Electrum's tattoo culture blog
Electrum's Tattoo Culture Blog
From Sticks and Stones to Precision Machines: The Evolution of Tattoo Technology
Tattooing, an ancient art form dating back thousands of years, has witnessed a remarkable technological evolution. What once involved rudimentary tools and manual techniques has transformed into a sophisticated and precise process. } Shop Now A Brief Evolution of Tattoos Tattoo origins date back to at least the early Copper Age, a loosely defined period falling between 3200 and 2300 BCE. The oldest tattoos found to date appear on the mummified remains of Ötzi the Iceman, discovered by European hikers in 1991. Evidence indicates ancient cultures in the East, Greece, Rome and northern Europe also practiced the art. Adornment was also common among indigenous communities worldwide, with a well-documented tattoo history spanning from New Zealand and the Polynesian Islands to North and South America. The History of Tattoo Technology Join us as we embark on a journey through the history of tattoo technology, exploring the innovations that have shaped the way ink meets skin. Primitive Tools: The Humble Beginnings Tattoos originated in a very simplistic nature. Early practitioners used primitive tools like bone needles or sharpened sticks to puncture the skin manually. Pigments, often derived from natural sources, were introduced into these punctures to create the first rudimentary tattoos. Traditional Hand-Poking Techniques Hand-poking, also known as stick-and-poke, is a traditional tattooing technique that persisted for centuries. Artists would manually insert ink into the skin using a needle attached to a wooden or metal handle. This method required immense skill and precision, as each poke contributed to the overall design. Invention of the Tattoo Machine: O'Reilly's Innovation The pivotal moment in the evolution of tattoo technology came in 1891 when Samuel O’Reilly patented the first electric tattoo machine. Modeled after Edison’s electric pen, O’Reilly’s machine automated the tattooing process, replacing the labor-intensive hand-poking method. His invention used a high-speed reciprocating motor that transformed spinning into an up-and-down motion. Doing so increased an artist's precision and speed, allowing for up to 50 cycles per second. The machine’s design laid the foundation for modern tattoo machines. Rotary Machines: A Smoother Revolution While coil machines dominated the mid-20th century, rotary machines gained popularity in the latter part of the century. Powered by electric motors, rotary tattoo machines offered a smoother and quieter operation than the buzzing coil machines. Their versatility and precision made them a favorite among tattoo artists seeking greater control. They were also lighter weight than their coil-bearing cousins, which promoted more comfort for artists. Their versatility allowed tattooers to use the same machine for lining and shading and complete intricate designs with a simple needle bar swap. Yet, these machines had drawbacks that provided continued motivation for innovation. Pneumatic Machines: Air-Powered Precision Pneumatic tattoo machines, powered by compressed air, emerged as another technological leap forward. These machines, often lighter and quieter than their electric counterparts, provided artists with enhanced control over speed and needle depth. Pneumatic machines are favored in certain tattooing styles, like fine-line work, due to their high maneuverability. They are also a frequent choice by artists seeking more ergonomic options. Digital Revolution: Computerized Tattoo Machines The digital age brought forth computerized tattoo machines, incorporating advanced technology to enhance precision and efficiency. These machines often feature programmable settings for speed, depth and needle configurations, allowing artists to customize their approach based on the intricacies of the design and the client's skin. Laser Technology: Tattoo Removal and Precision While not a tool for creating tattoos, laser technology has played a significant role in the evolution of tattooing. Laser tattoo removal has become sophisticated, allowing individuals to erase or modify existing tattoos with precision and minimal scarring. Innovations in Inks: Safety and Vibrancy Advancements in tattoo technology extend beyond machines to the inks. Safety, longevity, and vibrancy are core concerns, so tattoo inks today require much higher standards and regulations. From vegan-friendly options to UV-reactive inks, the palette available to tattoo artists has expanded, allowing for a broader range of creative expression. Robotic Tattooing: The Future Beckons As technology advances, there are even glimpses of robotic tattooing on the horizon. Some prototypes suggest a future where robotic arms, guided by algorithms and artist input, could execute intricate designs with unprecedented precision. A startup in Austin, Texas, is among the first to experiment with the potential, debuting an automatic tattooing device at their new studio. Aspiring and renowned artists can share designs with the company's digital marketplace and earn royalties on their artwork, which the device completes after a few test dots. The evolution of tattoo technology is a fascinating journey that reflects advancements in machinery and the artistic and cultural shifts within the tattooing community. Each phase of technological development has left an indelible mark on the world of tattoo artistry, from hand-poking techniques to computerized precision. As we look toward the future, the convergence of technology and creativity promises even more exciting possibilities for this timeless form of self-expression. Make Your Mark With ELECTRUM Tattoo Supply ELECTRUM Tattoo Supply is a trusted source of tattooing necessities and home to the industry's best stencils that launched our brand. Since then, we've grown through innovation and a dedication to high-quality solutions for both artists and consumers. Order online anytime, or find a nearby distributor to experience the ELECTRUM difference firsthand. You can also connect with a team member online for ordering advice.
