6 Best UV Tattoo Inks And Ink Sets On The Market In 2022
UV tattoo inks are an old trend that’s been emerging slowly. Phosphorescent tattoos were in vogue in the early 1990s for a little while, and the rising popularity of UV tattoo inks seems to be an extension of that. However, picking a UV tattoo ink that you could work with is tricky.
The issue with choosing the best UV tattoo Ink is that it is impossible to determine which is the safest to use. Artists can observe the brightness, and how these mix with non-luminous or reflective tattoo inks, viscosity, and the like. However, they cannot suss out the ingredients used in the inks nor tell what makes a specific UV tattoo ink glow in black light.
It is still possible to assume a degree of safety of these inks along with their performance by checking their production procedures and company statements. To help you pick the best UV tattoo inks, I’ve compiled a list of UV tattoo inks that boast good performance as well as have proof of safety in some form. When it comes to UV tattoo inks, prioritizing client safety over everything else is paramount.
With that said, let’s have a look at the 6 best UV tattoo inks on the market, right now!
6 Best UV Tattoo Inks Reviews
The UV tattoo inks featured in this list have been judged based on 07 criteria.
- Safety
- Shade
- Brightness
- Mixability
- Healing rate
- Longevity
- Pricing
These 07 criteria have been discussed in order of their importance. As UV tattoo inks are the latest in the production line for many companies, and since the FDA does not provide any certifications, safety is considered the highest priority.
I’ve also featured 4 UV tattoo ink sets instead of single tattoo inks in this set. Collectively, these tattoo ink sets can serve as a complete UV tattoo ink collection that is safe to use in tandem with each other.
1. Millennium Mom’s Nuclear Invisible Fallout
Millennium Mom is a well-known and trusted American tattoo ink brand. The brand is one of the oldest in tattoo ink production, hailing from the early 90s. Its tattoo inks are known for great pigment dispersion and fast healing time.
Safety
Millennium Mom’s is a brand that’s known to be quite safe for general use. Due to its homogenized pigment blend, Nuclear Invisible Fallout boasts immediate pigment dispersion. Of all the UV tattoo inks on the market, Nuclear Invisible Fallout is the safest.
Shade
Being a UV tattoo ink, Nuclear Invisible Fallout doesn’t show any effects or color without the use of a black light. With the black light, it sports a shade that is close to Interdimensional Blue. On its own, the shade of Nuclear Invisible Fallout is a real treat to behold, but it can outshine or clash against other UV tattoo ink shades.
Brightness
Nuclear Invisible Fallout is very bright. The shade can be almost eye-searing if it is applied across a large tattoo. Due to this quality, it’s best used as a highlighter or for smaller tattoos.
Mixability
Applying Nuclear Invisible Fallout on top of other non-luminescent tattoo inks doesn’t obscure its glow. Nor does it cause any changes to the shade of the tattoo ink. Barring inexpert application, there are no issues caused such as interruptions or bright spots in the lining caused by other ink pigments, or Nuclear Invisible Fallout’s pigments clumping together.
Healing Rate
You can expect a tattoo that exclusively used Nuclear Invisible Fallout to heal within 2 weeks. Like all other Millennium Mom’s tattoo inks, this UV tattoo ink also has a good healing rate. Since there are little to no issues with pigments reaching the dermis layer evenly, there should be no risk of skin infections or rashes. Also, any tattoo that uses the ink leaves nearly imperceptible scarring behind, which makes for a great stealth tattoo.
Longevity
Nuclear Invisible Fallout is a long-lasting UV tattoo ink. The pigments stay in the dermis layer for quite a long time. You can expect the tattoo to last around 5-6 years if you take proper care of it.
Pricing
A 0.5-ounce Millennium Mom’s Nuclear Invisible Fallout bottle can cost about $12.50. This brings the volume-to-price ratio to 1:25, which places the tattoo ink in the expensive bracket.
- Safe for general use.
- Great standalone shade.
- Very bright in black light.
- Mixes well with other non-luminescent tattoo inks.
- Boasts a good healing rate and imperceptible skin scarring.
- Can last up to 5-6 years.
- High price.
