Setting your Instagram flair

So, I have a client that made a bad choice on his face. See, he tattooed this vacuum on his nose, and wants it covered. Thing is, I’m stumped on what to put there. Anyone have any ideas? He’s totally leaving it in my hands.

Just to add, I have 21 years in-shop experience, so this is not intimidating, or new to me. And trust me, I’ve seen some shit! I have also been given permission to post his face as-is.

So for context, I follow BOTH of these artists… the artist made these posts to his instagram claiming another artist had copied his work. The first photo on the left is the “copied” tattoo this artist is claiming. The “original” tattoo is on the right. The artist who did the script on the arm is saying that they had no idea the phrase was done by the other artist and it was simply the phrase that their client wanted and no inspo was pulled in reference from OP

I personally don’t think it’s “copying” the “original” artist just because these are 2 completely different fonts and placements and the only thing that’s the same is the phrase… but the OP of the tattoo is posting about it, creating drama, and having people comment under this other tattoo artist post/ account and they’re getting a lot of backlash and hate from it.

Thoughts?

I’m pretty certain I’m reaching close to a burnout lately, and although I run my own studio and have amazing clientele, lately this has been weighing more heavily on my mind.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not even the most perfectionist type, in fact I prefer a little mess and chaos and freedom, as long as the end result is beautiful and looks good (on the body).

But recently I feel like even the smallest criticism (a friend of a client that points out a minor flaw in say symmetrical pieces - and I admit they’re not my forte - although the client loves the final piece and returns) will stay on my mind for days.
I’ve just finished a session with mentioned client and now when I look back at the pictures and videos I’m finding something wrong. He was very happy with the artwork and is already planning his next ones, which I know is reward and validation in itself.

I truly love what I do and (almost) always leave the shop feeling more alive, even if I’m tired. Art has always been a part of me and I refuse to go back to retail and hospitality. Also, I’ve started painting in my free time to allow me to stay creative as well as to refresh my feelings towards tattooing.

Yet, I feel like I’ve gone soft. It may also be this season with its colds and viruses that has me feeling low, as I’m recovering currently, but tell me, can you relate? What’s your take and your story with perfectionism?

I’m working a convention for the first time In a bit this weekend. What are fun things to count at conventions? I’m talking things like Rick and Morty shirts, ankle monitors, joker and harlequin couples etc

I want a Rotary Works but every time I go to buy they are out of stock. I’m UK based if that helps

Trying to sign up for the Philly convention to buy a booth, I’ve never done this before, can someone help me and explain what these two things mean / what I need?

Hey hey!

I’m getting a new Bishop Power Wand! I already know I love the machine, but I recently noticed they offer the XLumen version.

I’m considering getting it over the standard version. I like the idea of having the built in light as an option, especially since they’re the same price.

I’m curious if anyone here has experience with the XLumen. Do you notice any glare from the light while working? Do you actually find yourself using it, or is it one of those features that sounds great but rarely gets used?

Got to finally do a pokopia tattoo.

🥰

Hey everyone, this is my first post, I’ve been looking at reviews and speaking to other artists about this but i’m stuck! I’ve been running the ACUS M1 for around 18 months now and honestly can’t fault its ability. It’s been an incredibly reliable all-rounder.

I’m looking to invest in a second rotary machine with an adjustable stroke that I can switch on the fly, without having to strip down the machine or change out the drive mechanism. So a second machine.

I mainly specialise in black & grey realism and larger-scale pieces or finer line / micro realism: so ideally I’m looking for something versatile with consistent needle drive, good torque, responsive hit with control. IF NOT AN ALL ROUNDER, it could just cover the softer shading aspect as I already have a machine I love for lining, preferably just need reliable and adjustable.

I’ve looked into the Bishop Packer, although I’ve come across mixed feedback regarding battery reliability, not everyone finding it’s as good as they expected etc. I’m also considering other high-end rotary pens, but reviews seem pretty divided: I know not everyone will love every machine but the thought of getting something that will have technical issues is long asf. I’m not looking to replace my ACUS, just expand my setup with something that offers a different feel and flexibility throughout longer sessions.

What are people running at the moment and what is your favourite?
Or what have you found that should be avoided and is overhyped?
Particularly interested in opinions on motor performance & adjustable stroke mechanism without dismantling. Would love some genuine feedback from artists who’ve used multiple machines! Appreciate it🙏🏻

Did you set it up on your own or with a friend/colleague? Has it helped you focus more on the artistic side of your work? How do your clients feel about it? Are they comfortable there? Was it very expensive to make the place look nice? Have you received any criticism from other tattooers?

Feel free to share some photos!

Hi all!

I wanted to get some opinions on the payment structure in my shop.

I am an apprentice, got moved up to full price somewhat recently after charging half price for a few months. However, I am still only receiving a 40% pay cut. My coworker who has been tattooing for about 3 years gets 50%, but charges more than me (he’s approx $120 an hour, while I’m approx $100, but we both really charge per piece, this is just an estimate).

My mentors explained it as, I shouldn’t be getting the same percentage as an artist who has been working much longer than me, and that I would need to be working at full price for at least a year before I can see a 50% cut. They have given me a list of things they want to see in the next few months, and if they feel I’ve met those markers, I can move up to 45%. (the list is extremely nebulous and doesn’t have any actual quantifiable goals, which concerns me, but that’s a different topic.)

Also, while I am still at 40%, they are providing me with more supplies than they do my coworker who gets 50%.

I realize that missing out on 5 or 10 percent doesn’t seem huge, but it really sucks to see less than half of the money that I’m charging, when I’m the one doing the work to earn it. And on larger pieces, we can be talking about a difference of $60-$100 or more… basically, amounts that mean a lot more to me, who is barely getting by, than they do to my bosses. Plus, add that up over every tattoo every week… hopefully you see my point. It also may be worth mentioning that as part of my apprenticeship, I run their instagram page for free, which amounts to more unpaid work. I don’t mind doing that though, as it feels like a fair repayment to them for teaching me.

