The Age of the Scratcher

The Age of the Scratcher!!! Isn't it so? With tattoo kits being sold all over the internet on sites such as Ebay and Craigslist we in the Studios are seeing more and more of the above kind of tattoos on a daily basis. Being self taught isn't a big deal to me as long as they would educate themselves the right way. Videos or Dvd's isn't really going to show a person how to set needle depth or machine tuning. Individuals who just go and start tattooing on a persons skin is quiet frankly an idiot. How could they have a mind of ease to just go screw someone up? Before going off on the deep end I think we as artist should really place the blame where it belongs.

It's Tattoo suppliers such as Superior Tattoo who is famous for selling to who ever has the money. This is why  hardly any professional shop will by from them. I refuse to buy from any supplier who doesn't request our EIN number or business license. I put much of the blame not on the scratchers but on the Supply industry. The supply industry is the number one industry that SHOULD be regulated. You won't find any medical supply stores selling their items to anyone not licensed to buy. I believe the shops around the country should boycott the suppliers that advertise directly to the non-professional tattooist.

When tattooing many different kinds of bloodborne and infectious diseases exist in the process. Those not trained in the art will most likely get into a situation where disease is spread and walk away without any liability what so ever leaving the person tattooed in the ER with a 10 day regiment of antibiotics if they are lucky. A story of a women who got infected with Hep B can be found here. This lady has some responsibility herself on getting this condition because she should've went to a reputable tattoo studio. Even though the artist was licensed he shouldv'e never did it outside his states regulations.

Now A days it's just not getting a bad tattoo from these people. It's a life threating to go somewhere just because of price. Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo has adopted the policy of giving great artwork for prices people can afford in this economy just to try and help people avoid going to individuals without any training. Our apprentices are put through exercises every week to learn the trade. A lot of them are tattooing grapefruits and bananas right now doing all sorts of exercises. Some probably wondering why the hell they are drawings lines here or shading the entire grapefruit in. The reason behind alot of the exercises is to get them familiar with the machine, controlling needle depth, finding a groove they can work comfortable in. Most scratchers don't even now how to bust down a machine more less control it on skin.

I'm hopeful one day that the government will require regulation of the Supply Industry instead of going after or making it tougher for the studios. If they would go after the source then it would be much more less likely to see breakouts of Hep B like in the 70's in New York that led to a ban on shops until just recently. I can tell you most shops care a lot about how the work comes out and also the customers safety. I've had people call into the shop asking if it were ok to put needles they used on someone in an oven to reuse them. Yes this is the kinds of scratchers out there tattooing people right now. Hopefully the future of tattooing isn't screwed up because of these kind of people running around out there.

Steel Barrels versus Disposable Barrels

When I started tattooing back in 1994 I used steel barrels. Disposable barrels still were not widely used in the industry. I also started out using a brass frame machine. The weight that the two were combined was nice and heavy. With how heavy the whole set was enabled me to throw down lines like butter. The steel barrels also aided the machine in how it sounded and how I was able to tune it. In 2005 I decided it was time to go with the industry standard of disposable barrels. Up until like three weeks ago I was totally behind the idea of using just disposable equipment at the shop.

With disposables I've found only a few advantages over the steel counterparts. They were one time use and the artist threw them out. The public liked this idea because for years the industry used it as a marketing tool to get customers in the door. The tattoo industry tends to market the fear of catching some disease to the public in order to get them into the shop. Well as many of our students learned last night during our sterilization class a tattoo shop can be more clean then a hospital.

Our class was on the process of how we get our equipment sterile. The State of Illinois mandates that all shops who use steel instruments have an ultrasonic cleaner and spore tested autoclave. At Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo we actually go through more of a process then required. We use three processes to kill and sterilize all of our equipment. Chemical, Autoclave Steam, and UV sterilization up to the minute a customer comes in for a procedure. Many have called it overkill because we have an up to date spore test, but at our shop the safety of the clients and staff is priority number one. With our processes we are able to achieve 100% sterilization.

So with the shop doing more then whats required by State Law the artist are able to enjoy using equipment that is better then disposables. Disposables usually disrupt the machines tuning and the needles ability to ride on a smooth surface. If you ever pulled a disposable barrel out of a package you notice the artist has to cut some of the ends of the barrels off. So instead of giving out bad work thats the main reason I decided to go back to steel. Every artist has their way of doing things, Aberration will be a MOMS and Steel only shop because the quality of the tools affect the outcome of our procedures.

What Laws would be good for our industry in the State of Illinois that other states currently have?

