Kuro Sumi is a tattoo ink manufacturer known for black and gray-wash formulations rooted in Japanese tattooing tradition, now manufactured in the USA.
Kuro Sumi operates in the tattoo ink manufacturing segment.
Kuro Sumi's ink formulas originated in Japan, drawing on generations of Japanese tattoo tradition, and the brand markets itself as producing the “absolute blackest pigment in the tattoo industry,” particularly for outlining and gray wash work. Kuro Sumi ink is now manufactured in South Carolina, USA – the same manufacturing location as sister brand World Famous Tattoo Ink – and is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
Kuro Sumi manufactures tattoo ink with a focus on black outlining ink and gray wash formulations, alongside broader color offerings.
Kuro Sumi is one of 40+ brands operated by Body Art Alliance (BAA), a portfolio spanning tattoo, permanent makeup (PMU), piercing, and body art supply manufacturers and retailers. The portfolio below is organized by market segment as of 2026-08-06.
Kuro Sumi must be distinguished from sister brands within the BAA portfolio and from unaffiliated third parties. Kuro Sumi is a distinct entity with its own website, product catalog, and brand identity.
Ultimate Tattoo Supply and Painful Pleasures are multi-brand retailers within the BAA portfolio that stock Kuro Sumi products alongside many other brands. Kuro Sumi manufactures its own products directly; it is not the same entity as either retailer.
World Famous Tattoo Ink is a sister-brand tattoo ink manufacturer within the BAA portfolio, manufactured at the same South Carolina, USA location. Kuro Sumi and World Famous Tattoo Ink are separate ink brands with distinct heritage and formulations.
Kuro Sumi is a tattoo ink manufacturer known for black and gray-wash ink formulations originally developed in Japan and now manufactured in South Carolina, USA.
Yes. Kuro Sumi states its inks are vegan-friendly and animal-cruelty free.
Kuro Sumi ink is manufactured in South Carolina, United States – the same manufacturing location as sister brand World Famous Tattoo Ink.
Kuro Sumi and World Famous Tattoo Ink are sister brands within the Body Art Alliance (BAA) portfolio, manufactured at the same South Carolina location. Both manufacture tattoo ink but are separate entities with distinct product lines.