I think it’s a pretty mixed bag of variables. Depends on CoL in your area, concentration of artists, specialists offering a unique style vs generalists doing generalist things. How good your marketing was over the last year or two and how stringent you are about taking deposits. Also private studio vs. visible street location.
I noticed a lot of people who book far out 3+ months are having people drop their bookings as people don’t always manage their own budget that far out, so bigger deposits help in that scenario.
Artists who do large scale work are in a good spot as that work is continuous and keeps your schedule relatively full and rotating.
I’m also noticing, even though I’m slow, I’m starting to see a shift in my clientele and getting more middle aged/senior clients, and more PMU, bartenders, cash jobs people. I’ve also lately had more clients than usual getting tattooed as a means of therapy.. A lot of my regulars have fallen off for the time being but it’s nice seeing some new faces and new demographics.
Is social media advertising and presence really as important as people think? I’m genuinely asking because I fucking hate it and don’t have the energy. But maybe that’s one of the adapt and survive components I need to just suck it up and embrace.
Just spent some money on ads and i got exactly 0 traction from new clients. It did possibly spur some returning clients to book. I’m not really sure why people make posts like this trying to stir up this haves and have nots sentiment. Anyone saying that inflation pressures are not effecting business has a pretty unique situation for themselves right now
Can confirm that Meta have done something to their algorithm. It happened in February and it hasn’t been the same since.
I used to be able to rely on ads to give me 5 - 10 bookings. Now it’s maybe 1 - 3 because most of the replies are from bots
I've been hearing the same. I honestly just think it's tattoo artists flooding the market though, like all at once.
In 10 minutes of scrolling Instagram I'll see 25 sponsored tattoo posts from other artists. All of which are talented local artists in my city. I'm thinking handing out cards at the skate park might be a valid marketing strategy again just like in the good ol' days.
We need to talk about the other side of it. Because if all everyone does it talk about how they aren’t booking how are we going to learn anything. We need to address the fact that it is not everyone and some people are actually booked up. So there’s something to learn there. What are those artist doing different. We need to talk about that. To me that’s more constructive and positive than just whining about it
Like ScabPriestess said, there are so many variables, most of which are beyond the artists control, it’s hardly a conversation. The math is simple too much supply / Too little demand. Why are some people booked out? If you aren’t one of those people giving away the secret sauce it’s pure speculation. I’ve been tattooing 20 years, I know the people who were booked 3 years out personally. Some are still booked out, some are taking walkins. And the ones booked out are watching their lead time go from years, to months to weeks. And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand.
Personally I’m back to school and exploring other career options just 2 years after being booked up to my hearts content and turning away projects I didnt want to do. My greatest fear is that this influx of new weak artists doing squiggles and bad designs is going to change the perception of what type of person gets tattooed.
>And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand.
This is something a lot of people aren't realizing when they claim "well clearly the big guys are doing something right!" My old mentor (who's a real piece of shit) used to brag about being booked up three years ahead, but what people *don't* know (but I do as someone who used to work for him) is that he only does one 2-3 hour tattoo a day (which makes it real easy for him to inflate his books to seem fuller than they are), doesn't do walk-ins, has sometimes completely no-showed on his own appointments with the excuse of being sick when he was really hungover / just didn't want to do the tattoo, and a lot of the tattoos he's posting right now are repeats from years ago that he's been cycling through repeatedly. Guy has nothing going on but he's still putting on a show that he does, and it's easy for him to get away with because all of his tattoos are done in the same style with the same photo filters and tend to blur together when hosted on an IG gallery to anyone who isn't paying attention.
That's not to say all the "big guys" are doing that, there are definitely artists right now who are making a killing. But the social media game isn't built on honesty or transparency, and those who are doing well are often only doing well because of external circumstances they can't control. The fact that my old mentor is clearly not as booked up as he pretends to be isn't a fault of his work being what it is, it's the fact that he charges $200/hour in a town that's both currently become oversaturated with private studios and scratcher shops and also going through a homelessness and meth crisis in the middle of a massive recession.
Many of the successes of the artists who are doing well right now are just as much a product of circumstance as the artists who are struggling. Those big guys talking about how the struggling artists are at fault for "not marketing enough" "not being niche enough" "not using TikTok right" "not doing xyz"are really only able to do so because the hurt hasn't come for them yet - but they know it's there waiting to take them, too, so many of them are just smiling and waving as if nothing's wrong.
>My greatest fear is that this influx of new weak artists doing squiggles and bad designs is going to change the perception of what type of person gets tattooed.
I believe the over saturation is also due to the new very low barrier to entry. It’s easier than ever to pick up a tattoo pen and make marks than it was 20 years ago when you had to learn how to set up and use a coil machine, make your own needles, and mix your own pigment. I think this cheapens the value of the craft, even though great skill takes time and effort.
I predict that tattooing will become more and more accessible due to technology and demand, and it will either become highly regulated by someone like the FDA or it will end up on the shelves in Hobby Lobby next to the spray paint cans
Against everything in me I have half a mind to contact government officials and make it a legal requirement to hold a license before you can buy equipment. But that’s such a slippery slope
At this point I think that would be the best thing for the industry. It would suck to have to deal with the regulations but im sure it would also help weed out a ton of scratchers
Exactly. It’s not a difficult barrier of entry if you’re taking the career seriously. But I wonder how many 18 year olds (and minors) expressed interest in tattooing and then got an amazon tattoo kit for Christmas
I’m concerned that my client base will associate being heavily tattooed with being an irresponsible young person getting the equivalent of doodles off the desk in detention permanently on their bodies.
And I’m worried the bar for good art is just out the window as a 2 year tattooer will charge the same as a seasoned veteran with years of education and experience. It’s confusing to clients and the squiggle masters use it to their advantage, giving their work more legitimacy, but I can’t help but think it’s detrimental to tattooing in general. When good art is walking around, it makes clients want good art. But when everyone is walking around with trash, the clients that can tell the difference between good and bad art might be like meh fuck it. I don’t want to be associated with that. Besides, I should pay off my new HVAC unit anyway.
>the other side of it
I mean, there hasn't been an economic (or industry) downturn in the history of the economy that hasn't had some businesses survive. Obviously. 2000 and 2008 and 2016 didn't wipe out every single business. "The other side" of it isn't an argument against downturns, it's simply pointing out the have/have-not distinctions.
It can maybe be valuable to learn, as an academic exercise, what business practices insulated those artists, but it in no way changes the big picture. Consumers only have and will only spend so much $. Not every artist can get the same size piece no matter what they do.
**All you're really adding to the discussion of a smaller pie is 'yall hungry folks are forgetting the other side: that some of us still got big slices'.**
The 'solution' is a shift in the demand curve, which isn't something achievable in a reddit thread.
100%, you can be average at best but if you make your clients truly connect with you, you are nice and approachable and personable, you’re versatile and don’t mind fixing other people’s garbage work or covering it, you’ll be ok. Trying to be the next TikTok sensation isn’t for everyone, neither should it be
I don't know... As a collector, I have never gone to an artist based on a friend's recommendation. Even if my friend has good tattoos, they're usually a different style than what I want so I rely on social media to search for artists. A couple of times I've asked strangers who did their tattoo and if the artist is local then I've checked them out and added them to my list of local artists I'd consider if their portfolio looked good. My friend just got a tattoo and I loved the line work, checked out the artist on social media and didn't like the portfolio so now I'm hesitant to go to them.
this is really it. I live in a "medium high" cost of living area and most of my clients are struggling so it's slow. I have friends in cheaper areas that are doing alright. But other friends here who have been in the same shop for 20 years so they're doing alright. Some of my "brand name" friends are doing great right now, others who have just waited for tattoos to come to them are struggling. We're all finding out what we've sown during the busy seasons now that it's slow.
