Buying Vegan Ink Doesn’t Make A Sustainable Tattoo Studio. Here’s How Tattoo Artists and Studios Can Do Better.
- Mia Parziale
- Nov 28, 2025
- 2 min read
People hear “sustainable tattooing” and think vegan ink or eco-friendly gloves. That’s part of it... But the impact is in the small stuff you do in the studio every day.
If you’re a tattoo artist who cares about the footprint of your work (or works with clients who do), there are simple ways to make your practice cleaner, safer, and less wasteful without spending all of your money. Here's how to create a more sustainable tattoo studio.
Why Should You Give A Shit?
Women and/or queer artists often run smaller, more intentional studios. You care about your clients’ experience, your impact, and the environment you’re creating. Sustainable choices make your studio easier to run, and clients notice when you actually care about the details.
Where To Start With Sustainable Tattooing
1. Reducing Single-Use Waste… Obviously
Swap standard plastics (grips, tubes, ink caps, barrier film) for:
Biodegradable or compostable alternatives.
Use stainless steel or reusable tools where you can.
Offer aftercare in recyclable or refillable packaging.
Have clearly labeled recycling bins and make it part of the studio’s workflow.
2. Cutting Energy Use
Switch to LED lighting.
Don’t leave gear or lighting on between clients if you’re not using it.
Most equipment doesn’t need to run all day turn things off once you’re done.
If you own your space, make small upgrades when you can.
3. Go Paperless Where You Can
Move consent forms, aftercare instructions, receipts, and records to digital.
Offer booking confirmations and aftercare via email or QR code.
Create digital portfolios instead of printing books.
4. Choosing Ethical, Non-Toxic Products (Not just with ink)
Use vegan, cruelty-free inks without heavy metals.
Pick studio cleaners that are non-toxic and biodegradable.
Partner with suppliers who minimize packaging and waste.
This is especially important for clients with sensitivities, allergies, or autoimmune conditions.
5. Smarter Purchasing + Inventory
Order in bulk to cut down on shipping waste.
Track inventory so you’re not over-ordering.
Buy locally when you can. (Supporting small businesses and reducing freight emissions.)
6. More Sustainable Client Aftercare
A lot of the waste comes after the tattoo too.
Suggest aftercare products that aren’t full of harsh chemicals.
Tell them they can use a clean reusable cloth instead of paper towels.
Give eco-friendly soap options.
Send aftercare instructions digitally.
7. Community Sustainability
Share bulk orders with other studios.
Support women-owned and queer-friendly suppliers.
Join or host community clean-ups, art walks, or education events.
Collaborate with inclusive studios to reduce waste and share resources.
If You’re Not Sure Where to Start
Pick three from this list:
Switch any single-use item to a compostable or reusable version.
Digitize your consent forms + aftercare.
Replace one harsh studio cleaner with a non-toxic option.
Add a basic recycling setup.
Switch one ink line for a vegan or non-toxic alternative.
Recommend eco-friendly aftercare to clients.
Audit your equipment and turn off devices between appointments.
It’s Pretty Simple
Yes, some supplies may cost more, but not all sustainable practices cost money and in the end, actually save you money. You can then talk about it on your socials to attract clients who care about the environment.
