Davy Report post Posted September 17, 2008 I'd like to know if anyone has any experience using tattoo ink on leather . Some of the colors I've seen on some tatts are unreal and they dont fade ! . What i'd like to find out is can it be applied with a brush or does it have to be done with a tattooist needle , what is it made of , can it be done or has anybody done it and if so what were the results ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted September 17, 2008 I'd like to know if anyone has any experience using tattoo ink on leather . Some of the colors I've seen on some tatts are unreal and they dont fade ! . What i'd like to find out is can it be applied with a brush or does it have to be done with a tattooist needle , what is it made of , can it be done or has anybody done it and if so what were the results ? I've never worked with tatto ink on leather, though I've wondered the same thing. I've heard of tatto artists learning on pieces of pig skin, as it is said that pig skin closely resembles human skin. Why not buy a few bottle of ink and give it a whirl? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nocturne Report post Posted September 17, 2008 I've not worked with any tattoo ink on leather, but having about a dozen tattoos myself, I would have to guess that it would need to actually be injected with a needle for it to last. When you get a tattoo, the ink tends to spatter all over, and tattoo artists are constantly wiping away excess so they can see where they're working. After it's all said and done, a few sprays of water/disinfectant later and it wipes pretty well clean. At most, it may stain your skin for a few days. I'd think it would react much the same way on a piece of tanned hide if brushed or applied to the surface. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CitizenKate Report post Posted September 18, 2008 Now that's an interesting question. I'll be looking forward to the answer... Kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twinklestarchild Report post Posted November 26, 2008 I've not worked with any tattoo ink on leather, but having about a dozen tattoos myself, I would have to guess that it would need to actually be injected with a needle for it to last. When you get a tattoo, the ink tends to spatter all over, and tattoo artists are constantly wiping away excess so they can see where they're working. After it's all said and done, a few sprays of water/disinfectant later and it wipes pretty well clean. At most, it may stain your skin for a few days. I'd think it would react much the same way on a piece of tanned hide if brushed or applied to the surface. I don't have any sort of personal experience to support this, and I'm kind of curious as to the answer myself, but I would think that a tooled piece of leather would take the ink. The whole idea of the needle is to get the ink under the outside layers of skin, and I would think that the swivel blade, or even the tears from a shader would accomplish the same effect. Might work as more of a paint than dye? Just my two cents. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SantaKen Report post Posted November 2, 2023 On a related note can you tattoo your own skin with leather dye? I kinda wanna do old schedule ol tattoos on myself with the stick and whacker method. And I have black leather dye. Would it work the same? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsunkasapa Report post Posted November 3, 2023 12 hours ago, SantaKen said: On a related note can you tattoo your own skin with leather dye? I kinda wanna do old schedule ol tattoos on myself with the stick and whacker method. And I have black leather dye. Would it work the same? I don't think that would be a very good idea. Check out the MSDS on them, there are things in there you don't want to put in your body. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted November 3, 2023 if it would work you would have seen it done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sheilajeanne Report post Posted November 3, 2023 Leather dye definitely has things in it (pigments, alcohol, etc.) that is NOT safe to put under your skin! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greygeist3191 Report post Posted November 3, 2023 Remembered seeing this a while back Never tried it though. I'm dangerous enough with regular sharp objects. Can't imagine what i could damage with a tattoo gun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
327fed Report post Posted November 4, 2023 Used to tattoo cattle in ears with number set in a pliers type device (multiple pins made the number), wipe in a green or black tattoo paste, and wipe off. Wax in cows ear kept the tattoo from staining ear. Lasted the animals lifetime, and that was future leather I guess. Shine a flashlight from rear of ear to read. I bought a little carry around file box at a yard sale. Had a box of pens and scissors in the bottom. Included am EPT and a tattoo gun. Never know what you will find. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted November 7, 2023 live skin heals over the ink, dead skin doesn't. you may get a nice picture after a lot of fiddling but the surface of the leather will be destroyed. My oldest daughter tats and i have watched as she taught the other kids on fake skin , they use rubber tp practice on. but hey if i had the inkling i would give it a go i burn pictures on leather so what the heck. Lets see what you got!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted November 7, 2023 8 hours ago, chuck123wapati said: live skin heals over the ink, dead skin doesn't. you may get a nice picture after a lot of fiddling but the surface of the leather will be destroyed. My oldest daughter tats and i have watched as she taught the other kids on fake skin , they use rubber tp practice on. but hey if i had the inkling i would give it a go i burn pictures on leather so what the heck. Lets see what you got!! Groan.................. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites