Tattoo Studios Archives - Page 3 of 27

September 27, 2023October 8, 2023

What are vegan tattoos? Everything you need to know

Vegan tattoos? Yep it’s a thing. No idea where to start? Then our ultimate guide to vegan ink is for you. Given that both tattooing and veganism represent lifestyle commitments, it was just a matter of time before these two communities came together.

So, what are vegan tattoos? Vegan tattoos are essentially tattoos crafted using eco-conscious materials and methods, notably vegan ink. In contrast to conventional tattoo ink, vegan tattoo ink is entirely devoid of any animal-derived ingredients. In contrast, traditional tattoo ink is made using components extracted from animal fat, bones, or crushed beetles.

Okay, let’s dive in, here’s EYNTK about vegan tattoo ink…

Okay, so what exactly is vegan ink?

Vegan ink does not contain any ingredients derived from animals. Vegan inks use vegetable-based glycerin, witch hazel or ethanol and carbon or logwood to achieve a bold black colour. When it comes to coloured inks, what sets them apart is the liquid that companies use to mix with the powdered pigments. Vegan ink is sourced from plants or vegetables, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.

So what is traditional tattoo ink made of?

Traditional tattoo inks usually consist of tiny solid pigment particles, molecular dyes, and binders all mixed together in water. However, that’s not all. As confirmed by PETA, traditional tattoo ink includes glycerin, shellac, gelatin or bone char. These are all ingredients derived from either animal fat, animal bones, or ground-up beetles. Others may contain beeswax, cod liver oil, or lanolin. These ingredients primarily serve the purpose of stabilising the ink and increasing pigmentation.

Is vegan tattoo ink safe?

While lacking scientific evidence, vegan tattoo ink is widely regarded as exceptionally safe on the skin.

Moreover, it’s often believed to have a lower likelihood of triggering allergic responses. People sporting vegan tattoos have reported enhanced colour consistency and greater longevity.

@_emily.fletcher‘s Tattoo by @carly_snow_tattoo

I got this tattoo back in 2021 from Carly Snow, a tattoo artist in Sheffield who used vegan ink. It’s been two years now, and my tattoo hasn’t really changed much quality wise. As you can see, using vegan tattoo ink doesn’t compromise the quality at all; the only distinction is that it’s a more ethical choice. I’m a vegetarian and passionate animal rights advocate, so I always strive to opt for the most ethical options available.

Asking vegan tattoo artists why they use vegan ink

I spoke to Harriet Hope, a vegan tattoo artist based in Brighton, UK, about why she uses vegan ink. She said:

“I choose vegan inks because there is no reason not to. Many of the popular brand inks such as Solid or Eternal are vegan, so it’s just as easy to choose vegan quality ink than anything else.

Why wouldn’t you want to limit suffering to animals when there is no loss of quality or convenience choosing vegan ink brands?”

Another vegan tattoo artist based in Hamburg kept it short and sweet with:

“I use vegan ink as I’m vegan and I don’t use animal products anyways.”

Simple and to the point, love it.

Jimmy Galan, a Brighton based vegan tattoo artist also commented on his decision to use vegan ink:

“Well since I’m vegan myself I believe that animals are in this world with us and not for us.

The notion of exploiting them just because we can doesn’t sit well with me and doesn’t align with my morals.

When I went vegan 10 years ago I had to obviously bring my morals to my job as I thought it would be hypocritical otherwise.

Today the majority of mainstream ink brands label their products as vegan. So these inks aren’t something that you’ll only get from a vegan tattoo artist, as most people use the same ink without even knowing that they’re vegan.

So vegan ink is “traditional ink” in many cases. People were using inks free from animal products before the term ‘vegab’ came along.

Some brands still use animal products such as bone char, glycerine from animal fat, gelatine from hooves , insect parts and others but as the world progresses these brands that choose to not move with the times get left behind.

But it goes further than ink. When a tattoo artist says ‘vegan tattoos’ it means (or should mean) that all their supplies are free from animal products and cruelty free (not tested on animals) This goes for cleaning solutions, tattoo ointments, stencil papers, stencil applicators, skin preparation solutions, surface flooring and all cleaning products in general.”

Do vegan tattoos cost more?

No, vegan tattoos generally don’t come with a higher price tag. But, it really depends on the tattoo artist. Tattoo costs vary from one artist to another. Some base their charges on the time spent, some on the placement of the tattoo, and others may charge extra for their experience level. It’s subjective.

While a few artists might charge a bit extra for using vegan ink, usually, there are other factors that take priority when determining the final price.

Do vegan tattoos fade faster?