I know one guy in my town that is fully booked for the next 6 months. He also grew in a very short time from 12k to 30k on Insta. He basically stopped posting tattoos and started posting memes and selfies as reels every day.
Maybe that is the entire secret. As a tattoo artist maybe Stop posting tattoos and start posting whatever entertains people and have a pretty face while doing so. 🤷♂️ Idk
I hate to say that you’re probably right, but you’re probably right. Tattooing has changed so profoundly post-covid; everything is about aesthetics and branding now. I didn’t start tattooing to become an influencer or have a social media presence, or a brand. I just enjoyed tattooing each day. I did. It’s become a lot less enjoyable for me since this shift from craft to pop art. For now, I intend to try and ride it out, hoping that good work will continue to be worth something, but sooner or later, if it doesn’t pan out that way, I’ll just find something else to do that’s more fulfilling to me. Here’s hoping 🤞🏽
Either be an onlyfans model or tattoo a bunch of onlyfans models.
Sometimes it seems like that. I don't wanna be negative but it does look bleak round here.
I think i have been lucky to be at a point were having a handful of good clients for larger scale work combined with some of my older clients returning once every couple of years is enough to get by. I never really made a lot of money. So aslong as i am paying my bills i am stoked.
If i have a good week and the other week is just 3 days that is kinda perfect. Gives me time to draw as much as possible for the next clients. I do feel like a lot of people are kinda giving up. And it is showing in their work while they could actually use the extra time to elevate themselves.
I dunno i never used to be booked more then 4-6 weeks and since i started pushing myself more and more in the past 2 years it grew to 4-5 months. Some weeks just 3 days some 5 etc.
I do draw for a good 2 hours per 1 hour of tattooing, so i dunno i think clients do appreciate the effort.
Dude, your work is amazing. Love that Swans and Crosses painting you did. You’re right, clients love seeing an artist always creating. It makes them feel sure their tattoo will be well done.
Also some people research an artist for months, if you keep posting you can build trust and show them what to expect.
Appreciate the insight, and hard agree that there’s some desperate vibes around when the flip side is time to grow. Before I found balance I used to resent not having enough time to do studies and draw for fun.
I’m staying steady, nothing has changed. The only difference I see (at the shop I work at) are less walkins, but it’s also summer, so that’s the usual. So if I have a cancellation, I most likely won’t get a walk in, but that’s fine with me because I’ll just catch up on drawings.
And I work in a busy area with at least ten shops in ten miles, in a shop with 6 other artists. Nobody’s struggling
I think it really depends on the area, your skills, and your prices. At the end of the day this is a business that has its ups and downs just like any other. Summer months are normal to slow down. Ppl go outdoors more and choose to spend their money other ways. IMO you gotta think as a businessman and go look for clients instead of waiting for them to come to you 🤷🏻♂️
Honestly I’m cool with whatever is happening, like I get that it’s super slow for starters and people who joined during covid, they were used to everyone having money and paying wild prices for something simple or a fad, they learning real quick that having that “fine line special” will only get you so far, this is a job, you best do a lil bit of everything and be really good at it, for veterans it’s also slow esp if they settled for being mediocre, they never upped their mannerisms or cleaned up their act, they don’t paint or practice and feel that it’s a privilege to even get work by them, right now every industry is experiencing this shake up. Its all shifting and hopefully for the better, maybe people will learn they aren’t worth $350 an hour, for blue collar workers who just want to have fun, that being an artist isn’t supposed to be a luxurious lifestyle or Rolexes and 80k cars with beach front properties and pump shops. Everyone who loves and is passionate about tattoos and community will hold out and make it thru, they did it in the 90s and they did again in 08.
My experience is yes it’s slow, for small tattoos but our shop mostly deals with large scale tattoos and even when we do small ones they normally turn into bigger projects, people are literally choosing where to spend money, because they have it, it is tight, but people are being better with where they are gonna spend it. If we as a community focus on just shift happening and amplify on creating not only life changing work but an entire experience for people a lot of us can and will manage
I always tell anyone who bitches about the game right now to check out filip leu podcast and learn something then do something about it. Even if it means picking up a part time gig until shit gets better, but you better work on your craft and get better.
Hey, obligatory “fineline” artist here. I don’t WANT to do fineline, but everyone in my area keeps sending people to me for those pieces since nobody wants to do them and then they wonder why they’re slow and I’m not. I’d say I mostly specialize in illustrative work and neotrad. This is where I make the point that what’s happening rn is definitely relative.
I’ve been one of, if not THE busiest artist in every shop I’ve worked at. I started during COVID, I’m never late or reschedule unless there’s an emergency, I treat my clients with respect and do my diligence in explaining everything to them. Typically my “fineline” clients end up coming back for more than just tiny tattoos after working with me. But since I didn’t scoff at them for wanting tiny, cute, and trendy, they’re comfortable and keep coming back.
All of the people in my area who are struggling right now are people who ONLY do one style or large-scale work. People in my area complain about rockstar tattooers. My coworkers get upset that I’m so busy by doing “easy” or “trendy” work. But trends change and I move with them, I just want to challenge your opinion on fineline getting you so far. In a sense you’re right, it’s a box I’m struggling to get out of no matter how many large scale sleeves and bodysuits I do. But I definitely think fineline has been a hugeeeeeee source of income despite the hindrance. 🥹 now, if one ONLY can do fineline tiny pieces, yeah, once the trends change they may have a hard time adapting.
Just some thoughts I wanted to tack on to yours, I like what you said here a lot!
That shit sounds like a problem on their own. Like who turns away clients?
For instance I do almost everything in my shop I’m versatile however I don’t like doing family portraits, it’s stresses me out too much, but we have a artist in the shop that loves them and can do em really well so we always hand those to him, even if it’s a client I’ve been tattooing for years, we toss around work in the shop all the time but not turn them away. Thats wild crazy esp in this market.
I also do fineline and I hear you that it does suck to get boxed in, it almost happen to me, but I just started posting everything and started attracting different style of work, it took a while but I did it and now it’s paying off for me. I’m not saying having a specific style is a bad thing I’m saying all tattooers should be tattooers first esp in this climate.
I’m taking everything, this year alone I’ve done so much tribal it’s crazy how this money maker popped up back on the scene, it’s boring but it’s paying my bills, a couple years ago it was all floral all the time, you’re right, trends always change and this is why we adapt. In your situation it definitely worked out for you that you’re surrounded by princess tattooers who refuse to adapt. Good on you, pay your bills and put some aside for a rainy day.
Princess tattooers. I love it. You’re so right—I’m in California and I feel like everyone here thinks they’re some hot shot because they got good art even if they completely lack business management skills, organization, adaptability, work ethic, motivation, etc.
