Frecher Franz
Most of Franz's lettering goes on the skin freehand, so his list starts with a marker. The rest is what he has used since day one and what he recommends beginners to buy first.
Translated from German. Their words, shortened, not rewritten.
Starting out
What to buy first, and what to skip.
Piranha Premium Stable Ink Caps (multiple sizes)
€4,96 *
“Beginners often dip the machine too deep into the ink. The needle tip goes blunt or bends into a hook that just tears the skin. The soft bottom prevents that.”
Tattoo Ink Mixer
€6,41 *
“If you mix your own greywash tones, the pigments have to be mixed properly. This little battery mixer does that.”
Skinz Practice Skin A3
€26,81 *
“Practising on fake skin is unavoidable for a beginner. Only good fake skin gives you an experience that's realistic enough to judge your work.”
Reelskin Reelpad Practice Skin Support
€81,62 *
“Makes practising feel more like tattooing a real body part. It's also easier on the machine.”
Dragonhawk - Fold Pro Wireless Tattoo Pen - Pro Grade
€279,88 *
Dragonhawk - Fold Pro Wireless Tattoo Pen - Pro Grade
€279,88 *
“Don't buy an expensive machine. It won't teach you to tattoo any faster. My recommendation is Dragonhawk.”
Reynard Antibacterial Hand Gel
€2,33 *
“Why gel of all things? Because it's easier to use for disinfecting your hands, and hygiene is everything.”
Advice for new artists
“Don't buy too many different ones. One or two liners and two magnums are enough at the start.”
Liners & magnums“It won't teach you to tattoo any faster. If in doubt, get one with a strong stroke. A shader machine is overrated at the beginning.”
Dragonhawk Fold Pro“Regular stencil fluid smears on fake skin. A stick helps a lot. A deodorant stick works in a pinch.”
Not in our range“I definitely advise against one at the start. Every design should be stencilled by hand, as preparation for tattooing it.”
