The State of the Tattoo Industry

As I reflect on the current state of the tattoo industry, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, the artistry we’ve achieved, and the lives we’ve helped change through our work. Artists, employees, clients — so many individuals have been touched by the art of tattoo — deeper than any needle. On the other hand, I see the challenges and changes that are shaking the very foundation of our industry.

Nothing came easy, every opportunity a battle fought and won. But through hard work and dedication to my craft, I’ve been able to build Skin Design Tattoos from a single, tiny shop into a global brand with nine studios and some of the most talented artists on the scene.

Over the past three and a half decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of our industry. I’ve seen the oversaturation of the market, the rise of global competition, and the increasing influence of big money investors. I’ve navigated economic downturns that have tested even the most established shops. But I’ve also seen the incredible resilience of our community. I’ve watched artists adapt and innovate when confronted with challenges. I’ve been a part of the lives changed and the stories told through the power of tattooing. And I’ve been blessed to be able to mentor and work alongside my daughter Reena, watching her grow into an extraordinary artist of her own. Seeing her passion and talent flourish has only strengthened my resolve to make the tattoo industry sustainable for the next generation, a legacy she can be proud to be a part of.

It’s from this vantage point — as a father, an artist, and an industry leader — that I share my insights on the state of the tattoo world. The challenges we face are real. But so is our capacity to overcome them.

Tattoo Industry Exodus and Financial Impact

A major trend I’ve seen is the rise of tattoo artists moving away from traditional shops. This is only intensified by economic crises like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a sobering reality to see so many artists caught in a financial downward spiral, forced out of shops and struggling to keep up with the demands of a changing industry. It’s clear that we need to make strategic adjustments to navigate these shifts. Business as usual just doesn’t cut it anymore. We have to be proactive and willing to adapt to this new landscape.

Saturation and Competition

It’s been a blessing to watch the public shift their mindset, to see stigmas broken and the normalization of tattoo culture. Social media has helped me and so many other artists connect with more clients, connect with each other, and share our art with a wider audience. But this has also led to the industry becoming more and more saturated. With fewer bookings and the need to downsize, many shops and artists are having to reduce their rates to keep up with competitors. It’s a delicate balance, trying to value our work while also being mindful of the financial realities our clients are facing.

Global Influences

One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is the rise of international competition. Artists overseas are producing work for a fraction of the price, putting pressure on local markets. Social media has broadened their reach and influence in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a decade ago. But as I reflect, I can see that these are all part of a larger cycle. It seems like every four years or so, the industry goes through a major upheaval. It’s a pattern I’m familiar with. These difficulties are an opportunity for us to grow as an industry, pushing us to be more creative, more resourceful, and more connected to our clients.

Capital Investors and Industry Dynamics

One of the most significant changes I’ve seen in recent years is the influx of capital investors into the tattoo industry. They’re buying up manufacturing, distribution, retail, supplies, and even tattoo shops themselves. On the surface, it might seem like a good thing – more resources, more stability. But the reality is far more complex. These investors are forcing competition to go high while simultaneously driving rates to go low. They’re squeezing the industry from both ends, making it increasingly difficult for independent shops and artists to compete. That, coupled with the saturation of overseas artists doing amazing work at a fraction of the price, driving people to fly there instead — leaves local markets in disarray. With the cost of living going up, private studios and middle-class shops are becoming less and less sustainable. It’s a troubling trend, one that threatens the very soul of our industry. Tattooing has always been about artistry, about human connection, about the stories we tell on skin. But with the corporatization of the industry, there’s a real risk of losing that, of becoming just another commodity to be bought and sold.

How We Approach These Changes in the Tattoo Industry

At Skin Design Tattoos, we’ve always prided ourselves on our strong identity and cultural values. These aren’t just buzzwords to us – they’re the reason we’ve been able to withstand the transformation of the tattoo industry. Every time I make a decision regarding the business, I think about how it will impact the industry as a whole.

As a brand, we’ve maintained our virtue. We’ve been approached by capital investors, offered big money to sell out. But that’s not who we are. We didn’t build this legacy just to hand it over to the highest bidder. This is especially crucial now that my daughter Reena is part of the Skin Design Tattoos family. As I watch her grow as an artist, I’m reminded that the decisions we make today will shape the industry she inherits tomorrow. I have to ensure that she and her generation of artists have the opportunity to thrive, to create on their own terms without compromising their artistic integrity.

Her presence is a constant reminder of what’s at stake – not just the survival of our business, but the preservation of the art form we hold sacred. It’s a responsibility I take seriously as both a father and an industry leader. Because that’s the testament of our success – the ability to adapt, to evolve, to push boundaries. It’s not convenient, and it’s not always comfortable. But it’s necessary. I’ve seen too many tattoo shop owners struggle because they’re not willing or able to change. They get stuck in their ways, clinging to outdated perspectives. And in an industry that’s developing as rapidly as ours, that’s a recipe for obsolescence.

Leaving Our Mark

Skin Design Tattoos has been through recessions, pandemics, and every challenge in between. And we’re still expanding.

As we look to the future, our focus is on leveraging our strong brand and deep-rooted culture to lean into the obstacles that come our way. We’re exploring new models, new partnerships, new ways of connecting with our clients and our community. It’s humbling. I’ve been able to collaborate with other world-renowned artists, focused on a shared mission: To be a part of the supply chain, take back our industry. Together, we’ve started what is more than a company — a shared alliance of tattoo artists —Merger Ink. There are so many artists who have sacrificed everything to build up the industry into what it is now. We’re not going to just sit back and let it be taken from us.

It won’t be easy. The challenges facing our industry are real and significant. But I have faith in the resilience of our art form, in the passion and innovation of the artists who dedicate their lives to it.