How To Tattoo With White Ink Analogy

In this video I explain why white tattoo ink appears to fade in such a short amount of time as well as the best way to use it for different skin types.
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[@C28_Music]

I have an exclusively white-ink tattoo for the reason of it fading, because of how it looks more like a skin pigment degradation/ decoloration, rather than an inked tattoo. I find it looks very mystic, being so well blended into the skin.

[@groundhoglife]

Sound advice, I've been telling people this for years. Sadly most don't listen.

[@jptrout235]

Its going to be a while before I start incorporating white into my tattoos but I really appreciate all of your videos. One of the best channels!

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks I really appreciate that!

[@thecorparation1]

Thanks

[@thebudanstv2525]

i think this lad is spot on always watchin his videos infact im now on with opening my own studio with more confidence from his videos and analogys thanks mate

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Wow thanks for the amazing comment! I wish you all the luck in the world with your studio & career!

[@isugoakai3260]

I put white on my arm over 2 years ago and it stayed the same brightness after it faded for the whole time, but to be honest, the difference in my paleness and the ink is super subtle. so I guess I did ok with my first self tattoo.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Some lucky people can hold white but not many.

[@memento_mori6019]

Thank you for sharing this. I kept struggling whenever I would try to layer my white over a light grey base because I didn’t know that spot should be left intentionally blank. Instead I’d end up with a bluish tint effect, but now I know how to avoid that thanks to your video.

[@kaiwayneholland1175]

This was insightful dude! I’ve been saying this about the myths of white hurting more since before my apprenticeship. The end of the tattoo is simply worse than the start of it 😂🤣brilliant vid!

[@HyperSpify]

Ok another important reason white works this way that you missed: tattoo ink is inserted into the dermis (if it's tattooed at the proper depth), whereas melanin sits at the bottom layer of the epidermis, which means the melanin layer will be above the tattoo ink. For white ink in dark skinned people there's no way the white ink will show when it is underneath a layer of brown melanin. Fresh tattoos show the white ink because there's still white ink in the epidermis above the melanin layer (since the needle has to go through the epidermis to get to the dermis so it puts ink in both the epidermis and dermis). But the epidermis sheds and renews, so all that ink in the epidermis above the melanin layer goes away as the tattoo heals.

[@tomclancy3546]

2:09 he didn't miss it

[@oneluckygirlandherdog]

Great way of explaining this thank you, for some reason it all only clicked for me after reading your comment here. Thank you!! 🇺🇲🌻

[@shelbyballard1265]

4:09-5 minutes mentioned as well. Maybe watch the video before critiquing

[@z-licious]

Thank you, your explanation makes so much more sense.

[@z-licious]

​@shelbyballard1265 no, the OP didn't explain it the same at all.

[@jlx_nl]

GOD , Im so happy I ve found you. Verry informative video, actually learning a lot of stuff here, I'm always thinking with whites because of paper or doing big white highlights if the paper is yellowish. Saved me from big mistakes thanks !

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for watching!

[@smiddy515]

It's shocking how many people over-use white in tattoos and post coverups which are blatantly going to be coming back through once it's healed.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes I absolutely 100% agree with you.

[@smiddy515]

I can't deny it sometimes adds that little extra pop as highlights as you demonstrate in the video... but half of these viral tattoo images over using white/opaque greys next to solid black. My god. Thank fuck I'm doing old school!

[@tommynewhouse931]

thanks,now i know why,white does what it does ,thanks again...

[@jdgraffixx]

Never knew Keith lemon was a tattoo artist

[@Zaynahco]

Oh my god I chocked on my Dr Pepper because of this comment😂

[@renzenchanted57]

Thankz I'm learning heaps of new tips and tricks I think I'm ametuer az I've been tattooing a couple years now and I. Am only getting better with seeing sum of ur vidz and Daniel yuck u 2 rock man hankz😊

[@embryonic7692]

Thank you! Always keeps it real and simple 👌🏿👌🏿

[@adrianaa2767]

they look beautiful is you care for them, I have my left side full of white-ink tattoos only, my right side is black-ink tattos only. To the ones exposed to sunlight, both white and black, I apply sunscreen everyday, they look "sharper" than the ones hidden by clothing. I assume because I'm not as careful with the ones "hidden" under my clothes as opposed to the other ones exposed that do receive a layer of moisturizer on a daily. during winter the white ones tend to look a bit "lighter" than during summer, but that's expected.

