Electrum Premium Tattoo Supply
We are committed to providing tattoo artists with the best selection of top-quality tattoo products to enhance the craft. Our extensive inventory of tattoo supplies includes premium tattoo inks, tattoo needles, tattoo machines, and cartridge tattoo needles, ensuring you have the essential tools for exceptional artistry. We also offer a range of medical supplies, such as tattoo anesthetics and ointments, to support safe and comfortable tattooing experiences.
With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Electrum Supply is your trusted partner in the tattoo industry, indlucing tattoo wholesale. Explore our diverse product lineup today, including Electrum Ink, and discover why professionals choose us for their tattoo supply needs.
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Built by artists, trusted by professionals.
We Have Moved
We’ve moved our warehouse and storefront from CR 45 to 1527 W. Wilden Ave.
Thank you for your patience and for being part of the Electrum family.
Full details available in our blog post below.


Start Playing with Fire
- Safe AF - Industry standard internal membrane
- Stable AF - Featuring the FIRST Double Stabilization Technology (Patent Pending) - Say good bye to needle wobble
- Sharp AF - Crafted with the sharpest 316 Surgical Steel to stay sharp for even the LONGEST sessions
- Affordable AF - Stop paying the premium prices for cartridges - FIRE Cartridges are the same quality as brands like Peak Stellar and Kwadron, but without the excessive pricing.
We're OFFICIALLY changing the meaning of AF to (As Fire)
Use code TRYME20 for 20% off your first order. Use code DISRUPT30 on any Electrum cartridge orders over $500 (FIRE, Gold Standard & PMU) to save 30% every time you order
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Made With Love & Good Vibes
We are committed to providing tattoo artists with the best selection of top-quality tattoo products to enhance the craft. Our extensive inventory of tattoo supplies includes premium tattoo inks, tattoo needles, tattoo machines, and cartridge tattoo needles, ensuring you have the essential tools for exceptional artistry.
We also offer a range of medical supplies, such as tattoo anesthetics and ointments, to support safe and comfortable tattooing experiences.
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Blog posts
The Business of Tattooing - No Algorithm Replaces Time
Instagram makes tattooing look fast. Fast bookings.Fast recognition.Fast careers. Scroll long enough and it starts to feel like everyone else skipped the hard part. Like you’re behind. Like you’re doing something wrong because your progress looks slower, quieter, or less flashy. But here’s the truth that doesn’t trend well: Visibility accelerated. Tattooing did not. No platform changed how muscle memory forms.No algorithm replaced repetition.No viral post substituted for time on skin. Tattooing is still a trade built on cumulative skill. And that matters more now, not less. What Social Media Actually Changed (and What It Didn’t) Social media changed who can be seen.It did not change how tattooers get good. What it sped up: Exposure Audience access Booking pressure earlier in careers What it didn’t: Technical mastery Problem-solving under pressure Physical endurance Long-session consistency This mismatch is where a lot of burnout starts. Artists are pushed to perform at a level their skills or bodies haven’t fully caught up to yet. Not because they’re lazy or untalented, but because the timeline looks different online than it does in real life. Why “Shortcuts” Backfire in Tattooing Shortcuts usually skip the unglamorous parts.Unfortunately, those are the parts that protect you later. Here’s what often gets skipped: 1. Learning how to recover from mistakes mid-tattoo Not just avoiding mistakes, but fixing them calmly without panic. 2. Building consistency across long sessions A clean two-hour tattoo is different from a clean six-hour one. Endurance matters. 3. Understanding tool behavior over time How needles, inks, and machines behave after hours of use, not just the first pass. 4. Developing physical awareness Knowing when grip tension is creeping up. When posture is failing. When fatigue is changing your line quality. When these skills are skipped, artists often compensate by working harder instead of working smarter. That compensation has a cost. Practical Reality Check: Skill Compounds, Hype Doesn’t A career is built on what compounds. Skill compounds.Consistency compounds.Good systems compound. Hype burns hot and fast. You don’t feel the difference immediately. But over months and years, it becomes obvious who built a foundation and who built momentum without support underneath it. What to Focus on Instead of Speed (Actionable Advice) 1. Standardize your setup Consistency in tools matters more than novelty. Use supplies you understand deeply Reduce variables in your setup Stop switching products constantly chasing “better” When your tools behave predictably, you can focus on technique instead of troubleshooting. 2. Track fatigue, not just bookings Being fully booked doesn’t mean you’re doing well. Pay attention to: Hand soreness after sessions Loss of precision late in the day Irritability or brain fog while working These are early warning signs, not personal flaws. 3. Build skill at the pace your body can support Growth that ignores physical limits isn’t sustainable. Ask: Can I maintain this workload for months, not weeks? Does my setup reduce strain or add to it? Am I resting intentionally, or only when forced? Longevity requires planning, not just ambition. 4. Learn deeply, not broadly Doing fewer things well beats doing many things inconsistently. Depth builds confidence.Confidence reduces stress.Reduced stress improves outcomes. 5. Remember that mastery is quiet The most durable careers often look boring online. They’re built on: Repeat clients Predictable income Controlled schedules Bodies that still function That’s not failure. That’s success without burnout. Instagram Is a Tool, Not a Timeline Social media is useful.It is not a measuring stick for your worth or your progress. Tattooing doesn’t reward urgency.It rewards patience, repetition, and respect for the body doing the work. There was never a shortcut era.There was just a louder highlight reel. Build the career that lasts longer than the algorithm.
