredients!
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