Are Black and Gray Tattoos Done with Gray Ink?

The name black and grey tattoo is a bit misleading. There is no grey ink in black and grey tattoos because they use black ink almost exclusively. Since the success of any given piece of art relies heavily on how the artist translates ideas into physical work, today, this article will focus on the artistic merits of black and grey tattoos.

How Are Black and Gray Tattoos Made?

Since black ink can't be considered gray, the name black and gray tattoos feels misleading. But the truth is, the process of creating black and gray tattoos is quite different from that of doing your typical blackwork.

Instead of simply filling in an area with solid black ink, black and gray tattoos are created in a multiple-step process that involves layering.

Application

Once the tattooist finishes sketching the design on the skin, they use a tattoo gun to apply the first layer of ink. While black ink is still shockingly visible when applied to the skin, it's still really dark and doesn't look much like the image the artist had in mind.

To give the piece more depth and contrast, the artist adds more and more layers of black ink. The amount of layers depends heavily on the complexity of the design, but generally, black and gray tattoos can have between three and five layers.

Softening

The black color becomes slightly lighter with every layer the tattooist adds to the tattoo. After the first layer, the tattoo looks black and gray since the ink is visible, but not the image.

The tattooist uses a particular softening solution to remove some of the ink from the final layer, usually the bottom one, to make the image more visible. This allows the tattooist to add more ink to the skin's surface, giving the image more contrast and making it more intense.

Washing

After the artist is satisfied with the tattoo, they wash it with a special liquid that removes the softening solution and ink remnants. The result is a black and grey tattoo that is magnificently dark and smooth—even though it doesn't use any grey ink!

Why Get a Black and Gray Tattoo?

Like most art forms, tattoos can be a great way to express yourself. Whether you're looking for a subtle tattoo to show off your inner artist or want something bold and colorful for the physical world to see, a black and gray tattoo is a great way to get noticed.

But why go with this style? Well, for one, black and gray tattoos are subtle and classy. Even though there are a lot of layers of ink, the shading is subtle enough that it's hard to tell exactly how many layers there are. This gives the tattoo a polished, professional look that can be either subtle or bold and striking, depending on the artist and placement of the piece.

Another reason why many artists choose black and gray tattoos is that they're fun to create. A lot of the work of black and gray tattoos is done by using a softening solution to make the ink translucent, so artists have more control over the shading. They can ensure the final product is exactly what they envisioned.

Finally, black and gray tattoos are much more versatile compared to traditional black tattoos. Because they have a black base, they pair well with any other color you consider, allowing you to create a wide range of designs.

Conclusion

Since creating black and gray tattoos is complex, the best way to get the right piece is to visit a tattoo artist and discuss your ideas. A professional artist should be able to take your ideas and use their skill to create a masterpiece that you can wear proudly for the rest of your life.

Certified Tattoo is Colorado's premier tattoo destination, home to everyone with skin. Our tattoo artists are capable of creating incredible designs, shadowing, depth, and contrast using black ink and different shading techniques. This tattoo style looks particularly appealing on almost all skin canvases, making it possible to make life-like and realistic art. If you’re on the hunt for the best black and gray tattoo artists in Denver, we guarantee we won't disappoint! Book a free 30-minute consultation now and get your dream tattoo!