No, vegan tattoos do not fade faster. The longevity of tattoo ink isn’t affected by it being vegan or not. What truly counts for fading is the quality of the ingredients used and how you care for your tattoo afterwards.

Are vegan tattoos the future?

With the surge in veganism’s popularity and a growing shift towards progressive and eco-conscious values, the tattoo industry has undergone a transformation. Today, many tattoo studios and artists are embracing vegan-friendly practices and products that are both cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. As a result, the use of vegan ink is becoming increasingly mainstream within the tattooing community.

Vegan tattoo aftercare

If you’re all about that vegan life, that’ll include tattoo aftercare too. Make sure to keep an eye out for these ingredients when you’re on the hunt for vegan tattoo aftercare products.

Aloe butter
Calendula
Coconut oil
Lavender
Vitamin E
Peppermint
Rosemary oil extract
Shea butter
Sunflower, grapeseed and rice bran oils
Various essential oils and natural fragrances.

Vegan tattoo aftercare skips harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients, sparing your skin from irritation. Instead, it uses natural ingredients to soothe and speed up healing, reducing scabbing too.

How to find a vegan tattoo artist

To find a vegan tattoo artist, you can easily search for ‘vegan tattoo artist‘ on Instagram. Instagram is great for tattoo artists because it lets them showcase their work visually. If you can’t find a specific artist, searching for ‘vegan tattoo studio’ can introduce you to multiple vegan tattoo artists.

Usually, these artists or studios will mention their use of vegan ink in their social media bios. If not, you can send them a quick direct message (DM) to ask if they use vegan ink or have a vegan ink option available. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re getting a tattoo that aligns with your values.

Vegan tattoo ink brands

Are you a tattoo artist looking to switch to vegan ink? Check out these 5 brands that provide high-quality ethical tattoo ink.

Final thoughts

Opting for a vegan tattoo is no different from getting one with conventional ink. If you’re interested in getting a vegan tattoo, explore the mentioned artists or search for one near you. If you can’t find a vegan tattoo artist nearby, keep an eye out for upcoming tattoo conventions where you’ll likely find talented vegan artists!

About the author – Emily Fletcher

“In 2022, I received my BA (Hons) in English Literature. Currently, I work as an SEO Executive at a digital marketing agency in Sheffield, while also freelance writing in my spare time. I have always loved writing, and I thoroughly enjoy delving into people’s opinions, dissecting the significance behind topics, and discussing unconventional subjects. I find great fulfilment in challenging people’s thoughts. My aim is for readers to gain fresh insights and learn something new from my writings.

On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me money for my first tattoo. My dad sat with me for the whole three hours with a Lucozade orange on hand. Since my first tattoo, I haven’t stopped, nor intend to just yet. To me, tattoos are like a permanent piecing of clothing. How you express yourself in your dress sense, I express myself through my tattoos. They make me feel confident and happy when I look in the mirror. I love finding new artists, new styles, though I stick to American Traditional, I love treating my body like a personal diary. My favourite tattoo is my first arm piece done by Sheffield based tattoo artist Earl Reyn, a red dragon as seen below. Though I get a lot of compliments on my tattoos wherever I go, this one in particular strikes people’s attention.”

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023

“Tattoos are an amazing way to express our individuality,” tattoo artist, Ehyang

Tattoo artist Ehyang adores putting her art on people’s bodies. “I think it’s a proud and rewarding thing that someone likes my paintings and keeps them on their body for the rest of their lives,” she enthuses. “There‘s nothing more glorious as an artist than that.” We caught up with her to find out more…

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos? Did you always want to get tattooed?
“When I was young, I just liked getting tattoos because they looked cool… then I started to just fall in love more and more, so I thought what could be better than to make them my job?”

How long have you been tattooing for? How did you train to become a tattoo artist?
“This year marks my third year. For my sanitation education, I took theoretical classes on machines and needles After that, I practiced with a rubber board.”

How would you describe your style of tattooing?
“My style is fine line ornamental. To differentiate myself from other tattooists, I draw animals with an ornamental twist. That’s the characteristic of my tattoos. I love fine lines and decorative tattoos.”

Do you tattoo lots of tourists who’ve travelled for your work?
“Half of my guests are foreigners and some of them visit Korea just to get a tattoo from me.”

How long is your wait list? How do customers book in?
“I’m taking reservations by e-mail, I used a Korean chat app, but I think e-mail is easier. I usually tattoo one person a day.”

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing more underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?
“I think Korea is still a little conservative about tattoos. Most young people get tattoos, and they like to get small tattoos. But I think there are more people getting tattoos than before.”