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Electrum Elite Sponsored Artists Share Birthday Message With Electrum
When members of the Electrum Elite, our team of sponsored professional artists, learned that we would be celebrating 10 years of business on Feb. 12, they flooded our inboxes with messages of love and gratitude. If we would have published their messages without editing, this video would have been more than 55 minutes long – 55 minutes of pure love for Electrum. Instead, we trimmed it to a 13-minute compilation that still shows the reach of Electrum Supply and is a testament to the kind of company we always want to be: One that puts people before money and will never sacrifice quality. The Electrum Elite video features professional artists from five continents who have all chosen to proudly represent the Electrum brand. We're so grateful to our Elite artists for helping spread the word about the Electrum line, and it looks like the feelings are mutual. Take a look: Shop Now
10 Years of Electrum: Rob and Andi Smead reflect on the journey
The past 10 years have been filled with plenty of challenge for Rob and Andi Smead as they built Electrum Supply into the company it is today. They both worked other jobs at the beginning to keep the bills paid and logged late night hours developing relationships, marketing products and attempting to streamline operations. But the stress and the hustle has all been worth it for one reason alone: The relationships. "I'm very, very, very grateful for all of you and the personal relationships we have with individual artists}} --> Shop Now
REACH compliance in EU won't stop Electrum Ink, a brand already committed to quality and safety
There has been a lot of chatter around REACH compliance in the European Union, particularly how it relates to how we are moving forward at Electrum Supply. There is a lot still uncertain about what these regulations mean for the tattoo industry, but at Electrum Ink we can tell you a few things with ABSOLUTE certainty. 1) Although we haven’t been in the ink space nearly as long as some of the big name brands, we know everything we need to know about making SAFE and complaint pigments for use in cosmetic tattooing. All tattooing is cosmetic tattooing. We have an elite team of chemists and regulatory experts that work diligently behind the scenes on our pigments. 2) We are a smaller, family-owned company with far less overhead. That means we are able to pass along savings because we don’t have to have a higher profit margin. We’ll keep it that way as long as we possibly can. 3) Our REACH compliant pigments are all in the testing process with CTL labs in Germany. We already have passable blacks, whites, reds, and a handful of other colors. We just aren’t rushing the full testing process, which also includes human trials to ensure there are no reaction issues, and that the inks heal well. I have ALWAYS been an advocate for regulations in manufacturing and in the safety and progression of tattooing as a whole. Electrum will ALWAYS be committed to quality and safety above all else. If we cannot produce a top shelf product, we will not release it. Period. Shop Now
From Green Gold To Global: The Electrum Origin Story
We've spent the past 10 days celebrating 10 years of Electrum Supply, and we couldn't let the birthday celebrations come to an end without one more look at the beginning. Here's the origin story, as told by Rod Smead himself: Let's back up a decade to 2012, when I was working in a street shop in Elkhart, Indiana, owned by my good friend Jason Gist (the shop is Street Ink Studios and is worth a visit). I was doing a lot of longer sessions and I would take my time and wipe a lot. By the fifth or sixth hour, I'd start losing lines. That's very stressful as an artist, and I knew I needed a better stencil application product. I recalled an old school method of mixing alcohol, green soap and some melted down deodorant, and how superior that mixture was for stencils, but it wasn't good for the body. The deodorants that work best for stencils contain aluminum, which isn't something we want in our bloodstreams. I set out to find something that worked as strong but didn't have any adverse health affects. I immersed myself in the science and chemistry of stencil primers and developed what was first called Kryptonite Stencil Solution. The name didn't last – I received a cease and desist letter from D.C. Comics – but the legacy has continued for a decade. After being told I couldn't use the name Kryptonite, I turned to the tattoo community for help. An artist in Michigan came up with the name Electrum, which is a naturally occurring metal alloy of gold and silver that appears green in color. The name seemed fitting, and the legacy began. I didn't set out to distribute my stencil primer in large quantities, but there are a few people that were key in turning Electrum into a mainstream tattoo brand. I sent my newly developed product to my friend Chris 51 (owner of the popular Formula 51 line, which is no longer in production) out in Oregon to find out what he thought of the product. A couple of weeks went by and Chris gave me a call and said "Man, this stuff is amazing and you really need to get this in the hands of other artists." Chris put me in touch with some distributors, and I eventually built a relationship with a company in the UK called Killer Ink, now one of the biggest tattoo suppliers int he world. https://www.youtube.com/embed/2nazVTMuk98 Killer Ink really did Electrum a solid by putting a lot of marketing and effort behind the Electrum name. They took my stencil primer – the one that was developed in a five-gallon bucket in the basement of my home – and they made it the top of the line in the European market within a couple of years. Pretty soon, I was outgrowing the space in my home where the product was first developed and having trouble sourcing enough ingredients locally (a piece of business that has always been very important to me to maintain quality). We're very proud of the foundation that the stencil products have built for Electrum, and we've used the reputation to continue to develop products that can outperform everything else in the space. Since Electrum was founded 10 years ago, we've created a line of products that spans aftercare, needles and inks that are made with premium materials and focus on performance. Since our stencil products were already bringing traffic to the Electrum website, we realized we had an opportunity to become a one-stop-shop for tattoo artists and we moved to full-blown supply in 2015. As we've grown, customer service and top quality has remained our focus. Through the years, we've focused on maintaining healthy, meaningful relationships with the artists that use our products and returning the love that is shown to us back to the industry.Now you know how Electrum was started. Where should we go next? Shop Now
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.