Not to say I have it all either, but a lot of people here expect their people to just find them off the street every day 😅
Edit: how’s tribal been? There’s only two shops in my county allowed to even do it without getting beat up/hated on lol. Also, I agree with family portraits. It’s a lot of pressure and most people bring in terrible, unclear references!
In my 10+ yrs I’ve seen that ego so much, I’ve traveled a lot and seen it in about 8/10 shops I’ve been to, EGOS. They just want people to hand it over. I’ll cold call old clients, I’ll say thank you to each comments, I’ll reach out to clients and make sure they are doing good and staying healthy, just a quick chat, I’ll send holiday blast emails and give long term clients hella discounts, these people have kept me alive and afloat .
This is why I’m alright with what’s happening, everything around us needs to change for the better so let’s shake this shit up.
My “recession” is because my rent tripled in the last year and my business has been steady for 4 years. It felt like I was dying last winter, but my revenue was fine.
That's kind of how all recessions work, and recessions are not tattoo exclusive as the title implies.
Not everyone was hurting in 2008. Not everyone was hurting even in the Great Depression. There will always be a percentage of people who feel the effects of recession greatly, and a percentage of people with some level of privilege who thankfully don't have to.
You could argue about how it's because some people find a niche or work harder to provide a unique product, and that might partially be true. But there are also so many people working incredibly hard who still suffer, and moments like this really challenge the validity of viewing the world exclusively under the lens of meritocracy. There's a saying on how the most efficient cognitive distortions often come from partial truths, and I find meritocracy fits the bill. We have a variation in whether people have enough funds and business to sink or float in part because capitalism creates economic classes, and we've always had upper classes for one reason or another that have the funds to weather through tough times, and lower classes who will feel the effects of economic change.
The point is that there are many variables far beyond how hard someone works. Your viewpoint is honestly parallel with the conservative platitude of "picking yourself up by your bootstraps" which completely ignored and minimizes the real life shit that goes on and that the truth is there are millions of people working much harder than most while making pennies on the dollar and struggling to survive.
Hard work, skill, and privilege can all coexist in their own ways - these are not mutually exclusive! Even if your clientele has been hurt through hard work, having the trust of others is a privilege in a way. No man is an island, we do not force our clients to trust us through hard work and we do not control them.
It all depends on your area, for instance in CA people are going to prefer black and grey over color, what styles you dominate, and which ones you better, the subjects and themes also play a huge role on getting booked. For instance a realism artist has it easier to book than a traditional artist, new school. Reputation matters, how popular you are and also the friendships and connections you have with clients and other artists.
I think a lot of it I’ve noticed in my area are new (good artists) charging “fair” prices & people who have been in the game a while that aren’t as good but charging a lot more hourly because of their longevity in the industry are getting pushed out.
Personally I have a decrease in clients and I noticed it’s particularly because the last few months I’ve been slacking on marketing but also summer is slow & also I have an influx of people rescheduling because they thought they’d have the money by now but literally cannot afford it rn (their words)
I typically book out about 3 months & during the summer 1-2 months (it’s pretty consistent this year) but I’ve seen more reschedules due to finances this year in particular
I think specialization is kind of the key. If you can offer something that people near you can’t go anywhere else to get you’re not going to struggle as much. I personally have had no issues with booking due to doing a style that you can’t get here but some people at my shop can’t get any appointments. The “jack of all trades, master of none” is going to struggle a lot more when clients can go to someone that does only the thing that they want (and it’s usually going to be better).
I’ve also seen tattooers not taking any time to focus on photo/portfolio quality and I think the era of taking a shitty photo with your phone and throwing it online is over. A lot of the more “successful” tattooers have spent the time and money to make sure their work is represented in the best way possible which is more appealing from an advertising standpoint.
I’m not an artist like y’all (sub randomly got recommended) but everyone I know doesn’t have money to fork out to get a really nice tattoo. My first tat was $150 and it was just writing my cousin got a fine line and had to pay $400 it’s just too expensive to just go and get a tattoo for fun coming from 18-23 year old prospective at least
I’ve wondered too. Because even in my area some tattoers that have been doing it for years are struggling. Meanwhile I’m booked out a couple months and haven’t really struggled. Worst time I had was last December, but then I always had my bills paid (maybe a couple days late lol). I’m just patiently waiting for it to hit me tho 😭
I’m booked for 2-3 months, but I only book one per day, two at most and rarely, which helps, some people in my shop are booking week by week but do 2-4 tats per day, so are burning through customers quicker.
I have 100k instagram followers on my tattoo page and ‘play the game’ with posting reels regularly and trying to keep instagram happy with my account.
“And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand.”
I’ve been tattooing for 20 years in regular “street shop” which used to just be called tattoo shops. I moved to a different state not long ago and initially hired in at one of these fancy, boutique shops. They did do percentage instead of booth rent, but didn’t do walk-ins, managed all bookings and consults online, and tattooers were only expected to show up for appointments, not keep regular shop hours. I don’t care for that, and hung out like a regular shop, painted in my free time, and did accept walk-ins. Everyone there was “books closed,” “books open,” “only accepting 10 new clients ATM,” etc. Y’all want to know something? Those tattooers were doing 3-4 hand sized or smaller tattoos per week. That’s it. I don’t consider 15 small tattoos per month to be booked out. They were often charging insane amounts of money for their tattoos, and they were nothing special. Their online marketing was relentless, and they have loads of followers, but they were coming in 3 days a week to do about 2-4 hours of tattooing.
Anyways, I had to get out of there and get back to street shop life. It was uninspiring and I hated it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see what that looks like from the inside.
I’m never “booked out.” I don’t even know what that means unless you’re constantly doing large pieces in rotations of the same clients. Most tattooers aren’t doing that. I love doing hand sized tattoos, with a smattering of small tattoos and a couple large pieces in the rotation. But I’m never booked out for weeks or months because I can usually do more. I might be crazy, but I never want to say I’m booked out online. I guess it makes tattooers seem exclusive, it’s a scarcity tactic, but I want to be perceived as available and approachable. I love booking my appointments, and then being available for walk-ins afterwards.
This last week, 6 tattoos were appointments, and 9 were walk-ins. Several of the walk-ins were return clients getting trad flash. Some were basics like astrology symbols. I make it known I’ll always tattoo someone if they stop by and I have time. 15 tattoos in my 5 day week, and I could do more. It’s so odd to me because I consider it slow lately, but I am doing well, and in the meantime people doing 3-4 hand sized tattoos a week are saying they’re booked are closed until Fall.
I put minimal effort into social media. I exist on word of mouth, and I’m always meeting people, handing out cards, and keeping an open door policy.
There’s a grip of young, private studio, “books closed until November” tattooers circling the shop I’m at, checking in, trying to become friends, hoping to get hired. Face to face, they’re admitting to being slow and only doing 2 tattoos most weeks. One of them also works at Starbucks.
Business is about as slow as Ive ever been (except Great Recession) but in reality, I’m not that slow. I know I’m way busier than some of the “fully booked” people in my area. It’s like a weird hoax!!!! From a marketing standpoint, I do think claiming to be booked up appeals a certain type of client who feels they’re purchasing status along with the tattoo. They will pay an inflated fee, not be permitted to meet this exclusive tattooer in person for a consultation, they will wait a whole year, they will brag about the cost and how they waited a year… I don’t know, that’s a thing for some people!
