How Tiktok Inspired a Generation of Tattoo Scratchers
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- čas přidán 14. 07. 2024
- Today we're diving deep into tattoo scratchers and Im investigating how tiktok has inspired a generation of tattoo scratchers! With some veteran tattoo artists claiming that this is why the tattoo industry might be in a bad place right now! Stick around for a look into Tiktok's Generation of Tattoo Scratchers! :)
0:00 Introduction
1:01 What are Tattoo Scratchers
2:22 Rise of Tiktok
3:32 Tattoo Tiktok
4:29 Apprenticeship Problems
7:25 The Scratcher Anthem
10:45 Tattooing Myself Everyday Trend
12:00 Noah's Story
13:43 Social Media vs Reality
14:41 Tattoo Apocalypse
16:48 Other Issues
18:50 Final Thoughts
Mental Health Resources:
mhanational.org/get-help
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-...
www.nami.org/support-education/
See you next week! 💛
Video Resources:
www.washingtonpost.com/techno...
seo.ai/blog/how-many-users-on... Key Statistics,and 24 seconds in 2024.
www.threads.net/@barneycolest...
/ is_it_the_tattoo_apoca...
www.threads.net/@stonedbaseme...
www.educationnext.in/posts/th... Z is the "do,translating into an entrepreneurial mentality.
www.businessinsider.com/us-ec...
www.theguardian.com/commentis...
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/ celle_tattoo
/ celle_tattoo
/ celle_tattoo - Zábava
Tattoo industry that refuses to teach people tattooing skills without first scamming them for free labor for half a year is shocked when people just start tattooing at home 🤯
oop
Literally
omg exactly!!!!
That’s not how apprenticeships work though. It certainly doesn’t take 6 months to pick up a machine, you pick one up when you’ve done your sharps and blood borne pathogens training, so a month max. Also you’re paying your mentor to teach you either with free labour or money. You can’t expect them to take years out of their life to teach you solely for your benefit and not also their own. Anywhere not letting you pick up a machine for six months will likely be because your art with pencil/pen and paper isn’t good enough yet, as without that solid foundation there’s no point teaching you. Each apprentice represents their mentor because each of their tattoos says how good of a teacher they are. So obviously you’re going to want people who can actually draw, who can draw smooth lines with pen, pencil and paint before letting them loose with a method 10000x harder. But also the method that scars people’s skin forever, and will represent the mentor and apprentice’s work. So I’d rather be doing it for a year if that’s what my mentor said, and others should to. They need to respect that if they’re not being allowed to touch a machine yet it’s only to protect someone from having their skin marred for life.
@@parrotstoriesevery other type of apprentice like mechanic apprentice or electrician apprenticeship will get paid an apprenticeship wage which is about £6.40 an hour in uk
The biggest issue is the hygiene.
not really a big problem is you're only tattooing yourself. others, yes
@@user-yq4cd4vx4o not true. there's also the environmental pathogens to consider, not just communicable diseases.
@@user-yq4cd4vx4o Like you can still get infected in clean environments, and if you aren't taught the proper aftercare practices a lot can go wrong. My main artist actually got infected once and she had to basically have the entire tattoo removed!!
I'm not against the DIY tattoos but hygiene is ABSOLUTELY a huge concern when it comes to body mods of any kind.
@@user-yq4cd4vx4o Please please please worry about it even if you're tattooing yourself. You do not want sepsis or cellulitis and that is a one way ticket to it. You have to treat it like you have aids.
@@user-yq4cd4vx4oThis is how you end up in the ER
Every single day someone says that this or that will destroy this or that, and we are here, surviving. The public that wants a scratch tattoo is not the same that wants high quality work. Tattoo as an art has been surviving for centuries, no, tik tok is not going to end it all
Yep, there will always be people with low/no standards. Best not to look at them as customers
exactly the same way that some horrible tattoo ''artists'' even are in business sometimes. Like theres always people out there dumb enough to get it
Tattoo machine. Please. This is what I've done for over 30 years. It's called a tattoo machine. Scratchers have always been around. It's nothing new. It's just more available now than it's ever been.
Exactly, people that will want higher quality work will know how to seek it out. The problem is nobody can afford it right now, and tattooing as a luxury service will inevitably take a hit if people can't afford basic necessities.
Aye. I feel the same and don't get the panic.
As a tattoo apprentice, tattoos are a luxury that a lot of people just can't afford right now, plus with so many people having such high prices nowadays, it's no wonder why people are struggling to book. But also, most people I know are finding their artists on social media and aren't going into random shops for walk ins, so you have to be really good at social media if you want a consistent client base. I dont think its technically an apocalypse, but the industry is changing and people are struggling to keep up because it's difficult
I might be shooting myself in the foot here but I’m also an apprentice and I tattoo myself lol, also I agree with everything you said I actually don’t have any social media except for my one business page and I hate that it’s the sole driver of clients and ppl seeing our work:/
it doesn’t help that there’s now shops on pretty much every block sometimes even multiple on the same block with multiple new shops opening up every year
no one wants to acknowledge that we’re in ANOTHER recession bc the fed keeps lying about it.
