Ink Cups: Hygiene, Sterilisation & Safety

Ink Cups: Hygiene, Sterilisation & Safety

01 December 2025

Hygiene is an essential part of tattoo safety. Even sealed ink cups should be quickly sterilised to protect your client and maintain professional studio standards.

With a few simple steps and 70% alcohol, you can raise your hygiene levels and create a clean, trustworthy environment for every tattoo.

Ink Cup Hygiene

In tattooing, safety always comes first. Even though ink cups arrive sealed, they go through many stages before reaching your workstation.

A quick sterilisation step helps ensure client safety and maintains the professional standards every studio should follow.


How to Properly Sterilise Ink Cups

Here’s a simple, effective sterilisation process suitable for most studios:

  • Prepare a Clean Area

Cover your surface with fresh paper towels or barrier film. Make sure your hands and gloves are clean before starting.

  • Use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol

Fill a small disinfected container with 70% alcohol, the ideal concentration to kill pathogens and prepare materials for safe use.

  • Soak the Cups

Place a handful of cups into the alcohol. Give them a gentle mix using a clean mixing stick

  • Let Them Dry

Lay the cups over clean paper towels and allow them to air-dry completely. Take only what you’ll use for the session and store the rest in a sealed, clean container.

    Why 70% Isopropyl Alcohol? It’s considered an intermediate disinfectant, effective against bacteria and pathogens without damaging the cups.
    Tattoo hygiene

    Maintaining a Sterile Tattoo Environment

    Sterile ink cups are just one part of a bigger picture: Clean workstation, Correct PPE, Disposable barriers, Safe ink management, Proper waste disposal.

    Clients notice when a studio is clean, organised, and professional; it builds trust and encourages return visits.


    TATTOO BOUTIQUE 

    UK delivery: Free shipping on orders above £89.

    FAQs

    Do ink cups come pre-sterilised?

    They come clean, but not fully sterile, which is why disinfecting them is recommended.

    Can I reuse ink cups?

    No. Ink cups are single-use items and must be properly disposed of after every client.

    Should I sterilise silicone ink cups the same way?

    Yes, the process is the same regardless of material.

    Is 70% alcohol enough to sterilise ink cups?

    Yes, it’s the ideal concentration for safe disinfection in tattoo studios.

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