InkKiln Glossary

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Pre-tribunal process where ACAS contacts both sides and tries to help them settle an employment dispute without a hearing.

To turn tiny particles or droplets into an airborne mist.

Thin breathable adhesive dressing placed over a fresh tattoo to protect it from friction, dirt and excess fluid during early healing.

Bold old-school style with thick black outlines, limited colour palette (red, yellow, green, blue, black) and simple shading.

Foundation knowledge taught in beauty/PMU training, skin structure, healing, circulation, infection risks, basic body systems.

Formal restriction proposal document within REACH when authorities want to limit a substance or use.

Great Britain restriction list for substances limited under UK chemicals law.

European Union restriction list for hazardous substances.

Skin cleanser used before or after tattooing to reduce surface bacteria and remove dirt and oils.

Starter tattoo machine used by trainees while learning setup, hand control, voltage and needle depth.

Apprentice rate of the National Minimum Wage.

Paramedical tattooing recreating colour, shape and depth of the areola, often after mastectomy.

Steam steriliser using heat and pressure to kill bacteria, viruses and spores on reusable tools.

British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology.

Protective cream shielding skin from irritation by friction, moisture or repeated product exposure.

Disposable plastic wrap used on high-touch surfaces (machine bodies, light handles) to reduce cross-contamination between clients.

Blood-borne virus.

Tattoos created using only black ink diluted with mixing solution to achieve soft greys.

Any tattoo style using solid black ink as the main element, from heavy blocks and tribal patterns to geometric sleeves.

When tattoo ink spreads under the skin, causing a blurred halo around lines.

Crushing/tearing effect when a spring-loaded piercing gun forces a blunt stud through tissue, instead of a sterile hollow needle.

Umbrella term for intentional changes to the body for aesthetic, cultural or identity reasons.

British Tattoo Artists Federation, trade body for professional standards and industry representation.

Pre-assembled tattoo needle module clicking into compatible grips or pen-style machines.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, main UK law covering copyright.

Bacterial skin infection of deeper layers and underlying tissues.

HMRC's 'Check Employment Status for Tax' tool.

Insurance policy covering claims made against the insured during the policy period (not when the incident happened).

Self-employed National Insurance category protecting NI record.

Laser safety category for lasers hazardous to eyes on direct beam exposure with some skin/fire risk at higher outputs.

Highest and most dangerous standard laser class.

Profit-based National Insurance charge paid by self-employed via Self Assessment.

Cable connecting traditional coil machines to the power supply.

Machine using electromagnetic coils to create up-and-down needle motion.

Inflammation of the skin caused by contact with an irritant or allergen.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

UK local-authority law term for certain piercing activities regulated alongside tattooing.

Legal framework created by HCA 2022 s.180 for higher-risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.

Pigment formulated for permanent makeup rather than standard body tattoo ink.

Disposable paper sheeting covering a tattoo bed or treatment couch so each client has a clean surface.

A new tattoo designed to conceal or transform an existing one, usually using darker pigments and bolder shapes.

Circular polarising filter used in tattoo photography to reduce glare and surface shine.

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Criminal record check via Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disposable absorbent-backed sheet used to create a clean working surface for inks and small tools during a session.

Deeper of the two main skin layers, beneath the epidermis.

Department of Health and Social Care.

Single-use handle section for a tattoo machine, designed to be thrown away after the session.

Style using tiny individual dots placed close together or spaced apart to build lines, shading and texture.

Insurance covering legal liability if an employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work.

Legal classification of a working relationship, employee, worker or self-employed.

Outermost skin layer, protective barrier.

Short-term insurance for pop-ups, guest spots, conventions and non-permanent trading.

Amount the policyholder must bear first before the insurer pays the rest of a covered claim.

PMU procedure implanting pigment along or above the lash line to create eyeliner effect without daily makeup.

Staged approach where an unwanted tattoo is lightened with laser before doing a cover-up, giving the artist more design options.

Tax phrase where someone required to tell HMRC about a tax liability did not on time.

UK tax act containing the modern penalty framework for inaccuracies and failures related to HMRC obligations.

UK tax act introducing or amending tax measures including parts of the Making Tax Digital framework.

Style using very thin needles and low-profile outlines to create delicate minimal designs.

Pre-drawn tattoo designs displayed in books, binders or on studio walls.

Inflammation/infection of hair follicles.

Floor switch starting and stopping tattoo machines while the artist keeps both hands free.

Metal gripping tools used to handle small items without touching directly.

Using SMP or paramedical tattooing to reduce visible contrast of scars left by hair transplant procedures.

Style using shapes like lines, triangles, polygons and patterns to build designs.

Faint leftover shadow or outline after a tattoo is partially removed or heavily faded.

Inflammatory lump or localised immune reaction around tattoo pigment in skin.