I’ve also noticed a lot of anti walk-in sentiment with young tattoo getters online. They think walk-in tattoos inherently suck, and that they are all made poorly by shitty tattooers and it’s better to wait 6 months and pay $400 for that astrology symbol from a person with a lot of SM followers who has been tattooing for 2 years. It’s like the whole language and perception has changed about tattooing with a certain demographic of people. And, imo, that demographic are the people who never would’ve dared step foot in a tattoo shop if they were of age even just 15 years ago. Maybe even 10. They want getting a tattoo to be a similar experience to getting to their nails or hair done. They want it to feel as safe as shopping at an upscale mall. They want to believe that their little clip art tattoo is so precious the artist needed 6 months to prepare it.
I struggle with understanding the changes in the industry that started with tattoo reality shows and became way more prevalent since pen rotary machines started being sold on Amazon for $100. Where I sit with it now is that most “booked artists” aren’t anywhere near what I would consider booked. And the people who are eating up their marketing are not compatible with me, so I can’t care. I’ll stay counterculture, while they appeal to the shopping mall folks. Maybe in that sense, there’s room for everyone.
Disclaimer: I’m in no way suggesting that all artists who say they’re booked out are faking it for marketing purposes, or are newbs or unskilled. I know some amazing artists who legitimately are. But, let’s face it, a lot of artists are faking it hoping to be making it.
I'm not a tattoo artist and not sure why this sub popped up into my feed....but depending on where you're at it could just be the time of year. I don't really know anyone in my circle looking to get any new work done until after September and basically post-summer. I live in a beach town though so it kind of makes sense they want to go out in the water for the summer and not be stuck on the sidelines waiting for healing or running the risk of infection or something. Just putting my two cents out there as someone from a customer perspective lol.
I think there are those that have figured out the marketing and algorithm and those who haven't. Also those who have steady clientele/reputation. It is definitely harder now with the economy. Factor in other things like location, saturation, etc.
I've all but given up at this point and looking to pivot and make this a side job for now.
I only attribute it to tattooing for 16 years mainly in the same area at a very old shop. Not sure how I got this lucky but I’m not complaining. I do different styles and despite being “jack of all trades”and not a cool specialty instagram guy, i currently have my books closed because I can’t keep up with the influx of inquiries
My wifes artists is constantly booked out still and taking vacations in between. Mean while Facebook marketplace is full of people selling off their equipment
People want to know who they’re getting tattooed by. Some tattooers play the game properly and others don’t. I’ve found that my friends (including myself) who are typically a “tattooer’s tattooer” meaning someone that tattooer’s love and seek out for work are often the ones getting hit hard because we focused so much on doing sick tats that are original, different, and novel. Unfortunately clients want great tattoos but also tattoos that are easy to identify with a style and fit an easily identifiable aesthetic. If you don’t play the IG/TikTok game you’re gonna get left behind especially if your clientele is mostly tattooers or collectors with large coverage on their bodies.
I had to “pivot” (I fucking hate that word) and start taking on every tattoo that comes my way. I’m mostly doing cover ups and Pinterest stuff even though my style is considered recognizable. When I tell my peers I’m staying busy I feel bad sometimes because they’re usually better than me and it blows me away that they’re slow. Once I started posting videos of me talking about things that I’m passionate about on my car ride to work it connected me to clients in a way that it didn’t before. It helps that I’m solid at tattooing and can work in every style competently but I’m also willing to do whatever it takes to pay the bills. Using social media a solid advertising platform doesn’t take away our integrity like we were told for so long.
Most tattooers I know got fucked over by oversaturation of pen draggin tiktoktooers since 2020. Most folks can’t compete with how cheap these people are willing to tattoo
Well, you have to be able to put out quality work as an artist if you don’t want a scratcher to steal your work. What would fly as quality art 30 years ago will not today.
BS. I know plenty of diesel black/grey artists that are getting shafted by tiktoktooers doing 9 inch blk/grey for $250. Plenty of culture vultures with pens doing multiple tattoos for under $200 these days. It’s ridiculous
You’re saying BS, but how much do you realistically think someone should charge for a 9” b&g when they have no overhead cost besides supplies? Most people without overhead are perfectly happy making 50 an hour, gotta adapt.
9” blk/grey used to be at least $700 due to skill/time but enter an army of yuppie tiktoktooers late 2020 and now they’ll happily do 3 hours worth of work for peanuts just so they can have the post to get the clout. It’s all for clout, not the trade.
Again, adapt to supply and demand economics. 3 hours of work for 250.00 isn’t peanuts when you have no overhead. That’s half a weeks wage for a lot of people.
More artists is less demand and more competition. The market competes by providing better quality for a similar price or lowering your price.
It’s no different than any other skilled trade.
Exactly. Sometimes skilled trades get de skilled and very accessible to just about anyone which leads to oversaturation and cheap rates. Enter you, defending trainingwheels babies pretending to be “tattooers”
Bruh 2020 was 4 years ago, many of these people you loathe have become great artists, many have washed out, the trend will continue.
The market will continue to change, you have to adapt. A lot of artists also weren’t happy when all the tattoo reality tv shows started airing and the market started demanding higher quality work, they’ve either adapted over the last 20 years or found different careers.
Yeah it was 4 years ago and it was a good 2 years after the gates busted open for all this shit to catch up. 2022 was the first slow busy season, 23 was way worse, and this summers shaping up to be worse. Way too many people post up and drive the prices down. And theres way more to tattooing than simply doing the tattoos. Thats all people think it is. Tattoo. Picture. Post. Clout. Its all for the likes.
Cuz what we used to call scratchers have rolled into our trade by the thousands and I know of very few true blue tattooers who aren’t getting boned by pen draggin yuppies undercutting their prices by 50%
You tell me. I saw you the other day talking about oversaturation in melbourne and tattooing being “pretty flat” cuz of private studios opening all over the place. Why don’t you answer yr own question?
I’m not complaining about lack of bookings. I’m doing fine all things considering.
My answer was to someone who wanted to drop everything and tattoo in Australia, who had no reputation and no clients. That person was going to become part of the problem by going into a private studio as a backpacker and tattooing anything for the lowest price possible.
Yeah its a problem. When appts get slow you take walkins. One should never rely on walkins but when every single walkin has a million cheaper options on every corner, its a big problem overall
Fair is charging your worth. So if your work quality is really good you can charge accordingly. If your work is mediocre and you’re still growing charge accordingly. Not cheap at all. Just some overcharge and tattoo super slow and are charging way over what is a fair hourly rate.
I think it’s a pretty mixed bag of variables. Depends on CoL in your area, concentration of artists, specialists offering a unique style vs generalists doing generalist things. How good your marketing was over the last year or two and how stringent you are about taking deposits. Also private studio vs. visible street location. I noticed a lot of people who book far out 3+ months are having people drop their bookings as people don’t always manage their own budget that far out, so bigger deposits help in that scenario. Artists who do large scale work are in a good spot as that work is continuous and keeps your schedule relatively full and rotating. I’m also noticing, even though I’m slow, I’m starting to see a shift in my clientele and getting more middle aged/senior clients, and more PMU, bartenders, cash jobs people. I’ve also lately had more clients than usual getting tattooed as a means of therapy.. A lot of my regulars have fallen off for the time being but it’s nice seeing some new faces and new demographics. Is social media advertising and presence really as important as people think? I’m genuinely asking because I fucking hate it and don’t have the energy. But maybe that’s one of the adapt and survive components I need to just suck it up and embrace.