[@jongood9106]

Saved me from a big mistake.

[@skylamariecostello]

I have pale white skin & my artist put too much red into my skin. it’s actually a red orange that I didn’t ask for. can i put white over it to fade it?

[@kittybowers297]

What depth should the needle be for white?

[@guilysmag8567]

Can we use into the eye 👁 as well ? For dynamic

[@nicholebaker5315]

Thanks - very helpful info! So i was planning to get a tattoo of penguins on ice floe in front of glacier with whites & icy grey-blues. Given the large amount white - would you do this in a black & grey instead of color, leaving the whites skin toned? i'm relatively fair skinned. TIA for your help.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

That’s exactly what I’d do yes.

[@nicholebaker5315]

@@JonoSmithTattoo thanks. are you planning to come to LA anytime soon? perhaps i could book a session with you?

[@mikeyfry2384]

I follow "white on black tattoo" on Instagram. They put white ink over a black out tattoo. Do you have any info on that?

[@oknoynek]

What you talk about in this video makes sense. But why have all these new things come out of black out tattoos being tattooed over with white? They look amazing when they’re freshly done. Do they heal and fade back to just black?

[@doppelhelixes]

try to get pictures of those tattoos 6 months later or a year later.

[@HomerEscobar1]

There is a Norwegian gal named Tone on the KZbins that had some white stuff done over a solid black sleeve and it has been healed for a few months now with pretty awesome results, check out her channel

[@whitneyd.9108]

Umm. Yeah.. I tried to resist commenting & I couldn't... the only part of this guys blah blah thats correct is the reason why people say why white hurts. First, yes you do put white in differently & I literally don't even have the energy to sit and go over the wrongs your teachings new potentially great artist wrong techniques. I hear you call yourself a tattooist....yep your right .. thats a hell of alot different than a Tattoo Artist. All your teaching is things that work for you.... thats not how this works. Everyone that gets a tattoo is completely different from the next therefore adjustments must be made for each persons skin. And bull....ive seen and done white tattoos over pure black pieces & they completely can stay. Although. Thats the scenario for every tattoo because a person loses hundreds of thousands of skin cells a day so everything fades.. stop teach your thoughts and thinks...the correct way to teach is to actually know the basic skillset first. Teach that then teach all ways and skills to trouble shoot and adjust to every client.

[@oneluckygirlandherdog]

@@whitneyd.9108 You always this cringey and Karen like?? Just fyi... the title "tattooist" and "tattoo artist" are technically interchangeable and each primarily utilized regionally, here in the US we generally use "tattoo artist" for the SAME PEOPLE that are called "tattooists" in European countries and elsewhere.

[@SercanSalkir]

i've been searching for tattoo info on youtube and your videos are the best ones so far! thanks man. i love how you explain "why" it happens. all the things you talk goes under a logical explanation. may i ask you a question. i got a liner coil tattoo machine to learn. and now i want to start learning shading. is there a good mid class coil shader brand you can advice? thank you.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad it’s helped you out. I can only really recommend what I’ve used in the past and I’ve always found Micky Sharpz coil machines very good and also very reasonably priced. You can buy a brand new one direct from them for £145. I’ve had mine years and they’re still great. Thanks for watching!

[@SercanSalkir]

its amazing how you replied so fast while i was watching one of your other videos. thank you so much sir! i'll look for it!

[@michellegraf2585]

Artist's will say that there are 3 types of tattoo machines: 1.) A Liner. 2.) A Shader. and, 3.) A Color Packer. That being said, The ONLY THING that makes these 3 machines "Different", IS The "Angle & Throw" of your "Contact Screw" and the "Voltage"....THAT'S IT. So, understand, you can have 1 machine, preferably a 10 Coil Wrap, and adjust and readjust the "Angle And Throw" of your "Contact Screw" and Line, Shade, and/or Pack Color. It is more convenient to have these 3 machines so you don't have 2 waste time adjusting your machine while tattooing. But, if you only have 1 machine to work with, you can do all of the things necessary to bang out a nice tattoo with these tips I just gave ya.