Common tattoo cleanser for skin prep and wiping excess ink during a session.

Tattooing method where the artist manually inserts ink with a needle on a handle, no machine.

Health and Care Act 2022.

Viral infection affecting the liver.

Antibody preparation used after certain hepatitis B exposures for short-term passive protection.

Blood-borne viral infection affecting the liver.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Human immunodeficiency virus.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.

Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

Tax return system used by sole traders and others reporting income directly to HMRC.

PMU brows combining hair-stroke work with soft shading for texture and density.

Style aiming to create tattoos that look even more detailed than a standard photo, with extreme contrast and texture.

Raised scar staying within boundary of original wound.

Style borrowing from drawing and printmaking (pen-and-ink, etching, comics).

Another word for antibody, protein made by the immune system to recognise foreign substances like viruses or allergens.

Jewellery made to recognised implant material standards (ASTM F136 titanium, compliant steels).

Stainless steel standard for medical implants and quality body jewellery.

Medical-grade titanium alloy for body jewellery.

Cover protecting against certain financial losses or legal liabilities by compensating the insured up to the policy terms.

Small disposable cup holding tiny amount of tattoo ink or PMU pigment during a procedure.

Policy term excluding or limiting cover where alcohol or drugs are involved.

Japanese term for tattooing; in Western use refers to traditional full-body Japanese work with koi, dragons, tigers and waves.

Classic Japanese composition with koi, samurai, tigers and cherry blossoms.

Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners.

Tattoos using Chinese-origin characters from Japanese writing to represent concepts.

Overgrown scar extending beyond edges of original wound.

Subtle PMU treatment placing pigment within the lash line for darker, fuller lash illusion.

Sensitivity/allergy to natural rubber latex.

Formal letter before court proceedings setting out the dispute, basis of claim and what's wanted.

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

The structural framework of a tattoo, outlines and internal lines defining shapes before shading or colour.

The process of tattooing outlines using liner needle groupings and specific machine settings.

Needle grouping designed for crisp outlines rather than broad shading.

Cosmetic tattoo adding soft colour and shape definition to lips, not heavy lipstick effect.

Wider tattoo needle grouping for shading, blending and packing larger areas.

HMRC's programme for digital tax records via compatible software.

Circular often symmetrical designs built from repeating shapes, petals and geometric patterns.

Managing General Agent.

Very small highly detailed realistic tattoos featuring miniature portraits or scenes.

Manual PMU brow technique using a handheld blade tool to create hair-like strokes by depositing pigment.

Document from the metal producer confirming composition and standard of a material batch (titanium, steel).

Status test concept about whether one side is obliged to provide work or pay, and the other obliged to do the work.

Statutory minimum hourly rate for workers aged 21+ in the UK.

Legal minimum hourly pay for eligible workers below NLW age, and for apprentices in the relevant category.

Accidental puncture from a needle or sharp possibly contaminated with blood.

Bare un-inked skin deliberately left in a tattoo design to create contrast or shapes.

Evolution of American Traditional keeping bold linework but adding richer palettes, more shading and illustrative detail.

Cartoon-inspired style with exaggerated proportions, thick outlines and bright neon-level colours.

National Hair & Beauty Federation.

Amount of nickel that can leach out from a metal item over time when in contact with the body.

Pure nickel-free metal used in quality body jewellery.

Disposable protective gloves widely used in tattoo studios.

Claim where the claimant says they were not responsible for the incident, or a loss handled without proving blame in the ordinary sense.

Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Policy covering incidents that happen during the policy period, even if claim is made years later.

PMU brow style shading from softer/lighter at front to darker/defined at tail, mimicking a makeup gradient.

Technique of saturating skin with solid colour or black using slower passes and tighter needle movements to avoid patchiness.

Specialised tattooing for restoration or camouflage, scars, stretch marks, areolas, scalp.

Checking whether a person reacts to a product by applying a small amount before full treatment.

Prepare, Design, Tattoo and Touch-up training framework language in PMU education.

Tattoo or PMU device shaped like a thick pen with motor and stroke in a single body.

Amount of income a person can earn each tax year before paying income tax.

Lasers delivering energy in extremely short bursts, shattering tattoo pigment into smaller particles for more efficient removal.

Blue colourant restricted under both EU REACH 2020/2081 and UK REACH Annex 17 Appendix 13 at 0.1% by weight.

Process of evenly suspending pigment particles in a liquid carrier so the ink deposits consistently.

Green tattoo-ink pigment restricted under both EU REACH 2020/2081 and UK REACH Annex 17 Appendix 13 at 0.1% by weight.

When tattoo or PMU pigment travels outside the intended area, creating a blurred edge.

Styles rooted in Pacific Island cultures (Samoan, Hawaiian, Maori).

Tattoos aiming to capture a recognisable likeness of a person or animal.

