The prerequisite for a successful, efficient and well-organized microblading session is a well set up tray.
You need to set up your microblading tray before each and every client, and, especially for beginners, that can take time and you might miss something.
So we’ve prepared a short guide through setting up your microblading tray, along with a checklist and product recommendations, in case you’re just setting up shop.
First, Get a Handy Tray
The key to an efficient workspace is a sturdy tray with wheels that you can move around easily.
It needs to be big enough to fit all of your supplies, but still compact so it doesn’t restrict your movement.
Another feature you should look for in a tray is the option to adjust its height, so you don’t have to bend down when you reach for your tools and supplies.
In terms of color, your options mostly come down to black/silver base, and a silver/black tray, since they’re made of metal. But you’ll be covering the tray with disposable paper covering anyway.
Here’s a couple of trays that will probably meet your needs:
Prep Your Tray Following the Safety Protocol
To consider your workspace safe and sanitary, you have to prepare your microblading tray in a certain way.
You have to wipe it down before every client, wearing a fresh pair of gloves you’ll throw away after this.
The more or less established safety protocol for PMU is that you should never put instruments or supplies on your tray if it’s not covered with a disposable covering you’ll be throwing out after the treatment.
This is done in order to prevent cross-contamination in the easiest, most practical way.
Put a plastic covering over the whole tray, and a paper dental bib over that.
Finally, Arrange Your Tools and Supplies
Here’s a list of thing that should be on your tray:
- Cup(s) with pigment
- Microblades (we suggest unpacking it in front of your client, once you’re ready to start your blading)
- Mapping tools
- Alcohol pads for prepping the skin
- Wipes or a solution of green soap for cleaning the pigment off
- Cotton pads
- Q-tips
- Microbrushes
- Mascara wand
- Gloves
- Any extras you use during your treatment, like a pigment mixer
These are the essentials. You can find specific product recommendations in these articles:
- 14 Must Have Items in Your Microblading Kit
- Microblading Supplies: What You Need in Your Microblading Salon
- Microblading Tools – Essentials & Accessories
Image source: Instagram @meowbrowsmicroblading
Extra Tips
Microblading tray setup is a relatively straightforward process. It’ll take some fine tuning to figure out which placement suits you most, but you’ll figure it out within a couple of treatments.
Still, here’s a few tips that might be useful:
Check If Everything You Need Is on Your Tray Before You Start
If you start working, break the client’s skin, and then realize you need something that’s not on your tray, you’ll need to take off your gloves, get it, and then put on a fresh pair of gloves. That’s a hassle and it means wasting a pair of gloves.
This is standard protocol that prevents cross-contamination.
So, before you start the procedure, always double and triple check to make sure everything’s there.
If You Use It, Prepare a Solution of Green Soap
Green soap is the go-to in the tattooing industry, and it’s becoming a staple in PMU, too. It’s primarily used to clean pigment off at the end of the treatment. It works really well, but you have to prepare it for use on skin.
Green soap comes in a very concentrated formula which has to be diluted with distilled water before it’s used (1 part green soap to 8 parts water). Do this before the treatment starts, and prepare the solution so it’s ready for use.
Keep the bottle on your tray.
Try Disposable Microblading Trays for Your Tools
Disposable plastic trays with designated spots for pigment cups and other tools can be really useful for keeping everything neat and tidy.
Some artists can’t work without them. They aren’t essential, but in case you’ve never tried them, they may be something you never knew you needed.
Invest in Stylish Disposables
Beauty services are a special type of business. Yes, you’re selling treatments, but you’re also providing your clients with an experience, and a luxury one at that. So in order to make your business truly stand out, you need to pay attention to details.
And an important part of that is making sure your salon and treatment room (or space) look attractive. So why not make every part of it look nice, including your microblading tray?
You can make your tray look better simply by switching to bamboo q-tips and mascara wands. These look better, and they’re also better for the environment.
Try to Keep Your Color Palette Coherent
Of course, this is not a deal breaker, but if you want to keep your workspace looking nice and coherent, you should pick a color and try to get most of your disposables in it. Keep your paper covering, gloves, and if possible, other items in 1 color.
We suggest black – it looks the most elegant and most professional.
Final Note
To wrap things up, we’d just like to emphasize how important hygiene is in your microblading tray setup. You have to pay special attention to cleaning your tray regularly and thoroughly enough, plus making sure it’s protected properly before any blading.
You have to follow sanitation protocols in order to keep all your permits and insurance, and ultimately in order to keep your clients and yourself safe and healthy.
