Complete guide: Intenze drawing ink Formula 23 Original 300ml
This is an Intenze black ink from the Formula 23 Original range, in a 300 ml bottle, listed in the drawing inks category. It is designed for artists and enthusiasts who want a dense, uniform black for drawing and practicing designs. According to the product page description, its intended use is for drawing, not tattooing.
How to use
- Shake the bottle well before each use to redistribute the pigment evenly.
- Pour only the amount you need into a disposable container or cap, rather than inserting the tool directly into the bottle.
- Use the dense black for lines and solid areas; for lighter tones, you can dilute it slightly.
- Work on the appropriate surface for your practice (synthetic practice skin, thick paper, etc.).
- Do not pour leftover ink from your working container back into the bottle to avoid contaminating the rest.
- Close the cap tightly immediately after use to prevent the ink from being exposed to air and drying out.
- Wipe up any spills immediately while the ink is still fresh.
Tips from us
- The 300 ml bottle is a generous size, suitable if you draw and practice often; test the consistency on a piece of material before a larger project.
- Pour small amounts into your working container and top up as needed — the dense black covers well even in small quantities, so you avoid waste.
- If you want grey tones, dilute gradually and mix well, testing first on a sample.
- Note the opening date on the bottle and periodically check the ink's appearance.
- Store the bottle upright, with the cap tightly closed, away from direct sunlight and heat.
Warning: According to the product page description, this ink is intended for drawing and not for use in tattoos, and the seller states that any use other than the one mentioned remains the buyer's responsibility — keep this in mind before purchasing. Regardless of use, follow hygiene rules: pour the ink into a separate container instead of inserting the tool into the bottle, do not return used ink to the bottle, and close the cap tightly after each use.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it listed as 'drawing ink'?▾
Because the product page explicitly states that its intended use is for drawing, not tattooing, and any other use remains the buyer's responsibility. If you need it for another purpose, take this into account before ordering.
Is this the original Intenze Formula 23 ink?▾
Yes, it is part of the Intenze Formula 23 Original range and comes in a 300 ml bottle. 'Original' is the pure black version of the range.
Can I dilute it to obtain grey tones?▾
The description does not recommend diluting with tap water, as it can affect the stability of the formula and lead to pigment separation. If you want to dilute, use a dedicated mixing solution (e.g., Intenze Mixing Solution or Distilled Mixer). The range also includes pre-mixed greywash variants (Light, Medium, Dark), useful if you prefer ready-made grey tones.
How should I store it to make it last as long as possible?▾
Shake it before use, pour only what you need into a separate container, and do not insert the tool directly into the bottle. After use, close the cap tightly, store the bottle upright, away from direct light and heat, and note the opening date.
What does 300 ml mean and how long will it last me?▾
It is a large, professional-sized format, suitable if you draw or practice frequently, so you don't run out of basic black. How long it lasts depends on how much and how often you use it and how densely you apply the ink.
Is it vegan?▾
According to the manufacturer's description, the ink is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
Product description
Drawing ink Intenze Formula 23 Original Quantity: 300ml 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. . Formula 23 is an evolutionary ink, revolutionizing the process of tattoo lettering. Formula 23 has gone through 23 iterations in order to create a superior and defiant black tattoo ink which was designed specifically to enhance tattoo lettering, and meets both the quality and preciseness envisioned by its creators, BJ Betts and Intenze Products. This black tattoo ink is an extremely fast running product. It can keep up with you while you are detailing fast lines. It is also an extremely dense black that breaks down nicely into a perfect gray for any type of shading. Lastly, it is an ink that wipes clean, so stencils aren't lost and time isn't wasted removing excess ink. Betts has found that this is by far the best ink he has ever used, along with Tim Hendricks and Shawn Barber, just to name a few.