[@Denka187]

would you suggest in very light areas to fool the eye to maybe lay down a light grey and then put in white as highlights ? more light dots beside eachother with the liner to creat some white areas of highlights - dont know bout you but shading in white is never a great ide but a liner and dots make it stay little more . but just to fool the eye that the white still shows with a light grey tone next to it in more bigger areas , what your take on that ? great videos

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes that would work. I think you make a good point about fooling the eyes. It’s all about making the best with contrast, highlighting and odd bits of white. In some instances choosing a lighter grey over using white will give much better results in the long term. Thanks for watching!

[@Denka187]

@@JonoSmithTattoo like you said if the contrast and the darks are there even a light grey can be used as `` white `` - like your take on the white ink , people have all these new trends but have no idea that it will look like total crap over the years so great video , hope people learn something that a tattoo should not only look good for 5 weeks , its there for a lifetime

[@Timeshifter32]

I did do one piece that i almost got the white to pop. It took like 4 touch ups and 2 years and you can tell its there, but only if you look hard lol

[@swervv2957]

Wtf lol

[@omgnagel2897]

So with this theory if I have a black sleeve and wanted to do design over it, like you see with black on white. Would a grey or “silver” work better?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes it absolutely would.

[@emendamentos]

Hi Jono, many thanks, very useful video.

[@emendamentos]

but someone try : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKKrlmlqirp2i6s Jono comment pls

[@dennyzart]

So hard for me when im trying to put white ink into the skin . Looks like not in on skin . Can you tell me some solution how to make a white ink easy and get a solid like another color in to the skin.. im using dynamic HWD white. ...

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

It could be a number of reasons. It could be your technique is not quite right. It could be that ink doesn’t work for you. Dynamic HWD is quite a thick ink which some people struggle with. You might benefit from a thinner ink like Eternal white. Also it’s a fact some skin types just don’t like white and it won’t go in on certain people. Hope this helps.

[@dennyzart]

@@JonoSmithTattoo how about white from starbrite white or world famous white . Many from my friend tell me to try that brand. ??

[@liedschnitte]

I don't know if that's a stupid question but can u actually mix tattoo colors with a white?

[@dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173]

This saved me a lot of money white sleeving over black sleeves. Would grey work with 14RL?

[@jptrout235]

Hello J I've watched many of your reviews and I have an important question. I'm still learning and I'm shopping for a rotary machine strictly for shading/ colorpacker and I know the Cheyenne pen would be an easy choice. But the carts are quite expensive for someone like me. So my question is which rotary( that uses standard needles and carts) would be the best for me. I'm serious thinking about the dragonfly. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

The Cheyenne Pen actually accepts most types of cartridges. You actually have to use the Cheyenne branded ones. So if you can afford a Cheyenne Pen I’d definitely go for that. You can use a dragonfly with cartridges though a dragonfly is not a purpose made ‘cartridge’ machine so has to be adapted needing a special grip and the spring removing. Besides this the actual shape of a dragonfly is not as well balanced for cartridges like a Pen is. If you’re looking for a cheaper pen style machine but still a decent one, I’d recommend an ‘Equaliser Proton Pen’ by Kwadron. I’ve just bought one for my apprentice and it’s absolutely fantastic. I’m putting a review up on it soon. Hope this helps.

[@michellegraf2585]

The Hummingbird Rotary and the Dragonfly are very similar in design. However, I felt the Hummingbird just felt better in my hand. Just make sure your "Stroke Length" on your rotary machine is set up for what you're trying to achieve. This is done by the size of your "Cam" on your machine. Generally, they're available in 3 stroke lengths - 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.5mm. The 3.5 stroke length can be used for everything from lining and shading to packing in color. But, The 4.5 has become more popular as a color packer, creating thicker and bolder lines. The 2.5 stroke length has found a trend in the way it can blend colors but especially its use in black and gray and gray wash as well. In the end, there are alot of great tattoo machines out there and you will have to buy a few 2C what works 4U. The Hummingbird and Dragonfly machines are a really great start tho'

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

I was a tattoo artist for many years and I could never get white in so it looked like white ink, I tried and tried, everything here is true but I have also seen people with beautiful white ink that looked white and stayed white?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

You’ve got a good point here and since this video was made there’s been some fantastic leaps forward with white ink. Thanks for watching!

[@hankhill2838]

Question should I use a higher voltage for white highlights ¿ or just the same voltage I used to outline

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

The same voltage for lining,

[@swervv2957]

@@JonoSmithTattoo if I’m doing a one pass line of white and it ain’t coming out bold and saturated the first time, am I going to fast, not deep enough, or my voltage too low?? I’m at 6.5 Voltz when applying the white. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@nalayzenciso4162]

I have a whiter complexion skin colour,It is possible old tattoo covered up with white or skintone colour?? What its look after healed??

