FAQ - English

Q: What's the difference between Silverback Ink® blacks?

The main differences are ingredients, packaging and working experience.

- Black Th1rt3en: Normal to Fast speed. The viscosity and surface tension is completely different than what I've made in the past. It's got good body to it, which fully coats the needles and moves like black water (even tho it's a tad thicker). I've sampled it to artists working in many different styles. From dot work to portraits... Each had positive results, positive feedback and asked for more. EU compliant.

- Stupid Black: Extremely dense due to the increased surface tension, but not thick. Perfect for all applications, especially those fleshy areas where working too fast will not heal solid. Also great for hand tapping/poking, whip shading, sold fill or breaking down to a wash. EU compliant.

- InstaBlack: Normal / medium speed. Works fantastic for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. The Insta10shade Grey Wash Series (the most expanded range we offer) is made using InstaBlack as the base black. EU compliant.

- XXX Black: Very fast. Perfect for fine lines or those who prefer a fast hand motion while tattooing. Also great for a grey wash! This is the black we use for our XXX Grey Wash Series and our DARK 6, 66, 666 Grey Wash Series. EU compliant.

- Black "11": Normal / medium speed. Awesome for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. Not EU compliant.

Depending on the tools you use and/or where you're working on the body, you may prefer one to another, or all 4!

Q: Which Silverback Ink® black is the blackest?

Whichever black is easiest for you to put into the skin should always heal the blackest.

There are many differences in our blacks; most notable is the different working experience they each provide.

- Black Th1rt3en: Normal to Fast speed. The viscosity and surface tension is completely different than what I've made in the past. It's got good body to it, which fully coats the needles and moves like black water (even tho it's a tad thicker). I've sampled it to artists working in many different styles. From dot work to portraits... Each had positive results, positive feedback and asked for more. EU compliant.

- Stupid Black: Extremely dense due to the increased surface tension, but not thick. Perfect for all applications, especially those fleshy areas where working too fast will not heal solid. Also great for hand tapping/poking, whip shading, sold fill or breaking down to a wash. EU compliant.

- InstaBlack: Normal / medium speed. Works fantastic for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. The Insta10shade Grey Wash Series (the most expanded range we offer) is made using InstaBlack as the base black. EU compliant.

- XXX Black: Very fast. Perfect for fine lines or those who prefer a fast hand motion while tattooing. Also great for a grey wash! This is the black we use for our XXX Grey Wash Series and our DARK 6, 66, 666 Grey Wash Series. EU compliant.

- Black "11": Normal / medium speed. Awesome for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. Not EU compliant.

Depending on the tools you use and/or where you're working on the body, you may prefer one to another, or all 4!

We always value honest feedback, so please let us know what you think.

Q: Which black is for lining? Shading? Solid fill?

ALL Silverback Ink® blacks are ALL PURPOSE blacks and can all be used for lining, shading or solid fill.

- Black Th1rt3en: Normal to Fast speed. The viscosity and surface tension is completely different than what I've made in the past. It's got good body to it, which fully coats the needles and moves like black water (even tho it's a tad thicker). I've sampled it to artists working in many different styles. From dot work to portraits... Each had positive results, positive feedback and asked for more. EU compliant.

- Stupid Black: Extremely dense due to the increased surface tension, but not thick. Perfect for all applications, especially those fleshy areas where working too fast will not heal solid. Also great for hand tapping/poking, whip shading, sold fill or breaking down to a wash. EU compliant.

- InstaBlack: Normal / medium speed. Works fantastic for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. The Insta10shade Grey Wash Series (the most expanded range we offer) is made using InstaBlack as the base black. EU compliant.

- XXX Black: Very fast. Perfect for fine lines or those who prefer a fast hand motion while tattooing. Also great for a grey wash! This is the black we use for our XXX Grey Wash Series and our DARK 6, 66, 666 Grey Wash Series. EU compliant.

- Black "11": Normal / medium speed. Awesome for lining, shading, solid fill or breaking down to a wash. Not EU compliant.

Depending on the tools you use and/or where you're working on the body, you may prefer one to another, or all 4!

Q: How does Silverback Ink® XXX Grey Wash Series compare to Silverback Ink® "The Original" Grey Wash Series?

While Silverback Ink® XXX Grey Wash Series and Silverback Ink® "The Original" Grey Wash Series are very close in their range and tone, there are many differences, mostly in ingredients, chemistry and packaging.

Both are designed specifically for tattooing, but will provide a different working experience depending on how you work and/or run your machines.

The XXX Grey Wash Series complies with EU Resolution ResAP (2008)1.

Q: How does Silverback Ink® XXX Grey Wash Series compare to Silverback Ink® Insta10shade Grey Wash Series?

Silverback Ink® Insta1 Grey Wash thru Insta4 Grey Wash is in line with “The Original” Grey Wash Series X1 thru X4 or Silverback Ink® XXX Grey Wash Series, XXX1 thru XXX4.

Silverback Ink® Insta5 Grey Wash thru Insta7 Grey Wash compare to Silverback Ink® DARK 6, DARK 66 and DARK 666.

Silverback Ink® Insta8 Grey Wash thru Insta10 Grey Wash are darker than any washes we’ve offered before!!

Silverback Ink® Insta10shade Grey Wash Series is more concentrated, resulting in less "heal out".

Create YOUR signature series using Silverback Ink®.

