When you decide to get a new tattoo, there are many decisions that need to be made. What design you want, what size, and where to put it are some obvious questions a tattoo artist will ask you about your tattoo inquiry. Choosing a tattoo style is something you may not have known you’d need to consider. Tattoo style makes all the difference in how a design appears, and there are so many options to choose from! But first, there are a few things that are important to know.

Can I Get Any Style of Tattoo?

The short answer is, yes. However, you can expect that many tattoo artists specialize in one or two particular styles and avoid doing tattoos that aren’t in their repertoire. A traditional tattoo artist may not be the person to go to for a realistic animal portrait. Other times, tattoo studios require that their artists learn to tattoo in a wide variety of styles in order to meet more client demands. It’s important to keep in mind whether the artist you are seeing fits your tattoo needs.

Tattoo Styles You May Know Of

Some of the more well-known tattoo styles include black & grey realism, traditional tattoos, and fine line tattoos. Black & grey realism is exactly what you’d expect, extremely realistic photo imagery commonly used for portrait tattoos.

Traditional style tattoos are categorized by bold outlines, and bright colors. Generally, red, green, and blue are used in true traditional style tattoos as these were the ink colors most readily available when the style first came to be. This style has been adapted to employ more colors, and more shading over time giving way to New School and Neotraditional tattoos.

Fine line tattoos feature delicate linework and minimal shading. Some people might refer to them as dainty tattoos.

If you are interested in more tattoo styles, check out Tattoos Wizard’s comprehensive guide to tattoo styles. All Tattoo Styles Explained Visually | Extensive guide | Tattoos Wizard

Do All Tattoos Fall Into a Specific Category?

In the world of tattooing today, the reality is that many tattoos to not fall into a specific category. Rather, they are often a combination of elements from many different tattoo styles. As technology continues to improve, the limits of tattooing are less by the day. Today there are hundreds of different tattoo machines you can get, and each with different special capabilities. This allows for new styles to be created, and for multiple styles to be easily blended together. In fact, many artists will switch the machine they are using during a session depending on what part of the tattoo they are working on. When choosing a tattoo style, remember that it does not need to fit into one category, but it is helpful to reference certain styles so that your artist can design the right tattoo for you.

References:

A Beginner’s Guide: Popular Tattoo Styles Briefly Explained • Tattoodo

All Tattoo Styles Explained Visually | Extensive guide | Tattoos Wizard

Tattoos As Trauma Management

Did you know that tattoos can be used as a tool for healing? Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular in mainstream culture. As they do, it’s interesting to consider why so many people choose to get tattooed. The answer is different for everyone, but for many people it’s that there are therapeutic benefits of getting tattoos.

Despite the fact that getting a tattoo is creating a wound on your skin, many people find that getting a tattoo can allow them to heal from current and past trauma. Laura Crompton of Tel Aviv University led a study to better understand how getting a tattoo can help people cope with trauma. Her study found one common reason to be that tattoos can be a visual representation of otherwise invisible scars or experiences. Having a visible tattoo is a way for people to express and sometimes prove what they have gone through.

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A tattoo can be a memorial for a significant event or for a loved one. Getting a tattoo can allow people to feel they have control over their own body. For instance, choosing what is going on your body, where, and in what context, are all components of getting a tattoo that give a person agency.

Physiology

Another reason tattoos are considered therapeutic is because of the physical response they evoke from your body before, during, and after getting a tattoo. With this in mind, Psychotherapist, Mark Bailey, gave his take on why people get tattooed, and particularly why they do it over and over again. He broke down what is going on in the body. First, is the anticipation phase. You experience a release of endorphins as you consider what’s to come, feeling excited and perhaps a bit nervous. Next is actually getting the tattoo. Your body experiences a rush of adrenaline. This can help mask the pain and also give you the feeling of a natural high. Some people have also noted that they feel being able to sit through the prolonged pain of a tattoo, they are better equipped to cope with other types of physical and emotional stress.

An Escape

Finally, tattooist, Tyler Martina, wrote that many people get tattoos is because they find it to be a relaxing experience. The process of getting a tattoo is such that you are able to spend those hours thinking of nothing else. It is an intimate and conscious experience. You make a meaningful decision about your body, and fully experience that decision coming to be. The pain from a tattoo is steady. It can act as a tool to stay present in that moment and forget about the pain or stress experienced in everyday life.