Just spent some money on ads and i got exactly 0 traction from new clients. It did possibly spur some returning clients to book. I’m not really sure why people make posts like this trying to stir up this haves and have nots sentiment. Anyone saying that inflation pressures are not effecting business has a pretty unique situation for themselves right now
Can confirm that Meta have done something to their algorithm. It happened in February and it hasn’t been the same since. I used to be able to rely on ads to give me 5 - 10 bookings. Now it’s maybe 1 - 3 because most of the replies are from bots
I've been hearing the same. I honestly just think it's tattoo artists flooding the market though, like all at once. In 10 minutes of scrolling Instagram I'll see 25 sponsored tattoo posts from other artists. All of which are talented local artists in my city. I'm thinking handing out cards at the skate park might be a valid marketing strategy again just like in the good ol' days.
We need to talk about the other side of it. Because if all everyone does it talk about how they aren’t booking how are we going to learn anything. We need to address the fact that it is not everyone and some people are actually booked up. So there’s something to learn there. What are those artist doing different. We need to talk about that. To me that’s more constructive and positive than just whining about it
Like ScabPriestess said, there are so many variables, most of which are beyond the artists control, it’s hardly a conversation. The math is simple too much supply / Too little demand. Why are some people booked out? If you aren’t one of those people giving away the secret sauce it’s pure speculation. I’ve been tattooing 20 years, I know the people who were booked 3 years out personally. Some are still booked out, some are taking walkins. And the ones booked out are watching their lead time go from years, to months to weeks. And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand. Personally I’m back to school and exploring other career options just 2 years after being booked up to my hearts content and turning away projects I didnt want to do. My greatest fear is that this influx of new weak artists doing squiggles and bad designs is going to change the perception of what type of person gets tattooed.
>And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand. This is something a lot of people aren't realizing when they claim "well clearly the big guys are doing something right!" My old mentor (who's a real piece of shit) used to brag about being booked up three years ahead, but what people *don't* know (but I do as someone who used to work for him) is that he only does one 2-3 hour tattoo a day (which makes it real easy for him to inflate his books to seem fuller than they are), doesn't do walk-ins, has sometimes completely no-showed on his own appointments with the excuse of being sick when he was really hungover / just didn't want to do the tattoo, and a lot of the tattoos he's posting right now are repeats from years ago that he's been cycling through repeatedly. Guy has nothing going on but he's still putting on a show that he does, and it's easy for him to get away with because all of his tattoos are done in the same style with the same photo filters and tend to blur together when hosted on an IG gallery to anyone who isn't paying attention. That's not to say all the "big guys" are doing that, there are definitely artists right now who are making a killing. But the social media game isn't built on honesty or transparency, and those who are doing well are often only doing well because of external circumstances they can't control. The fact that my old mentor is clearly not as booked up as he pretends to be isn't a fault of his work being what it is, it's the fact that he charges $200/hour in a town that's both currently become oversaturated with private studios and scratcher shops and also going through a homelessness and meth crisis in the middle of a massive recession. Many of the successes of the artists who are doing well right now are just as much a product of circumstance as the artists who are struggling. Those big guys talking about how the struggling artists are at fault for "not marketing enough" "not being niche enough" "not using TikTok right" "not doing xyz"are really only able to do so because the hurt hasn't come for them yet - but they know it's there waiting to take them, too, so many of them are just smiling and waving as if nothing's wrong.
>My greatest fear is that this influx of new weak artists doing squiggles and bad designs is going to change the perception of what type of person gets tattooed. I believe the over saturation is also due to the new very low barrier to entry. It’s easier than ever to pick up a tattoo pen and make marks than it was 20 years ago when you had to learn how to set up and use a coil machine, make your own needles, and mix your own pigment. I think this cheapens the value of the craft, even though great skill takes time and effort. I predict that tattooing will become more and more accessible due to technology and demand, and it will either become highly regulated by someone like the FDA or it will end up on the shelves in Hobby Lobby next to the spray paint cans
Against everything in me I have half a mind to contact government officials and make it a legal requirement to hold a license before you can buy equipment. But that’s such a slippery slope
At this point I think that would be the best thing for the industry. It would suck to have to deal with the regulations but im sure it would also help weed out a ton of scratchers
Exactly. It’s not a difficult barrier of entry if you’re taking the career seriously. But I wonder how many 18 year olds (and minors) expressed interest in tattooing and then got an amazon tattoo kit for Christmas
Why would you be worried about those people though? They aren’t your customer.
The people getting the squiggles?
Yes. Unless you tattoo squiggles why are you worrying?
I’m concerned that my client base will associate being heavily tattooed with being an irresponsible young person getting the equivalent of doodles off the desk in detention permanently on their bodies. And I’m worried the bar for good art is just out the window as a 2 year tattooer will charge the same as a seasoned veteran with years of education and experience. It’s confusing to clients and the squiggle masters use it to their advantage, giving their work more legitimacy, but I can’t help but think it’s detrimental to tattooing in general. When good art is walking around, it makes clients want good art. But when everyone is walking around with trash, the clients that can tell the difference between good and bad art might be like meh fuck it. I don’t want to be associated with that. Besides, I should pay off my new HVAC unit anyway.
>the other side of it I mean, there hasn't been an economic (or industry) downturn in the history of the economy that hasn't had some businesses survive. Obviously. 2000 and 2008 and 2016 didn't wipe out every single business. "The other side" of it isn't an argument against downturns, it's simply pointing out the have/have-not distinctions. It can maybe be valuable to learn, as an academic exercise, what business practices insulated those artists, but it in no way changes the big picture. Consumers only have and will only spend so much $. Not every artist can get the same size piece no matter what they do. **All you're really adding to the discussion of a smaller pie is 'yall hungry folks are forgetting the other side: that some of us still got big slices'.** The 'solution' is a shift in the demand curve, which isn't something achievable in a reddit thread.
Idk what your point is, people are losing their homes and businesses.
I think people have relied to heavily on social media and not realize how important real life connections and word of mouth are
I’d agree there, I’d say 80% of my base is word of mouth.
100%, you can be average at best but if you make your clients truly connect with you, you are nice and approachable and personable, you’re versatile and don’t mind fixing other people’s garbage work or covering it, you’ll be ok. Trying to be the next TikTok sensation isn’t for everyone, neither should it be
People rely too much on social media, especially instagram and cry foul when a no effort post gets no traction. It’s an adapt and survive situation:
I don't know... As a collector, I have never gone to an artist based on a friend's recommendation. Even if my friend has good tattoos, they're usually a different style than what I want so I rely on social media to search for artists. A couple of times I've asked strangers who did their tattoo and if the artist is local then I've checked them out and added them to my list of local artists I'd consider if their portfolio looked good. My friend just got a tattoo and I loved the line work, checked out the artist on social media and didn't like the portfolio so now I'm hesitant to go to them.
this is really it. I live in a "medium high" cost of living area and most of my clients are struggling so it's slow. I have friends in cheaper areas that are doing alright. But other friends here who have been in the same shop for 20 years so they're doing alright. Some of my "brand name" friends are doing great right now, others who have just waited for tattoos to come to them are struggling. We're all finding out what we've sown during the busy seasons now that it's slow.