STATE	STATUS
Alabama	RegulatedState	Licensing and Facility Inspection Under Department of Health Services tattooing of minors is prohibited; blood borne pathogen training program required
Alaska	Regulated State	Sec. 08.13.217. Tattooing or body piercing on a minor. (a) A person may not practice tattooing on a minor. (b) A person may not practice body piercing on a minor without prior written permission from the minor's parent or legal guardian and the presence of the parent or legal guardian during the body piercing procedure. The person who performs the body piercing shall keep a copy of the written permission on file for at least three years.
Arizona	Regulated State	HB 2666-441-H (Revising Title 32) Permanent Makeup is regulated separately from tattooing; tattooing of minors is prohibited; It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of tattooing out of a home...
Arkansas	Regulated State	Regulated separately for body tattooing; tattooing of minors is prohibited
California	Regulated State	AB 186 requires registration with county health dept and facility inspection.  tattooing of minors is prohibited
Delaware	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited
Colorado	Regulated State	Licensing under the State Board of Cosmetology;  Permanent Makeup is regulated separately from tattooing 25-4-2103. Parental consent for minors. NO BODY ARTIST SHALL PERFORM A BODY ART PROCEDURE UPON A MINOR UNLESS THE BODY ARTIST HAS RECEIVED EXPRESS CONSENT FROM THE MINOR'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN. FAILURE TO OBTAIN SUCH PERMISSION BEFORE PERFORMING BODY ART PROCEDURES ON A MINOR SHALL CONSTITUTE A PETTY OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.
Connecticut	Regulated State	tattooing under the supervision of a physician and regulated by the Dept of Health Procedures• Facial tattoos may only be done by licensed physicians • Injection of chemicals into the skin by tattoo artists to remove tattoos is illegal • Customers must be sober • Signed consent forms required • Parental consent forms required for minors • Artists must keep records on every customer for at least 2 years • Oral care instructions required • Acetate stencils must be sanitized
Florida	Regulated State	permitted under general endorsement of MD, DDS or DC. 877.04; tattooing of minors under age 16 is not legal
Georgia	Regulated State	state statue prohibits tattooing within 1" of eye; tattooing of minors is prohibited; licensure required by department of health
Hawaii	Regulated State	Requires exam, license & registration and with physician supervision tattooing of minors is prohibited
Illinois	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Idaho	Regulated State	Parental consent is required for tattooing, branding and body piercing of any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. No tattooing, branding or body piercing may occur on any person under the age of fourteen (14) years. Piercing of the ear lobes and piercing for medical purposes are exempted from this legislation. Penalty for violation is an enhanced misdemeanor with additional penalty for subsequent violation withing one year. SENATE BILL NO. 1281
Iowa	Regulated State	regulated by Public Health Dept.; tattooing of minors prohibited
Indiana	Regulated State	Senate Enrolled Act 13;tattooing of minors is prohibited
Kansas	Regulated State	regulated by state board of cosmetology;  tattooing of minors is prohibited; licensure and training must be approved by board of cosmetology
Kentucky	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Louisiana	Regulated State	A. It is unlawful for any person to tattoo any other person under the age of eighteen without the consent of the parents of such person.B. It is unlawful for any business entity to pierce the body of any person under the age of eighteen without the consent of a parent or legal custodian of such person. Licensed by Department of Health
Maine	Regulated State	Micropigmentation Regulated separately from body tattooing tattooing of minors is prohibited;certification by the AAM required
Maryland	Regulated State	Regulated by Board of Cosmetology; cosmetic tattooing is illegal and prohibited in a beauty salon.
Massachusetts	Regulated State	state of Massachusetts has legalized tattooing and classified Permanent Makeup under Body Art.  Each city in Massachusetts will have their own restrictions through the Board of Health. Board of Health in Cambridge requires AAM certification; For more information you can contact Marie Eileen O'Neil AC 617 624-5280,
Michigan	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; facility license required with Dept. of Health
Minnesota	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; tattooists are not regulated by State government in Minnesota. Tattooists may be regulated by city or county agencies.
Mississippi	Regulated State	registration and licensure governed by Dept. of Health
Missouri	Regulated State	HB343 tattooing of minors is prohibited ; licensure required
Montana	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; regulated by health board with physician director
Nebraska	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Nevada	Regulated State	Tattoo artists must be licensed by the city in which they live. The regulations are set by the county where the technician resides.Clark County currently has strigent regulations on health permits and inspections. Washoe county requires a license from district health department for "invasive body decoration establishments".
NewHampshire	Regulated State	distinguishes tattooing and cosmetic tattooing; Tattooing of minors is prohibited. Photo ID is required.
New Jersey	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited. Photo ID is required. New Jersey has adopted new codes for tattooing, permanent makeup and piercing. Certification by the AAM required
New Mexico	Unregulated State	no legislation only statutes for animals
New York	Regulated State	new regulations have been proposed. As of 1999 tattooing is now LEGAL in New York City; tattooing of minors is prohibited
North Carolina	Regulated State	Requires annual permit, tattoo removal prohibited -. Some local prohibition (Wake Co.); tattooing of minors is prohibited and is considered a felony
North Dakota	Unregulated State	only regulations on tattoo equipment
Ohio	Regulated State	OHIO Code Regulated by the  State Board of Health . Tattooing of minors is prohibited
Oklahoma	Regulated State	House Bill 1964 has been passed & signed by governor: tattooing only by licensed medical practitioners in course of practice until new guidelines are placed into action as mentioned in HB1964
Oregon	Regulated State	Requires 368 hrs. Training at state approved school, written exam. DDS authorized to give anesthesia injections for lip procedures tattooing of minors is prohibited
Pennsylvania	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; new restrictive codes; illegal for cosmetologist to provide permanent makeup in salon according to the State Board of Cosmetology
Rhode Island	Regulated State	2000 Legislation The director of Dept of Health  shall promulgate rules and regulations which provide minimum requirements; tattooing of minors is prohibited
South Carolina	Regulated State	Tattooing has been voted in South Carolina. Click here for the state laws
South Dakota	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Tennessee	Regulated State	Requires 1 yr. Apprenticeship with tattoo artist that has been licensed with the state for min. 3 yrs., registration with local health dept., inspection, and permit. Tattoo removal prohibited. tattooing of minors is prohibited
Texas	Regulated State	Sterilization Standards under the Health Department. SB 1812; tattooing of minors is prohibited
Utah	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; some regulations by County Local Ordinances only: Toole County, Salt Lake City
Vermont	Regulated State	registration requirements under the office of professional regulations 3 year experience as tattooist required; tattooing of minors is illegal
Virginia	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; Study of tattooing safety by Department of Health 2001
Washington DC	Unregulated District	none presently; no licensure required
Washington	Regulated State	HOUSE BILL 1042 pending approval by governor. new standards for tattooing. If you know regulations in Washington, please let us know
West Virginia	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited; business registration certificate & register with their local or regional board of health
Wisconsin	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors under 18 is prohibited; regulated by Department of Health; The practice of medicine and surgery is further defined not to include tattooing and body piercing when done for purposes of bodily adornment ( Dec 1999).
Wyoming	Regulated State	State of Wyoming tattooing of minors under age 18 is prohibited; unless emancipated minor