References:

5 Ways Tattoos Can Help People Heal | Psychology Today

Tattoos and Healing: Considerations from an Art Therapy Lens (lesley.edu)

Tattoo Therapy – MrInkwells

Social Norms Impact Tattoo Culture

Tattoo culture is shifting before our very eyes. There was a time not too long ago when working in an office, at a hospital, or in a school meant that you could not have visible tattoos. Now, oftentimes when you walk into an ER, a majority of staff taking care of you will be decorated with full tattoo sleeves. There has been a generational shift in stigmas about tattoos. They are more widely accepted and adorned than ever before, particularly in the Western world.

The Tattoo Experience Is Changing

Since tattoos have become socially acceptable on a wider scale, the demand for them has increased exponentially. As such, there is more room for artists to shift the way they want to go about tattooing. Artists like Keith “Big Bang” McCurdy have made motions to fight against tattoo stereotypes and make the experience of getting a tattoo less daunting. McCurdy remarked in an interview with the Huffington post, “I didn’t feel very welcomed when I was a younger person that wanted tattoos and I would go into a tattoo shop,” McCurdy says. “I felt very nervous and in a really vulnerable spot”. Now, tattoo artists have more agency to run their studios the way they want. They can also be more particular about what they tattoo. Projectors playing movies and purifying plants are taking the place of blaring heavy metal music.

_{At Creative Ink Studio in Keene, there are almost always movies or music videos playing on the big screen.}

More Room for Individuality

In more modern tattoo studios, instead of saying yes to any tattoo request that walks in the door, artists are able to stay true to their niche areas of skill and interest. This has opened the door for more artists and more creativity within the field. There is also less incentive to keep people out of the field of tattooing, because instead of seeing another artist as competition, you can see it as an opportunity for you to focus more on your style, while they can take clients who fit their style. The world of tattooing continues to grow and develop, with artists gaining more respect for their trade and having more opportunities to succeed.

References:

Artists Are Fighting Back Against Stereotypes In Tattoo Culture | HuffPost Entertainment

The Changing Tradition of Tattoo Culture – The Cord

Are you thinking about trying floating for the first time? There’s somethings you should know about floating with tattoos!

What is floating?

Floating, also known as sensory deprivation, perceptual isolation, float tanks or isolation tanks, is a relaxation practice providing you with a weightless body in zero gravity. The process consists of you floating yourself half submerged in 10-11 inches of water filled with over a thousand pounds of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt). Typically, the timeframe is between 60 to 90 minutes, but you can go for even longer if desired! The idea is to deprive yourself of distractions, in a dark room with little noise minimizing your sensory. It allows you to relax, focus, and connect to yourself.

Floating with Tattoos

Floating may sound like the perfect therapy, but you should know what you’re going into if you have tattoos. Most tattoo artists will tell you to avoid submerging a tattoo while its healing, but floating tanks poise a risk to even fully healed, well-aged tattoos. This is because of the high level of epsom salt found in the tank. Similar to salabrasion (a method of tattoo removal), the prolong exposure to high levels of salt can cause premature fading and color discoloration to your tattoo. In addition, the long submersion in water can contribute to fading over time.

What all float experts and tattoo artists can agree upon is a tattoo which is not fully healed should never go into a float tank. Not only will it likely cause irreversible damage to your tattoo, but it would also be quite painful. Salt on fresh wounds is a big ouch. If you’re under 6 weeks for healing time, its best to avoid a float tank. In addition, you can also leak blood and ink into the tanks, which is disrespectful to the float tank owners and will cost you a cleaning fee. In general, don’t go in a float tank with a new tattoo.

Want to Float anyways?

Sometimes, therapy is more important than the longevity of your tattoo – and that’s perfectly fine! There are some measures you can take to avoid premature fading and color discoloration.

• Small Tattoos:
  For a small tattoo, you can apply petroleum jelly over the tattoo. Most float tank centers will have this on hand for scars and exposed injuries as it reduces the risk of burning sensation cause by contact to the salt water.
• Medium Tattoos:
  You can apply vitamin A&D ointment over your tattoo after your pre-float shower. Be sure the tattoo area is completely dry before applying.
• Bigger Tattoos:
  For bigger tattoos, it may be best to use second skin or cellophane to cover the tattoo. But its very important to discuss this with the float center to be sure they would allow this in their tanks.