“I love that a client’s idea can take me somewhere I never thought I would go. “

What’s the best way for customers to come up with an idea for you? Do you offer flash or prefer custom work?
“Customised work is more fun. I love that a client’s idea can take me somewhere I never thought I would go. The design that I and the customer made is new and interesting…”

What is the address of your studio?
“It’s 61-1, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It’s my private studio.”

Any interesting hotels / shops / cafes nearby?
“There are many cute and pretty cafes near Mangwon-dong, Korea. There is a famous street called Mangridan-gil, and there are many cute shops there. Mangwon Market is also famous. It’s hard to walk around on weekends because there are so many people.”

Do you ever do guest spots? If so, when / where?
“I did in Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the U.S.”

What are your hopes and plans for the future?
“Now I want to settle down somewhere. I’d love that to be in America because I think I can do something fun and big with more diverse materials than in Korea. I’d love to create a unique style tattoo that only I can do…”

What do you love most about tattoos?
“Tattoos are attractive, there are so many styles and it’s fun to be able to express our individuality. And as an artist, I’m proud to be able to create my own creation with tattoos, and I don’t think there’s anything more interesting and attractive than that.”

Give Ehyang a follow on Instagram @e.hyang.tattoo.

September 4, 2023September 4, 2023

“Tattooing is more than a job, it’s a way to express and communicate a person’s life,” interview with tattoo artist, Inno

Tattooist Inno, who’s based in Seoul in Korea, realised that tattoos can be art when he saw a tattoo of a small, beautiful flower. That tattoo set him on a journey to becoming an artist himself. Here we catch up with him to find out more about tattooing in Korea, guest spots and what motivates and inspires him…

How long have you been tattooing for? How did you train to become a tattoo artist?

“I started learning how to tattoo in 2019. I took classes at STUDIO BY SOL, one of the most famous tattoo academies in Korea at the time. In Korea, tattoos were illegal, so there were few places that taught hygiene education and technology properly, but I chose this place because it was the best place to train.”

How would you describe your style of tattooing?

“I live near the beach, so whenever I was frustrated or couldn’t think of an idea, I used to look out at the sea – it cleared my mind, it gave me room to think. It’s what made me realise I wanted to draw pictures of the waves and the sea. And turn other objects into waves too. Water is flexible and permeates almost anything. I guess that’s how it works with my clients too, their bodies become covered in my wave style.”

Do you tattoo lots of tourists who’ve travelled for your work?

“Most of the guests who visit me in Korea are foreign tourists. They come to visit me during their trip. Customers usually contact me through email before their holiday.”

What are the rules for tattooing in South Korea? Is tattooing more underground or becoming more mainstream nowadays?

“Tattoos are illegal in Korea, you need a special medical license to practice. However, in recent years, many celebrities are getting tattoos, and they are becoming more and more popular. I think Korean tattoos will become more and more famous around the world.”

How should customers contact you? If someone is travelling over from the UK, how much notice would you need?

“Customers come from various countries, as well as England. It is enough if you tell me the picture, location, and size of the tattoo you want. Please contact us via email at inno.waves.tt@gmail.com, with dates that you will be in Seoul.”

What’s the best way for customers to come up with an idea for you? Do you offer flash or prefer custom work?

“I don’t like doing Flash because the number of copycats has been increasing recently. I don’t like my paintings to be done by anyone other than myself. Now I prefer custom work because I want to draw a special picture for only one person.”

What is the address of your studio?

“It is located in Seoul, Korea. Please contact us via email for detailed addresses.”

Any interesting hotels / shops / cafes nearby?

“The place where my studio is located is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Korea. Therefore, there are so many foreigners and it is a place where anyone can enjoy. Perhaps that’s why I think the tattoo scene has developed a lot here.”

Do you ever do guest spots? If so, when / where?

“I have been to Australia, Canada, and the United States – so far. My drawing style is unique and rare all over the world, so I want to visit lots of different countries.”

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

“I believe my paintings will develop further. I haven’t done a lot of large-scale work yet, but I want to draw bigger pieces.”

“When asked if a tattooist is an artist or a job, I would say artist.”
Inno

What do you think about the tattoo world itself?

“Tattoos are one of the most basic acts of expressing oneself. Also, I think it is very noble work that expresses and communicates each person’s life. Therefore, I hope that all artists will be more careful and work passionately in their work. This is because many people now think of it as just a job to make money. When asked if a tattooist is an artist or a job, I would say artist.”