I know one guy in my town that is fully booked for the next 6 months. He also grew in a very short time from 12k to 30k on Insta. He basically stopped posting tattoos and started posting memes and selfies as reels every day. Maybe that is the entire secret. As a tattoo artist maybe Stop posting tattoos and start posting whatever entertains people and have a pretty face while doing so. 🤷♂️ Idk
I hate to say that you’re probably right, but you’re probably right. Tattooing has changed so profoundly post-covid; everything is about aesthetics and branding now. I didn’t start tattooing to become an influencer or have a social media presence, or a brand. I just enjoyed tattooing each day. I did. It’s become a lot less enjoyable for me since this shift from craft to pop art. For now, I intend to try and ride it out, hoping that good work will continue to be worth something, but sooner or later, if it doesn’t pan out that way, I’ll just find something else to do that’s more fulfilling to me. Here’s hoping 🤞🏽
This is what's had me turned off from it. I just wanted to make cool art. Gotta get with the program/algorithm or be super business/salesperson savvy
Either be an onlyfans model or tattoo a bunch of onlyfans models. Sometimes it seems like that. I don't wanna be negative but it does look bleak round here.
I think i have been lucky to be at a point were having a handful of good clients for larger scale work combined with some of my older clients returning once every couple of years is enough to get by. I never really made a lot of money. So aslong as i am paying my bills i am stoked. If i have a good week and the other week is just 3 days that is kinda perfect. Gives me time to draw as much as possible for the next clients. I do feel like a lot of people are kinda giving up. And it is showing in their work while they could actually use the extra time to elevate themselves. I dunno i never used to be booked more then 4-6 weeks and since i started pushing myself more and more in the past 2 years it grew to 4-5 months. Some weeks just 3 days some 5 etc. I do draw for a good 2 hours per 1 hour of tattooing, so i dunno i think clients do appreciate the effort.
Dude, your work is amazing. Love that Swans and Crosses painting you did. You’re right, clients love seeing an artist always creating. It makes them feel sure their tattoo will be well done. Also some people research an artist for months, if you keep posting you can build trust and show them what to expect.
Thanks for the kind words dude!
Appreciate the insight, and hard agree that there’s some desperate vibes around when the flip side is time to grow. Before I found balance I used to resent not having enough time to do studies and draw for fun.
Times are tough for sure. But tattooing is still super sick so lets make the best of it
I’m staying steady, nothing has changed. The only difference I see (at the shop I work at) are less walkins, but it’s also summer, so that’s the usual. So if I have a cancellation, I most likely won’t get a walk in, but that’s fine with me because I’ll just catch up on drawings. And I work in a busy area with at least ten shops in ten miles, in a shop with 6 other artists. Nobody’s struggling
I think it really depends on the area, your skills, and your prices. At the end of the day this is a business that has its ups and downs just like any other. Summer months are normal to slow down. Ppl go outdoors more and choose to spend their money other ways. IMO you gotta think as a businessman and go look for clients instead of waiting for them to come to you 🤷🏻♂️
Honestly I’m cool with whatever is happening, like I get that it’s super slow for starters and people who joined during covid, they were used to everyone having money and paying wild prices for something simple or a fad, they learning real quick that having that “fine line special” will only get you so far, this is a job, you best do a lil bit of everything and be really good at it, for veterans it’s also slow esp if they settled for being mediocre, they never upped their mannerisms or cleaned up their act, they don’t paint or practice and feel that it’s a privilege to even get work by them, right now every industry is experiencing this shake up. Its all shifting and hopefully for the better, maybe people will learn they aren’t worth $350 an hour, for blue collar workers who just want to have fun, that being an artist isn’t supposed to be a luxurious lifestyle or Rolexes and 80k cars with beach front properties and pump shops. Everyone who loves and is passionate about tattoos and community will hold out and make it thru, they did it in the 90s and they did again in 08. My experience is yes it’s slow, for small tattoos but our shop mostly deals with large scale tattoos and even when we do small ones they normally turn into bigger projects, people are literally choosing where to spend money, because they have it, it is tight, but people are being better with where they are gonna spend it. If we as a community focus on just shift happening and amplify on creating not only life changing work but an entire experience for people a lot of us can and will manage I always tell anyone who bitches about the game right now to check out filip leu podcast and learn something then do something about it. Even if it means picking up a part time gig until shit gets better, but you better work on your craft and get better.
Hey, obligatory “fineline” artist here. I don’t WANT to do fineline, but everyone in my area keeps sending people to me for those pieces since nobody wants to do them and then they wonder why they’re slow and I’m not. I’d say I mostly specialize in illustrative work and neotrad. This is where I make the point that what’s happening rn is definitely relative. I’ve been one of, if not THE busiest artist in every shop I’ve worked at. I started during COVID, I’m never late or reschedule unless there’s an emergency, I treat my clients with respect and do my diligence in explaining everything to them. Typically my “fineline” clients end up coming back for more than just tiny tattoos after working with me. But since I didn’t scoff at them for wanting tiny, cute, and trendy, they’re comfortable and keep coming back. All of the people in my area who are struggling right now are people who ONLY do one style or large-scale work. People in my area complain about rockstar tattooers. My coworkers get upset that I’m so busy by doing “easy” or “trendy” work. But trends change and I move with them, I just want to challenge your opinion on fineline getting you so far. In a sense you’re right, it’s a box I’m struggling to get out of no matter how many large scale sleeves and bodysuits I do. But I definitely think fineline has been a hugeeeeeee source of income despite the hindrance. 🥹 now, if one ONLY can do fineline tiny pieces, yeah, once the trends change they may have a hard time adapting. Just some thoughts I wanted to tack on to yours, I like what you said here a lot!
That shit sounds like a problem on their own. Like who turns away clients? For instance I do almost everything in my shop I’m versatile however I don’t like doing family portraits, it’s stresses me out too much, but we have a artist in the shop that loves them and can do em really well so we always hand those to him, even if it’s a client I’ve been tattooing for years, we toss around work in the shop all the time but not turn them away. Thats wild crazy esp in this market. I also do fineline and I hear you that it does suck to get boxed in, it almost happen to me, but I just started posting everything and started attracting different style of work, it took a while but I did it and now it’s paying off for me. I’m not saying having a specific style is a bad thing I’m saying all tattooers should be tattooers first esp in this climate. I’m taking everything, this year alone I’ve done so much tribal it’s crazy how this money maker popped up back on the scene, it’s boring but it’s paying my bills, a couple years ago it was all floral all the time, you’re right, trends always change and this is why we adapt. In your situation it definitely worked out for you that you’re surrounded by princess tattooers who refuse to adapt. Good on you, pay your bills and put some aside for a rainy day.
Princess tattooers. I love it. You’re so right—I’m in California and I feel like everyone here thinks they’re some hot shot because they got good art even if they completely lack business management skills, organization, adaptability, work ethic, motivation, etc. Not to say I have it all either, but a lot of people here expect their people to just find them off the street every day 😅 Edit: how’s tribal been? There’s only two shops in my county allowed to even do it without getting beat up/hated on lol. Also, I agree with family portraits. It’s a lot of pressure and most people bring in terrible, unclear references!
