Interview with Lucas Teufel - Owner at Coal Black

Coal Black is the German brand creating a comprehensive line of tattoo process and healing products, all with vegan formulations.

From the super gothic Black Soap Concentrate and Lube to essential clean-up items like Black Jell, the brand’s stylish products are perfect for use in any studio.

We spoke to Lucas Teufel, owner at Coal Black Tattoo Supply, about the range of products in detail, criteria for the Coal Black pro-team, and the reasoning behind their rudest product name!

How was Coal Black started, and for what purpose?

Coal Black was founded in 2018 with the aim of setting up a supply chain that had its own “real” product range. We wanted it to be a comprehensive product range, covering almost every cosmetic step of the tattoo process, including a skin prep, a stencil fluid, a smear, a shading solution, and a soap or foam. The Finish and Jell only came into play in the years after.

Coal Black Tattoo Supply was born from this idea.

We have gradually expanded our small, selective retail range and are now providing a full supply.

Where did the name Coal Black come from?

The name Coal Black has no meaning or even a profound background. We like black - that's how the name Coal Black came about!

What was the first ever Coal Black product?

There was no first product!

The intention behind the launch was to develop a comprehensive cosmetic range for the tattooing process.

We launched all products at the same time in December 2018. Only the Tattoo Finish and the Jell agent came later.

What is your role at Coal Black, and what does that entail?

I am the owner of Coal Black.

But what do I do? Actually, I do a bit of everything!

I have an overview of the day-to-day business, I look after major customers, plan future projects, and work in every other area including shipping and marketing.

What is the rest of the Coal Black team like?

The rest of the Coal Black team is my second family!

They work across marketing, warehousing, shipping/logistics, and supporting our convention as exhibitors.

An external consultant is always on hand to help me with technical questions.

There are also people responsible for our own two tattoo conventions, and our tattoo studio.

Why is it important for your products to be vegan and made from natural ingredients?

There are hardly any other sensible and sustainable options these days. For me personally, these are values that I transfer to the company. I also pay a lot of attention to these criteria in my private life.

Vegan and sustainable ingredients that have less of an impact on our environment than other ingredients/packaging/manufacturing processes just make sense! Why? Because it is more sustainable.

It is important that we (as market participants) look at all aspects of sustainability in production. This includes not only the ingredients but also the packaging, the manufacturing process, and the logistics.

Why natural ingredients? We prefer to use only natural ingredients as much as possible because they are less irritating to the skin than chemical substances. After all, the products are designed to work on open wounds! In addition, some products contain unnecessary ingredients that can cause stress, irritation, or redness to the skin.

For example, we do not use chemical sulphates in our soap, but natural cleansing agents. This minimises redness and gives the user and customer added value during tattooing.

How does Black Lube stimulate blood circulation?

At first glance, the increase in blood circulation in combination with tattoos does not sound positive, so I would like to expand briefly.

A healthy promotion of blood circulation stimulates the skin to support itself and thus reduces irritation and redness of the skin during the tattooing process.

The almond oil Black Lube contains promotes healthy circulation during and after the tattooing process. Almond oil also contains vitamin E, which has many positive effects on the skin, such as inhibiting inflammation and redness.

To summarise: Black Lube is a vegan holistic care for during and after the tattooing process, which is aimed at the needs of the tattoo artist and customer.

The skin is kept supple with only a small amount, it protects the stencil, and does so without clogging the pores and needle.

The customer receives added value through the high-quality ingredients.

What does your Black Finish do, and how does it improve the tattoo experience?

Black Finish is a great product. The Black Finish is applied after a fresh tattoo has rested for a few minutes, allowed to bleed out, and finally cleaned.

The spray stops the remaining bleeding and the discharge of further wound fluid.

This makes it easier to take a nice photo of the fresh tattoo and wrap up the customer before they leave. Plus the customer enjoys the comfort of not having a weeping tattoo!

Dare we ask, how did you come up with the name Black Jizzle…?

Very simple: the consistency is similar and looks like jizzle.

How does Black Jell make clean-up faster and easier at the end of the day?

Needle wash water is often not disposed of hygienically, and paint residues are thrown in the trash where they sometimes leak.

Black Jell solidifies contaminated liquids (water from washing needles, paint residues, etc.) into a kind of pudding in just a few moments. You can then dispose of the mess hygienically and without any problems in your household waste, so that the whole thing is incinerated.

Anyone who wants to keep their garbage can and the environment a little cleaner should get Black Jell!

What makes Black Booze suitable for sensitive skin?

The special composition makes it gentle on the skin. Black Booze is a skin preparation used before applying the stencil. Although the formula contains alcohol, the product is designed to degrease and thoroughly clean the skin, without causing additional irritation as with classic disinfectants.

How does your Black Soap bind pigments so well?

Black Soap and Black Foam are high-quality soap products that efficiently bind pigment residues. The natural sulphates are high quality and therefore are not only particularly gentle on the skin, but also very effective. The combination of natural sulphates and special additives makes cleaning easier and more effective.

How do you select artists for your Pro Team?

I’ve noticed that many sponsored artists don't even work with their sponsor’s products, but rather use the companies as "decoration" on banners or social media.

For this reason, in addition to the quality of the work, what is particularly important to us is constant, honest, and authentic support. Growing together is the goal and the focus of collaboration and, in my opinion, this works best through honest collaboration and authentic representation of each other's work.

What’s the tattoo scene like in Coburg?

Coburg is a small town, and there is no active tattoo scene. In addition to our studio, there are many other tattoo studios, and there are also a few “hobby tattoo artists” everywhere these days. Unfortunately, despite it being such a small town, there is no real meeting between the tattoo artists.

Which tattoo artists are doing amazing work right now?

Haha who do I start with and who do I end with?! That is a difficult question. Even if I wanted to commit, I can't. I celebrate many tattoo artists of different styles because of their great designs, unique compositions, contrasts and clean work. I think a lot of tattoo artists do great work and the amazing thing is that you're discovering more and more incredibly good and talented artists through social media.

Do you have any tattoos, and if so, any favourites?

Yes, I have.

I think my favourite is my backpiece based on the Greek mythology of Icarus, but I also love the devil's head that I share with my brothers and dad. I like all my tattoos!

How has the industry changed since you started at Coal Black?

I've only been in the real industry since 2018, so for 6 years. In this respect, I can't say too much, unlike players who have been in the industry for 10 years or more. What I've noticed is that awareness of more environmentally friendly solutions has increased. The industry is paying more and more attention to sustainability. For example, environmentally friendly raw materials are used when it comes to disposable materials or other products. Packaging and logistical processes are becoming greener.

I also noticed around 2020 that tattoo supplies and studios were opening in above-average numbers. Tattooing has become more mainstream in society, and the industry has developed from a niche market to an open global market.

What trends do you think we’ll see next in tattooing?

Trends in tattoos? I have no idea what trends will come next. There are always new trends and 'styles' coming out. Currently I'm seeing more and more small 90s tattoos, such as small tribals. But I think that blackwork will be represented more and more.

What are your interests outside of work?

Nothing special! When I have time off, I like to enjoy it in a relaxed manner. I enjoy being outside in nature, and spending time with my partner and dog. In daily life I try to do sports in my free moments to switch off.

What’s next for Coal Black, and for you?

Our general supply will continue to expand and grow as we continue to work on the internationalisation of the Coal Black products, and sustainable tattoo products with added value. We are also currently working on a PMU product. Stay tuned!

For me personally, it’ll be implementing project after project, and moving forward. I also want to work on a personal skill: learning to enjoy my free time!