Follow Inno on Instagram @tattooist.inno

July 3, 2023July 3, 2023

Three Kings Tattoo London anniversary flash day

We absolutely love a tattoo flash day. It’s so exciting being part of a tattoo party, making friends in the queue and choosing a flash design to have tattooed on you forever. On Saturday July 15th, Three Kings London (@threekingslondon) in Deptford are celebrating their third birthday with a flash day and evening of entertainment.

All flash designs will be at a set rate of £60 from one of their expert tattooers, so check out the full blackwork flash sheets on offer here. If you’re one of the first 50 customers on Saturday July 15th you’ll receive a goody bag filled with:

Discount vouchers from Three Kings
Goodies from local independent neighbours
VIP entry for you and your pals to celebrate with the Three Kings crew to the sounds of Rinse FM loved DJ Joe Milli at Little Nan’s

So make sure you get down early!

The tattoo artists at Three Kings London — The Three Kings Tattoo London crew

We first spoke to Amanda Rodriguez in 2019 (read her interview here). With it being three years in July since Three Kings Tattoo out of NYC and Brooklyn launched a studio in Deptford, South East London under the leadership of New York artist Amanda Rodriguez, we wanted to catch up with the tattoo artist.

How have you been since we last spoke in 2019?

I’ve been really good. It’s been really up and down work wise since COVID but now it’s starting to pick up again. We’ve got an amazing crew at the shop now with five full time artists other than myself. My clientele is building slowly but surely and I’ve been able to work on some really amazing pieces in the last few years.

You’re now owner of Three Kings Tattoo, can you tell us how you got to where you are?

Just a lot of hard work and determination to be honest. My business partners from America were super helpful in getting me here to the UK also.

What’s owning a studio like – the highs and lows?

Owning a studio is different than I thought. I love the space I have curated and the artists I have chosen to work with and our employees. However, as a business owner you always have work to do and you are responsible for others’ income which is a lot of pressure. I’ve found juggling the business stuff and my own tattooing career really difficult at times as I have less time to draw and post online.

Amanda's flash tattoos — Amanda’s flash sheet

We think a flash day is the perfect way to celebrate three years, what can people expect on the day?

The flash day is so much fun! We usually have people waiting to get in at 11am and tattoo straight through to 7pm with a little lunch break. This will be our fourth or fifth flash day so I think we’ve got a good system – we take people’s details and what tattoo they want and then let them explore Deptford until we are ready for them. Our customers will get a goody bag with some merch and vouchers for local businesses and this year we are giving them to people before they get tattooed so they can utilise some of the vouchers while they wait (if they have a wait!) This is the first time we’re doing a Saturday so we’re expecting more people. Afterwards we have a party happening at Little Nan’s with a DJ. It’s going to be good fun!

What are you most looking forward to on the flash day?

We always meet some amazing new people on the day and I’m really looking forward to having new people come and experience the shop and the fun vibes. I’m also looking forward to people enjoying Deptford on the day while they wait. I really love the area and we tend to get a lot of people who don’t know it well so this is a great opportunity to get people here and see what Deptford is all about!

What does the future hold for Three Kings Tattoo?

Hopefully lots more guests and our artists being very busy! Brand collaborations down the line would be amazing and trying to give back to the community.

The flash day is open to the public from 11am to 7pm on Saturday 15th July on a ‘walk-in’ basis. The after party at Little Nan’s Grandad’s Shed in Deptford Markey Yard starts at 7pm.

Location: 182 Deptford High Street London SE8 3PR

February 27, 2023March 8, 2023

‘My studio is welcoming, but I make it clear who we don’t want here’ – Paula Castle, tattoo artist

We sat down to have a chat with tattoo artist Paula Castle, who owns Black Sheep Tattoo in Bristol. Paula is one of the most passionate and creative people in the tattoo world. And our chat covered everything from her fave subjects to tattoo to the deep-rooted misogyny in the tattoo world and the importance of safe spaces. Make yourself a cuppa and settle in for the ride…

We absolutely adore your tattoos, tell us more about them, your style and any themes that people love coming to you for…

I did my version of a crying heart as a sticker in 2017. Then in 2020, one of my clients said to me, I want your sticker tattooed on me. I loved doing it. And if I really enjoy doing a tattoo, my favourite thing to do is come up with different themes for that design. It’s just a really fun and interesting way to work. When people give me challenging themes, it’s fun working out how to do it or how to represent something. The crying hearts are especially fun to theme.

