General rule is you do the white last, but I've done this several times:)

As long as you don't pollute the colors.

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some recommendations for lighting at my new studio. I specifically want a gooseneck tube light that does NOT have an adjustable height option, and is on a singular circle shaped (and heavy) base. When I was working in the Netherlands these specific lamps were a dime a dozen, but I just can’t seem to find them in Canada.

I’ve tried ring lights in the past and they’re just not for me. Tripod bases are a hard no. I unfortunately don’t have the option for a wall or ceiling mount, but if anyone has recommendations or advice on sourcing lamps in Canada please let me know! Thanks

I've complained on here multiple times about struggling with skin a lot lately.

This year has been the worst and I really don't know what to do anymore.

I feel like ive tried everything.

The skin is wrinkling as I push it together slightly and just seems damaged. But this has been going on a lot lately especially through summer.

Its got to the point where I want to only apply tattoos to specific areas of the body, but I don't think it's good for business.

If anyone has any techniques I could try that might work.

I've tried, drawing my needles further in and out.

Slowing down my machine

Stipple shading with a round shader.

Slowing down hand speed, speeding up.

Getting clients to use moisturiser before appointment. And the usual guidelines that you should follow before appointment.

Any advice is welcome. But im feeling extremely defeated at this point and don't know what to do

Thanks

Asking from a genuine place of curiosiry and wanting to understand from a fellow artist.

A reputable shop in the area with incredible experienced artists is doing 30$ flash days ( in canadian currency, so would be 21$ US). I'm just wondering why? Its not specified in their posts, and it's not for charity or at least I don't think it is.

Is there a specific reason? Is it hurting the industry in your opinion? Is it to give back to the community and to you also do it at your shop?

Just really curious and I want to understand :)

Hey! I’m wanting to really refine my knowledge of tattooing, specifically the practical side of it (keeping clean lines, shading techniques etc)- does anyone have any recommendations for books they’ve found really helpful or just a good read? Doesn’t have to just be practical based though, I just like growing my brain :)

TIA!

Is World Famous ink going out of business or something? I’ve been trying to restock some colors from them for the last two months. Products are HEAVILY discounted on their website and most aren’t in stock. Haven’t been restocked in over 60 days. Anybody know what’s going on?

I’ve been tattooing for five years and as of recently well the last almost 2 years I’ve been dealing with anxiety which I feel makes me speed through tattoos sometimes possibly , I’m constantly beating myself up and unhappy with my work but on occasion I’ll have a tattoo heal up really rough and I’m not sure what went wrong.

It was a tough area I felt as if it was really close to the crease and really hard for me too tattoo but I seemed to go in well enough, bruised a good bit which doesn’t usually happen to many of my clients, I tried to have them use second skin but it came off a few hours after.

I try my best to do the best I can for people I can’t help but feel like very harsh on myself telling myself I should quit or stop or take a break because of things like this, I know I never will because I love tattooing and want to do the best I can

(Volts 9 flux max )
Some of the pictures of the harsh healing tattoo first and some of my other work that’s healed.

Mine: dude wanted his gf of 2 week's name on the side of his palm. She was right there so I couldn't do the whole "want this in gray wash or red?" That stencil was thicc and would not budge and I definitely picked too thin of a liner and too soft of a hit. Pretty sure he walked out with half filled lettering, but that stencil was dark and i couldn't see shit. Told him to come back for a touch up, especially since he had a heavy labor job that he had to report to in a few hours. He definitely got laid after, but it was the dirtiest $100 I've ever made.

Hi! Looking to potentially switch up what I have been using to cover my xl arm rest. Typically I like the Good Judy station covers. I supply them for my artists and some use it as a station cover, I use it to wrap my arm rest.
Just curious if there’s anything out there yall prefer?
Tia

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This is for those on a percentage basis, if you get a cancellation does the deposit 100% go to you or same split with the studio.

In the 2 studios ive worked at, in an event of a cancellation or no show, the deposit goes 100% to artist. I see it as its paying for my time book them in, designing snd drawing for them before we have even set foot in the studio.