PMU brows using a machine for soft pixelated shading like brow makeup, not individual hairs.

Unit feeding and regulating electricity to the tattoo machine.

Insurance covering claims that a business caused loss through professional negligence, error or bad advice.

Insurance for legal liability for accidental injury to third parties or property damage from the business's activities.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

Long-standing standard for tattoo removal delivering nanosecond pulses.

Single-use razor used in skin prep to remove hair before cleaning and stencil application.

Immune reaction to tattoo or PMU pigment, persistent redness, swelling, itching, raised areas.

Style making tattoos look like real-life photos using careful shading, contrast and colour rather than hard outlines.

Traffic-light grouping of treatments by risk so rules match invasiveness.

Process of checking an insurance policy before renewal, business description, activities, turnover, staffing match real risk.

System reading tagged needle cartridges or supplies so a studio can log batch details, stock movement or client-use records.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

Structured look at what could cause harm, how likely it is and what controls reduce it.

Machine using an electric motor to turn rotational movement into smooth needle motion.

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority.

Repetitive strain injury.

Salt-based solution tattooed into skin to draw out pigment over time.

Technique tattooing tiny dots into the scalp to mimic hair follicles or add density to thinning hair.

Paramedical tattoo technique using matched pigment to reduce contrast between healed scar and surrounding skin.

Schedule 19 to the Health and Care Act 2022.

Lettering tattoos from tiny minimalist words to large calligraphic phrases.

Someone working for themselves, taking on business risk and handling own tax.

UK local authority law term for micropigmentation and similar cosmetic tattoo.

Point when a blood test starts to show detectable antibodies or infection markers after exposure.

Creating gradients and depth using diluted inks, different needle groupings and varied hand speed.

Rigid puncture-resistant container for disposing of used needles, razors and contaminated sharps.

Broader term than needlestick, any accidental injury from contaminated sharp object: needles, blades, clinical sharps.

Sterile needle intended for one procedure on one client only, then disposed in a sharps bin.

Implanting pigment into skin for cosmetic or restorative purposes, overlaps with PMU, scar work, paramedical treatments.

Preparing the treatment area before starting, cleaning, removing oils, shaving if needed, prep products.

Local authority registration or licence for tattooing, skin-colouring or cosmetic piercing.

Disposable wipe cleaning the treatment area before stencil transfer or procedure start.

Large tattoo (or series) covering most of an arm or leg, often tying multiple designs into one cohesive theme.

Fully saturating an area with a single colour, minimal gaps in healed tattoo.

Exposure where blood or body fluid enters eyes, mouth, nose or broken skin rather than through a puncture.

Biological test checking whether an autoclave is actually sterilising effectively, including killing resistant spores.

Transferred outline of a tattoo design on the skin, made from stencil paper and transfer fluid.

Layered paper used to copy a tattoo design and transfer its outline onto the skin before tattooing.

Liquid or gel applied to skin so the stencil design sticks cleanly and stays visible during early tattooing.

Water processed to remove living microorganisms.

Creating shading or texture using lots of small controlled dots rather than smooth gradients.

Beneath the skin, usually the fatty layer under the dermis (hypodermis).

Padded bench, couch or adjustable table the client lies or sits on during a procedure.

Makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under 18 in the UK (medical exception only).

Traditional Japanese hand-poked tattooing technique where needles attached to a wooden handle (nomi) are manually pushed into skin.

Tax allowance for small amounts of trading or miscellaneous income.

Classic Western or American Traditional tattooing: bold lines, limited palette, iconic imagery like swallows and roses.

Broad market term for insurance responding to claims from carrying out treatments, injury, poor outcome, negligence.

UK General Data Protection Regulation.

Great Britain chemicals regulation in force from 1 January 2021.

UK Association of Professional Piercers.

Cleaning device using high-frequency sound waves to remove dirt from tools.

Insurer's process of assessing a risk and deciding whether to offer cover, on what terms and at what price.

A loss not covered by the insurance policy, outside the insuring clause, over limit, within excess, or excluded by wording.

Infection-control principle that blood and body fluids should be treated as potentially infectious.

Uses ultraviolet light to reduce microorganisms on item surfaces.

Level of taxable turnover above which a business must register for VAT.

Visible edge where coloured lip meets surrounding facial skin.

Treating a policy as if it never existed, usually because of serious non-disclosure, misrepresentation or fraud.

Agreement stopping an insurer from recovering its payout from a third party who may have caused the loss.

Tattoos mimicking brush-painted art with soft colour washes and minimal black outlines.

Technique where the artist moves the needle in a flicking motion to create a gradient of dots that fade out.

HMRC test for whether an expense is incurred only for the trade.

The moment during tattooing when the artist wipes away excess ink to show freshly completed line, shading or piece.

Middle category between employee and self-employed in UK employment law.

Overlapping phases after injury: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodelling.