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resources, downloads and more

Resource Downloads

APT Official Statements

Resource Downloads

 Access essential tattoo safety and industry resources. 

Click here

APT Principles

APT Official Statements

Resource Downloads

 Curious about the APT’s position on key industry topics? 

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APT Official Statements

APT Official Statements

APT Official Statements

 Get the latest APT official statements.

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resource links

recalls

EMPLOYEE & STUDIO RESOURCES

studies & research

Certain Sacred Tattoo Ink Products Contaminated with Microorganisms - May 7, 2025

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fda-advises-consumers-tattoo-artists-and-retailers-avoid-using-or-selling-certain-sacred-tattoo-ink


What to do about recalled tattoo & PMU Inks? - February 3, 2025

https://inkflow.substack.com/p/what-to-do-about-recalled-tattoo?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true


FDA Recalls 4 inks due to bacterial contamination - February 6, 2025

https://inkflow.substack.com/p/fda-recalls-4-inks-due-to-bacterial?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true


Tattoo inks recalled in Canada over contamination concerns - September 19, 2024

https://globalnews.ca/news/10763905/tattoo-ink-recall-canada/amp/https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/thinking-about-getting-a-tattoo-new-research-might-change-your-mind-1.6968986

studies & research

EMPLOYEE & STUDIO RESOURCES

studies & research

 Tattoos Broadcast Enhanced Immunity, Stamina, UA Study Finds

https://news.ua.edu/2019/12/tattoos-broadcast-enhanced-immunity-stamina-ua-study-finds/


Tat_BioV: Tattoo ink exposure and biokinetics of selected tracers in a short-term clinical study of 24 subjects

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-025-03959-8


 

Is Tattooing an Injection? Evaluating the Mechanics of Ink Placement

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5185610

 


EMPLOYEE & STUDIO RESOURCES

EMPLOYEE & STUDIO RESOURCES

EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

Inclusive Restroom Signage:

https://adacentral.com/products/restroom-locker-room/transgender/?srsltid=AfmBOooCozcyDQJizlbQ5M2CFcLc14gyfoL3K9q52YxDkMiiq37AXNYy


Employment Descrimination

https://employeejustice.com/lgbtq-discrimination-in-the-workplace/


LGBTQ+ Language Glossary & Resources

https://u.osu.edu/lgbtqhealthequity/lgbtq-language-glossary-resources/


OSHA Workers Rights and Protections

 OSHA Worker Rights and Protections | Occupational Safety and Health Administration 


American Psychological Association Federal Crisis Hotline

https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines


EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

NEHA Body Art Model Code:

https://pubs.neha.org/view/461230999/


NEHA Body Art Model Code Annex:

https://www.neha.org/Images/resources/BAMC_Annex_5-2022_V02.pdf


NEHA Body Art Model Code Adoption Toolkit:

https://www.neha.org/bamc-toolkit


FDA Guidance for Industry: Insantary Conditions in the Preparation, Packing, and Holding of Tattoo Inks and the Risk of Microbial Contamination:

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-insanitary-conditions-preparation-packing-and-holding-tattoo-inks-and-risk


Tattoos: Understanding Risks and Precautions - Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/tattoos-and-piercings/art-20045067


The Network for Public Health Law: Tattoo Regulation and Public Health

https://www.networkforphl.org/resources/tattoo-regulation-and-public-health/


 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030


 OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Body Art Letter of Interpretation

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2002-07-29


FDA Issues Draft Guidance of Tattoo Inks

  https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-news-events/fda-issues-draft-guidance-tattoo-inks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 


FDA Issues Final Draft Guidance on Tattoo Inks

 https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-news-events/fda-issues-final-guidance-tattoo-inks


Body Art Educational Alliance (AFDO)

https://www.afdo.org/resources/body-art-education-alliance/


MOCRA Bill Language

https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2617/BILLS-117hr2617enr.pdf


MOCRA

https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/modernization-cosmetics-regulation-act-2022-mocra


Reinventing the Tattoo

https://www.reinventingthetattoo.com/


Tattoo Now

https://www.tattoonow.com/


articles

EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Explosion in Tattooing, Piercing Tests State Regulators

https://stateline.org/2017/06/14/explosion-in-tattooing-piercing-tests-state-regulators/


Skin Cancer: Experts Suggest Teaching Tattoo Artists How To Identify Skin Lesions Can Help Detect Skin Cancer

https://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/56342/20170121/skin-cancer-experts-suggest-teaching-tattoo-artist-identify-lesions-help.htm 


FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Certain Topical Pain Relief Products Due to Potential for Dangerous Health Effects

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-consumers-avoid-certain-topical-pain-relief-products-due-potential-dangerous-health#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Food%20and%20Drug,hair%20removal%2C%20tattooing%20and%20piercing


Tatt Horror: Influencer Ricardo Godoi dies after being given general anesthesia for huge back tattoo leaving fans in shock

 https://www.the-sun.com/news/13354047/influencer-brazil-dies-ricardo-godoi-tattoo-surgery/


Tattoo Sedations: Is it Safe, and Will the Growing Trend Take Hold?

 https://www.scrippsnews.com/life/tattoo-sedation-is-it-safe-and-will-the-growing-trend-take-hold