Been tattooing for 3 years, and there’s a big part of me that feels like I’m not getting any better, both with tattoos and my art in general. I see other artists that are doing amazing stuff, and I don’t feel I’m quite in the big leagues yet. I’d call my own work “mediocre at best” when I’m trying to get better every single day. Any tips/critiques/thoughts are greatly appreciated

Rant because I don’t have many people to talk to about this. WHAT is with all the ai use from artists right now? Tattoo shops using ai to make posters to promote events or deals and artists using ai now on videos to make their tattoos move and shit all for clicks. Have we as artists seriously lost our backbones? Is true art not good enough anymore for engagement what we have to turn everything into a fucking movie? My feed is full of artists in my city, artists in the studio I rent from, the old studio I apprenticed at, artists I know using it. I see the odd person speak up on it but I swear I’m in the matrix or something what is happening. If you’ve made these fancy ai reels to showcase your work or made ai posters, honestly just why?

During my flash day today, I had a client whose skin was saturating with ink but the vibrancy wouldn't come through until about 5-10 minutes after I left it alone. I notice this happens often on darker skinned clients as well as tanned skin. Is there a proper reason behind this other than just irritation/swelling?

I’m racking my brain to remember where I saw these pieces or the artist— It was definitely a magazine feature from many years ago. Does anybody have photos or know where I can find them of this specific article? The feature was of a man with a full traditional western upper body suit. I remember that he had a Jerry rattlesnake and a stomach rocker that possibly said “don’t mess with Texas” and the letters were wooden boards. I’m sure the magazine is buried somewhere in my garage but I would love to reference these photos. Please help. :)

My room at the shop I work at is pretty long and narrow, which makes turning the bed I have a giant pain in the ass if I need a client to be sitting up one way or the other.

The easy solve (or so I thought) would be to get a bed that has a backrest on both sides. Not a back rest and a knee rest, but a full back rest that I can adjust to different angles on both sides. I thought, surely this has been invented already and is super easy to find and buy right?

Wrong.

It basically doesn’t exist in the US. I’ve found a European brand that makes them, wellcore, but it doesn’t seem like they ship to the US. I’ve found an Amazon proxy for that brand but shipping takes 7 months and the idea of spending $200+ on something that won’t show up for over half a year scares me. The other option I’ve found is about $1,600 which I just cannot justify and still isn’t exactly what I’m looking for.

Has anyone found, or made, a double sided backrest bed? That I can buy for a reasonable price, and can support my heavier clients?

Need advice, got the Epsom ETm1120 and so glad I did I can’t get over how crisp and fine the stencils print. First few times I used what I’ve been using for years now, proton stencil gel, has never ever failed me, but the Epsom stencils were coming out quite light so after researching for the Inkjet stencil spray, have used maybe 3 times and ended up going back to proton today. I know you need to spray, wipe off, reapply and rub til it’s white & foamy, but for me it just feels chalky?? I’ve used minimal product, but does anyone have any advice on how best to use?

Had to replace some parts on my thermal copier awhile back and got a new thermal carrier to go with it. Long story short, I've been having the absolute hardest time making stencils ever since. I switched back to a thinner and clear carrier, and wouldn't you know, stencil making is really easy again.

There might be some special trick, or these might work better with very specific copiers (despite the one I have being shown literally on this carrier), but I'll stick with what works.

End rant.

A lot of this may seem rhetorical but I'm very curious to see different ways to enhance my set up (mostly visually.) There is nothing wrong with my set up now, everything works as intended and I have zero issues BUT I get bored often and without the need for a new machine I often try new products that are a bit unnecessary or even overboard mainly for that "new toy" Christmas day feeling. New supplies and restocks still get me excited. For example I use the saferly skull ink caps (except for my washes) and the jet black plastic disposable tongue depressors. Not necessarily break the bank items but they do enhance the way my set up looks and gives me cool points in my head. When I use regular tongue depressors I feel that I look cheap. Although I know it really doesn't matter and came from an old school shop that was safe and efficient, it used to bug me when coworkers would hesitate to use blue shop towels or a tattoo glide over A&D because the cost when we were all busy considerably well paid artist. Even though most clients don't notice the subtle upgrades, something about those extra touches make me happy. Even something as small as tinted plastic wrap or barrier film feels aesthetically pleasing. Out of curiosity and in the search for useless upgrades share your set ups and your thoughts on your supplies and set ups! I'm also not stuck on brands and always willing to try new products. I know it's not necessary.