Read moreUnderstanding Skin Types: Why Some Tattoos Fight Back
If you don’t understand the skin in front of you, your technique won’t save you. Every apprentice falls into the same trap:They learn one way to tattoo… and try to apply it to every client. But skin isn’t consistent.Skin isn’t predictable.Skin isn’t fair. Skin is the single biggest variable in tattooing — and it decides how easy (or miserable) your day will be. Here’s how to recognize different skin types, how they behave under the needle, and how to adjust before you ruin a stencil, blow a line, or overwork a piece. 1. “Perfect Skin” — The Unicorn You won’t see this often, but when you do, you’ll know. Traits: • smooth• even texture• not too thin, not too thick• hydrated• consistent tone• minimal scarring or sun damage How it tattoos: Like butter. Technique adjustments: • normal depth• standard tension• predictable shading• almost no trauma Enjoy it.You won’t always get this lucky. 2. Thin Skin — The Delicate Canvas Common on: wrists, ankles, ribs, hands, inner arm, older clients Traits: • translucent• visible veins• stretches easily• bruises quickly• sits close to bone Behavior: • blows out easily• lines can look wobbly• shading can chew up quickly• needle goes too deep with very little pressure Adjustments: • lighten hand pressure• reduce depth• increase stretch• use longer tapers or smaller diameters• move faster (no dwelling) If you’re not careful, you’ll eat this skin alive. 3. Thick Skin — The Stubborn Fighter Common on: upper arms, thighs, shoulders, back Traits: • tough• slower to take ink• higher tolerance• less stretchable Behavior: • ink skips if your stretch is bad• lines may look faint• shading takes longer• requires confident pressure Adjustments: • stronger stretch• slightly deeper depth• steadier hand speed• moderate voltage• longer strokes for shading If you’re timid, thick skin will expose you immediately. 4. Dehydrated Skin — The Flaky Saboteur Dehydrated skin shows up on every client who doesn’t moisturize, drinks like a fish, or sits under a heater all winter. Traits: • dull• flaky• tight• easily irritated• ink doesn’t glide well Behavior: • patchy shading• inconsistent lines• irritated redness• fast overworking Adjustments: • increase hydration pre-tattoo• use gentle cleansers (avoid stripping soaps)• work slower, with care• wipe gently — no scrubbing• avoid heavy saturation in one sitting This skin demands patience. 5. Sun-Damaged Skin — The Textured Wildcard A lot of clients have this and don’t realize it. Traits: • leathery• mottled texture• hyperpigmentation• inconsistent stretch• ages fast Behavior: • lines appear inconsistent• shading doesn’t blend smoothly• trauma is harder to control• color can look uneven Adjustments: • controlled hand pressure• avoid micro-detail• opt for bolder lines• blend with mags, not tight liners• don’t overwork trying to “fix” texture You can tattoo it, but you can’t erase years of UV damage. 6. Oily Skin — The Slip ’N Slide Common in: young clients, hormonal clients, hot climates Traits: • shiny surface• excess sebum• clogged pores• stencil smudges easily Behavior: • stencil wipes off• inconsistent saturation• needle slips• ink floats in the epidermis Adjustments: • cleanse thoroughly before starting• let stencil dry extra long• wipe gently but frequently• use firmer stretch• reduce surface moisture during the process This skin will fight you and your stencil. 7. Scarred Skin — The Permanent Challenge Scar tissue requires respect. Traits: • raised or sunken• unpredictable thickness• poor elasticity• poor ink retention Behavior: • ink doesn’t stay consistent• lines wobble• shading looks uneven• depth is unpredictable Adjustments: • extremely light pressure• slower machine speed• soft mags instead of liners• minimal passes• simplify design expectations Scars can be tattooed — but they will never behave like normal skin. 8. Melanin-Rich Skin — Beautiful but Misunderstood Not difficult — just different. Traits: • higher melanin layer• natural warmth in healed tones Behavior: • fine-line realism loses detail faster• color shifts warmer• white ink appears subtle or invisible• blowouts hide easier but still happen Adjustments: • avoid micro-detail• use bold lines• use richer pigments• focus on contrast, not color variety• keep shading smooth and intentional Melanin-rich skin heals tattoos beautifully — when the technique respects it. 9. Aging Skin — The Slow Canvas Older clients have earned every one of these adjustments. Traits: • looser elasticity• thinner epidermis• slower collagen recovery• more sun damage Behavior: • blowouts possible with tiny pressure changes• shading chews quickly• stretch collapses easily Adjustments: • gentler hand pressure• more deliberate stretch• avoid super-tight detail• prefer curved mags over tiny liners Tattooing older skin is precision, not force. 10. Tattooing Is the Art of Adapting Good artists don’t use one technique on everyone. Great artists adjust instantly to the skin they’re working on. If you can recognize skin behavior before you even dip your needle, you’ll: ✔ stop overworking✔ prevent blowouts✔ choose better needles✔ improve your healing results✔ grow your confidence✔ tattoo faster and cleaner Your machine matters.Your needles matter.Your ink matters. But the skin is the final boss — and learning how to work with it (not against it) is the fastest path to leveling up your career.
