Choosing the right tattoo needle can have a huge impact on the quality of your work. From creating bold outlines and smooth shading to packing colour efficiently, different needle sizes and configurations are designed for different techniques.

Volkan creates a bold tattoo that looks like a polaroid framed painting taped onto the skin – complete with bright brush strokes and striking contrasts. This unique design perfectly showcases his mastery of spraying techniques, layering, and colour packing, giving the tattoo depth, texture, and lasting vibrancy.

While tattoo machines and high-end synthetic skins often steal the spotlight, every professional tattoo artist knows the real foundation of a clean tattoo starts long before the machine is turned on. A reliable tattoo stencil primer is essential for transferring designs cleanly onto skin, locking them in place, and ensuring they last throughout the tattoo process without smudging or fading.

We’ve rounded up some of the best tattoo machines of 2026, covering premium, mid-range, and budget-friendly options. So, whether you’re building your dream setup or just need a reliable back-up, there’s something here for every style, skill level, and budget.

We got to visit Julien, also known as Stabby Places Tattoo, at the Blank Collective in London to watch him create a striking sketch-style anime tattoo.

Whether you’re looking for inks with intense saturation, smooth application, or vegan and cruelty-free formulas, this guide will help you find the best colour tattoo inks to suit your preferences!

We’re hitting the road. 2026 is stacked with tattoo conventions, and we’ll be right in the thick of it. If you’re heading to any of the shows below, come say hi, check out what we’re bringing, hang out with the crew, and grab Killer Ink supplies straight from our stand – whether you’re restocking or just want to see things

To help, we’ve put together some of the most popular aftercare products recommended and used by tattoo artists, so you can find what works best for your setup.

As a beginner, whether you’re starting out on your apprenticeship or you’re a new tattoo artist fresh out of training, you need a tattoo kit that will help you develop your technique, enhance your skills, and give you the confidence to create great tattoos. 

We sat down with Alisia Harker, co-owner of Mischief Tattoo Studio and sponsored artist at Killer Ink, to watch her create a stunning ornamental tattoo.