Verdict
The Millennium Mom’s Nuclear Invisible Fallout is safe and boasts a good healing time. The way it heals leaves nearly imperceptible trails, which is excellent for a stealth tattoo. It can also function very well when applied over tattoos with non-luminescent tattoo inks, creating an amazing black light version of the tattoo. Overall, Nuclear Invisible Fallout is the perfect UV tattoo ink for standalone use.
2. Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set- 9 Bottle
The 9-bottle set of Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set is an absolute steal. The price in total is certainly cheaper than getting the tattoo inks individually. Also, the quality and variety of shades you get in the pack are a boon.
Safety
Millennium Mom’s is the safest UV tattoo ink-producing company. The tattoo inks produced feature high-dispersion, mineral-based pigments that can reach the dermis layer easily. Because of the nature of the tattoo ink pigments, they seldom cause any skin conditions.
Shade
The 9-bottle set comes with 9 unique and great UV tattoo ink colors. The pack features the following shades.
- Red Dawn: The UV tattoo ink’s shade matches Portland Orange the most under black light.
- Afterglow Yellow: The UV tattoo ink glows near Digital Yellow in the black light.
- Smoldering Orange: Under the black light, this UV tattoo ink glows a Happy Orange color.
- Raging Magenta: This UV tattoo ink sports a shade that is similar to Medium Candy Apple Red in black light.
- Atomic Green: The UV tattoo ink is akin to Pantone Green in the black light.
- Invisible Fallout: As stated before in this article, Invisible Fallout shows Interdimensional Blue color.
- Blue Smoke: The UV tattoo ink glows Midnight Blue under the black light.
- Purple Haze: Purple Haze matches the Flirt color under the black light.
- Radiant Pink: The Radiant Pink tattoo ink’s shade matches the Magic Potion color the closest in the black light.
Brightness
Of all the UV tattoo ink colors featured in the tattoo ink set, Invisible Fallout and Radiant Pink compete with each other for the spot of the brightest UV tattoo ink. Smoldering Orange, Raging Magenta, and Red Dawn are all brighter colors that glow brilliantly but do not outshine other UV tattoo inks when used together. Purple Haze and Atomic Green are less bright due to their color deepness but they are also very intense shades. Afterglow Yellow and Blue Smoke are the duller UV tattoo inks, with less brightness and color intensity.
Mixability
The UV tattoo ink set can work with any other non-luminescent tattoo ink to produce typical-looking tattoos that have an extra effect in black light. Other than Invisible Fallout, the rest of the UV tattoo inks aren’t completely invisible in normal light and can be used with their matching non-luminescent counterparts to produce great-looking tattoos both with and without a black light. The UV tattoo inks featured in the set can also be intermixed to great effect.
Healing Rate
The healing rate for the Millennium Mom’s 9-bottle Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set is about 2 weeks. Without any other brand’s tattoo inks mixed in, the UV tattoo inks featured in the set can heal without causing any skin conditions. Thanks to the rapid pigment dispersal, and the non-offensive nature of the pigment and carriers, any Millennium Mom’s UV tattoo inks are very friendly to the skin. However, only Invisible Fallout will leave an imperceptible trace, while the other tattoo inks in the set will leave colorization.
Longevity
Millennium Mom’s homogeneous mix of pigments helps in making the tattoo ink pigments stay for long in your skin. The UV tattoo inks will not fade for 5-6 years on average if you take good care of your tattoo. Of these UV tattoo inks, the color from Purple Haze will last the longest and will require the least touch-ups.
Pricing
The Millennium Mom’s 9-bottle Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set will cost you around $120. The volume to price ratio for this set is 1:14. This is certainly better than purchasing the UV tattoo inks separately, as they cost much more per ounce individually.
- Known as a safe UV tattoo ink brand.
- Variable degrees of brightness, but most are vivid and intense.
- Great mixability with other non-luminescent tattoo inks and within the set.
- 2 weeks healing rate on average.
- 5-6 years of longevity if cared for.
- Great value pack.
- Some of the UV tattoo inks in the set lack brightness and intensity.
- The price can be unaffordable.
