Gloves

WHAT ARE TATTOO GLOVES AND HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT ONES FOR ME?

Tattooing is about dexterity, fine details, and artistic expression - but before all that comes into play, a lot of tattoo supplies are needed to get the job done. In addition to needles and Disinfection, protective gloves are essential because the right glove can give your hands the freedom of movement to ink the most beautiful motifs and finest details, while the wrong tattoo glove can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. The best tattoo gloves are essentially medical glove models used for examinations. They ensure that the tattoo artist is protected from fluids. But what makes a good pair of tattoo gloves, and what should you look out for?

Here you'll get a brief overview, some proven suggestions, and learn everything you need to know to choose the right tattoo gloves.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE LATEX TATTOO DISPOSABLE GLOVES?

Simply put, the answer to this question is: very important.

The most important tool a tattoo artist uses are their hands, to stretch the client's skin and operate the tattoo machine.

Primarily, latex tattoo gloves are incredibly important to ensure tattoos are done safely and hygienically. They create a barrier that not only protects the client but also you as the tattoo artist. Due to the intimate nature of tattooing, there is a significant chance of cross-contamination between a tattoo artist and their client. Disposable tattoo gloves should not only be worn during the actual tattooing process but also at all other times when you come into contact with the client's skin (drawing on the skin, applying the stencil, cleaning the tattoo, packaging the tattoo).

Since a tattoo essentially involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with a needle, the skin is more vulnerable to infections, so it's especially important to be careful and ensure that you use a high-quality tattoo glove. Using tattoo gloves helps minimize this risk, making the tattooing process safer and more hygienic for everyone involved.

HOW SHOULD A DISPOSABLE TATTOO GLOVE FIT?

At the end of the day, the artistic aspect of a tattoo is the reason why people get inked. So, it would be foolish not to pay attention to a glove's ability to let you as an artist do your best work. A tattoo glove should have a snug and comfortable fit that does not restrict your movements.

This is of utmost importance because if the tattoo glove is too tight, it can tear when you flex your hand and limit your dexterity, which reduces the quality of your work. A fit that is too loose can be just as bad because it becomes much easier to accidentally puncture the glove and prevents you from having the fine motor control necessary for good work.

Considering these points, it's important to know that transparent polyethylene gloves should not be used for tattooing as they are too loose. Moreover, these types of gloves are more prone to tearing and puncturing, which practically spells disaster. It cannot be stressed enough that if your glove, for whatever reason, gets a hole or tears, it's crucial to replace it immediately!

How to Work with Tattoo Gloves

Always wash your hands before and after using tattoo gloves to prevent contamination from your hands to the tattoo glove and vice versa. Gloves for tattooing should be changed for each new task and safely disposed of after use. If a tattoo glove tears, is punctured, or in any way damaged, you must immediately switch to a new pair of protective gloves.

Always remember that the protective barrier decreases the longer you wear the protective gloves. As a rule of thumb, you should change your tattoo gloves at least every two hours while tattooing to reduce the risk of losing protection.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TATTOO GLOVES?

To put it simply: any disposable gloves that are marked for use with biological materials are suitable as protective gloves for tattoo supplies. This ensures that they provide the right level of protection against bacteria and germs. But that's only part of it when it comes to choosing the right tattoo glove from the tattoo supply shop for you and your studio. In our opinion, the best protective gloves for tattoo artists from the tattoo supply shop are nitrile gloves, as they offer the same feel and strength as other materials but do not have the allergy risk of latex gloves, for example.

You also have the option to choose tattoo gloves with an extended cuff. These offer additional hygiene benefits as they protect against splashing ink or other fluids.

Disposable Sleeve Covers

For additional protection, you should consider disposable sleeve covers to prevent your arms from coming into contact with blood and pathogens. Since your arms are your most important tool, there are often small wounds that could serve as entry points for germs.

NITRILE TATTOO GLOVES - STRONG AND RELIABLE

Nitrile is an increasingly used material when it comes to tattoo gloves because it offers remarkable strength and puncture resistance without suffering significantly in any area. Nitrile gloves look and feel similar to the popular latex gloves in tattoo supplies but contain no latex, making them perfect for those with allergies. As they are also harder to tear, they are the safest option in the tattoo supply shop altogether and offer a lot of protection and comfort.

Apart from their high puncture and tear resistance, most nitrile gloves also offer protection against a range of chemicals, making them ideal for all tasks as a tattoo artist. No wonder they are at the top of the list of the best and most reliable tattoo gloves on the market in almost every tattoo supply shop.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

It's only understandable that you as a tattoo artist are very particular about the gloves you use, as they are not only worn for many hours but also have a direct impact on the quality of work performed. Whether you're looking for durability, a good grip, or a combination of both, we're confident that the gloves we've mentioned here will serve you well, as they have for many thousands of tattoo artists around the world.

But given the countless options on the market, we recommend that you try out various models in the tattoo supply to find out which best suits the style and workflow in your studio.