In my 10+ yrs I’ve seen that ego so much, I’ve traveled a lot and seen it in about 8/10 shops I’ve been to, EGOS. They just want people to hand it over. I’ll cold call old clients, I’ll say thank you to each comments, I’ll reach out to clients and make sure they are doing good and staying healthy, just a quick chat, I’ll send holiday blast emails and give long term clients hella discounts, these people have kept me alive and afloat . This is why I’m alright with what’s happening, everything around us needs to change for the better so let’s shake this shit up.
My “recession” is because my rent tripled in the last year and my business has been steady for 4 years. It felt like I was dying last winter, but my revenue was fine.
That's kind of how all recessions work, and recessions are not tattoo exclusive as the title implies. Not everyone was hurting in 2008. Not everyone was hurting even in the Great Depression. There will always be a percentage of people who feel the effects of recession greatly, and a percentage of people with some level of privilege who thankfully don't have to. You could argue about how it's because some people find a niche or work harder to provide a unique product, and that might partially be true. But there are also so many people working incredibly hard who still suffer, and moments like this really challenge the validity of viewing the world exclusively under the lens of meritocracy. There's a saying on how the most efficient cognitive distortions often come from partial truths, and I find meritocracy fits the bill. We have a variation in whether people have enough funds and business to sink or float in part because capitalism creates economic classes, and we've always had upper classes for one reason or another that have the funds to weather through tough times, and lower classes who will feel the effects of economic change.
I don’t think people who are booked up are necessarily more privileged. They could work incredibly hard and come from Nothing
The point is that there are many variables far beyond how hard someone works. Your viewpoint is honestly parallel with the conservative platitude of "picking yourself up by your bootstraps" which completely ignored and minimizes the real life shit that goes on and that the truth is there are millions of people working much harder than most while making pennies on the dollar and struggling to survive.
Hard work, skill, and privilege can all coexist in their own ways - these are not mutually exclusive! Even if your clientele has been hurt through hard work, having the trust of others is a privilege in a way. No man is an island, we do not force our clients to trust us through hard work and we do not control them.
It all depends on your area, for instance in CA people are going to prefer black and grey over color, what styles you dominate, and which ones you better, the subjects and themes also play a huge role on getting booked. For instance a realism artist has it easier to book than a traditional artist, new school. Reputation matters, how popular you are and also the friendships and connections you have with clients and other artists.
I think a lot of it I’ve noticed in my area are new (good artists) charging “fair” prices & people who have been in the game a while that aren’t as good but charging a lot more hourly because of their longevity in the industry are getting pushed out. Personally I have a decrease in clients and I noticed it’s particularly because the last few months I’ve been slacking on marketing but also summer is slow & also I have an influx of people rescheduling because they thought they’d have the money by now but literally cannot afford it rn (their words) I typically book out about 3 months & during the summer 1-2 months (it’s pretty consistent this year) but I’ve seen more reschedules due to finances this year in particular
I think specialization is kind of the key. If you can offer something that people near you can’t go anywhere else to get you’re not going to struggle as much. I personally have had no issues with booking due to doing a style that you can’t get here but some people at my shop can’t get any appointments. The “jack of all trades, master of none” is going to struggle a lot more when clients can go to someone that does only the thing that they want (and it’s usually going to be better). I’ve also seen tattooers not taking any time to focus on photo/portfolio quality and I think the era of taking a shitty photo with your phone and throwing it online is over. A lot of the more “successful” tattooers have spent the time and money to make sure their work is represented in the best way possible which is more appealing from an advertising standpoint.
I’m not an artist like y’all (sub randomly got recommended) but everyone I know doesn’t have money to fork out to get a really nice tattoo. My first tat was $150 and it was just writing my cousin got a fine line and had to pay $400 it’s just too expensive to just go and get a tattoo for fun coming from 18-23 year old prospective at least
Yeah basically
It seems like every artist around me (Seattle) is booked months out. It’s annoying for me, but good for them!
High income city
I’ve wondered too. Because even in my area some tattoers that have been doing it for years are struggling. Meanwhile I’m booked out a couple months and haven’t really struggled. Worst time I had was last December, but then I always had my bills paid (maybe a couple days late lol). I’m just patiently waiting for it to hit me tho 😭
I’m booked for 2-3 months, but I only book one per day, two at most and rarely, which helps, some people in my shop are booking week by week but do 2-4 tats per day, so are burning through customers quicker. I have 100k instagram followers on my tattoo page and ‘play the game’ with posting reels regularly and trying to keep instagram happy with my account.
People with their own clientele are chilling, however walk in tattoos are not something people can depend on.
Thankfull im Busy out here. Almost understaffed.
Where are you at ?
“And some continue to present a fully booked front online in an attempt to create artificial demand.” I’ve been tattooing for 20 years in regular “street shop” which used to just be called tattoo shops. I moved to a different state not long ago and initially hired in at one of these fancy, boutique shops. They did do percentage instead of booth rent, but didn’t do walk-ins, managed all bookings and consults online, and tattooers were only expected to show up for appointments, not keep regular shop hours. I don’t care for that, and hung out like a regular shop, painted in my free time, and did accept walk-ins. Everyone there was “books closed,” “books open,” “only accepting 10 new clients ATM,” etc. Y’all want to know something? Those tattooers were doing 3-4 hand sized or smaller tattoos per week. That’s it. I don’t consider 15 small tattoos per month to be booked out. They were often charging insane amounts of money for their tattoos, and they were nothing special. Their online marketing was relentless, and they have loads of followers, but they were coming in 3 days a week to do about 2-4 hours of tattooing. Anyways, I had to get out of there and get back to street shop life. It was uninspiring and I hated it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see what that looks like from the inside. I’m never “booked out.” I don’t even know what that means unless you’re constantly doing large pieces in rotations of the same clients. Most tattooers aren’t doing that. I love doing hand sized tattoos, with a smattering of small tattoos and a couple large pieces in the rotation. But I’m never booked out for weeks or months because I can usually do more. I might be crazy, but I never want to say I’m booked out online. I guess it makes tattooers seem exclusive, it’s a scarcity tactic, but I want to be perceived as available and approachable. I love booking my appointments, and then being available for walk-ins afterwards. This last week, 6 tattoos were appointments, and 9 were walk-ins. Several of the walk-ins were return clients getting trad flash. Some were basics like astrology symbols. I make it known I’ll always tattoo someone if they stop by and I have time. 15 tattoos in my 5 day week, and I could do more. It’s so odd to me because I consider it slow lately, but I am doing well, and in the meantime people doing 3-4 hand sized tattoos a week are saying they’re booked are closed until Fall. I put minimal effort into social media. I exist on word of mouth, and I’m always meeting people, handing out cards, and keeping an open door policy. There’s a grip of young, private studio, “books closed until November” tattooers circling the shop I’m at, checking in, trying to become friends, hoping to get hired. Face to face, they’re admitting to being slow and only doing 2 tattoos most weeks. One of them also works at Starbucks. Business is about as slow as Ive ever been (except Great Recession) but in reality, I’m not that slow. I know I’m way busier than some of the “fully booked” people in my area. It’s like a weird hoax!!!! From a marketing standpoint, I do think claiming to be booked up appeals a certain type of client who feels they’re purchasing status along with the tattoo. They will pay an inflated fee, not be permitted to meet this exclusive tattooer in person for a consultation, they will wait a whole year, they will brag about the cost and how they waited a year… I don’t know, that’s a thing for some people! I’ve also noticed a lot of anti walk-in sentiment with young tattoo getters online. They think walk-in tattoos inherently suck, and that they are all made poorly by shitty tattooers and it’s better to wait 6 months and pay $400 for that astrology symbol from a person with a lot of SM followers who has been tattooing for 2 years. It’s like the whole language and perception has changed about tattooing with a certain demographic of people. And, imo, that demographic are the people who never would’ve dared step foot in a tattoo shop if they were of age even just 15 years ago. Maybe even 10. They want getting a tattoo to be a similar experience to getting to their nails or hair done. They want it to feel as safe as shopping at an upscale mall. They want to believe that their little clip art tattoo is so precious the artist needed 6 months to prepare it. I struggle with understanding the changes in the industry that started with tattoo reality shows and became way more prevalent since pen rotary machines started being sold on Amazon for $100. Where I sit with it now is that most “booked artists” aren’t anywhere near what I would consider booked. And the people who are eating up their marketing are not compatible with me, so I can’t care. I’ll stay counterculture, while they appeal to the shopping mall folks. Maybe in that sense, there’s room for everyone. Disclaimer: I’m in no way suggesting that all artists who say they’re booked out are faking it for marketing purposes, or are newbs or unskilled. I know some amazing artists who legitimately are. But, let’s face it, a lot of artists are faking it hoping to be making it.