Verdict
The Millennium Mom’s 9-bottle Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set is truly a set that’s worth every penny. You get a great set of UV tattoo inks that are known as safe and heal great, and the price is much lower than getting each of these tattoo inks individually. You also get access to a swath of shades that will cover most if not all of your tattoo work needs. It’s the best package to get if you can afford to.
3. Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set- 5 Bottle
If you can’t afford the 9-bottle set of Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV tattoo inks, then you can go for the 5-bottle option instead. The colors included in the package are Atomic Green, Invisible Fallout, Purple Haze, Blue Smoke, and Red Dawn.
Safety
Once more, like the UV tattoo inks featured in the 9-bottle set, the 5-bottle set UV tattoo inks are all safe for general use. Any UV tattoo inks made by Millennium Mom’s have excellent quality control, and careful manufacturing, so the tattoo inks do not cause any skin irritations or other conditions. The UV tattoo ink set can be used with confidence for most clients.
Shade
The 5-bottle UV tattoo ink set features 5 essential UV shades that every artist will need. The set contains Atomic Green, Invisible Fallout, Blue Smoke, Purple Haze, and Red Dawn. The shades of these UV tattoo inks are described here.
- Atomic Green: The UV tattoo ink is akin to Pantone Green in the black light.
- Invisible Fallout: As stated before in this article, Invisible Fallout shows Interdimensional Blue color.
- Blue Smoke: The UV tattoo ink glows Midnight Blue under the black light.
- Purple Haze: Purple Haze matches the Flirt color under the black light.
- Red Dawn: The UV tattoo ink’s shade matches Portland Orange the most under black light.
Brightness
In terms of brightness, the Invisible Fallout possesses an eye-searing luminosity that trumps the other UV tattoo inks in this set. Red Dawn is the second brightest in this collection, followed by Purple Haze and Atomic Green. These two colors have an intense coloration that is eye-catching. Finally, Blue Smoke is the least bright UV tattoo ink in this set.
Mixability
This UV tattoo ink set works well with non-luminescent tattoo inks. However, the true intention of this UV tattoo ink is to intermix the colors and produce new shades. The UV tattoo ink set shines when it comes to creating new shades that you’ll need.
Healing Rate
Just like all other Millennium Mom’s tattoo inks, the UV tattoo ink set heals within 2 weeks. The healing time will vary when used with other tattoo inks, especially tattoo inks from other brands. Of the tattoo inks, the Invisible Fallout will show the least scarring.
Longevity
You can expect an average of 5-6 years of longevity for tattoos that have exclusively used the UV tattoo inks featured in the set if properly cared for. The UV tattoo inks in the set will need touch-ups at around 4 to 6 years and will show extensive fading after.
Pricing
The 0.5-ounce version of the 5-bottle Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set can cost around $40. The volume-to-price ratio of the set comes to 1:16, which is higher than the 9-bottle set. However, the total cost of the package is far lower and much more affordable.
- Basic set of UV tattoo ink colors.
- Features the most used shades in UV tattoo inks.
- Very affordable.
- The volume-to-price ratio is less ideal than the 9-bottle set.
Verdict
The 5-bottle Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set doesn’t come with such an expansive collection of shades that the 9-bottle set does. However, it is not as expensive and covers the most used colors and shades in a tattoo. For a collection like this, it is truly a steal at this price.
4. Bloodline Ink Professional Blacklight UV 6 Color Set
The Bloodline brand is a reliable brand that produces high dispersion UV tattoo inks that can reach the dermis layer fast, providing great healing time and coloration. The brand is known for producing a collection of vivid colors that stand out due to their intensity.
Safety
Bloodline Ink UV tattoo inks are produced in a 4000-square feet sterilized facility to ensure that they have zero contamination. The UV tattoo inks are made to have high pigment dispersion. This allows the carrier to deposit the pigments into the dermis layer as fast as possible without any issue of clustering, or staying in the epidermis layer. This makes the UV tattoo inks quite safe and less likely to cause skin irritation or conditions.
Shade
The 6-color set of Bloodline Ink Professional Blacklight UV tattoo inks contains the basic 6 shades that an artist would use the most in tattoos. The shades are described and color matched here.
- UV Invisible: The UV Invisible tattoo ink produces a shade that looks close to the color of Water under black light.
