Inside a Vegan Tattoo Studio: Tools, Products & Sustainable Practices
For Veganuary, we interviewed London-based tattoo artist Maury Decay to talk about what vegan tattooing really means. From common misconceptions to studio practices, personal ethics, and industry realities, Maury shares his honest perspective on being a vegan tattoo artist.
Q: What does a fully vegan tattoo process look like from start to finish?
A: Exactly like any other tattoo. There is really no difference, other than using plant-based products that are not tested on animals.
Q: Can you describe what a typical setup in your vegan tattoo station looks like?
A: I use black gloves and black grip tape because I hate seeing ink stains on my hands and machines. My tattoo station is clean and tidy to begin with, then I spill ink everywhere when I fill the ink caps, and as the session goes on it becomes chaotic, which I allow because it is the only time my OCD does not kick in.
Q: What are your go-to vegan and eco-friendly products in the studio right now?
A: Everything Butterluxe when it comes to disinfectants, stencil glue, balms and tattoo aftercare for sure. Moth eco ink caps. When it comes to colour ink, I use Radiant (my go to for watercolour), Eternal, Fusion and some Intenze. For black, Allegory Ultra Blak and Panthera XXX for blackouts.
Q: Which products from WBJ do you use the most, and why?
A: My go to products are mostly Moth supplies, like the eco ink caps, which I love because they are solid and not absorbent, and I love the classic honeycomb shape too. The black grip tape with the Moth logo is a must, and the Moth cartridges as well (I know they are plastic, but it is really hard to find all the sizes I need in eco cartridges). I also buy all my ink from WBJ and everything else I need to run the studio. Also, an XL Moth armrest in black would be cool to have, don't you think?
Q: What makes these products genuinely vegan or sustainable?
A: They are all certified vegan and cruelty free. There are some exceptions when it comes to sustainability, unfortunately, but when the choice is between high quality supplies and eco alternatives that are not very good or not suitable for tattooing, I have to go for quality. I think cartridges are the only plastic exception in my tattooing (so far). I would love to use needles and coils, but unfortunately I do not have a room where I can clean and sterilise tubes and grips.
Q: Have you noticed a difference in workflow or tattoo quality using these products compared to standard ones?
A: I had to put my prices up because, let’s face it, if I am buying more expensive supplies I still need to make a profit. I have noticed my clients do not really complain about it. Of course, there are always people looking for a bargain who do not care about the quality of the supplies, my work, or my experience, but they are not my target audience anyway. Some clients have even said they are more than happy to pay more for the service they get. A lot of people want to live more sustainably, but it can be hard to make the switch, so paying for a service that is already sustainable makes them feel better. Honestly, it would make me feel better too. But at the end of the day, the quality of someone’s tattooing is not based on the products they use. I must be doing something right if my workflow is solid and consistent.
Q: Are there any products you wish more artists would switch to?
A: I really like the whole Butterluxe range, and the people at Butterluxe know how much I swear by their products. Their stencil glue is the one. I use their balms during every tattoo session and I also give them to my clients for aftercare. So I recommend those for sure. Bactine belongs in the bin. I understand that it is cheap, but it is tested on animals, so it is a big no for me. There are many other products that do the same thing, if not better. One thing I think would be nice to see more artists using is biodegradable gloves. As tattoo artists we go through so many boxes of gloves (at least I do), so why not choose eco ones? They are plastic free and guilt free, and they feel exactly the same as the usual latex or nitrile ones.
