Studio Reset: What Artists Are Reaching for Right Now

Every artist hits a point where the setup needs a reset. Not a full overhaul, just tightening what matters. What stays on the station, what gets swapped out, and what actually makes the work easier. Studio Reset is Inked’s edit of the products artists are leaning on right now, from process staples that hold up through long sessions to aftercare and support systems that keep everything running clean behind the scenes. Nothing overhyped, just solid picks that help you stay focused, work cleaner, and keep the end result exactly where it should be.

Poked: Tattoo Aftercare Balm

Elevate your aftercare with Poked ultimate tattoo healing duo, engineered to enhance your fresh ink and healed tattoos. Start with our pH-balanced, naturally antimicrobial Tattoo Soap. Infused with purifying Rosemary oil, Tea Tree, and botanicals, it gently washes away impurities while minimizing discomfort and redness.

Follow up with Poked Tattoo Balm. More than just a moisturizer, this plush, dewy formula promotes cellular regeneration with powerful peptides, locks in deep hydration, and instantly revives the vibrancy of fresh and faded ink. Formulated with clean, vegan ingredients, our fiercely protective duo defends your skin, ensuring your art heals crisp, bold, and brilliantly vivid.

Cream Tattoo Supply: Tattoo Supplies

Since 2017, Cream Tattoo Supply has grown from an apartment closet into a small-scale warehouse operation by keeping things simple: selling gear that doesn’t suck. Founded by 20-year tattooer Dane Smith, Cream is known for their heavy-hitting Green and Gold cartridges, though they still show love to the old school with plenty of needle-on-bar and tubes.

Cream’s proprietary lineup features other goods like the hilariously named 4Skin aftercare film and the Double Smith Salve, which is handcrafted from actual whole plants. Whether you need needles, a mountain of gloves, or medical supplies galore, Cream is the one-stop shop for everything your station needs. Shop them online, in-store locally in Indianapolis, IN, or on their tri-state delivery route. It’s professional stuff for people who take the art seriously, but the corporate stuff? Not so much.

DERMALIZE® PRO: Protective Tattoo Film

The historic original Dermalize® Protective Tattoo Film offers a certified medical-grade system designed to Protect Your Art. Its breathable, waterproof and very flexible films create a barrier that works as a second skin on fresh tattoos and blocks pathogens, speed up healing with no hassle, while preserving the vibrancy of tattoos.The system includes Phantom (ultra-thin) and Total Black (UV-resistant) films, along with sterile Absorbent Pads for fluid management. Central to the line is Miracle Butter, which serves as a skin prep, tattoo lubricant and intensive post-care treatment. Recovery is completed with pH-balanced Soft Wash and nourishing Velvet Cream, as well as Sun50 sunscreen, making Dermalize® the trusted brand behind a healthy and professional tattoo healing process.
Trust the process: ProtectYourArt

Tattoo Goo: Process Butter & Foam Soap

Great tattooing requires focus, steady hands, and products that don’t melt under pressure. Tattoo Goo® Process Butter stays right where artists need it, on the gloves and on the skin, without turning into a mess. The formula glides smoothly, soothing the skin while creating the perfect surface to work on. Pair it with Tattoo Goo® Foam Soap, which gently cleans the area between passes, helping calm redness and keeping the stencil crisp so ink doesn’t smudge. The result? A smoother process, cleaner lines, and an artist who can focus on the art, not the cleanup.

Emu Joy: Pure Emu Oil

After getting new ink, skin deserves the best care. Emu Joy Pure Emu Oil is a natural, deeply penetrating moisturizer that supports healthy tattoo healing. Rich in essential fatty acids, the emu oil absorbs quickly to provide lasting hydration without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue. It helps reduce dryness, flaking, and tightness while keeping tattooed skin soft, comfortable, and vibrant throughout the healing process.

What sets Emu Joy apart is its commitment to highly refined, premium-quality emu oil that is ultra-clean, odorless, and carefully processed to meet the highest industry standards. The result is pure, effective hydration that helps tattoos look their best as they heal.

InkShopGuard: Tattoo Insurance

InkShopGuard’s specialized insurance protects tattoo shops, artists, and piercers from everyday risks and potential lawsuits. Driven by a passion for ink and a commitment to changing industry stigmas, our program eliminates coverage gaps to ensure you receive the protections you need and deserve. InkShopGuard adapts to your unique risks, so you can focus on what matters most, knowing we’ve got you covered. Get a complimentary quote today!