Intenze Formula 23 Original 300ml is the iconic black from the Formula 23 range, created by Mario Barth and considered one of the most popular black tattoo inks in the global tattoo industry. Formula 23 Original is a pure, intense, and deep black, designed to deliver the best possible coverage and density in a single ink. This proprietary formulation has been perfected over the years to meet the demands of the most exacting artists, delivering a black that stays black after healing without shifting toward blue or grey. The ink's consistency is optimized for multiple techniques: precise lining, dense color packing, bold lines, and deep shading. High-purity carbon pigments are ground to perfect micron sizes and suspended in a dispersion medium that ensures uniform flow through any needle configuration, from single needle to large magnums. The 300ml bottle is the professional size that ensures high-volume artists never run out of their base ink. Formula 23 Original is the industry's reference for pure black and has been used by thousands of artists in international competitions, conventions, and the world's most renowned studios. The ink is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and produced in the USA under strict quality and sterility standards. Each batch is individually tested to guarantee the consistency and purity that have made Formula 23 an industry standard.
Frequently Asked Questions What makes Formula 23 Original so special compared to other black inks? Formula 23 Original stands out for its pure black intensity that maintains after healing without shifting toward blue or grey. Mario Barth's proprietary formulation combines high-purity carbon pigments with a dispersion medium that ensures superior coverage and perfect needle flow. It has been the industry reference standard for over two decades. Can Formula 23 Original be used for both lining and shading? Yes, this is one of its most valued qualities. Formula 23 Original's consistency is dense enough for clear, precise lines but fluid enough for uniform shading and dense color packing. Many black inks excel at either lining or shading, but Formula 23 performs excellently in both techniques. Does Formula 23 black turn blue over time? No, one of Formula 23 Original's defining qualities is its long-term chromatic stability. The carbon pigments used in the formula are chemically stable and do not undergo degradation that could cause color shifts. The black remains black in the skin, softening naturally and uniformly over time without developing blue or green undertones. Is Formula 23 Original suitable for traditional American tattoo? Absolutely, Formula 23 Original is excellent for traditional American (old school) style due to its ability to produce bold, thick, uniform lines and dense solid black areas. Its superior opacity makes it ideal for strong outlines and black fill areas that are the signature of traditional style. Can I mix Formula 23 Original with water to make greywash? While possible, it is not recommended. Mario Barth created the complete pre-mixed greywash range (Light, Medium, Dark) specifically to eliminate manual dilution inconsistencies. If you must dilute, use Intenze Mixing Solution or Distilled Mixer instead of water to maintain formula stability and avoid pigment separation. How much black ink is consumed for a medium tattoo? Consumption varies considerably depending on style and size. A medium-sized forearm tattoo may consume 5-20ml of black ink, depending on the amount of fill and shading. A complete back piece may require 50-100ml or more. The 300ml format provides enough for an active artist over several months. Is Formula 23 Original sterile? Yes, Formula 23 Original is produced under sterile conditions at Intenze's USA facility. Each batch undergoes rigorous sterility testing before distribution. Bottles are individually sealed to prevent contamination. The ink is ready to use straight from the bottle without requiring additional processing. Why is it called Formula 23? The number 23 refers to the proprietary formulation developed by Mario Barth. After multiple iterations and tests, formulation number 23 was the one that met all of Barth's performance criteria: maximum intensity, perfect consistency, clean healing, and longevity in the skin. Since then, the number 23 has become synonymous with quality in the tattoo industry. Can I use Formula 23 Original with pen machines? Yes, Formula 23 Original is fully compatible with modern pen machines such as Cheyenne, FK Irons Spektra, Bishop, and others. Its optimized consistency allows uniform flow through pen-specific cartridges, delivering the same excellent performance as on traditional coil or classic rotary machines. How does Formula 23 Original compare to Zuper Black from Intenze? Both are premium black inks from Intenze but with different characteristics. Formula 23 Original has a more versatile consistency, suitable for both lining and shading. Zuper Black is formulated to maximize density and opacity, preferred for extra-bold lines and absolute black areas. Many artists use both, choosing based on specific requirements.