Conclusion

If you have a new tattoo, you should avoid floating until its completely healed. It is important to discuss this therapy with your tattoo artists in ensure you’d doing everything you can to preserve your ink. The float center may also have useful and informative information in regard to protecting your tattoo as well. Be sure to consult everyone before getting into a tank and understand the risks to your tattoo.

Sources

Risks of floating with a tattoo? – DSP 55 – Float Tank Solutions

Salabrasion | definition of salabrasion by Medical dictionary (thefreedictionary.com)

FAQ | Float On – Float Tank Center (floathq.com)

Why You Shouldn’t Go Floating After Getting a Tattoo — Certified Tattoo Studios

What is Floating — FLOAT SIXTY

Thinking about sleeves? Not sure where to start? We can help with that! Here you can find suggestions for how to start the process of getting a sleeve. Whether you have a concept or not, there’s some things you can do to make your dreams a reality.

Brainstorming Concepts and Themes for a Sleeve

The very first step to getting a new sleeve is brainstorming! Start by getting inspired by sleeves of other people. There are so many different styles of tattooing, and its important going in to know what you want. The styles range from realism to traditional to geometrical and more.

Once you’ve narrowed this down you can really begin to think about concepts and themes for a piece. If, for example, you want to do a full American traditional style sleeve, it would be good to look at common motifs of the style. The most common themes for sleeves in general include religion, personal beliefs or mottos, cultural imagery and nature.

Consider if you want black and grey or color. Typically, black and grey sleeves convey a feeling or state of mind using mixed elements while color is usually a single idea or theme which all exist in the same universe. Keep in mind – a color sleeve will need to be completed within a year to keep consistency in the coloring as color ink fades!

Once you’ve got all of these elements down, begin to create a folder of examples of elements you want to show your artist.

Thinking of Placement

A sleeve can mean a lot of things. You could go a full sleeve, or a half sleeve. It can be your legs or your arms. If you know you want a full sleeve, determine what placement you want. Consider factors such as visibility and employment. Some areas will support imagery better than others due to the natural shape of your body. Where on your body you want to do the sleeve plays a big factor in the overall design your artist will come up with and how many elements they can reasonably include.

Sketch it Out!

So you’ve got a theme or concept, now its time to sketch it out! Lets be honest, we are not all artists. So, this may prove challenging to some people. But this sketch does not need to be detailed! It will help illustrate to your artist how you’re thinking and what you’re envisioning. You can even collage images together to help illustrate your idea. Its important to not get too attached to this sketch, however. This is because your artist is going to have to redesign it to be a functional tattoo. Sometimes things need to be bigger or less condensed to give you a lifelong tattoo. For example, a realism portrait will need to be bigger than linework illustrations. This is because there’s a lot of detail which goes into a realism portrait and your artist needs to have room to achieve those details.

Figure Out Your Budget

This is important. The reality of sleeves are: they are expensive. They are especially expensive if you’re covering the whole arm, inside and out. Remember, time adds up! You can expect to pay at least 2,000 for a sleeve, and sit at least for 12 hours. But sleeves, depending on the subject matter and style, can really add up. The more detailed and intricate the design, the longer its going to take. Some sleeves can take upwards of 80 hours to complete. Check out our post of time expectations for tattoos to set a base understanding of how long a sleeve would actually take. There are many variables which contribute to the pricing of your tattoo including, but not limited to, artist’s hourly rate, intricacy of design, and color vs black and white.

Lastly: Pick an Artist

The last portion of planning a sleeve is picking an artist. Look through portfolios to find someone who specializes in the style you’re looking for. Look to see if maybe they’ve done similar concepts and themes. See if they are experienced in sleeve design. Reach out to them with your idea, placement, and sketch you made up. Be open to suggestions and alterations. If the artist is interested, they should be able to give you a timeframe and price quote for what you’re looking for. Make sure this estimate is within the budget you have set for yourself and have expectations that it may go over their estimate.

Sources:

• Plan a Sleeve Tattoo – Full Guide | Tattoos Wizard
• Considering a Sleeve Tattoo? Here’s What You Need to Know (byrdie.com)
• 9 Steps For Planning a Tattoo Sleeve – Tattoo Ideas, Artists and Models (inkedmag.com)

This is a question we get asked all the time. And sometimes, the answer is question surprising. There are many factors which come into play when thinking about the timeframe of a tattoo. If you’re on a budget, and you really want to get some ink, consider some of these factors when choosing a design!