All the Ink, no ache: South Florida studio offers tattoos under sedation at a premium price

 https://www.wlrn.org/business/2024-12-02/tattoo-sedation-south-florida


Debate over 9-year-old girl getting tattooed in southwestern Arizona

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/01/07/debate-over-9-year-old-girl-getting-tattooed-southwestern-arizona/


Tennessee bill could require anti-human trafficking training for tattoo artists 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/tennessee-bill-require-anti-human-trafficking-training-tattoo/story?id=117996990


 

Your Tattoo May Contain Ingredients You Didn't Know About

https://www.newsweek.com/tattoo-contain-ingredients-contamination-allergens-1873959


DOWNLOAD LINKS

EDUCATIONAL & REGULATORY RESOURCES

DOWNLOAD LINKS

Body Art: Know the Risks (NEHA)

https://www.neha.org/Images/resources/Know%20the%20risks_BA_Job_Aids_V03.pdf


Body Art Aftercare (NEHA)

https://www.neha.org/Images/resources/Aftercare_BA_Job_Aids_V03.pdf


Body Art: Proper Handling of Sharps (NEHA)

https://www.neha.org/Images/resources/Proper%20Handling%20of%20Sharps_BA_Job_Aids_V03.pdf


Body Art: Medical Attention (NEHA)

https://www.neha.org/Images/resources/Medical%20Attention_BA_Job_Aids_V03.pdf


AFDO Tattoo Ink & PMU Labeling Guide

https://www.afdo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Tattoo_Ink_and_Permanent_Makeup_labeling_Guide_acc_updated_2019.pdf


Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Equal Rights Advocates)

https://www.equalrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Toolkit-for-Advocates-Sexual-Harassment.pdf


Body Art Practioner's Guide

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/deh/fhd/bodyart/operatorsguide_ba.pdf

TRAINING PROGRAMS

TRAINING PROGRAMS

TRAINING PROGRAMS

Emotional First Aid Training:

https://qprinstitute.com/organization-training


Impact Melanoma: Skinny on Skin Program

https://impactmelanoma.org/skinny-on-skin/


NEHA Body Art Inspector Facility Training

https://www.neha.org/bafit



ORGANIZATIONS

TRAINING PROGRAMS

TRAINING PROGRAMS

Association of Professional Piercers

https://safepiercing.org


Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals

https://spcp.org/


Tattoo Heritage Project

https://www.tattooheritageproject.org/



glossary

TRAINING PROGRAMS

glossary

NEHA - National Environmental Health Association


BAMC - Body Art Model Code (NEHA)


AFDO - Association of Food & Drug Officials


OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration


BAEA - Body Art Educational Alliance (AFDO)


FDA - Food & Drug Administration


MOCRA - Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act

Link not working or have a resource suggestion for us to add? 

Email us: info@safe-tattoos.com

RESOURCE Downloads

MOCRA Bullets with QR (pdf)

Download

Battling Misinformation Updated PDF (pdf)

Download

MOCRA_InfoGraphic by Radha Pizzo (pdf)

Download

Tattoos & Skin by Kate Connors (pdf)

Download

DOWC Tattoo Industry Outreach Article (1) (pdf)

Download

APT By-Laws Revised Feb 2025 (pdf)

Download

AFDO Bio Medical Applications of Tattoos (pdf)

Download

Brochures

Download a Brochure

Download a brochure while on the run. Print it out (front and back) and distribute freely. Encourage membership and support Professional Tattooists! If you would like to request a large quantity of brochures please email us at info@safe-tattoos.com

Download Outside Brochure PDF
Download Inside Brochure PDF

APT PRINCIPLES

APT on Tattooing Minors

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) does not recommend the tattooing of minors (as legally defined by the US) under the age of 18.

APT on Use of Anesthesia or Sedation

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) does not endorse or recommend the use of any form of anesthesia or sedation for tattooing procedures. Extensive tattoo sessions that involve anesthesia and multiple artists are complex unnecessary undertakings. The APT has issued statements on this topic before and our stance has always been against the use of general and  local anesthesia or any other type of sedation.  


Anesthesia and sedation introduce additional risks, including possible long-term effects.  


Furthermore, extensive tattooing places significant physical demands on the body and requires meticulous aftercare. Healing from such procedures is challenging enough without adding  additional strain on the body.  


Our association remains committed to promoting safe, professional practices within the tattoo  trade. We do not endorse the use of anesthesia or sedation for tattooing procedures due to the  increased risks and complexities it introduces. 

APT on Tattoo Schools and Academies

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists does not endorse, approve, or certify any tattoo schools or academies. Any claims of affiliation or endorsement with the Alliance of Professional Tattooists by such entities are false and unauthorized. While we are committed to promoting safe and ethical tattooing practices, we recommend that individuals seeking to enter the tattoo profession thoroughly research and evaluate a proper apprenticeship program independently and follow all legal requirements designated by their county or state. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists assumes no responsibility for the quality, content, or outcomes of any tattoo school or training program. Any tattoo school using our logo and/or organization name as a means of promotion or endorsement will result in legal action. For inquiries or further clarification, please contact us at info@safe-tattoos.com.

APT official STATEMENTS

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Home Office Mailing Address:

7770 Regents Rd, Suite 113, #635

San Diego, CA 92122

info@safe-tattoos.com 

816-979-1300

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