How a lot of Tattoo Artist Need to learn to enjoy art

To be a true Tattoo Artist an individual must really love art in general. As for myself I enjoy landscape painting, classical music, and clay. Other artist might be into working with metals to form a shape or image while others like drawing and collecting. The point being is yes we are really the only profession were we get paid good money to do the stuff we love. We get to come to work everyday and create a piece of art that is going to be with someone the rest of their life.

A question I have for most artist and things I really don't see is "Why don't you make money with your drawings? Why don't you make money with your sculpture?" I grew up with an artist who now practices in Texas. Not only is he a fantastic tattoo artist- he's a real good painter and loves to draw. In marketing he not only promotes his tattoos, he also sells his drawings and paintings online through his personal website.

To be a truly great tattoo artist an individual must really love art and creating it. It isn't real hard to copy something off a wall and tattoo someone. It is dedication on the part of the artist to dive into custom work for his/her clients. Draw something using your imagination and then put it on flesh and sell your original along with the tattoo. By doing that the client truly has an original piece. If an artist has a whole drawing pad full of art they can sell those as flash sheets to all the shops or through distributors. I've seen it over my whole career where the artist just gets in the routine of just tattooing and not exploring multiple avenues of the industry. When an individual does this they lose the edge. They accept life as a one path to the end kind of mentality. By accepting this path the individuals art starts to suffer and so do the clients.

If an individual just getting started in the business I suggest real strongly that they dive deep into the profession and explore what is right for them. Don't be just another tattoo artist that accepts his/her current situation and performs at sub par levels. Go out to the woods and sit and enjoy the scenery, draw what you feel at that moment. Go out and dive into photography and capture the images that can be put to use in ideas for tattoos. Let yourself experience emotions which can add a new dimension to your art. To be a true artist an individual must go with the flow, they don't have to be the best in the world at painting or tattooing. The individual just has to let their creative side come out and stop being hidden on the surface. Most of us are taught at an early age that being creative will not do us any good in life. I beg to differ on that point because it's that creativity that lets us enjoy life more fully.

