Static Weight

Static weight is the weight of a completely unmoving and unchanging object. A static weight capacity is tested by placing fixed weights on the furniture item until it breaks. Static tests are cheaper and don't require special tools or equipment. Static tests can be one aspect of testing but should NEVER be the only weight capacity test conducted and static weight limits should never be considered a true weight limit for weight-bearing furniture.

Dynamic Weight

Dynamic weight is the weight of a moving, changing, and shifting object. Dynamic weight is tested by taking into account different forces that act on an object in motion such as weight, force, speed, gravity, shifts in weight, and impacts. Dynamic weight tests are more expensive to perform, requiring equipment that can simulate different forces and variables related to an item's intended and realistic use. Dynamic weight capacity is falsely said to be one-fourth of the static weight capacity, but this is often an unsafe overestimate. The most common tattoo beds only have dynamic weight limits of 250-450 pounds.

Working Weight

Working weight is the total dynamic weight and all its factors - including your own body and pressure - that your table holds. 

We commonly assume that as long as our client is under our table’s weight limit, that all is well. Not only is it next to impossible to estimate how much a client weighs, but that isn’t even close to the only factor at play. 

Our weight, the weight of our lean, our downward pressure, our weight shift as we stretch and pull lines, and our weight of force are all taking up a good portion of our bed’s weight limit BEFORE we even factor in any of our clients body weight, not to mention their weight of force, downward pressure, and shifting weight. 

In reality, clients are not floated down from the sky onto furniture. They climb, roll, sit up and down, hop, and move which all create extra concentrated weight and pressure, unevenly spread across the surface of the bed. Static weight does not account for any of this.

A Sturdy Base

Tattoo bed bases are made out of 3 main materials: wood, aluminum, and steel.

Steel is by far the most reliable option; it is strong, durable, and safe but can be heavy and expensive.

Wood is common to see and while steel is best, wood can be a great base when made of thick, solid material. Wooden supports are more prone to degrading after repeated use and exposure to moisture (even when sealed), and thin wood bases like those seen on portable beds are significantly weaker and often experience wobbling, cracking, and collapsing even when used as intended.

Aluminum bases can be strong when made from high quality material, but most aluminum frames claim a strong metal construction while using low grade and thin supports that result in a light, wobbly, and dangerous bed. Aluminum tends to collapse and fail suddenly instead of first showing signs of wear like creaking and bowing like wood can, which makes it the least secure option.

Weight Limit And Listing Information

Inclusive beds should have a dynamic weight limit of 800 pounds or more. Unfortunately, weight limits are often overstated and unreliably tested so we must take in multiple factors of information to ensure a tattoo bed will be able to accommodate all bodies. 

For example, a listing for a tattoo bed with a thin aluminum frame states it can hold 800 pounds of dynamic weight and 3200 pounds of static weight. Visibly, that seems unrealistic, the legs are thin and the supports are cables. We can conclude that this bed has NOT had a dynamic test done on it because dynamic weight is commonly stated as one fourth of the static weight. 3200 divided by 4 is 800, meaning this company had a static test done, divided the results by 4, and is passing it off as the dynamic weight. It shows that this number is not reliable and neither is the company trying to deceive buyers at the expense of fat bodies' safety.

Be confident that your bed lists an accurate number by taking a look at the build. An inclusive bed will have a thick, solid base that is wide enough to distribute weight and prevent tipping. It will have strong, reinforced joints and connections, and may even have more than four legs for additional support. Avoid beds that look cheap or flimsy in construction as there are no federal regulations for furniture and fat peoples' safety is the first cost companies cut. Thin legs, minimal padding, a single point of support from the base to the table, and wire/string supports are all red flags of inadequate design and low weight capacity.

Positioning and Adjustability

Stationary beds are less expensive than hydraulic beds, meaning you can find one with an 800+ weight capacity at a more financially accessible price point, however they can be difficult for many clients to get up on the fixed height or sustain a position for long intervals without supports like stools and pillows. A more universally accommodating option is a hydraulic bed. These tables go from low heights to a standing elevation and allow individuals with mobility disabilities and chronic pain to independently and comfortably sit or lay on the table.

Hydraulic beds list their weight capacities as lift capacity. Lift capacity is often the static weight the hydraulic system can lift up and down. You should always assume the dynamic weight limit is much lower than the listed lift capacity. Most hydraulic beds that can actually lift 800+ pounds of dynamic weight are incredibly expensive, starting at 5-7 thousand dollars, and are marketed for purchase by hospitals and medical practices.

Purchasing Secondhand

Purchasing a bed secondhand from a spa or medical office can be a more affordable option than purchasing a bed from a distributor, but you need to be careful and closely evaluate for safety and functionality.

Where is it from? Does the seller have documentation of the exact model and other manufacturing information for the bed? Can they tell you about how it was used and maintained and how old it is?

What does the manufacturer's website say? Make sure you can identify the exact year, manufacturer, and model number of the bed you intend to purchase and research it in depth before you go see it in person. Many manufacturers change specifications between years so it's important to research information on the exact bed and not just the general model line or style. Identify the weight capacity and ensure it can hold dynamic weight over 800 pounds.

Thoroughly check the stability. Creaking, cracking, and wobbling are signs there may be missing or loose parts, warping, structural integrity compromises, or other damage that could make the bed unsafe. A missing bolt can usually be replaced, a cracked frame or leaking hydraulic fluid is much more dangerous. When in doubt, pass it up. It's always better to be sure you and your clients will be safe than to waste time and money trying to fix a problem on a bed that may ultimately still be unsafe and need replacing.

Avoid purchasing secondhand portable folding beds. These beds are rarely designed to hold anywhere near 800 pounds and so often have their capacities exceeded creating invisible damage that weakens the light frame, cheap supports, and stressed hardware leading to increased safety or liability risks.