- UV Yellow: UV Yellow is a bright UV tattoo ink that displays Bitter Lime color under the black light.
- UV Pink: UV Pink is a little confusing in its coloration. The UV tattoo ink glows a Coral Red color under black light, which is a far shade from pink.
- UV Orange: UV Orange shows a unique shade in the black light that comes close to Vivid Gamboge. This shade of orange is quite rare.
- UV Green: UV Green displays a shade that matches a Malachite color under the black light.
- UV Red: Once more, the UV Red behaves confusingly under the black light. The shade it produces matches Orioles Orange, which is a shade of orange.
Due to the shade variance, this UV tattoo ink set doesn’t have any true shade of pink. UV Pink can be used as the red color.
Brightness
Bloodline Ink UV tattoo inks aren’t known for their brightness. While the colors certainly are bright, they are more focused on vividity and intensity. The tattoo inks are all exceptionally intense and deep under black light, a quality that Bloodline achieves a lot better than other brands.
Mixability
Bloodline Ink encourages artists to mix their UV tattoo inks with other non-luminescent tattoo inks. As the company suggests, the UV tattoo inks work incredibly well with other tattoo inks. The UV tattoo ink in the 6-bottle set will also incredibly well with each other.
Healing Rate
The healing rate of the Bloodline Ink UV tattoo inks is a little more than 2 weeks. The UV tattoo inks don’t heal as quickly as Millennium Mom’s UV tattoo inks do. However, the healing time is still markedly fast.
Longevity
Bloodline Ink UV tattoo inks lose out in longevity in comparison to Millennium Mom’s UV tattoo inks. Used exclusively on a single tattoo, the pigments will last for 3-5 years with care. However, touch-ups will be mandatory even within this period. The Bloodline Ink UV tattoo inks are vivid and rich, but they lose their intensity over time.
Pricing
The 0.5-ounce version of the Bloodline Ink Professional Blacklight UV 6 Color Set will cost around $60. This makes the volume-to-price ratio 1:20. This drives its purchase value down compared to either of the Millennium Mom’s UV tattoo ink sets.
- Safe, contaminant-free UV tattoo inks.
- Comes with the most used UV tattoo ink colors.
- Great mixability with any tattoo inks.
- Intense, vivid coloration.
- Color shades don’t exactly match the description.
- Longevity is only 3-5 years.
- Will require touch-ups.
- The healing rate is average.
- Bad value for the package.
- The cost is high.
Verdict
The Bloodline Ink Professional Blacklight UV 6 Color Set offers vivid, intense shades to those who purchase them. The tattoo inks are of great quality, can heal at a decent pace, and last a while. However, the coloration of the UV Pink and UV Red is not as expected. Touch-ups will be required, and the price for the overall package is too high with low value.
5. Immortal Tattoo Ink Neon Invisible
Immortal is a China-based brand that is gaining some traction. However, the brand has little to no information available about safety. Immortal is an attractive option for those who are looking to make stealth tattoos with vibrant glow-in-black light.
Safety
Immortal’s Neon Invisible doesn’t have any information available regarding manufacturing and packaging. Determining how much safety is ensured during these processes is impossible. However, UV tattoo ink has had few complaints of skin conditions.
Shade
Neon Invisible doesn’t produce a deep or intense shade. The UV tattoo ink is clear under normal light. In black light, the color it produces is close to Blue Jeans.
Brightness
The shade of Neon Invisible is exceptionally bright. The coloration isn’t too deep or intense, but quite vibrant. While pale, the UV tattoo ink has an electric quality to it, just like Invisible Fallout.
Mixability
Neon Invisible is mainly intended for stealth tattoos. The UV tattoo ink can be used with other non-luminescent tattoo inks, which produces good results. Mixing with other UV tattoo inks will not yield any spectacular results.
Healing Rate
Neon Invisible takes more than 2 weeks to heal. The UV tattoo ink leaves perceptible scarring or slightly swelled skin after healing. This can make the UV tattoo ink lose out on the stealth aspect.