The Tattoo Size and Detail in Relation to Timeframe

The most obvious factor when it comes to the length of a tattoo session, is the size of the design. Obviously, the bigger the design, the more time the artist needs to do the piece. But, sometimes, a tattoo the size of a brick could take longer than a piece which covers half your forearm. This has to do with several different elements of your tattoo. The first, is level of detail. The finer details, the more slowly your artist needs to move. In tattoos like portraits or geometrical patterns, for example, one mess up can lead to a massive impact on the entire appearance of your tattoo. Therefore, your artist needs to move slower to concentrate on the details and execute the tattoo with precision.

Color vs. Black and Grey

Another significant factor in the timeframe of your tattoo is color. Color is an extremely lengthy process. The more colors your tattoo needs, the longer it will take. There are two many reason for this. The first is, color covers more surface area than linework. If every outline needs to be filled in with color, it will take more time. This is true for a blackwork pieces as well. If there are big spaces being filled with ink – its going to take more time.

The second reason for length extension is the number of colors used. For each color, your artist will need to clean their machine to ensure there’s no ink color left to avoid unwanted mixture of color. So, if you have a tattoo with 6 different colors, your artist needs to clean their machine each time they need to use a different color. This is a length process and can prolong your sitting.

Body Parts, Your Pain Tolerance in Relation to Timeframe

Your body and your pain tolerance play a factor into the timeframe of a tattoo. For obvious reasons, your pain tolerance can affect how long it takes to tattoo you. This doesn’t just include your ability to tolerate the needle – but also your comfort level in the position you need to be in. For example, hunching over so your tattoo artist can do a piece on your back may be more painful than sitting in a chair while they tattoo your ankle. How your body tolerances the position you need to be in can prolong how long it takes. If you need several breaks because it’s an unnatural position or because the tattoo hurts, then it will slow down the process.

In addition, the location of where you want to place the tattoo affects timeframes. If you get a piece done on your arm, it has easier access to than the inside of your thigh. If the spot is harder for your artist to reach and maneuver, than the session could take longer.

Artists’ Experience & Natural Ability

The last factor that plays a big role in the timeframe of your tattoo is your artist. An apprentice may move slower than a seasoned artists because they haven’t had enough experience to move quickly through a tattoo. They are learning and experiencing new skin types every day – and this can slow them down.

The more experience an artist has, the more likely they will move a little faster. In addition, if you’re doing a common subject matter – like roses or skulls, your artist has probably done hundreds of them. Therefore, they are going to move faster because they understand how the tattoo works and functions on skin. This can be applied to reusable flash designs as well. It is likely your artist has done them several times and knows what to expect. Doing designs an artist hasn’t yet drawn, could slow down the process as they familiarize themselves with how the design flows on your body.

Lastly, your artists natural ability can affect the time of your piece. Some artists move slower than others. This doesn’t mean they are less skilled, just that they work a little differently.

Moving Forward with Your Tattoo

Now that you have a base understanding of the attributes which affect timeframes of tattoos, you can start to get an understanding of how long your tattoo will take. Simple, limited detailed designs are going to take less time than a full realism sleeve. Always go in with an open mind as every artist is different. The more experience your artist has, the more likely their judgement on timeframes will be accurate – but always remember you have an effect on the length as well!

Sources:

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tattoo? – TatRing

How Long Does It Take To Get A Tattoo? – AuthorityTattoo

**Creative Ink does NOT do hand tattoos**

Hand tattoos are rising in popularity. Hands in particular are highly visible areas. Therefore, making a decision on a tattoo in this location is a big deal. But you should take some serious considerations when thinking about getting a hand tattoo and choose your artist carefully. In fact, it’s not uncommon for tattoo artists to refuse to do these locations – but why?

Why Do Artist Refuse Hand Tattoos?

Hands present a number of difficulties when tattooing. These areas require a talented well versed tattoo artist. Our hands are irregular surfaces and have varying bone structures which add to the inconsistency. In addition, the skin on our hands is very fragile and thin which can lead to blow outs. Hands have more nerve endings than an arm or leg – therefore the pain will be higher. All of these factors make tattooing hands very difficult for many artists. Therefore, you’ll find artist who refuse to do them.

Long Term Appearances

In addition to the factors above, another difficulty and refusal presented by tattoos on hands is the long-term appearance and upkeep. Because our hands have a high frequency of usage, they fade faster than other locations. As a result, healing can be problematic. The more wear and exposure to environment, the more difficult it is to heal and keep your tattoo looking fresh after its healed. Aftercare is the utmost priority to keep your tattoo clean and looking good long term.