Yes all cancelling each other out now.
Exactly, tattoos are a luxury. People forget this isn't essential so if you want one. Pay for it.
I remember when I was in highschool (20 years ago) I took my sketchbook to my local tattoo parlor and showed it to the owner. I wanted desperately to do an apprenticeship, I loved the art of tattoo and I spent all day drawing. He told me no, it was not an industry for women. When I was graduated and moved states, I went to a reputable shop around where i lived and was told the same thing. I cannot tell you how many shops told me that tattooing was not an industry for women. So I let my dream die. Kids today don't have to let that dream die and I think that's pretty cool. They have resources I would have killed for at their finger tips.
I think shops that do that based off gender are trash as a whole. Seems there'd be a lawsuit potentially
when was this? the 90’s 💀
@@ninnywaggon3470 20 years ago was... 2004, dude. 1990 was literally 34 years ago.
big surprise: the early 2000s was not, in fact, very good about these kinds of things.
@@nobodyimportant1968 Yep. People seem to forget this.
This didn't happen so much it unhappened things that did happen.
Blaming scratchers for the death of the tattoo industry is like blaming resellers for ruining the thrift store, it's like maybe a small part of it, but definitely not the biggest factor.
Exactly
yes!!!!! i hate seeing resellers blamed for inflation and shitty corporations realizing they can profit off of thrifting becoming popular
That's a great comparison, considering thrift stores nowadays can have regular store prices for certain products.
A huge issue is our failed economy with the ultra wealthy hoarding all our money.
Woah I'm a Reseller and a Scratcher😅😅
The darker read of the "DIY-generation" is that genZ is so nihilistic that they don't care if they fuck up.
Its not "I trust my skills" its "well not like any of this matters anyway"
Theres a lot of straight up selfharm in those "tattooing myself daily untilIi become famous" tiktok trends.
And sure theres a lot of people who put in work to pick up new skills off the internet, but theres a huge amount of people who'll just go "i can build a gazebo, sure" with zero actual ability.
🦋
Yep. They view the world as ugly and go right along with it. There's now a much larger presence of self-harm in tattooing now. The decoration and styling is secondary or not important at all to these types and whether they want to admit it or not, it's very bad for the public image of tattooing.
It’s 100% self harm. I can’t even watch this type of content, because I just get this overwhelming sicky feeling that they’re going to hate themselves in a few years and hate their body so much. Just like I hate mine from self harm all over my arms and legs that I mostly did during their age. I didn’t think about the future at all when I was doing it back then, and now I’ve got the first arm covered up and hopefully about to start on the first leg. But it’s been torture in the mean time, it’s even made me want to kill myself many times. And I just get this horrible feeling that these really really shitty scarred tattoos they’re doing all over their body are no different to my generations cutting themselves. But at least mine got skin grafts and coverup’s. God knows how you cover up those!?
You seem to forget that prior to the 50s most people made their own stuff, they made clothing, made toys, built tables, hell they even built their own houses. This is nothing new.
@@ourabouras nah I have a pretty good grasp on history.
You get the difference between a fifties housewife going to a textiles store bringing her seamstress knowledge with her buying the templates and discussing with the store clerk, going home to her own sewing machine and making a dress.
and a rogue 18 y/o in 2024 watching a 34 second tiktok and deciding to amazon next day delivery a tattoo machine, right?
The fucking GULF of knowledge is astonishing
Also what do you mean "built their own houses"? Where do you think houses come from now? The only difference is that as houses have become more complex it is no longer safe to leave the entire construction process to a single unprofessional guy.
agreed
The only thing that really bugs me about the ease of people jumping into this is when I see no gloves or proper protection against infection. That shit is down right dangerous for everyone involved and the people who are offering up their bodies to someone with a tattoo machine deserve that level of safety.
That's my only issue as well. If they don't get licensing they won't be required to take blood borne disease training, first aid, and other important classes. Proper sanitary practices can be learned too so I guess it's just a matter of properly vetting out scratchers and making sure if you're going that route that you're sure they care about your health and the sanitation.
My recommendation for struggling tattoo artists:
Start working on your cover-up skills and create an extensive portfolio. It will be needed in a few years. Hang in there until then.
Fingers crossed 🤞
Sure. But who can they practice on? Pork skin, I suppose?
@@cannotfindmyshoes3Well, I’d guess on people looking for coverups? Fewer clients doesn’t mean no clients. There are and always will be peope needing coverups, because humans are dumb and regret decisions.
They could probably practice on pork skin as well though, yes! Same as how the more responsible scratchers practice on fake skin they order with their machines from Amazon. They could even order fake skin, practice the tattoo designing and making process, take some portfolio shots and then practice covering that tattoo up with a coverup. The opportunity to learn is huge in this world, it’s all up to the initiative of the person to choose to learn how. Getting actual clients is the issue, but building a proper portfolio, especially if specialized, will do wonders for getting clients in the future.
that commenter nailed it. "we just poor". I personally would LOVE more tattoos, but finding the right artist, researching the style, and paying for it just takes up a lot of time I don't have at the moment.
