Electrum's tattoo culture blog
Electrum's Tattoo Culture Blog
The Business of Tattooing - Why You’re Not Booking — and How to Fix It Fast
So Your Books Aren’t Full - Now What?Here’s the truth: most tattoo artists aren’t struggling because of their art.They’re struggling because their systems, communication, and visibility are letting them down. If you’re feeling burnt out, under-booked, or just over chasing clients - here are 4 things you can start doing today to fix that.
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The Business of Tattooing - 4 tips for Dealing with Difficult Consultations
As a tattoo artist, consultations can either pave the way to amazing artwork or lead to frustrating dead ends. Difficult consultations often arise due to mismatched expectations, communication barriers, or clients unsure of what they truly want. Here's how you can expertly navigate these tricky interactions, ensuring your client leaves confident and your bookings stay full.
Clients Are Spending Differently This Year — Here’s How to Pivot
If your books feel slower, your DMs feel quieter, or clients seem hesitant to commit… you’re not imagining it. North America, the UK, and much of Europe are experiencing a tattoo recession — not because tattoos are less popular, but because consumer spending is changing. People still want tattoos.They’re just spending money differently.
The Business of Tattooing - Micro-Trends, Macro-Money: How Styles Like “Ignorant Tattoos,” “Fine-Line,” or “Sticker Sleeves” Affect Long-Term Sustainability
Micro-trends can be incredible for visibility and fast cash, but they’re not a business model by themselves. The smartest artists use trends as leverage: they attract new clients, grow social reach, and then transition those clients into bigger, more sustainable work.
The Business of Tattooing - Creating a Tattoo Studio Culture That Retains Top Talent
As a seasoned tattoo artist and studio owner, I've seen firsthand how the right culture transforms a tattoo studio from merely a workplace into a thriving creative community. Attracting skilled artists is one thing; retaining them long-term is another challenge altogether. Here's how you can build an environment that motivates your artists to stay and grow alongside your business.
The Business of Tattooing - How to price your tattoos without undervaluing your art and time
As a tattoo artist, pricing your work can be one of the most challenging aspects of the job. Setting rates that reflect your skill, experience, and time is essential—not just for your income but for establishing your value in the industry. Undervaluing your art can lead to burnout, frustration, and financial instability. Here’s how to price your tattoos confidently and fairly without selling yourself short.
The Business of Tattooing - From Passion to Profit: Business Essentials for Tattoo Artists
Turning your passion for tattooing into a thriving business involves more than just creating amazing art—it requires a solid foundation in business strategy. Whether you're just starting out or looking to streamline your existing operations, understanding the business essentials is key to sustainable growth and profitability. Here’s how to transform your tattoo artistry into a successful enterprise.
The Business of Tattooing - Why “Exposure” Isn’t Payment, But Visibility Can Be Currency
Tattoo artists have been hearing it forever: “We can’t pay you, but think of the exposure.” Most of us know that’s BS. You can’t pay rent with exposure, and you can’t buy ink with Instagram likes. But here’s the twist: in the TikTok + IG era, visibility can translate into real bookings—if you treat it strategically. The difference between empty “exposure” and valuable visibility is how you leverage it.
The Business of Tattooing - Digital Portfolios and SEO: Getting Found Online
In today’s digital-first world, having an eye-catching online portfolio isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for tattoo artists who want to showcase their work and attract new clients. But simply posting your art online isn’t enough. To really get noticed, you need to understand and implement Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies.
The Business of Tattooing - Video Marketing for Tattoo Artists: Show, Don't Just Tell
In a world dominated by visuals, tattoo artists have a unique advantage. Your art is inherently visual, and video marketing is one of the most powerful ways to share your creative process, showcase your skills, and build authentic connections with potential clients. Rather than simply telling people what you do, video allows you to show them the passion, precision, and personality behind every piece of ink. Let’s dive into why video marketing matters and how you can make it work for you.
The Business of Tattooing - Booked Out for 6 Months”: The Hidden Financial & Emotional Risks Behind the Flex
In today’s tattoo industry, being “booked out for months” is the ultimate flex. It signals demand, status, and credibility. But behind the humblebrag? There are hidden costs—financial, emotional, and cultural—that most artists don’t talk about.
The Business of Tattooing - Maximizing Client Engagement in the Digital Age: From Booking to Aftercare
In today’s fast-paced digital world, every interaction with your clients - from the moment they book an appointment to the follow-up aftercare - is an opportunity to build lasting relationships and a thriving tattoo business. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, integrating modern digital tools into your workflow can streamline your process and enhance your client experience.
The Business of Tattooing - How to Attract Your Dream Tattoo Clients: A Step-by-Step Guide
Every tattoo artist dreams of a steady stream of clients who love their work, respect their time, and align perfectly with their artistic style. But attracting your dream clients doesn’t happen by chance - it’s all about intentional branding, marketing, and building relationships. Here’s how to make it happen:
About the Electrum Blog:
From tattooing's past to the future, the team of artists and shop owners at Electrum share their perspectives and knowledge on everything tattoo industry.
A few of the things you'll find in our blog posts:
- Business and Industry Insights: advice and ideas for tattoo business growth, current industry trends and strategies for attracting clients, whilst managing a full schedule.
- Compliance and Safety: Information regarding regulatory compliance and our mission to produce safe, compliant inks.
- Product Information: Details about our specific products.
- Interviews and Events: Discussions and recaps from industry events.
