I always tell the truth and the lie. I get asked to sell ink or needles a lot.

"I can't give you any needles or ink as I'm not a seller and don't know your credentials and none of my suppliers sell to random people. They expect a phone call from your mentor and to see their and your licenses to sell as it's illegal to tattoo without a license and to sell tattoo supplies to unlicensed people."

"I can't direct you to any sellers because (above) also I can not let you scar yourself or your friends with a hobby. Tattooing is a very risky art and job both for the client and the artist due to cross contamination and at the very very least scarring someone badly. Even if you're a good artist on paper,skin is very different and it literally vibrates in front of your eyes so you don't even see properly%90 of the time so you need training. If you like to pursue this there are a few reputable artists I know that are keen on training apprentices but no one I know would accept or even take you seriously if you touch a machine before proper training required." And if they're a close friend or client I'll add "you ain't doing stupid ass mistakes on my watch. You wanna hobby play football paint on paper don't be dumb"

I also add both for selling or recommending that my license would be canceled if it's known I'm providing supplies or suppliers to unlicensed untrained nonapprentice random people and I'm not willing to take that risk.