I don’t think that “scratchers” are to blame for artists slow business. I see so many good artists that are able to get consistent work through all seasons because that are constantly advertising themselves and producing quality work. I don’t think new artists are saturating the market because tattoos are so popular now and everywhere you go there are so many people in the world with blank skin. I feel that older tattoo artists blame new artists for their business slowing down but in every industry there is going to be competition and I see new artists being able to adapt to social media and are able to create unique work that can’t be replicated by other artists.
I think the fact a lot of safe space studios are opening up is probably affecting them, along with more women and queers in general. I am not going to go to a male artist if I don’t have to because I don’t feel safe, and I know a lot of women have similar trauma. So I know men who used to have full books are losing their clientele, as they have queer or women artists they can go to instead. It’s gone from idk say 90% men to a sudden boom taking it down to like 64% men 34% women as so many more have apprenticed and qualified and joined studies and built big followings in the past couple years. They’re stopping it being such a male dominated space, so men are losing work.
Definitely I think artist skill is sought out and if your artist isn't at the top of their game, they're not getting as much business.
Your nuanced takes, empathy, and lack of gatekeeping has made you officially rise to #1 tattoo content creator for me. ❤ keep up the amazing work!!
saaaame! honestly a lot of tattoo artists in general come across really snobby and annoying. I love how kind she is.
Watch her first video on Gabbi Hanna and see if you feel the same afterwards
id love to have tattoos problem is its just completely unaffordable right now. im unemployed atm but even my friends working full time making good money are barely scraping by, the average person really just cant afford it with this economy. i can only dream that someday i'll finally be in a place to afford to make my magical girl sleeve real
thank you for mentioning this
Relatable! I just got a tattoo yesterday and I apologized to my artist and had to tell him I most likely won't be able to make it in again at least until the fall for a small tattoo just because the cost of living is so bad rn, which sucks because he does amazing work and I want to support him but it's just not realistic rn where as like even as recent as 5 years ago it was a lot more reasonable, inflation sucks but I hope we don't lose the good artists forever!!
I honestly think that scratchers are not the cause of the tattoo industry's dry spell, but just another symptom of the recession we're in. Nobody is getting tattoos like they used to because tattoos are an *expensive* luxury you have to save up for. At a time like this, ppl are "saving up" just to afford new underwear, and shampoo refills. No one has the money for tattoos like we used to. So what do the young people do? Just like in recessions past, we get creative and DIY the shit we want. And yeah, while we aren't professionals by any means, we end u learning just how competent we really can be. And those who aren't so competent... well fuck it, we ball, it's a style now. And, on top of not having $ for pro artists, we don't have 9 months to piss away working for free under an abusive "apprenticeship". Looking into apprenticeships, I saw a lot of "Beware of-" and "Abusive shops will-" and "I didn't touch a machine until a YEAR into my apprenticeship!" And to be frank- fuck that. There's no way in hell I, in this economy, am going to spend 12, 9, or even 6 months doing menial shop work and never learning the 1st thing about actual tattooing and tattoo artwork, for *FREE* ! Not when I can save a couple hundred, buy a machine and some fake skin, and learn it my damn self. Don't get me wrong, I would *like* to apprentice and learn to properly tattoo by studio standards. I'd *like* to upgrade from working with an old rotary machine with outdated ink, working exclusively on fake skin. But we're out here doing what we can to survive, and clinging to every little luxury as our source of escape from the capitalist hellscape. We don't have the $, time, or sanity to do things 'the right way' anymore.
felt this 😢
You can't practice properly on fake skin. It doesn't stretch or act like real skin.
@@jaredurbain9705 Then what, pray tell, should people just starting out practice on??? Pretty sure shop apprentices also practice on fake skin, then graduate to the real skin of willing participants. I don't... get what your point is here man.
@@nope6021 chill. I was simply saying that the synthetic skin acts and feels very different than actual skin. Also the skin all over the body is different in all kinds of places.
Idk, I guess If you want advise try learning anatomy? Lol idk.
@@jaredurbain9705 Except I already know that. I know anatomy very well, I myself have a connective tissue disorder that affects my skin elasticity and scar healing. I know fake skin and skin don't work the same. But it's a commonplace *practice* item for both shop apprentices and scratchers. I don't get what your comment was meant to be, if not a snarky way to demean... idk, learners? I don't get the point? Nor the point of assuming I know nothing and acting like I'm some idiot getting defensive. I know this shit lol. Oranges are nothing like skin yet people practice on them. Same with the skin of dead pigs- it's not the same as living human skin yet it's a somewhat normal practice surface. Like.... why are you acting like some know-it smart guy with basic knowledge? Its called *fake* skin for a reason. And, pls don't take this as me being mad or fighting or whatever, I'm more confused than anything. Like, what's yer point?
🦋 Tattooing will always appeal to people who love the art, and for those who enjoy self-expression/body modification, it is not going anywhere. It's just in a metamorphic state.
Well said.