**Drag queen, Divine themed crying heart tattoo**

I’ve also done a few tickets, too. I’ve done a couple of those as memorial tattoos. It’s a nice design to incorporate dates into, without it being overtly memorial. I did one recently that was a ticket for a festival that my client had been to with her dad, and she lost her dad during Covid. I put a few important dates into the ticket. The problem with things that are obviously in memory of somebody is they lead to people asking questions. Sometimes that might be welcome, but for some people, they never feel comfortable sharing that stuff. Some people want something that doesn’t scream RIP.

Another fun design I’ve done recently is a rear view mirror tattoo – another design that’s good to add themes to.

Do you have a favourite tattoo that you’ve done? Or a favourite by someone else that you can’t stop thinking about?

There’s a tattooer called Josh Todaro who does traditional pieces. He did a portrait of Adam Sandler from The Wedding Singer – and Oh My God. “Somebody kill me please”. And it’s my most favourite tattoo I’ve ever seen. I just love it so much. One of those tattoos I wish was on me. I still look at it all the time.

As for me, it’s such a hard question to answer. But I just did my first ever Muppet tattoo – Miss Piggy from Treasure Island. I just kept giggling the whole way through tattooing it, because I absolutely love The Muppets.

One of the reasons I love tattooing so much is because my favourite tattoo is always the most recent one I’ve done. It just feels like that’s constantly continuing forever – it doesn’t get old.

Do you have lots of regular clients that always come back to you?

I love, love, love building relationships with clients. I enjoy time with people that I’ve tattooed before, because it’s like catching up with an old friend. I’ve got some people that I’ve been working with now for the best part of my career. I’ve seen people move through life in such positive ways – going through beautiful moments like marriages and buying houses and having children. Then likewise, I’ve had long-term clients who sadly lost parents or gone through other stuff and I’ve been able to offer them support.

It’s been interesting, I was diagnosed with ADHD last year, and so many of my clients are also neurodivergent. I’d love to understand if there’s a correlation, whether neurodivergent people gravitate towards other neurodivergent people without really knowing that they’re doing it, you know.

Tell us about your shop, Black Sheep Tattoo in Bristol. We know tattoo shops can sometimes feel like intimidating places if you’ve never been in one before.

I try my best to make the studio safe and welcoming for everybody, but also I’ve taken as many steps as possible to make it really clear who we don’t want here. I think that’s just as important. We’re trans friendly, queer-owned, female-owned – it says female-owned on my sign outside – like I’m very upfront about it. I don’t want people in my studio who are going to make not only my artists, but any other clients feel uncomfortable. And that’s always been of the utmost importance to me. The clients that we have here really reflect that.

We have eight artists and a studio manager and tattooers who do regular guest spots. Then we also have The Tooth Pixie, who does a couple of days a month offering tooth gems. And Amanda who comes one Saturday every month and does brow lamination and eyelash tinting. When it comes to body modification, it it isn’t just about permanence. I love integrating to offer more than one service. Which brings people into a tattoo studio who’ve never thought about tattooing before, and might have a preconceived notion of what a tattoo shop is like.

‘Even now, you open a tattoo magazine and every advert has got a half naked woman in it’

Breaking down those kinds of social barriers is still something that’s really important. We have a responsibility to tattooing – and especially tattooing for women. It’s still an extremely male-dominated industry and it’s misogynistic, from a systemic point of view. Even now, you open a tattoo magazine and every supplier advert has got a half naked woman in it – it needs to stop.

We’re ready for change, why isn’t it happening quicker?

It’s those little micro aggressions of misogyny in advertising and in, you know, the percentage of sponsorships and things that go to men over women in the industry, that leads to inappropriate behaviour with clients in studios, and sexual assault and sexual violence against female clients and artists.

These things can’t be fixed by me opening a studio and not standing for that behaviour in my studio, the only way to fix the problem is to address the people doing the things in the first place. It’s not on us to fix it. But it is the responsibility of the suppliers and the media that work within tattooing to fix the systemic misogyny within tattooing, because it’s not acceptable anymore. And it needs to stop.

It’s been gorgeous to chat, and we loved you getting on your soapbox about the change that’s so needed. Anything else you want to share?

It’s my tenth year tattooing this year. It feels like such a milestone. It’s definitely been a roller coaster. But it’s so hard having your own studio. If I had been able to find a space to work in that was like mine, I would absolutely not choose to be a studio owner. If anybody’s really unhappy where they are, don’t think that the solution is to have your own place. It isn’t always the answer. But yeah, all I ever wanted was to have somewhere that I could truly be myself – like, you know, somewhere not to feel embarrassed all the time. That’s all I ever wanted was to not have that feeling anymore.

Follow Paula on Instagram @paulacastletattoos