What to Expect and Budget Planning

Because hands have a high rate of exposure to environment and wear, touch ups should be expected and factored into your budget. It is not uncommon to need to have frequent touch ups in the first year due to this. Most artists will refuse to touchup for free because of the likelihood of fading. Therefore, it should be considered you will need to go back into the studio and pay to maintain the tattoo. Hands can begin to fade anywhere between weeks to months. Numerous touchups will be likely for the life of your hand tattoo – it is all dependent on how well you care for your tattoo and the exposure to environment. For example, if you work with your hands outside for a living you will likely need more touchups than someone who works at a computer desk.

Moving Forward with a Hand Tattoo

If you’ve decided you want a hand tattoo despite the above information, then it’s important to find an artist who is expertise in hand tattoos! Comb through numerous portfolios and look for examples of hand tattoos before committing to an artist. This will make the difference in appearance and quality in your new tattoo.

**Creative Ink does NOT tattoo hands**

Sources:

• All you need to know about getting a Tattoo on Handhttps://www.alienstattoo.com/post/all-you-need-to-know-about-getting-a-tattoo-on-hand
• Hand Tattoo Information, Care, and Design Ideas (byrdie.com)

**Creative Ink does not do scar cover-ups and concealment**

Covering scars with tattoos is becoming more and more popular as the tattoo industry grows. It helps one regain a sense of self, and feel confident in their own body. But it’s very important you understand the reality of covering scars and find yourself an artist with experience doing it. There are questions you need to acknowledge, and patience required. In addition, one must be aware of the potential high number of sessions needed depending on the severity of the scar as well as realizing you’d likely need to continue to touch up the tattoo to keep your scar concealed.

Covering scars is not an easy process for a tattoo artist. Every scar is different and may require multiple consultations before applying any ink. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll not be able to make the scar “disappear” but rather just draw attention away from it. You must acknowledge what your scar is, and what its chances are for a successful concealment. Questions you should ask yourself are: What type of scar do I have? Is it raised? How deep does the damaged tissue go? Does it have a keloid or toughened scar tissue? These are all factors which affect the tattoo.

Finding an Artist Willing to Tattoo Scars

There are many artists who will not cover a scar. But why? The first acknowledgment is the difficulty in concealing your tattoo. Your artists need to be patient, invested in the time it will take, and precise. Experience is key here. In addition, scars do not hold ink well. Meaning, you would likely need multiple sessions to achieve a successful consistent tattoo. Your scars have a different texture and appearances of your skin. Your tattoo may not appear the way you expected it to. Secondly, there’s a higher chance of blow outs, blurring, and spotty healing.

What to Expect When Concealing a Scar

If you’ve found an experience artist who can conceal your scar, then there’s some things you should expect. Its important to note that tattooing over scars is painful. Of course, tattooing is already a painful process, but scars tend to be even more painful. This is because it is damaged tissue and give intense sensation – especially if the scar is fresh. Its best to wait at least a year before tattooing a new scar. But you could need to wait as long as 5 years if the scar is big and deep enough.

In addition to the pain associated with scars, you also run the risk of damaging the tissue further. Scar tissue can get extremely aggravated and raised during the tattoo process. As a result, the tissue could be damaged further causing your scar to become bigger/worse. With scar which have not healed fully, there’s a chance of possibly reopening the wound. This would require your tattoo session to end and for you to seek medical attention. Lastly, your tattoo may not heal properly. Its important to follow the aftercare instructions when it comes to tattooed scars.

Moving Foward with Scar Concealment

Concealing scars is a beautiful thing, and helps people regain their bodies and sense of self. But it does not come without is complications and risks. Understanding the difficulties and risks of covering scars is an important before sitting in the tattoo chair. Always remember its best to find an artist with experience covering and concealing scars, as it can make the difference in your final result.

**Creative Ink does not do scar cover-ups and concealment**

Sources:

• Tattoo Over a Scar: What to Know, Pain Level, and More (healthline.com)
• Is Tattooing Over Scars Possible? – Hush Anesthetic

sDid you know it’s a common misconception that you cannot give blood if you have tattoos? There is a high level of people with tattoos who’ve heard this myth at some point in their lives. As a result, hundreds of people opt to not give blood which ultimately could save lives. In fact, 1 pint of blood – which takes about 45 minutes to give – could save three lives.

