Finding "the best black tattoo ink" is a tall order. There are so many options, and each black tattoo ink has its own strengths. The right ink for you depends on your style and how you like to work. To save you some research time, here are 6 black tattoo inks artists consistently reach for worldwide.
1. World Famous Blackout
BlackoutOpens a new window is World Famous Ink’s darkest formula yet. Created by second-generation tattooist Lou Rubino, it’s built for bold, smooth results. The standout feature is its flow rate. Blackout doesn't have glycerin in its formula, so the consistency is thinner and faster—great for crisp lines, solid blackwork, and heavy fills.
Consequently, it's not great for mixing gray washes, since its consistency is so thin. But if you want deep, bold saturation, this is your go-to.
2. Eternal Maxx Black
Maxx Black Opens a new windowis a versatile option that works well for lining, script, shading, and solid fills. It heals true and stays black. Artists consistently report it doesn't fade to anything other than black: you won't see any greenish, blueish, or grayish tints in the healed results. It's highly saturated, but unlike thinner black inks, it's great for diluting to create your own gray washes. If you're after a versatile black ink, or you do a lot of script tattoos, this ink has your back.
3. Intenze Zuper Black
Zuper BlackOpens a new window is thick, dense, and highly saturated. This is your go-to if you frequently create large, bold, striking tattoos. It’s ideal if you want heavy blackwork that shows up boldly, even on darker skin tones. You can also use it for soft shading and gradients IF you're working with a low voltage and light hand pressure. But, overall, its thickness makes it most suitable for heavy saturation. It's hard to find a black that packs and fills quite like this one.
4. Dynamic Triple Black
Dynamic Black has been a staple for years, but Dynamic Triple Black tattoo inkOpens a new window takes it up a notch with three times the pigment. But Dynamic Triple Black tattoo ink isn't just dark—it's versatile and countless artists call it "easy to work with." You can use it for shading, blending with gray washes, or packing in solid black. It heals dark and true without greenish undertones, and its medium consistency makes it easy to work with.
5. Allegory Blak
Allegory Blak Opens a new windowis silky, smooth, and consistent. Every bottle comes with a glass marble agitator to keep it mixed and ready. It’s easy to pull clean lines, shade evenly, and pack in solid color. But despite being excellent for packing and filling work, this ink is also a go-to for fine linework, lettering, and small details. The heavy pigmentation means you’ll want to be mindful of oversaturation during color packing, but if you like smooth-flowing, versatile ink, this one’s a strong contender.
Find the Best Black Tattoo Ink for You
Check out our full selection of black tattoo inkOpens a new window and try them all. What works best for you comes down to trial and error. Already have a favorite black tattoo ink? We've always got a refill on hand for you.
