Complete guide: Eternal drawing ink Opaque Neutral Gray 20 30ml
Neutral Gray 20 is the lightest tone in the Eternal neutral gray series, a pre-dispersed gray of approximately 20% intensity, delivered ready to use in a 30 ml bottle. Being pre-mixed, it gives you the same result bottle after bottle and saves you from manually mixing black with white. It suits artists working on fine shading, subtle transitions, and light areas, where a consistent and predictable gray matters.
How to use
- Shake the bottle well before each use to ensure the pre-dispersed pigment is evenly distributed.
- Prepare clean ink caps and pour only the necessary amount; use a new cap for each job to avoid contaminating the bottle.
- Thanks to the squeeze cap, dose precisely directly into the cap — the 20% gray deposits subtly, so start with a little and increase gradually.
- For smooth transitions, apply in light layers; being the lightest gray in the series, it needs sufficient saturation to remain visible.
- For complete gradients, combine it with the darker tones from the same series (40, 60, 80) or with Triple Black, and with white for highlights.
- Close the cap tightly immediately after use and discard any leftover ink in the cap — do not pour it back into the bottle.
- Store at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.
Tips from us
- Start with a small amount: at 20% intensity, it's easy to correct by gradually going darker, but oversaturation is hard to fix.
- If you want consistency between sessions, use the pre-dispersed gray instead of manually mixing black with white — that's why the series exists.
- Keep the entire series (20/40/60/80) plus a black and a white on hand to compose any intermediate tone; for example, 20 with 40 gives a gray of approximately 30%.
- Shake the bottle each time, even if you've used it recently — the pigment can settle.
- Note the date of first opening on the bottle to track the consumable's age.
Warning: The seller markets this product as 'drawing ink' and explicitly states that its intended use is drawing, not tattooing; any other use remains at the buyer's own responsibility. Being a liquid consumable, follow hygiene rules: use disposable caps, never insert a needle, tip, or used ink into the bottle, and do not pour back leftover ink from the cap. Keep the cap tightly closed, at room temperature, away from light and heat, and check the expiration date and seal integrity before use.
Frequently asked questions
What does '20' in Neutral Gray 20 mean?▾
The number indicates the intensity of the gray — approximately 20% of the density of full black. It is the lightest tone in the Neutral Gray series (20, 40, 60, 80), suitable for the most subtle shades and fine transitions.
Why use a pre-mixed gray instead of black diluted with white?▾
For consistency. Pre-dispersed Eternal grays give you the same tone, bottle after bottle and session after session, without the risk of warm or cool undertones that can occur when manually mixing black with white.
Can I combine it with other tones?▾
Yes. It can be mixed with the other grays in the series (40, 60, 80) for intermediate tones — for example, 20 with 40 gives a gray of approximately 30% — and with Triple Black or white to extend the tonal range.
What type of machines is it used with?▾
According to the manufacturer's description, it flows smoothly through rotary, coil, and pen machines, in magnum or round shader configurations, without being tied to a specific brand. Moderate speed and pressure help build intensity gradually.
Is it vegan and compliant with European regulations?▾
The manufacturer declares it vegan and cruelty-free, with organic pigments, and mentions compliance with REACH and ResAP regulations; it is made in the USA and sterilized by autoclaving.
How should I store it to make it last as long as possible?▾
At room temperature, away from light and heat, with the cap tightly closed, and shaken before each use. Do not return leftover ink from the cap to the bottle and use new caps each time to avoid contaminating the contents.
Product description
Drawing ink Eternal Quantity: 30ml This ink is intended to be used for drawing, not to be used for tattoos. Its use for purposes other than those mentioned by the consumer is strictly the responsibility of the consumer. We do not assume any responsibility in the case of using this tus for a purpose other than the one mentioned.
Eternal Ink Opaque Neutral Gray 20 30ml is the lightest gray in the Neutral Gray series, offering a subtle and delicate tone, essential for fine transitions and luminous shading in professional tattoos. Created by Eternal Ink, an American brand founded in 1976 in Detroit, Michigan, and globally recognized as a pioneer of organic pigments, the Neutral Gray range was developed to provide artists with a complete palette of neutral gray tones without unwanted warm or cool undertones. Gray 20 represents 20% gray intensity, being ideal for the most subtle shadows, transitions toward skin, and depth effects in black and gray portraits. The pre-dispersed formula with controlled opacity guarantees a consistent and predictable gray straight from the bottle, eliminating the need for manually mixing black with white. High-purity organic pigments are ground to microscopic level and sterilized through autoclave, ensuring compliance with European REACH and Res AP regulations. The optimized consistency allows smooth transitions and gradual blending, essential in professional shading techniques. The ink flows smoothly through all types of tattoo machines, from rotary to coil and pen, with consistent performance through magnum and round shader configurations. The vegan and cruelty-free formula contains no animal ingredients. The 30ml bottle with squeeze cap offers precise dispensing. Gray 20 integrates perfectly with other tones in the Neutral Gray series (40, 60, 80) and with Triple Black for complete gradients from white to black. Results heal with a subtle, neutral, and long-term stable gray.
Frequently Asked Questions What does 20 mean in Neutral Gray 20? The number 20 indicates the gray intensity, representing 20% of total black density. It is the lightest gray in the Neutral Gray series, ideal for the most subtle shadows and fine transitions. The complete series includes Gray 20, 40, 60, and 80, offering a complete gradient from nearly white to dark gray. Why use Neutral Gray instead of mixing black with white? The Neutral Gray series offers guaranteed consistency and predictable results every time. Manually mixing black with white can produce inconsistent results between sessions and risks unwanted warm or cool undertones. Eternal's pre-mixed grays are perfectly neutral and identical bottle after bottle. What styles is Gray 20 ideal for? Gray 20 is ideal for black and gray portraits (subtle transitions and highlights), realism (delicate shadows), chicano (fine gradients), Japanese (fog and water effects), and any style requiring very light, subtle shading. It is fundamental in any black and gray artist's palette. Is Neutral Gray 20 REACH compliant? Yes, Eternal Ink Neutral Gray 20 fully complies with REACH and Res AP regulations. The formula uses approved organic pigments without restricted substances. The ink is manufactured in the USA and sterilized through autoclave according to international safety standards. How does Gray 20 heal in the skin? Gray 20 heals with a very light, subtle, and neutral gray. Due to its low intensity, it is important to ensure sufficient saturation during the session. The tone remains neutral long-term without shifting warm or cool, thanks to Eternal's specially calibrated formula. Can I mix Gray 20 with other Neutral Gray series colors? Yes, all Neutral Gray tones are perfectly compatible and can be mixed together to create intermediate tones. Gray 20 with Gray 40 creates approximately a 30% gray. They can also be mixed with Triple Black or White to further extend the available tonal range. What does opaque mean in the product name? Opaque means the ink has a denser, more covering consistency than a diluted or washy gray. Eternal's opaque grays offer precise control over the intensity deposited in skin, allowing predictable layering and consistent results. They are not transparent like a wash but offer controlled coverage. What machines does it work best with? Gray 20 works excellently with all professional machines. For smooth shading, rotary or pen machines with magnum or curved magnum are recommended. For fine details, round shader. Moderate speed and pressure are ideal for gradually building the desired intensity. Is Neutral Gray 20 vegan? Yes, Eternal Ink Neutral Gray 20 is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The formula contains no animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals. This applies to the entire Neutral Gray series from Eternal Ink. How should it be stored? Store at room temperature, away from direct light and heat. Shake the bottle before use for uniform dispersion. Close the cap tightly after use. Do not freeze. Observe the expiration date on the label.