I agree, and I don't think "scratchers" and amazon tattoo machines will replace actual tattoo artists, since not everyone can draw, even more on skin. And not everyone will take the risk of having an infection. Personally I don't really like the "ignorant tattoo style". However, I'm all for a good self-taught artist who got hygiene training and who can tattoo me for less € since they have no studio rent and taxes to pay (every work deserves retribution tho, in the form of money or else)
I am learning to tattoo at home and have no issue with others doing the same. My tattoo artist encouraged me to do so. However what bothers me is the lack of education when it comes to safety. I have a full setup with supplies from reputable sites. I am a former phlebotomist and have a blood borne pathogens certification. Yes tattooing is art, but tattooing is also creating a wound. Every time you get a tattoo you are a receiving a new wound that is prone to infection if not properly cared for. It astounds and disgusts me that so many people are not looking out for health and safety when tattooing at home. Tattoo infections can become extremely serious quickly and are no joke. And the fact that people are so careless about the sanitation of their environments and their bodies is scary to me.
When I was a kid (back in the last Century) there were no latex gloves and strict sterilisation and people used to say to help it heal (if they even "cared" about that) "Just rub some fresh horse shit on it. Or failing that, some fresh sheep shit"... I never, ever heard about people getting infections. And 9 times out of 10, the tattooist was drunk and was chain-smoking cigs, dropping ash on the customer. My first one asked me to come back in 15 minutes cos he "needed to have a fix first". He certainly looked a lot more alive when I turned up exactly 15 minutes later. He did a good little job. Only cost £5. The same one would cost about 40 now. Times change.
I’m self taught and learned everything right here on CZcams. There are a plethora of videos showing what is needed to keep the environment and tattoo as sterile as possible. The people not being clean are just nasty and lazy
I love the idea that tattoos will become passe if they're affiliated with your parents. My dad and grandpa were both sailors and totally covered in old school tattoos. My dad brought me to get several of mine - I've always loved the family connection.
I love how soft and sweet your personality is (on camera at least). I don't tend to like "tattoo youtube" because I find a lot of people in that space to be abrasive, snarky, judgemental and frankly annoying. Your videos are a breath of fresh air.
🦋 You could also flip that and say stuck up, gatekeeping tattoo artists are the reason scratchers exist... Nobody wants to do free labor for years, scrubbing toilets doesnt teach you how to tattoo.
Most other professions you can get on the job training, or take classes and you can get a job in that field. You dont have to be someones slave for years.
lol imagine thinking a tattoo apprenticeship isn’t on the job training. And most apprenticeships only last a year. You’re nobody’s slave you’re a student of the craft. You’re only not being paid until you start tattooing and how soon that is is up to how hard you work. It’s cheaper than any college and you can leave whenever you want. Tattooing just like the rest of the world doesn’t owe you anything
@@DewgNews Found the salty tattoo artist 😂
Most jobs pay you while you train lol... you don't go to McDonald's and work for free while you figure out how to flip burgers... and you are someone's slave when they're making you mow their lawn or clean toilets to somehow learn to tattoo... Last I checked you're not forced to be a janitor to learn to be a pilot, or mechanic, or a doctor.
@@BabyJesus66 lol imagine thinking you can be a pilot cuz you watched some videos
@@BabyJesus66 or thinking going to school or training for a trade was SlAvErY holy sht. You do know slaves couldn’t just leave whenever they wanted right 🥴🤡
@@BabyJesus66you gonna learn to be a pilot on CZcams and trust them to fly a passenger plane…. Sure.
I'm a millennial and I think my gen and younger gens are realizing that it's costing a lot just to survive so to get what we want we have been turning to diy projects. I know just this year I've started a very small garden, learned how to make bread, and a few other little things just to make things a little easier on my wallet. So makes sense in this climate to be able to learn skills we can't afford to hire for.
I think this changes things for a lot of businesses but unfortunately with the way things are going in the world, consumers have to do what they have to do and businesses have to adjust.
Good. I sincerely hope more of the youngsters think like you.
these are the perfect target audience for a blackout down the line ngl. it's almost poetic
Thank you for mentioning the self harm aspect, as someone who used to cut a lot, the tattoo experience can feel really close sometimes so I have to think a lot to make sure it’s a tattoo I want because that can trigger a lot of feelings even though it’s been 5 years 🦋
I kind of love your positive attitude towards this movement! I have tons of tattoos and im a good artist and ive always wanted to tattoo. I have bills to pay so i never thought id be able to pursue this path because of the unpaid apprenticeship. I have 3 dogs, rent, car, phone, etc i cannot stop working full time to pursue an apprenticeship.
You literally made my day. Im sure I'll get hate for this comment, but i dont care. Just wanted you to know you did something amazing with this video ❤
No hate from me lol, you're entirely right. Apprenticeship should definitely get some sort of retribution, since you will be full time working. Maybe there would also be less abuse and hazing if you all are paid, since people tend to have more respect for something/someone if they have to actually pay for it
I was a guinea pig for friends who wanted to learn tattooing because I wanted tattoos & I couldn’t afford them. I really lucked out because I was in San Francisco in the 1990’s where tattoos & piercings were exploding. Anyone could buy machines & ink from companies that advertised in tattoo magazines so this kinda thing has already been going on for a long time. Nowadays the artists are more expensive, the equipment is way cheaper & wages are the same: shit. Going to a friend or doing it yourself is a real option now rather than saving up to get a tiny piece that costs a month’s wages from an actual artist. However, I think it’ll be interesting to see the level of ‘tattoo regret’ this generation will have in 10 years vs. previous generations.🦋
Tattoo prices in America shock me, honestly. I’m in Portugal, and a reasonable price to pay for a tattoo in my area, in a studio, is maybe 150-200€ for a small to medium sized tattoo. I cringe whenever I hear stories of people paying upwards of 1500-2000$ for a quarter sleeve in America.