Longevity
There seems to be a lack of consistency in the longevity of Neon Invisible. The UV tattoo ink is reported to last for random but short durations, with the shortest being 3 weeks. The tattoo ink also has complaints that it doesn’t retain its glow for too long. The ink has shown signs of fading within days of tattooing, and completely fading within a year.
Pricing
A 0.5 bottle of Immortal Tattoo Ink Neon Invisible will cost around $14. The volume-to-price ratio for this UV tattoo ink stands at 1:28, which makes the value of this ink drop considerably.
- Produces a vibrant electric shade that’s quite attractive.
- Good for use with non-luminescent tattoo inks.
- No information available about general safety.
- Healing rate is less than ideal.
- The longevity isn’t consistent and low.
- Lowest value for the price.
Verdict
The coloration and shade produced by Neon Invisible are attractive. However, the UV tattoo ink loses out to the other options heavily on this list. The longevity and product value are the two most egregious issues that work against it.
6. Opticz All Purpose Invisible Blue
This choice is a bit of an outlier, as this ink isn’t meant for tattooing at all. However, Invisible Blue can be of use to a tattoo artist. For clients who are unsure whether they want to have a UV tattoo or not, you can use or recommend this ink. They can decide whether they like it without having to deal with permanence.
Safety
Invisible Blue is completely skin safe. You can apply the ink directly onto your skin without any fear of skin reactions. However, a dot test is still recommended for those with sensitive skin.
Shade
Invisible Blue is completely transparent in normal light. However, under black light the ink sports a vivid Ultramarine Blue color.
Brightness
Invisible Blue possesses a bright hue, pale electric in nature. The brightness isn’t too high, but the ink shines quite brilliantly under black light.
Mixability
As this ink isn’t meant to be used as tattoo ink, it cannot be mixed with any tattoo ink, luminescent or non-luminescent.
Healing Rate
Invisible Blue is applied to the skin directly, so there are no wounds created in the process. The ink will not require any healing time.
Longevity
Unlike UV tattoo inks, Invisible Blue will not last on the skin for years. However, the ink is made to not come off easily. With each application, you can expect the marking or tattoos made to last for weeks.
Pricing
A 2-ounce bottle of Opticz All Purpose Invisible Blue will cost around $10. This makes the ink’s volume-to-price ratio 1:5. As an ink that is intended for long-lasting on-skin use, this price presents decent value.
- Good for mimicking stealth tattoo applications.
- Great color for general UV inks.
- Brilliant and dazzling effect.
- Can be used to convince prospective customers.
- Extremely safe and needs no healing.
- Decent value.
- Tattoos won’t be permanent
Verdict
Opticz All Purpose Invisible Blue is a great way for a client to understand whether they want a UV tattoo or not. An artist can easily offer them the option to carry a temporary tattoo that will last weeks to get a rough understanding of what they are getting into. Invisible Blue will be a good option to bring in new clients and understand whether anyone is serious about getting a UV tattoo or not.
How to Choose A Personal Best UV Tattoo Ink?
If you’re thinking of picking a UV tattoo ink that you want to exclusively, then you need to conduct extensive research. Articles like these will provide contenders for UV tattoo inks that have a good reputation in the market. However, as an artist, you’ll have preferences that you’ll prioritize. I’ve provided some categories that you can consider when choosing your personal best UV tattoo ink.
Safety
Safety is of paramount importance for UV tattoo inks. No matter what you prioritize as an artist, always consider safety to be the first. Most UV tattoo inks will lack any certifications. But there are ways to determine whether a UV tattoo ink is safe.
You can look at the brand name and how they manufacture their non-UV tattoo inks. You can also check the brand’s market reputation. Finally, ask around about a specific UV tattoo ink and how it performs to get an idea about its safety aspects.
Packaging
The packaging is quite important too. You’ll have to check for the factory packaging, and any protective measures taken for transit safety. The bottles of the UV tattoo inks will mostly be of standard quality. However, you can still check to see if a brand makes the effort to make their bottles contaminant-proof and sealed well.
Coloration and Intensity
The coloration or specific shades produced by a UV tattoo ink under black light will matter a lot to an artist. Depending on the exact shade, and how bright or deep the color is, you can understand how much use you’ll get out of UV tattoo ink. The intensity of the UV tattoo ink will also give an idea of how the tattoo will look as it ages.
