Tattoo Artist Starter Pack: Essentials for Getting Started

🛠️ Tattoo Machine

• Machine I Use: Cheyenne Sol Nova 3.5 – reliable, cordless, and super smooth. Great for both lining and shading.

🪡 Cartridges / Needles)

• Dragonhawk Extreme Assorted Tattoo Needles Cartridges (Round Liners)
• Dragonhawk Extreme Assorted Tattoo Needles Cartridges (Round Shaders)

🧼 Hygiene + Setup Essentials

• Plastic Wrap (for wrapping surfaces/machine parts)
• Machine Covers
• Bottle Bags
• Dental Bibs
• Coban Self-Adherent Wrap – great for wrapping your machine grip
• Ink Caps
• Sharps Container for Safe Needle Disposal – essential for safely disposing of used cartridges
• Tongue Depressors - great for scooping out tattoo glide or other products to avoid contaminating product.
• Nitrile Gloves- Latex Free
• Vaseline - affordable tattoo glide 

🧴 Sanitation Products

• Green Soap and Squeeze Bottle - use with distilled water
• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
• CaviCide Surface Disinfectant

🎯 Practice + Stencil Supplies

• Fake Skin Sheets
• Stencil Printer
• Stencil Paper
• Stencil Stuff

✏️ Other Studio Must-Haves

• Tattoo Armrest
• Rolling Tray
• Trash bin with foot pedal
• Squeeze bottle for distilled water
• Rinse cups
• Paper towels (get a good brand—cheap ones shred!)
• Healing balms - Aquaphor works great!
• Derm Shield - great adhesive aftercare for tattoos!
• Tattoo markers - great for hand drawing designs
• 🔗 Final Tips

Invest slowly and intentionally. You don’t need everything at once, but having the right setup will build confidence and keep your clients safe. Choose quality over quantity where it matters (machine, needles, sanitation).