In a majority of states in the US, you can give blood immediately after getting a tattoo. The Redcross deems a person is immediately eligible for blood donations if they received the ink within a state regulated entity. This is a majority of the country.

Non-State Regulated Tattoo Facilities and Giving Blood

But there are some exceptions. If you got your tattoo in state where facilities are NOT state regulated, you have an incubation period of 3 months. This doesn’t mean your tattoo was performed in an unsafe manner. Every state has its own legality for tattooing. For example, in the state of New Hampshire, the facility is not regulated. But each artist must have a license under which they go through classes about proper sterilization techniques and safe practice. There are several other states which do not regulate facilities. Those states are: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming.

Why is there an Incubation Period?

The main concern with giving blood after getting a tattoo is possible exposure to Hepatitis B & C. If the tattoo is applied by a state regulated entity using sterile needles and ink which has not been reused the risk is considered lower. Hep B & C is highly contagious and potentially deadly. It is spreads by coming into contact with blood which is contains Hep. Thus, an incubation period is required if you received a tattoo within a state which is unregulated. This is to make sure you haven’t contracted the disease and are unknowingly spreading it through blood donation.

Other Circumstances Around Giving Blood with Tattoos

But what if you didn’t get the tattoo from a licensed artist or state regulated facility? We all know or have heard of someone who either gave themselves a tattoo, got a tattoo in someone kitchen, or maybe someone who go ink while in prison. If you fall under one of these categories – you can still give blood. But you must wait 12 months from the tattoo to insure you haven’t contracted the disease. In most cases, Hep B & C do not show symptoms until around 3 months of exposure. When you cannot guarantee the environment, you received your tattoo in, you fall under this category of 12-month incubation period.

If you’re unsure if it’s safe to give blood, always talk with a doctor/professional in regard to your last tattoo session. Please read more about the importance of giving blood and pre-cautionary measures.

Sources:

• Blood Donor Eligibility Criteria | Red Cross Blood Services
• Red Cross Myth Busters: The Facts on Tattoos and Giving Blood (redcrosschat.org)
• Can you donate blood if you have a tattoo? Timeline and more (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Can you donate blood after getting a tattoo? – UCHealth Today

Tattoo Industry, Conventions, and the Pandemic

As the world begins to return to “normal” after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the tattoo community proves once again to be resilient and adaptive to an ever-changing world. Much like the results of the 1980 AIDS epidemic, the community remains vigilant in maintaining the craft and preserving integrity. While the AIDS epidemic resulted in poor stigma around the tattoo community, COVID-19 halted its practice almost altogether – resulting in a severe decline in public interest due to health risks. Yet, the industry has bounced back and remains compliant with government regulations to ensure safe practices. The world of tattoo conventions is resurfacing, adding new regulations and precautionary measures into the mix. As a result, we are reflecting on the first ever tattoo convention and its effect on the tattoo industry.

The First Tattoo Convention

On January 24th and 25th in 1976, Lyle Tuttle and Dave Yurkew held the first recorded convention in tattoo history in Houston, Texas. As described by Lyle Tuttle, the convention was “the event that changed tattooing forever.” It was an event which welcomed sailors, misfits, hippies, and bikers. Roughly 130 tattoo artists attended to compete for cash prizes, learn from other artists, and display their work in front of tattoo enthusiasts and peers. Now renown artists including Mr. Tramp, Shanghai Kate, Don Ed Hardy, Sailor West, Charlie Potter, and Crazy Ace were in attendance. Dave Yurkew – then president of the North American Tattoo Club – went on to hold 6 consecutive conventions until 1982.

Ripples of the First Convention

As a result, the first convention brought an uprise in tattoo popularity and acceptance within the public eye. Though, at the time, some artist protested the convention, finding distaste in introducing the craft into public eye. However, without this event, tattooing today would unlikely have the same popularity within mainstream communities. In addition, the event birthed a collective culture and traditions within the tattooing community. It acted as a place for artists and outcasts alike to meet, respect, and appreciate each other. The community achieved a deeper appreciation for the craft and increased public acceptance of tattoos. Today, you may find your doctor or even lawyer have full sleeves under their uniform. Since the first event in 1976, conventions have popped up all over the world. Though the 2020 pandemic had its effect on the community, tattooing conventions are resurfacing and coming back with full swing.

Sources:

• Houston hosted the world’s first tattoo convention in 1976 (chron.com)
• The Future and History of Tattoo Conventions • Tattoodo