Read moreSELF TAUGHT SERIES - Teaching Yourself to Tattoo vs an Apprenticeship: What’s Actually Right for You?
Tattooing is more accessible than it’s ever been.Machines, cartridges, inks, and tutorials are easier to find than at any other point in history. That accessibility has opened doors for some people.It has also created real risks when tattooing is treated casually. There isn’t one single path into tattooing anymore. But there are non-negotiables, and pretending otherwise puts people in danger. This isn’t about gatekeeping.It’s about reality. First: Tattooing Is Not a Casual Skill Tattooing involves: Breaking skin Exposure to blood and bodily fluids Permanent alteration of someone’s body Legal, ethical, and health responsibilities This alone means tattooing cannot be approached lightly. No matter how you learn, safety comes first. Always. That means: Understanding bloodborne pathogens (BBP) Knowing cross-contamination risks Proper sterilization and disposal Consent, aftercare, and client safety If you don’t understand these deeply, you are not ready to tattoo a person. Apprenticeships: What They Offer (and What They Don’t) A traditional apprenticeship can provide: Supervised learning Exposure to real-world hygiene standards Accountability Correction in real time Shop culture and client interaction A good apprenticeship teaches more than technique.It teaches responsibility. However, not all apprenticeships are healthy or ethical. Some are exploitative, poorly structured, or outdated. A bad apprenticeship can teach fear instead of skill. An apprenticeship is not automatically good.But when done well, it prioritizes safety, fundamentals, and gradual progression. Teaching Yourself: The Reality (Not the Fantasy) Some people do teach themselves elements of tattooing. Usually this begins with: Drawing and design fundamentals Learning machine mechanics Practicing on synthetic skin Studying sanitation independently This path requires extreme discipline and restraint. Here is the line that cannot be crossed: Never tattoo real skin without proper training, supervision, and licensing. Not friends.Not yourself.Not “just a small one.” Tattooing real skin without proper knowledge of BBP, sterilization, and aftercare is dangerous and unethical. Watching videos does not equal training.Owning a machine does not equal readiness. Safety Is Not Optional (Ever) No matter how you learn, these are mandatory: 1. Study bloodborne pathogens seriously This isn’t a formality. It’s life safety. You need to understand: How infections spread How cross-contamination happens How to protect yourself and others What happens when protocols fail 2. Practice on fake skin only Synthetic skins exist for a reason. Use them. Real skin carries real risk.Permanent consequences aren’t a practice tool. 3. Know your local laws and licensing requirements Tattooing illegally puts clients and artists at risk and can permanently block future opportunities. Ignorance isn’t a defense. 4. Understand that tattooing is permanent Mistakes don’t wash off.They live on someone’s body. That weight matters. So… What’s Right for You? Ask yourself honestly: Do I want a career, or am I curious? Am I willing to wait before touching real skin? Am I prepared to prioritize safety over speed? Am I seeking skill, or validation? There is no shame in choosing to learn slowly.There is no honor in rushing. Tattooing rewards patience.It punishes recklessness. A Final Reality Check There is no shortcut that skips responsibility. If you want to tattoo: Respect the body Respect the risks Respect the craft However you enter tattooing, take it seriously or don’t do it at all. People trust tattooers with their bodies.That trust is earned, not improvised.
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