Value
The price for a bottle or pack of UV tattoo ink may seem exorbitant at first, but the value may tell a different story. A quick analysis of price volume can reveal how much you’re getting for the money spent. In a pack or a set, see how many shades you’re offered, and how useful these are. Finally, you can assess value by understanding how much your clients like a brand’s UV tattoo ink.
Art Style
This probably means the most to tattoo artists. The best UV tattoo ink has to match your art style. If you like working with exceptionally bright tattoo inks for your art, then you have to pick accordingly. If you’re into dim, or deep colors, then your best UV tattoo ink should reflect that. However, if you’re into giving tattoos a special feature or making stealth tattoos, then pick a UV tattoo ink that has those properties.
You can have many other categories that you’ll consider before choosing a UV tattoo ink. Your unique reasons matter the most. If the market-dominating brands do not satisfy your demands, then you do not have to choose them. Always put your priorities first, and then pay attention to the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UV tattoo inks toxic?
UV tattoo inks aren’t examined or rated by the FDA. However, they don’t contain toxic elements such as phosphorus or compounds of it. The UV tattoo inks glow in black light, which can be produced without toxic or radioactive materials.
Are UV tattoo inks the same as glow-in-the-dark inks?
UV tattoo inks are not the same as glow-in-the-dark inks. They are not photoluminescent, radioluminescent or bioluminescent. These tattoo inks cannot glow in the dark, but will only shine under black light.
Do you need a specific wavelength of UV light to make UV tattoos glow?
In most cases, you don’t need a specific wavelength to trigger UV tattoos. However, most UV tattoos will show the best results between a 385-390NM range. This is the fluorescent UV light range.
Are there any issues particular to UV tattoo inks?
A common feature of UV tattoo inks is their low viscosity. Most UV tattoo inks are too thin, and artists have to struggle with how watery they can be.
Final Verdict
A good UV tattoo ink will have to have some consistent qualities. However, the best UV tattoo ink will always differ from artist to artist. Finding your own will take time and experimentation, along with extensive research. It’s possible that you don’t have time to reinvent the wheel, and need to find the best UV tattoo ink right away.
Being a tattoo artist, at any stage of your career, perplexingly means you can’t focus too much on innovation or experimenting. Your growth is tied to consistent performance and overcoming obstacles daily. This makes even reading about tattoo ink a chore you can’t spare your time for. This is why I’m providing a TLDR here so you can get the information you’ll need in minutes.
If you want a good clear UV tattoo ink in your collection for highlighting and stealth art, then Millennium Mom’s Invisible Fallout is your best bet. The UV tattoo ink will not leave obvious traces of tattooing on the skin after it’s healed. The glow and color are bright and electric, which will be attractive to most clients.
The 9-bottle Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set is the best UV tattoo ink set that you can and should get. The UV tattoo ink features most if not all the inks that you’ll need for tattooing. The brand is extremely reliable for safety and healing, and the colors are vibrant.
If you can’t afford the 9-bottle set, pick up the 5-bottle Millennium Mom’s Nuclear UV Tattoo Ink Set. It will have fewer colors, but the set still contains the most important, versatile, and used UV tattoo inks. You can’t miss out on this set.
Bloodline Ink Professional Blacklight UV 6 Color Set focuses on creating intense colors. If your client is okay with touch-ups now and then, you can get this set. However, be wary that the set features some mislabeled shades, and is missing crucial colors. So, you should get this set as a supplementary set to the Millennium Mom’s set.
Opticz All Purpose Invisible Blue is a good way to convince prospective clients. If you notice that they are hesitant, you can offer to give them a temporary tattoo that they can test out. It has no hassle with healing, works just like a stealthy, clear UV tattoo ink, and lasts for weeks. You can also use the ink for temporary tattoos if your clients are into it.
A word of caution, recommendations always come with a requirement of trust. If you’re reading the TLDR portion all the time, you’re relying on opinions. Exact information and complete clarity are essential to your profession as a tattoo artist. So, always follow up any article with proper research whenever you have time, or feel like something is missing.
