Your tattoo is only as safe as the studio behind it. Cleanliness might not be flashy on Instagram, but it’s the quiet luxury of great body art — and your health depends on it. Whether you’re booking your first ink or scouting a new spot, here are the hygiene cues pros (and smart clients) always notice.
10 Hygiene Signs Your Artist Is Legit
Each of these signs is nonnegotiable. If a studio gets even one wrong, trust your instincts — and walk out.
1. Gloves go on — and stay on
Tattooing is blood-to-blood contact. A professional artist will wear fresh disposable gloves every time they touch anything sterile or begin tattooing. Watch for glove changes between tasks, not just clients.
2. Everything’s opened in front of you
All needles, cartridges, razors, and ink caps should be opened from sealed packaging where you can see them. No guessing, no exceptions.
3. Machines and bottles are barrier-wrapped
Any equipment that’s touched during the tattoo session — including ink bottles, spray bottles, and the machine — should be covered in disposable plastic barrier wrap.
4. Surfaces are protected and wiped down
Workstations, armrests, and trays should be wiped with hospital-grade disinfectants between clients, and ideally covered during tattooing.
5. There’s a clear ‘clean’ zone vs. ‘dirty’ zone
A good studio has a mental (and literal) map of what’s sterile and what’s not. Your artist shouldn’t cross over — like grabbing their phone mid-tattoo.
6. They don’t reuse ink
Ink poured into caps is never returned to the bottle. Artists should toss used caps and use fresh ink for every client, even for breaks or touch-ups.
7. There’s an autoclave — or everything’s disposable
Either the studio has a working autoclave (a sterilizing device for non-disposables), or they work fully disposable. If it’s neither, it’s a red flag.
8. Artists know (and follow) state safety laws
Legit artists take bloodborne pathogen training that covers everything from glove removal to needle handling. Ask — they should know their state rules cold.
9. Trash and contaminated items are bagged separately
Look for red biohazard bins or clearly marked containers for sharps and gloved waste. A basic trash can doesn’t cut it for contaminated tools.
10. It smells more like a medical office than a dive bar
There’s no one scent for safety, but you know it when you smell it. If the studio has lingering smoke, old food, or pets running around — think twice.
Clean technique isn’t just about appearance. It’s about trust, respect, and doing your art — and your body — justice. A great tattoo should last forever. So should your health.
