Long Island tattoo shop owners concerned new law could affect quality of ink

CENTEREACH, N.Y. (WABC) -- Tattoo artists and local leaders on Long Island are calling for change, concerned about new legislation that would change the way ink is sold.

It would be sold in smaller packages, and they are concerned it will be lower quality and cost more, and could put people in danger.

If you haven't gotten a tattoo before, this is how it typically works.

"We have our client in our chair. we explain to them: this is your ink, this is your cap, we are dispensing it in there, we put all our different colors out," said Cliff White of Cliff's Tattoo.

But beginning December 12th tattoo artists in New York State will have to use single use packets of ink.

Tattoo shop owners are outraged, saying they're more expensive, lower quality and harder to get into the skin.

"A lot of us have taken thousands of dollars invested into our businesses to get the right inks, in the right colors and the ones we like to work with and I essentially would have to throw all of that out," said shop owner Bridget Punsalang.

She started a petition on change.org to try to get legislators to change the language of the law. It has more than 46,000 signatures.

They want the law to say that artists can continue to pour ink into ink caps, which are disposable single use containers.

State Senator Phil Boyle says he's all for it, describing the current law as overregulation.

"As typical with Albany we overshot, we didn't listen to the people most affected by the legislation," said Boyle.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law in August saying "This new law is an important step toward preventing the spread of infectious diseases and in holding accountable those who don't take the proper precautions."

But tattoo store owners say more expensive ink means higher prices for customers and they know what that does to business.

"I'm afraid to see my clientele leave my shop for a less costly option in New Jersey," said Michael O'Herien of Revolution Tattoo Company.