I hope I don’t sound entitled. I know that there are many artists who suffered through a lot worse. However, I also know my worth, and believe that I deserve to be compensated fairly for my work.

They don’t have any problems with my work, we all feel like I’m doing quality tattoos (of course they’re not perfect, but good for where I’m at in my career). Personally, I feel that it makes sense for me to charge less than a more seasoned artist, but getting a lower percentage on top of that doesn’t seem fair. Their explanation was basically just that this is the way it is for everyone, you have to earn it, they understand it sucks because they went through the same thing, etc. I feel like, if you know it sucks and
you’re now in a position to break that cycle, then do so!! But maybe I’m out of line.

They currently provide me with paper towels, madacide, green soap, sensi wrap, razors, second skin, saran wrap, & ink caps (I think thats the full list).

I’m not sure what my coworker is provided exactly, i’m pretty sure he gets paper towels, madacide, green soap, and razors, not sure about the other stuff. I know he buys his own sensi wrap.

I guess what I want to know is, is this normal? Or, how do I go about finding out what other shops in my area are doing? I’ve heard of shops that take a 50% cut but provide EVERYTHING, including inks and needles. I also know there are situations where you pay a flat chair rental fee and provide all your own materials. I just want to know what’s out there while being respectful to both my mentors and other shops/artists, and I don’t really know the best way to ask (if any), as I’m sure they’re not readily giving out this information.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I am struggling to find healthy eating habits at work

I either don't eat all day and feel vile and stuff my face when I get home or I quickly eat whatever is close and convenient and inhale it like a black hole

I don't like to eat meals at work because I feel sluggish and like I need a nap but some fuel would be great

I also have IBS so sometimes I don't want to eat because if a customers paying I don't want to be straight blasting mid way through an appointment

When I'm in the zone as well I sometimes lose track of the day and forget to take a break as well

How do you guys eat and function at work?

Pretty simple, looking for a stencil printer that has a small footprint, is easy to work with, and is budget friendly (ideally under 100-150$) for doing conventions/travelling/working in a small space. I've definitely worked with some good little bluetooth thermal printers before but I can't remember any of the brand names for the life of me. Of course I love a thermofax, but they are huge. Also using this opportunity to rant about the printers I currently have.

I have the Atomus transfer thermal printer, and the Phomemo wireless printer. The Atomus is the newer addition, it's just a regular cheap thermal copier from Amazon. I was hoping it would be an improvement because I fucking hate the Phomemo. But, I tried several times with it after watching others use it, watching videos etc. and it's extremely frustrating. Stopped halfway through the stencil during the first successful time I've gotten it to work, with no signs of it being actually jammed. With that being said I'm also accepting advice on how to use the Atomus correctly in the meantime haha.

The Phomemo itself definitely works without the physical hassle, but I don't want to have to use another app. I don't want to sign up for another login or subscription. I just want to print out designs with my regular printer and then feed them through a stencil printer that works.

FUCK Phomemo. Every time I open the godforsaken app I am BOMBARDED with fucking ads begging me to subscribe, they beg me to use their shitty AI designs, the beg me to use their AI tools to feed my design through AI, I have to tap (x / not now) what feels like 50 fucking times to get to where I need to go. I have to swim through all the options that prompt me to subscribe or use an AI tool to find the one that just lets me print my damn stencil. I don't wanna do that shit every time I have a client, god forbid they wanna resize the design. I wish I could press a button and make it print a design that I've placed in the stencil printer, or print directly from Procreate even, without using the app, but I can't :)!!!

Anyways. Looking for a good small thermal printer that is easy to use, almost like the Phomemo (pretty sure Phomemo is not thermal which is part of the problem) but without the BS, that just has a button I can press to feed the paper through after printing/resizing with regular printer paper.

So I know Spirit is the standard and I've had great results with it. I've tried some other options and they always come out blue instead of purple, but the problem is that the stencil wipes off. Ive heard that Ozer makes a good transfer paper and that it runs great through stencil printers. But will the stencil hold? I just wanted to see if anyone has found anything they like better than Spirit, or should I just stay with the old school tried and true?

I’m so stoked on how all our banners turned out. Hand painted on canvas. Thanks for looking :)

This sub and tattooing in general has a serious problem with unresolved puritanical Christian upbringings that were subbed out for progressive leftist ideologies. We see this play out in Ai related witch hunts where tattooers accuse others oftentimes falsely of using Ai in an attempt to discredit and publicly humiliate someone’s work and oftentimes they do so with total anonymity.

This has to stop. If you know with 100% certainty someone is using Ai and scamming people absolutely say something. But this whole nonsense where you think someone’s design could be Ai and you’re not sure so you put the fucking tattooer on blast and start the ai hate circle jerk isn’t cool.

Even though this doesn’t happen often it still happens. Even though it’s not always in this sub it still happens on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. People who engage in this behavior should be ashamed of themselves.

Im not supporting ai either. I’m saying there shouldn’t be witch-hunts where cowards hide behind anonymous user names and try to “out” tattooers for using ai when they aren’t.

I’ve received a lot of hate in my Lion Chest piece, now how about this one? Healed and 0 filters.

Apologies if not allowed here. Just curious how many other tattooers out there also struggle with SMI. I’m medicated but everyday is a struggle in its own way. Also dealing with med changes recently and god damn this is a hard job to have when you’re tinkering with psych meds. Honestly fucking sucks but art and tattooing is my happy place so I’m grateful for that. Those who also battle mental illness, how do you cope during the rocky times?

If it isn’t tell me why?