[@lukedorrington7455]

When you tattoo'd the white highlight your tip was chamfered do you buy them like that or cut them back yourself?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

luke dorrington they come like that straight out of the box . Thanks for watching!

[@pakhfcbtg]

I tried to put white ink on fakeskin but it always turns gray, I even tried different types of white can someone please help me out?

[@stevejackson-tait719]

I’m looking for info on colour packing white. It defo can be done no 2 ways. However this video is only helpful to amateurs. 16 years I’ve been in the game and cudda told anyone all that. Of course the white hurts more...as u stated the area is generally sore before the white goes in and furthermore u do have to push it in that lil bit deeper over the top of a completed tattoo. Albeit that in my 16 years of doing so I’ve NEVER blown white out...I mean..how cud u🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️. Still scared of colour packing white regardless off the density of the pigment and am still intrigued as to how...? Mr Jay Tee x

[@dw3808]

Found it... got to practice... How do I stencil on black canvas

[@hankhill2838]

Pencil it shines metallic compared to a matte black canvas

[@khouriedwards1896]

In the video you pulled a line in white for highlights on the hair, I didn’t see any blood so what voltage do you run your rotary?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

9v shading 11v lining.

[@riozest6078]

Is that eternal white can be used for totally white ink tattoo ? Thank you

[@pq541]

Great explanation of the use of white ink! I really enjoy and learn from your videos. Thank you.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thank you.

[@donnaknox2165]

I want a POW/MIA flag tattoo. The only colors involved will be black and white. I am white. Is such a tattoo possible?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

I’d probably leave the white parts skin colour with the odd white line to highlight it against the dark.

[@donnaknox2165]

@@JonoSmithTattoo Thank you.

[@andyburton1160]

Thank you sir keep up the great vids well delivered explanation:)

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Andy Burton thank you!

[@nataliacazares1192]

I made a South Park character recently and packed white on the eyes! My friend says it now looks like it’s permanently high (because the eyes are looking more pink than white!) I really wanna fix it but now I don’t think it’s such a good idea to pass over a second time… should I to leave it to time and trust it will fade or try to pack in more white!? Thanks for your always helpful advice! 🌺

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Yes let it completely heal and look at having another pass.

[@montana_iink9350]

Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Casket1488]

How does white lay into black ink that has healed? Can you get good saturation

[@alkatraz706]

nope..you'll just end up tearing the skin up trying to push the white in

[@robinbisht1953]

I have fair skin i made cover up of eye tatoo to moon and mountain moon is in Black colour its is possible to make ut white once again i mean is it good Idea ?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

White will probably fade over time putting it over black.

[@gearj69jcj]

Well. now How can i tell this to my tattoo artist with out upset him.😕

[@newartmov]

@jb318 Can you lighten black a shade of gray with enough sessions and work? With white ink I mean?

[@alkatraz706]

@@newartmov if it's too black, then no. The skin can only take so much punishment that it'll just leave a scar if you try to lighten up a solid black tattoo too many times.

[@doppelhelixes]

@@newartmov if it os shaded black, you can - but it needs a lot of seasons! If the ink is really strong black, forget it. don't know how this with dark skin

[@b.i.thedon4421]

Thanks really appreciate your videos, very informative.

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

Thanks for the positive feedback bro. I really appreciate it!

[@benjamin_dixon]

All skin has color. We are all colored people. All humans with color!!!

[@fusemalaysia840]

sweet idea don't really mean too me compare to the real tattoo... no need to thanks to me.

[@vickytattoosvlogs1585]

God sir

[@anthonyheywood5519]

So what colour could compete with black ?

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

anthony heywood no colour really competes with black. If the black is faded enough, a strong cold colour might work.

[@dantedeveracuyana9168]

Done watching 💎🫡

[@OldManPaxusYT]

great video but a lot of rambling...

[@JonoSmithTattoo]

It’s an oldie this one tbf mate 🤣. I’m sure if you delve back at your own videos you’ll see improvements as you learn new ways of creating.

[@fabi9802]

[@anyhoohoe]

White is not a color, a chemical is used to remove the actual colour to achieve white. I had a skin reaction to the chemical that is used 2 achieve white