Q: How does Silverback Ink® Black Th1rt3en 3 Shade Grey Wash Series compare to Silverback Ink® Insta10shade Grey Wash Series?

For the Th1rt3en 3 Shade Grey Wash Series, I've based the formulations on our best selling grey washes (2, 4 & 8). I've also included Black Th1rt3en in the one oz. set so it's easy and affordable to try the whole range :)

Using Black Th1rt3en as the base, this series is easy to fully saturate as well as clean off your client and your tubes.

If you prefer more shades in your series, need to adjust for client skin tone, style, or subject matter, you can easily expand... Pouring 1/2 cap of Light wash with a 1/2 cap of Medium wash get's close to a #3... 1/2 a cap of Med. & 1/2 Dark wash will give you about a 6 and 1/2 a cap of Dark wash mixed w/ 1/2 cap of Black Th1rt3en will yield roughly a #10 grey wash.

Black Th1rt3en 3 Shade Grey Wash Series is EU compliant.

Q: Where does the Silverback Ink® DARK Grey Wash Series fit in?

Silverback Ink® Dark 6 Grey Wash is a step darker than Silverback Ink® XXX4.

Silverback Ink® Dark 6 is the lightest shade of the DARK Grey Wash Series.

Silverback Ink® Dark 66 steps up to an even darker Silverback Ink® Dark 666 which aids in a smooth transition to Silverback Ink® XXX Black.

Q: Are Silverback Ink® Insta 5, Insta 6 and Insta 7 Grey Washes the same as DARK 6, DARK 66 & DARK 666?

No. Silverback Ink® Insta5 Grey Wash thru Insta7 Grey Wash compare to Silverback Ink® DARK 6, DARK 66 and DARK 666 but they are not the same.

These two series are made using different blacks as their base.

They are similar in tone and shade once healed.

Q: What is Silverback Ink® CLEAR for?

*To stop colors from drying out in the cap. Add a few drops of Silverback Ink® CLEAR on top.

*Take your colors all the way to a color wash using Silverback Ink® CLEAR.

*Break down larger grain pigments using Silverback Ink® CLEAR.

*Dip or make your own washes for black and grey using Silverback Ink® CLEAR.

Q: Is Silverback Ink® FDA approved?

The FDA has not exercised regulatory authority over tattoo inks. Please use the following link for details:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/UCM460321.pdf

Q: Is Silverback Ink® sterile?

ALL Silverback Ink® products are processed in a sterile facility in the USA.

Once opened, the contents of the package are no longer sterile.

Please discard of any open product within 6 months of removing the tamper evident seal and inner plug.

Store the bottle in a dark & dry place at room temp (5-30 °C).

Keep the bottles away from dust and direct sunlight.

Q: How long is the shelf life of Silverback Ink®?

Unopened, Silverback Ink® XXX Black and Grey Wash Series, Silverback Ink® DARK Grey Wash Series, Silverback Ink® Stupid Black, Silverback Ink® InstaBlack, Silverback Ink® Insta10shade Grey Wash Series, Silverback Ink® White and Silverback Ink® CLEAR have a stable shelf life of 3 years.

Please discard of any open product within 6 months of removing the tamper evident seal and inner plug.

Store the bottle in a dark & dry place at room temp (5-30 °C).

Keep the bottles away from dust and direct sunlight.

Silverback Ink® "The Original" Grey Wash Series, Silverback Ink® FRESH, Silverback Ink® MOLD and Silverback Ink® Black 11 are processed in a sterile facility in the USA and have a stable unopened shelf life of 2 years.

Once opened, the contents of the package are no longer sterile.

Please discard of any open product within 6 months of removing the tamper evident seal and inner plug.

Store the bottle in a dark & dry place at room temp (5-30 °C).

Keep the bottles away from dust and direct sunlight.

Q: Is Silverback Ink® VEGAN?

YES!

Q: Is there Nickel, metal, etc. in Silverback Ink®?

Please feel free to view our test results here: EU Tests.

Q: Do you do any independent, third party testing on your product?

Yes. Please feel free to view our test results here: EU Tests.

Silverback Ink® is committed to ensuring our products exceed the expectations of artists and clients around the world for both performance and safety. As part of this commitment we've voluntarily in vitro tested our products.

To view the complete study for Black Th1rt3en, please click here

Q: What is in vitro testing and how does it pertain to Silverback Ink®?

Simply put, "in vitro" means non-animal testing.

In this instance, the test was performed on laboratory grown human tissue.

We've chosen the in vitro ocular assay as it uses more sensitive tissue compared to the skin model.

What this means is that in theory, since we did not see any signs of irritation in the ocular tissue, Silverback Ink® should not cause irritation on most skin types.

Though not currently required by law, Silverback Ink® views in vitro as the future of compliance for health and safety in tattooing. As we continue testing, published results will be available for download via silverbackink.com

Silverback Ink® is committed to ensuring our products exceed the expectations of artists and clients around the world for both performance and safety. As part of this commitment we've voluntarily in vitro tested our products.

To view the complete study for Black Th1rt3en, please click here

Q: Do you have MSDS / SDS for Silverback Ink®?

Yes. Please feel free to view our MSDS / SDS here: MSDS.

Q: Is Silverback Ink® still workable after freezing?

No. Please discard any product that has frozen.

Q: How can I get sponsored by Silverback Ink® or join the Silverback Ink® pro-team?

Please fill out our application form and be patient.

We will be making adjustments to our pro team and/or sponsored artists list once a year.

To apply, please click here