As a tattoo artist in Portugal.... maaaaaaybe the prices are a bit too low Hahah
But yeah, I agree with you! At my shop, the minimum is 50 atm... I think it's too low. Then again, our salaries are miserable and it would be taking the piss out of clients to make it higher. Hopefully the "silly season" brings us many tourists that can make the summer well worth it! If you have Instagram share your handle! Boa noite :)
I feel like getting a tattoo is a luxury. While I’ve wanted tattoos since I was young, I’m now almost 23 with no tattoos, bc I feel like it’s not a responsible thing to be spending my money on at this age (this is coming from someone who has heavily tattooed parents). I want to, but financially it doesn’t make sense, I’m sure I’m not the only one.
I live in a tourist town where prices are super blown out of proportion, including tattoos. I want to be able to support tattoo artists, but it doesn’t make sense for me financially as someone who just graduated college & needs to move for more opportunities.
Agree with everything you said here. Tattoos are not necessities, they are luxuries. And to add to it, they are tattooing in more and more hard to hide places. Getting job stoppers by 18 is not good. This comes from someone who's tattooed and is an RN.
These scratchers aren't passionate and want to master a craft. Self taught folks usually want to excel. There's a mindset and drive difference that makes the difference
I agree, I just got my first tattoo at age 33 and I’m very glad I waited until I was in a point in life where I could afford the artist I wanted.
So I have a tattoo friend who has been working in the tattoo industry for years and she has a different perspective on what’s hurting the tattoo industry. She’s been struggling with getting more people to see her work on places like instagram because of the algorithm she and her current clientele haven’t been coming as much because of the economy. We’ve actually talked about me coming to work at my place if I can get and finish an apprenticeship. The problem is that I need a strong following otherwise no one will come to their shop because it’s not as much a walk in place as some of the others. So yeah scratchers have always been around but having to market yourself while dealing with the algorithm is probably a bigger issue
It’s not about Instagram. Tattoos have been popular before social media… the best marketing as a tattoo artist is 100% word of mouth. See someone’s cool tattoo = ask where they got it. If you’re struggling for clients, lower your prices and pump out some more work! Get your art out there
@@casinogirl0 same issue as finding an entry level job when every entry level job asks for 3 years of experience
@@LuluTheCorgi if they can’t get an apprenticeship you gotta tattoo friends for free or cheap till you build a name for yourself
When looking for artists, I google artists in my area. Bonus points if they have an insta so i can see more of their work, but social media is not how I find artists and I'd assume that's how it is for most people
If you want more customers, I'd say to 1) make an actual shop website and 2) encourage people to write google reviews
Probably has to do with economy being awful rather than lack of popularity. I know a lot of people in my life who would love to get tattoos, but they can’t afford it.
This is going to take my tattoo removal business off the ground
I really appreciate hearing your opinion on self taught tattoo artists as someone who started off self taught before getting an apprenticeship by pure luck. I watched another tattoo youtuber yesterday who isn't even a tattoo artist(tattoo "enthusiast") who had a very closed mindset about the industry and how people should learn and it irritated me so im happy I was able to find your videos
imo it is better to learn from someone who knows what ur doing because it involves muscle memory and if u learn it wrong its very hard to correct tht without damaging skin and having terrible tats, getting infections, sometimes really serious deadly ones.
@@bugzpudding completely fair, if people aren't learning properly it can cause a TON of issues(the shop I'm at rn is actually having a ton of clients coming from a scratcher in his home). However, there are also a ton of tattoo artists that post really good learning content on CZcams and tiktok that teach tattooing properly. Like Celle actually mentioned in the video, it's possible to learn at home and be accepted into well known studios. Apprenticeships are so hard to find atm(took me over a year) because there are more people that want to learn than artists able or willing to teach, so sometimes being self taught is the only way for people to learn.
i agree that the internet enables diy'ers to do what they may not have done before but to me its more like instead of giving up on a wish you do it yourself. like theyre not being stingy it was never in the budget. also i cant help but strongly feel the irony of other commenters (here and elsewhere) saying that they'll regret these cheap sleeves when they're older like huh where have i heard that before... 🦋
i really appreciate this celle💗 im self taught as i didn’t have access to an apprenticeship in my area. its frustrating when people just assume im a scratcher just because im self taught and dont take me seriously as an artist. thank you for clarifying the difference at the beginning
You care about the art. Scratchers don't. Keep working on your craft.
As a tattoo artist the lack of gloves or any sanitation makes me whole body shudder. Amputations on the rise yet? People disfiguring themselves and others for views is fucked up. Even more fucked up if they get money for it.
