Setup your work area – tips

The best method is to pull out 20% more ink caps than required
for the job, and pour 100% more ink than is required for the job.
This way you should never have to go into the cold zone while
you are in the middle of a tattoo. Remember that ink is not expensive
and neither are ink caps. It is far better to waste a few
pennies by tossing out some un-used inks and caps, than it is to
risk a clean bottle of ink in your warm zone.
Under no circumstance is the artist to refill an ink cap that is
considered to be a hot zone item.
Under no circumstance is the artist to touch the cold zone with
hot gloves once the hot zone has become established.
At no time is the artist permitted to leave the work area until the
hot zone is completely removed by disposing of all hot zone
items into appropriate receptacles.
The client is considered to be a hot zone until his tattoo is properly
bandaged. This means that the artist must also have the
appropriate bandaging materials out prior to activating the hot
zone.
It may seem overwhelming, but zone setup takes practice and
getting used to. All studios and work areas will be setup differently,
and have their own little unique qualities. The zone definition
will never change; no matter how the work area is setup.
Remember that after a tattoo is complete and if you are using
non-disposable tubes and tips; the tubes and tips are still con56
sidered hot zone until they are sterilized. The studio must establish
a policy that is known by all artists that instructs them as to
the manner in which hot materials are transported from the work
area to the cleaning area of the studio.