How to Properly Shake PMU Pigment Bottles (Without Making a Mess or Wasting Product)
Let’s talk pigment bottles. Specifically — how to properly shake your PMU pigments so they’re clean, unclogged, and ready to deliver top-tier healed results.
Believe it or not, there are still tons of PMU artists out there unknowingly shaking their tattoo pigment bottles the wrong way — and yes, it’s causing mess, waste, and frustration.
If that’s you? No shame — we’ve all been there. As a proud distributor for Li Pigments, we’ve heard this complaint more times than we can count. So let’s break it down, fix it, and make sure your pigment game is on point.
What Happens When You Shake Pigment Bottles Incorrectly?
Here’s what we see all the time:
🩷 Artist grabs pigment bottle.
🩷 Shakes it with the cap still on.
🩷 Opens it, pours pigment into their cup.
🩷 Recaps and stores it away.
Repeat at next client appointment.
Seems fine, right? But here’s the problem: Shaking with the cap on sends pigment up into the cap, and it starts collecting around the tip and rim. That leads to:
🩷 Leaking bottles
🩷 Clogged tips
🩷 Wasted pigment (aka wasted money 💸)
🩷 Sticky, gunky labels
🩷 Frustration mid-procedure
The pigment starts drying, hardening, and you’re stuck squeezing the bottle like it owes you money. Not the vibe.
The Right Way to Shake Your PMU Pigment Bottle
Let’s clean this up — literally.
Here’s the step-by-step for how to shake PMU pigment the right way:
1. Take the cap OFF.
No shaking with the cap on — ever.
2. Cover the tip with something clean.
Gloved finger, tissue, cotton pad, gauze… anything sterile. Do not use a bare finger.
3. Shake for 30 seconds.
Yes, 30 full seconds. This part is crucial (more on that below).
4. Remove your finger/barrier from the tip.
5. Grab the bottle with clean fingers.
Don’t grab it with the hand you used to cover the tip — that’s how labels get messy.
6. Pour pigment into your pigment cup.
7. Clean off the tip and rim.
Use a fresh tissue or gauze to wipe off any excess.
8. Recap and store for next time.
🌀 And next time? Repeat the process exactly. No shortcuts.
Why 30 Seconds of Shaking Matters
So why 30 seconds?
Pigments — especially Li Pigments' Aqua line — are made using liquefiers like sterile water, glycerin, and alcohol, along with multiple colorants in powdered form. Over time, that pigment load (the actual color) settles at the bottom of the bottle.
A quick shake (5–10 seconds) barely stirs the bottom. So when you pour, you're working with a weaker, watered-down pigment. And yes — that absolutely affects healed results.
Shaking for 30 seconds fully reactivates the pigment load and blends it with the liquefiers, giving you a fully concentrated formula to tattoo with. This means:
🩷 Stronger healed color
🩷 Fewer touch-ups
🩷 Better pigment retention
And THAT is the goal, isn’t it?
Clean Bottles, Happy Clients
Once you switch to this method, you’ll notice:
🩷 No more pigment in your cap
🩷 No more clogged tips
🩷 No mess on your labels
🩷 No waste
🩷 And no mid-procedure meltdowns 😅
You paid for that pigment — let’s use every drop of it effectively!
Need More Pigment Tips or Product Help?
We’re not just here to sell pigment — we’re here to support artists.
If you're using Li Pigments, check out our full collection here — and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. We're always happy to help.
FAQs: Shaking PMU Pigments
Q: Why is there pigment in my bottle cap?
A: If you're shaking your pigment bottle with the cap on, pigment gets pushed into the cap, causing buildup, mess, and leaking.
Q: How long should I shake my PMU pigment bottle?
A: Shake for 30 full seconds to fully mix the pigment load with the liquefiers. Anything less can result in weak pigment.
Q: Can I use a pigment mixer instead of shaking by hand?
A: Yes! Pigment mixers are great — just make sure you still clean the tip and don’t skip the prep steps.
Q: What happens if I don’t shake properly?
A: You risk using diluted pigment, which can lead to poor retention, faded healed results, and more touch-ups.
Q: Is this method only for Li Pigments?
A: While we’re obsessed with Li, this method works for most PMU pigment lines — but always check with the manufacturer for specifics.
✨ Final Thoughts
Proper pigment shaking is a small change that makes a huge difference — in your workflow, your healed results, and your sanity. So ditch the mess, protect your product, and shake like a pro.
Any questions? Reach out. We’ve got your back.