Top 11 Gift Ideas for Tattoo Artists

Tattoo artists often form close bonds with their clients. If your time spent in the chair turned into a true friendship, you might be wondering what to gift them this holiday season. Whether they're an up-and-coming artist or a seasoned professional, these top gift picks for tattoo artists are sure to delight.

1. The Tattoo Dictionary; $15

For some clients, a tattoo's aesthetic isn't enough; they want to understand its deeper meaning before committing to permanent ink. This illustrated guide helps artists explain the significance of popular tattoo designs. Organized alphabetically, it lets them easily look up symbols from anchor to yin and yang.

2. Leda Art Supply Sketchbook; From $15

Every tattoo design starts as a sketch. With 160 pages of thick, color-friendly paper, this sketchbook is perfect for artists to refine their concepts. Its soft cover makes it portable, and the inner pocket holds pens and pencils, allowing artists to sketch on the go—even when they’re off the clock.

3. Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Pack of 72; $57

These colored pencils are the perfect match for the sketchbook mentioned earlier. With a palette of 72 shades, there's a pencil for every ink color in an artist’s studio. Designed for professionals, they feature crack-resistant leads and smooth, thick cores, ideal for shading and blending.

4. A4 Ultra-Thin Portable LED Light Box Tracer; $16

Tracing is a craft in itself—just ask any tattoo artist. With this sleek, portable light box from A4, they can hone their tracing skills anywhere. The adjustable LED lights allow them to set the ideal brightness for sketches or images. The compact screen is 13.2 by 9.2 inches and under 0.2 inches thick, making it easy to carry around, powered by a simple USB connection.

5. I Heart Cats Tattoo Enamel Pin; $10.95

Featuring bold colors and vintage-style lettering, this enamel pin for cat enthusiasts is a playful nod to traditional tattoo designs. Unlike a permanent tattoo, the pin can be removed anytime—great for when the tattoo artist in your life might not be as fond of cats as you thought.

6. Fetcoi Tattoo Stand Desk; $60

Tattooing for hours can be tough on the body, but this stand desk from Fetcoi is designed to make it more comfortable. The portable tray offers ample space for ink, paper towels, water, and gloves, while the adjustable height ensures artists can tailor their workspace to the task at hand.

7. Sacnahe Tattoo Transfer Stencil Machine; $150

Converting sketches into stencils is a crucial step in tattooing. This compact machine scans tattoo designs and prints them onto transfer paper in just minutes. Even if the tattoo artist in your life already has a stencil machine at the studio, they’ll appreciate the convenience of being able to print stencils at home too.

8. Electrum Tattoo Transfer Gel; $11

Once the stencil is printed, tattoo artists use specialized gel to transfer it onto the skin, whether real or synthetic. Help them restock with this transfer gel from Electrum, formulated by a team of seasoned tattoo artists to create bold, long-lasting stencils. It’s also free from deodorants and gentle on delicate skin.

9. Tattoo Practice Skin; $13

For a tattoo artist just starting out, this 10-pack of silicone practice skin offers a low-risk way to hone their skills. The material mimics real skin's response to needles and ink, and if a mistake is made, they can simply toss it and start over. While perfect for beginners, even experienced artists can benefit from a no-pressure practice environment.

10. Skull Tattoo Ink Cup Holder; $10

This unique ink holder functions just like a regular one, but with a touch of flair. The skull’s top half removes to reveal seven wells for ink cups. Practical and spooky, it adds personality and style to any tattoo artist's workstation.

11. BENTON Snail Bee High Content Lotion; $19

Tattoo artists often rely on aftercare products, making this healing lotion from BENTON a thoughtful addition to their collection. With ingredients like bee venom for its anti-inflammatory effects and snail secretion filtrate to speed up skin recovery, it’s perfect for soothing freshly healed tattoos. Once their tattoos are healed, this cream can continue to be part of their regular skincare regimen.