Help with finding the right beginner kit

Hi I'm looking to get a full kit for my sister for her birthday. I myself am completly clueless so I really need some help. What are the best & reliable machines for beginners and which machines should i avoid? Where is the best place to get a kit from that will have everything in that she needs? I'm on a budget of arround £300-£350 Is ther anything to watch out for when buying a kit (i've heard about dodgy chinese imports so will steer clear of them) How do i tell if the Ink is safe to use? Can skins be cleaned and re-used or do i need to buy her a few to practice on? Thanks forany help and advise.

i cant help you but I can tell you that most of the people on here are going to give you some rude nasty advice.

check out youtube. there is a lot of stuff on there for help . haha

The only ink that is really safe to use is the stuff made from melted boot rubber and urine. And don't bother with those shoddy "professional" tattoo machines. just grab a sewing needle and start stabbin'. Maybe try going to a professional shop, tell them you're going to start tattooing without any professional guidance or an apprenticeship and see if they'll sell you some of their old used needles to practice with.. the caked-on pigment and old blood gives the finished tattoo more scabby hepatitus look. You know, like a real tattoo should look. hahahaha...

Wow, nice response you idiot. Instead of bashing someone with your rude and useless remarks. Why not help them? If you are going to take the time out of your day/night to ridicule someone, why not be more positive? Insults will be ignored, unregistered and dismissed, whereas helpful comments will not. If the person asks a question or is interested in getting a "kit", tell them why it is a bad idea. Read and learn: To the original poster...you will want to stay away from "kits". Most "kits" are not worth the money. If you are dead set on it, then research what machines have good reviews. Remember that most "kits" are purchased by those who have no idea what a proper machine runs like. Also, if this is a gift, might I suggest instead, a course in blood borne pathogens. More than likely the person who was interested in this industry will be scared off. The best gift you can give someone is life, and buying a tattoo machine and working on people without guidance or a general knowledge of the art, may very well take the life of the person you bought it for. Tattooing is not the same as drawing or painting. The last time I checked, my isle didn't giggle and move then I ran my brush over it. Just some friendly food for thought. As for the guerillainterrupted...I speak for MANY patrons here when I say, from the bottom of my heart. "GO F*CK YOURSELF!"

#2 Scratcher. i think you need to be on some kind of medication

If you are referring to my last comment, I apologize. I am just sick and tired of people who have nothing better to do with their time than insult people. Ridiculing people who are interested in getting this industry or who just have a question. It is like yelling or insulting a down syndrome person because he wants to learn to tie his own shoe. I know the consequences are more severe tattooing without knowledge or guidance. I am just saying, instead of the negative remarks, maybe a positive one, with some points on how it may be a bad idea. It is called manners. Something I think a lot of these premaddona's do not have.

Hey... I understand how confusing it can be to get someone a gift such as a tattoo machine or "kit" and can tell you that Scratcher is totally right, the kits sold are really pricey and have equipment that will do 1 of two things: either get someone totally frustrated with tattooing or even pursuing it or 2. Totally mess some people up. I would recommend that if your sister is serious about this type of career she should invest some time in researching what she wants and go from there. She needs to learn what inks are recommended, what power supplies are good, which ones will blow up, etc. Tattooing is a career that is much more than a hobby-so what I would suggest is a gift certificate for a reputable supplier and I would also recommend if possible one that is local so she can look at everything etc. Even if you buy her a book, art supplies, anything along those lines it is better than buying a machine-and much safer too. I find machines are a matter of personal tastes and preference and I would never let someone buy me one as a gift---since I know personally what I like best anyways. I also would recommend maybe attending a show or two as there are some great artists there that may be able to guide her and who knows-if she has a great portfolio maybe even take her in as an apprentice.

I agree with Jeanne. Instead of a tattoo "kit". A pass to a tattoo convention would be money better spent.

*shrug*. I miss inkednation, where scratchers were treated the way they should be instead of given praises for going about things in this industry the unsafe way and thinking that's totally fine. I don't see why people can't figure out, hey, I want to be a tattoo artist, maybe I should go ask one how to do that instead of getting the bright idea to go just start trying to do it and figuring the rest out later. Most of the people you give advice to are just going to do whatever the fuck they want anyway, you think telling somebody not to buy a kit is going to stop them if they already don't care enough to ask a tattoo artist in a legit shop how they get to where they are? Everybody trying to get into this industry these days just wants something without having to work for it. I don't really care if you tell me to go fuck myself, I haven't met a single artist who's any good who disagrees with me. I don't need some kitchen magician doing shotgun-spray linework to tell me I'm a bitch, I don't care if you think it and you're not going to change my opinion my calling me names. I don't want everyone to get hep and mrsa and I think people who aren't inquisitive enough to go around to actual shops and ask questions don't belong in this industry.

My apologize Gorillainterupted. I am just sick of people starting in on people who just have questions, without giving them a well explained and correct answer. There is a possibility the person does not know the dangers involved in this industry. But calling someone a cum fart ass clown (not saying anyone did), is unjustified. Giving them the facts and concerns will better suite the inquiring person into reconsidering. I agree with you on most of what you are saying, just not in the manner in which you try and deliver it.

i'd rec. a machine that doesn't require tuning, as that adds a whole new dimension of difficulty to the entire process ..... maybe something like 'the hawk' ? however, learning to tattoo on your own would be akin to reinventing the wheel all by yourself.... sure it can be done, but it would be very difficult and require much more time than consulting with a professional there's so many things that a professional could teach you from their years of hands on experience and from the experience of their teacher whom they learned from.... it would take decades to learn these things on one's own using fake skin and grapefruits is fine until she can find a pro she likes and wants to work with who feels the same about her best of luck :)