Ink, line work, fill work and colour packing
Ink choices affect how a set of lines, shading passes and colour packing sit in the skin, so artists usually sort stock by use rather than by bottle colour alone. In practice, that means keeping solid black, grey wash, lining colours and brighter shades grouped in a way that makes mixing and station prep quicker for the day’s work.
For studios in Cape Town and other coastal areas, capped bottles and clean storage matter because humidity and heat can affect how neatly bottles, caps and labels stay organised. A shelf plan that keeps fresh stock apart from opened items also makes inventory checks easier during busy weeks.
- Group inks by lining, shading and colour work.
- Store opened bottles with the cap clean and tight.
- Keep labels visible so shades are picked without confusion.
- Use a stock order that matches the styles your studio does most often.
Needle and cartridge groupings that keep stations moving
Needles and cartridges are usually sorted by configuration, taper, grouping and intended use. A clean drawer or tray system helps artists find liners, shaders, magnums and round groupings without slowing the set-up at the station. It also makes reordering simpler when one grouping runs low faster than the others.
Cartridge choice depends on the machine, the hand feel the artist prefers and the work being done that day. Some studios keep one set of groupings for fine detail, another for colour and soft shading, then a separate reserve for walk-in work and larger pieces.
- Keep liners, shaders and magnums in separate sections.
- Check that the cartridge fit matches the machine style in use.
- Hold spare stock for busy weekends and larger bookings.
- Use dated bins or labels so older stock is used first.
Machines, grips and the parts that need a tidy bench
Machines and their related parts are easier to manage when the bench layout is settled before the first client arrives. Batteries, clip cords, grips, tubes and small fittings should all have a fixed place so the artist is not searching through mixed boxes during a session. For studios that run multiple artists, a shared storage plan reduces mix-ups and lost parts.
Flash Notes covers generic machine matching notes only, not repair work or skin advice. The aim is to help studios understand what belongs with what, and how to keep working parts stored neatly between appointments.
- Separate machine parts by type and size.
- Keep charged items and spare power parts in one marked area.
- Return cleaned parts to the same tray after each shift.
- Use a simple count sheet for shared studio gear.
Sterile single-use supplies and clean handling routines
Single-use items are easier to control when they are opened only at the station and disposed of after use. Covers, barriers, gloves, caps and other disposable supplies should be arranged so the artist can reach them without crossing a clean area with a used one. That small bit of order matters in compact studios and in rooms that work back to back appointments.
We keep the writing here generic and practical, because local health rules differ and must always be followed. In other words, the studio should work to the rules that apply in its area and use stock handling methods that keep clean and used items clearly separate.
- Mark a clean zone for unopened consumables.
- Keep used items in a separate disposal container.
- Store gloves, caps and covers in closed boxes.
- Check that every artist uses the same basic handling routine.
Stock shelves for Cape Town, Durban and inland orders
Ordering for one studio in Observatory is not the same as stocking for a shop that serves Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria and Gqeberha as well. Coastal humidity, cooler inland winters and the pace of weekly bookings all affect how fast items move. Some studios keep more consumables on hand, while others prefer tighter stock and smaller, more regular replenishment.
Delivery to studios across South Africa works best when the order list is grouped by category first, then by count. That makes it easier to spot gaps in inks, needles, cartridges and general supplies before dispatch.
- List fast-moving items first, then slower stock.
- Keep a separate count for each branch or station.
- Use one list for inks and another for disposables.
- Check for broken seals, damaged boxes and mixed sizes before placing an order.
A practical way to read the range before placing an order
Choosing from the range is usually easier when you start with the work your studio does most often. Fine line work, heavy shading, colour realism and larger custom pieces do not all need the same mix of inks, needles and cartridges. Once that is clear, the rest becomes a question of how many artists are sharing the station and how often supplies are used through the week.
Flash Notes is the place for those supply notes, station ideas and ordering reminders. The cards and article listings sit separately, so readers can move through the topics they need without sorting through unrelated stock.
- Match the range to the style of work on the books.
- Choose stock levels by how many stations are active.
- Keep a note of what runs out quickest.
- Review storage space before adding new lines.