Why Tattoos and Piercings have become a popular stay

Almost ten years ago these were the designs associated with the tattoo industry. Tattoos were a symbol of hate and rebellion against society. Miami Ink hit the scene and changed everything. The show let ordinary people learn that it wasn't just those who were racist or on the fringes of society who were getting tattoos, but ordinary people who had meaning behind the pieces they got. The tattoo industry owes much of it's success to the programs that document the lifestyle such as Miami Ink. Without the programs tattooing would still be a back room business. Today Tattooing is a 2.5 Billion dollar industry, Tattoo shops are popping up on every corner. It is a place no longer cursed by parents, as a matter of fact Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo sees parents bringing in children where years ago it was taboo to see kids in a shop.

I believe also that the big change in the industry as come from the changing of the guard. Depending on the generation is how tattoos are looked at. People who grew up in the 60's tend more to look on tattoos as a symbol of expression just like the decade they were raised in. Someone growing up in the 40's would look at tattoos as a taboo because back then life was more strict and artistic expression was limited. Now children born to those in the 60's have exploded onto the scene. When Illinois law went to 18 for the age limit individuals were coming out of the wood works.

I believe tattooing and all the industries associated with it will do nothing but grow. It's an industry that has been around thousands of years now. At the same time it has now began to grow finally into a beast that will keep on growing. I consider the last ten years it's childhood. With all the new techniques and public acceptance I think it will continue to grow into a huge force in the business world. Just like acceptance is becoming more and more in the workplace, the individuals who have grown up knowing tattooing as just another daily event-they will pass that onto their kids and tattooing will have another generation to look forward too.

With this new found growth comes responsibility on behalf of the industry. Artist and owners of shops must support laws regulating the industry so it doesn't slide back to where it was and continues to grow. Schools like the one at Aberration needs to be started all over the country to train the next generation of artist in how to properly take responsibility in representing the industry. Just because we are popular now doesn't mean the good times will last if we do not take the steps to sustain the growth and popularity.

Micro Dermals Surface Piercings whats Next in the Industry?

Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo will start offering Micro Dermals and Surface Piercings starting Thursday Jan 6th!! Most tattoo shops now a days are offering these services already but as always Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo will offer them at better rates then the competitors. It took me a while to warm up to the idea of offering these services in the shop because the risk of infection that could occur. But with the demand so hi for getting this new fad I gave in and made sure the staff will be properly trained in the techniques of these procedures.

Even an old school artist like myself knows that when the industry comes up with a new procedure it's almost suicide not to follow the trend. I've personally done many surface piercings. Those will start out at $20 bucks while the micro's will be $25. I'm starting actually liking the dermals because the art that can be added to tattoos. It actually spices up the piece by adding a different element.

I've often wondered what the next fad might be. The industry has came so far that I believe the future holds some really wierd and cool stuff. We already have the black light ink! I wonder what the next formula for the next generation of ink will be? Will it be brighter then now? Will the famous ink drop in an individuals eye turn into being able to change a persons eye color? The more time that passes I'm sure the industry will advance and pretty soon lasers will take over the job of an artist lol.

I would be interested in hearing from the readers what they think is next for the industry. Will you be the pioneer in another type of procedure not yet being performed?

How to people pay tribute to others through ink!!

Many people get tattoos to pay tribute to a love one that has died. At Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo we see a lot of individuals bringing in their own designs that they might of made up in order to remember a love one. As in RIP tattoos a new trend has been popping up to celebrate new life. People are bringing in copies of their babies footprints or hand prints. James at Aberration tattoo says "I believe it's a great thing. I've done many sets of these prints and seeing the eyes and happiness on the person getting the tattoo when it's done is priceless. It makes my job worthwhile knowing the joy my art has brought to them".

For so many years tattoos more specifically the RIP tattoo has been one of the number one tattoos in the industry. The RIP will always remain one of the top procedures in the industry. It's important that the artist be respectful to the clients wishes when doing the tattoo. A fine line exists when discussing the subject on how the person might of died or why this specific design of the tattoo. It is more easier for the artist to ask questions that will engage a customer to speak freely about the tattoo. After all getting the tattoo in the first place is a form of healing from the event in itself.

When an artist is doing portraits or other designs for an individual celebrating a birth or special event in ones life an artist should engage and show happiness for the individual. In this industry an artist has to do more marketing then in the old days. If the artist wants to have a successful career in the industry, friendships are going to be the number one way of getting the customer to return. By getting involved with the meaning of the tattoo the artist has the chance to really engage a relationship with the client. Remember every client that comes through the door is a possible lifelong client. RIP and Footprints tattoos are really a good subject matter to expand on the client/artist relationship. As long as the artist is tasteful and puts the clients feelings first then a solid future relationship can develop.