All they are doing is picking up a bunch of bad habits an actual artist isn't gonna want to teach out of them when they ever want to take it serious and get an apprenticeship
@@acartonoj Best to make the good habits common knowledge then, instead of gatekeeping the info behind apprenticeships
@cassanateli an apprenticeship isn't gatekeeping 🤷♀️ womp womp
@@acartonoj Oh my god that is so true. I've learned from my boss that if you tell an artist who you're trying to apprentice for that if you've practiced on fake skin they'll automatically turn you down because unlearning bad habits creates too much of a liability for the shop.
people have been tattoing without sanitation, or knowledge of the existence of germs for that matter, for thousands of years
I really enjoyed this more nuanced take on this situation. I’m glad to hear someone speak on the subject with compassion. Really good stuff 💜
Thank you so much for your insightful, thoughtful, non-judgmental commentary. I love watching your videos!
This was an absolutely incredible video essay I learned so much!
I'm not a tattoo artist and have never touched a tattoo gun but I've followed tutorials and tattoo videos- What happened to tattooing on bananas and oranges first or even the fake skin can buy cheaply?
Everytime I see a first timer tattoo on themselves and on other people, I basically start screaming and cringing.
TATTOO MACHINE. YOU DON’T CALL IT A SEWING GUN DO YOU??? You don’t bloody shoot it like a gun do you? But you do however have little needles that go up and down like a (sewing) machine!
@@parrotstories ill just start calling it a sewing gun
@@parrotstories lmfaoooo calm down. Who hurt you?
@@parrotstories tattoo gun tattoo gun tattoo gun 😂
Spot on, thank you for making this video. My experiences going through learning how to tattoo exactly, mental health comes first guys. Tattooing is great but it will always be there don’t let social media destroy you like it did to me!
i enjoy the calm and relaxed voice overs :)
For me the current financial state is what’s stopped me from booking my next tattoo… I won’t do it cheaply so I have to wait. It sucks, but tattoos are a luxury item unfortunately.
Great video. Very insightful, I loved it! 🦋🦋
I think it’s just that money is tight for everyone rn. Big box stores are locking up all their merchandise because people are stealing more. I don’t think amateur tattooers are good enough to steal customers from shops. Tatts are 100% a luxury and optional.
People are only thinking about the art aspect when they take this on I think. They aren’t considering the other things you have to know about to do this properly. It is not just the art or the tattoo you can mess up, but you can give your homie life long issues, infections, blood borne pathogens. You can get your friends and yourself severely sick.
Not only that, but they won’t know how to clean anything properly, what types of cleaner to use (because alcohol isn’t enough guys) and how to protect porous items. Much less disposal of needles and biohazards, you might make mom dad and grandpappy sick. Or your kid brother that likes to dig in the trash.
It’s not gatekeeping. I used to think that. Since I’ve started, I agree with Angel Rose - this is a responsibility and it should not be gifted to those not willing to put in the effort to learn everything needed to do it safe. There are so many chances of contamination and infection or worse. It’s not worth it.
Get into the industry the right way and see if it’s right for you before you make life long alterations to yourself or your friends.
-A tattoo artist
This was a thorough video. Nice job
*Coming home after a difficult day and just sitting on my bed, watching your videos feels so comforting and less lonely* :butterfly:
I have been subscribed to you for a while now and recently watched a Kirk Fagan video where he reviewed tattoo influencers tattoos and had you on it. I have always liked your tattoos but he showed your leg pieces and I have to say they are absolutely awesome! Kirk thought they were also! I love your videos keep up the great work and keep getting them sick tattoos! ❤
What a great video, good job! 💪🏽🔥
amazing work as always
I honestly kinda disagree regarding there not being a right/wrong way to learn to tattoo. I fully accept apprenticeships aren't an option for everyone, but tattooing people isn't a right or need. I am sure plenty of self taught artists do try to learn proper hygiene and safety practices, but many don't or try but don't have the correct information. Tattooing involves so many risks, how many of these self taught artists are learning proper pathogen information, what to do if someone passes out during a tattoo, what to do if someone has an allergic reaction, what legal protections should look like, etc. Pretty much every skilled trade/career requires either spending money on a degree at a college/university/trade school or paying for an apprenticeship with either money or labor. I myself have done a lot of "unpaid labor" in costuming for theater in exchange for the opportunity to learn, I get that not everyone has such opportunities, but for something as risky as a tattoo, it really is important to learn properly and more laws realistically should be in place. No one has the right to permanently scar or even potentially seriously injure someone for the sake of learning. Tattoo apprenticeships should be more accessible/inclusive, but the solution to that shouldn't be forgoing all formal training.
Love your content. Thank you!
I am really digging your sword earrings. The design i can see on video looks so elegant and interesting.
I just love your vibe... makes me feel happy.