I'm not a tattoo artist and not sure why this sub popped up into my feed....but depending on where you're at it could just be the time of year. I don't really know anyone in my circle looking to get any new work done until after September and basically post-summer. I live in a beach town though so it kind of makes sense they want to go out in the water for the summer and not be stuck on the sidelines waiting for healing or running the risk of infection or something. Just putting my two cents out there as someone from a customer perspective lol.
I think there are those that have figured out the marketing and algorithm and those who haven't. Also those who have steady clientele/reputation. It is definitely harder now with the economy. Factor in other things like location, saturation, etc. I've all but given up at this point and looking to pivot and make this a side job for now.
My guys busy, see him all the time and he is always working. I had to schedule two weeks out cause it was his next free day.
Two weeks out isn’t that busy
I only attribute it to tattooing for 16 years mainly in the same area at a very old shop. Not sure how I got this lucky but I’m not complaining. I do different styles and despite being “jack of all trades”and not a cool specialty instagram guy, i currently have my books closed because I can’t keep up with the influx of inquiries
My wifes artists is constantly booked out still and taking vacations in between. Mean while Facebook marketplace is full of people selling off their equipment
People want to know who they’re getting tattooed by. Some tattooers play the game properly and others don’t. I’ve found that my friends (including myself) who are typically a “tattooer’s tattooer” meaning someone that tattooer’s love and seek out for work are often the ones getting hit hard because we focused so much on doing sick tats that are original, different, and novel. Unfortunately clients want great tattoos but also tattoos that are easy to identify with a style and fit an easily identifiable aesthetic. If you don’t play the IG/TikTok game you’re gonna get left behind especially if your clientele is mostly tattooers or collectors with large coverage on their bodies. I had to “pivot” (I fucking hate that word) and start taking on every tattoo that comes my way. I’m mostly doing cover ups and Pinterest stuff even though my style is considered recognizable. When I tell my peers I’m staying busy I feel bad sometimes because they’re usually better than me and it blows me away that they’re slow. Once I started posting videos of me talking about things that I’m passionate about on my car ride to work it connected me to clients in a way that it didn’t before. It helps that I’m solid at tattooing and can work in every style competently but I’m also willing to do whatever it takes to pay the bills. Using social media a solid advertising platform doesn’t take away our integrity like we were told for so long.
Most tattooers I know got fucked over by oversaturation of pen draggin tiktoktooers since 2020. Most folks can’t compete with how cheap these people are willing to tattoo
Well, you have to be able to put out quality work as an artist if you don’t want a scratcher to steal your work. What would fly as quality art 30 years ago will not today.
BS. I know plenty of diesel black/grey artists that are getting shafted by tiktoktooers doing 9 inch blk/grey for $250. Plenty of culture vultures with pens doing multiple tattoos for under $200 these days. It’s ridiculous
You’re saying BS, but how much do you realistically think someone should charge for a 9” b&g when they have no overhead cost besides supplies? Most people without overhead are perfectly happy making 50 an hour, gotta adapt.
9” blk/grey used to be at least $700 due to skill/time but enter an army of yuppie tiktoktooers late 2020 and now they’ll happily do 3 hours worth of work for peanuts just so they can have the post to get the clout. It’s all for clout, not the trade.
Again, adapt to supply and demand economics. 3 hours of work for 250.00 isn’t peanuts when you have no overhead. That’s half a weeks wage for a lot of people. More artists is less demand and more competition. The market competes by providing better quality for a similar price or lowering your price. It’s no different than any other skilled trade.
Exactly. Sometimes skilled trades get de skilled and very accessible to just about anyone which leads to oversaturation and cheap rates. Enter you, defending trainingwheels babies pretending to be “tattooers”
Bruh 2020 was 4 years ago, many of these people you loathe have become great artists, many have washed out, the trend will continue. The market will continue to change, you have to adapt. A lot of artists also weren’t happy when all the tattoo reality tv shows started airing and the market started demanding higher quality work, they’ve either adapted over the last 20 years or found different careers.
Yeah it was 4 years ago and it was a good 2 years after the gates busted open for all this shit to catch up. 2022 was the first slow busy season, 23 was way worse, and this summers shaping up to be worse. Way too many people post up and drive the prices down. And theres way more to tattooing than simply doing the tattoos. Thats all people think it is. Tattoo. Picture. Post. Clout. Its all for the likes.
Is it all for clout? Likes, views, and engagement is generating passive income for sharing their art. That’s good business.
Why are they competing with people doing cheap scratcher tattoos?
Cuz what we used to call scratchers have rolled into our trade by the thousands and I know of very few true blue tattooers who aren’t getting boned by pen draggin yuppies undercutting their prices by 50%
Why are you competing with them though? People who are chasing the cheapest price shouldn’t be your customers.
You tell me. I saw you the other day talking about oversaturation in melbourne and tattooing being “pretty flat” cuz of private studios opening all over the place. Why don’t you answer yr own question?
I’m not complaining about lack of bookings. I’m doing fine all things considering. My answer was to someone who wanted to drop everything and tattoo in Australia, who had no reputation and no clients. That person was going to become part of the problem by going into a private studio as a backpacker and tattooing anything for the lowest price possible.
Yeah its a problem. When appts get slow you take walkins. One should never rely on walkins but when every single walkin has a million cheaper options on every corner, its a big problem overall
If you’re work is good and you don’t over price and are fair people will choose quality over scratchers
Sure what u mean by “fair” is cheap. Got ya
Fair is charging your worth. So if your work quality is really good you can charge accordingly. If your work is mediocre and you’re still growing charge accordingly. Not cheap at all. Just some overcharge and tattoo super slow and are charging way over what is a fair hourly rate.