Its self harm imo, those really really badly done “tattooing myself everyday until I get famous” a better name would be “watch a depressed teen/young adult self harm everyday and no one say anything.” I can’t even watch this type of content, because I just get this overwhelming sicky feeling that they’re going to hate themselves in a few years and hate their body so much. Just like I hate mine from self harm all over my arms and legs that I mostly did during their age. I didn’t think about the future at all when I was doing it back then, and now I’ve got the first arm covered up and hopefully about to start on the first leg. But it’s been torture in the mean time, it’s even made me want to kill myself many times. And I just get this horrible feeling that these really really shitty scarred tattoos they’re doing all over their body are no different to my generations cutting themselves. But at least mine got skin grafts and coverup’s. God knows how you cover up those!?
Agree with you fully, friendo. Hope you are doing well. Had a very similar story to yours and had to learn to love me. I get the same feeling when the occasional one of those kids shows up. I report it for self harm as that's what it is.
From my pov it seems like tattoos and body mods in general have always been very diy I never really understood the outrage within the community
people who were there first and did it “the right way” always have an elitist attitude about up and comers, especially if they’re struggling themselves and just see newcomers as competitors.
It’s like if the beauty parlors at the mall got mad that teenage girls pierced each others ears during sleepovers
I heard you finished your apprenticeship‼️
CONGRATULATIONS GIRLY‼️ YOU EARNED AND DESERVED IT‼️🎉
As a fellow tattoo artist...i love the art. As long as there are those people who understand and appreciate the time and art of tattoos. I hope i can keep it going for a long time 🦋
I love Noah's works so much, solid for shouting him out. He counted day 165 twice so I put it on a piece I was drawing up at the time for him
Every industry evolves, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse, and the only way to ever survive is to adapt.
From an outsider’s perspective this seems like a great way to break down barriers and prejudices that previously existed in people’s minds about getting tattoos, and maybe this could bring an entire new batch of potential clients who never would have even considered tattoos in the past.
Im so happy that its being more open and the stigma of how to start tattooing is changing, being a woman i had an apprenticeship and it was terrible and it made me walk away for a few years bc of the constant discomfort and discouragement. 4 years later i taught myself with my former knowledge and grew from there using content and help from a mentor and 4 years later im now in an accredited studio and i love my career, but it has become almost an epidemic of the wrong way to tattoo and not being informed and clean but it is not hard to put the effort to educate yourself thru free content by really good tattooists and artists. Its not easy and the problem is everyone who thinks it is. Your skin is a the biggest organ on ur body and it takes alot of knowledge and caution to understand what the risks and problems that come with tattooing a wound into someones skin. I have been lurking for a while on ur channel ,celle great video 🤌 and keep being an awesome artist and person! ❤
Love your videos 🦋
so glad i actually did a load of research on the shop i go to. ended up being the place my old classmate got a job at, unlike these people though she’s incredibly talented. i’m covered in her art and couldn’t be prouder.
I love your necklace btw, it looks great :)
🦋 definitely considering the self-taught approach to tattooing BUT taking online courses and doing it safely.
I doubt the tattoo industry is dying. Tattoos are more accessible to more people than ever before. Some people probably just don’t have enough extra spending money to afford them right now. But as a Gen Zer, I would never let some guy tattoo me in his dorm room. I’d happily save my money for quality work instead.
My problem is that the majority of scratchers don't understand their fundamentals. Many are going to go with the cheapest materials they can find and cleanliness is a concern. Just because a tattoo comes out looking ok, doesn't mean there aren't problems with the technique.
I also feel that many people in this scene didn't acknowledge how there are people who do use it as a method of SH.
I don't think it's bad for people to teach themselves, but I don't think you should be able to tattoo people without going through some kind of oversight. (Which is what an apprenticeship usually is)
Your earings are insanely cool
The recession did not end & interest rates have remained high. Food costs a lot now
I got all three of my tattoos from a "scratcher" about 10-12 years ago. She bought her "kit" from a sketchy import store down the street, so it's not just amazon selling these things. I definitely want to get them all covered up/redone (the lines are wonky and there's straight up missing ink in areas), but just like when I first got them, I'm still poor. It's not just scratchers saturating the market, but everything is more expensive now too (not that tattoos have ever been cheap). It's hard because artists definitely deserve to get paid for their work and are trying to survive in this world, as we all are. We can't blame each other, but we need to blame "the system" or "the man" or whatever you wanna call it, and work together to create a better system (bartering? trading?) and world.
Money as a concept isnt the problem in our system, even socialism would still have currency and i doubt we will actually get true academic communism any time soon. The problem is things like trickle down economics and storage of wealth in general
i think it’s a matter of the industry evolving into something new. I’m a young gal that got her first tattoo after following local independent artists on IG. I figure this is the direction the industry is going with more reliance on social media for finding the right client to artist partnerships. For me, tattoos have been about the art or “end product” which i think make me drawn to non-traditional avenues of tattooing. That being said, I agree that there probably needs to be more regulation with these products because as I’ve been told every time I get tattoos, it’s an open wound being worked on and that can lead to health risks if done improperly. I think tattooing/getting tattooed is more accessible than ever which is definitely a recent development in the industry. I feel it’s overall a positive change… but with any change, it can be a tough transitional period
I feel like it's not exactly a trend so much that it's just a combination of nihilism and the fact that it's so easy for anyone to post whatever they want, so we have way more access to see people do dumb stuff
Great video, really intresting…….got me thinking! 🦋
I understand that getting tattoos is expensive, but ngl a lot of these scratchers seem immature and impulsive and I feel like they're probably going to regret it when they get older. Some scratcher tiktoks even feel like self-harm or like they're just doing it for views.
All of what you wrote.
I went to high school with a scratcher friend before tiktok was a thing and everyday they wanted to be a tattooist and scratching was their practice when they ran out of fake skin. They had so much pride and passion for the tattoos they did on themselves which were gorgeous, there was flowers cute designs and they were really well done and they never regretted it. I SH and SH is different than scratching cause of intention and mindset. SH is usually when someones mindset isn't healthy but IMO scratchers seem like masochists.
@@TravellerZasha unfortunately many of the scratchers have a SH mindset. My work revolves around assessing psychiatric patients in crisis and almost all the ones I've seen exhibit many signs of it. Now some don't, don't get me wrong. That I why I separate scratchers from self taught. Self taught care about learning and doing better, scratchers just have at it and don't care about who they are hurting.
I have been into the art of tattooing since I was about 13. I started an apprentiship when I left school until my mentor came in one day and said he had to leave town😅 Now at 50 I have picked up a machine again and have been tattooing on fake skin and tattooing myself. I've always been into art and love tattooing and have collected pieces on my travels. It seems alot easier to get supplies now. Back when I first started, you couldn't buy anything unless you were recognized as a tattoo artist. I think the economy is playing a huge part in the slow down of clients for artists. Just got to get through the next few years. Love your videos, keep it up. Cheers from NZ 🦋
i only have one tattoo but i still watch your videos , my artist was self taught i remember she did an sleeve on herself in high school with stick and poke and guns online and now she is a tattoo artist and does amazing beautiful work at age 22 i am really happy with the tattoo i got from her, tattooing absolutely isn't a pic up and try thing
When I was 21, I bought some tattoo supplies and started tattooing my friends at home. I knew almost nothing about tattooing at this point, but somehow I grew very interested and fell in love with the idea of expressing my art in other ways than painting and drawing. I've been a professional tattoo artist for 6 years now, and glad I had the crazy idea to buy those random supplies.
my husband (we are millenials) only has two tattoos, and one was done when he was 16 by a fellow teenager in his basement lol. Ironically, I actually like that one more than the professional tattoo he has on the other arm. It reminds me of the "abstract" style with a lot of wispy lines. Honestly impressed that some random kid did that as one of their first pieces ever.
The oversaturation of the tattoo industry is happening in Sweden too, to a certain degree. It's very common for tattoo artists here to have some extra job or a freelance business (unrelated to tattooing) on the side.
The industry is evolving, like most things. The history of tattoos is interesting, and theres a lot of talented artists. Idk where the industries going, but im watching to see what happens 👀
Great video as always friend! Tattooing has always been a finiky business, its a luxury item for the average person so when the economy takes a hit tattooers are the first to feel it. The scratchers are not helping but the strong tattooers will always survive. When i got into tattooing it was right after the '08 recession. Times were tough for tattooing and i can remember the shop i was working at having ZERO WEEKs. (Five Tattooers and Zero tattoos)
As Tattooers we either eat Ramen Or Steak. Right now its Ramen Time for most
You should look up Dragonaut by Sleep. You said you don't like the term juggernaut and it just zapped that song into my head. You're literally fuckin perfect by the way like wtf?
if you are an unpaid intern/apprentice you cannot do anything that contributes to the profit of the company/business. that means no cleaning, no answering phones, no taking out that trash, etc. in a very real way unpaid tattoo apprenticeships, as they are now, are very illegal and the industry is very lucky that no one submits complaints to the ftc about it. know your worth, if you are helping someone make money you need to be paid for it full stop 🦋🦋
Celle your smile is contagious 😁 your gorgeous keep up the great work 💪
I find it so crazy hearing that tattoo artist are struggling because for the last 5+ years I couldn't afford them but now I've gotten tattooed professionally at least once a month for the last two years. I'm realizing I might be the one keeping my artist set 😅
It's all fun and games until one of them gets sued because their "client ended up in the hospital from sepsis or dead". Then they'll cry and sob how it's unfair and they don't deserve it. Like you are glorifying an incredibly unsafe practice that will have lasting damages.
Hell, I went to a professional tattoo studio where I've been tattooed many times but my leg got infected (issue with the second skin plus legs are notorious for infection) and had to do multiple rounds of antibiotics and was warned if the next round didn't clear it I had to go to the ER. It's just not worth the risk!
Tattoos are luxuries and not needed. I have no issues with self taught folks, but these "for the lulz" people are going to hurt someone.
the tattoo industry is NOT dying !!! it is evolving, changing, morphing into something cheaper and more accessible to the majority of most ppl !!! tattoo artists w bad attitudes who charge too much- are dying. and you are part of gen z !!! 98 - 2000 whatever is gen z :)
I am 21, an elder Gen Z, and I would never even consider this. I will not scar my body forever because I can't currently afford all the tattoos I want
The client base of professional artists and the people doing chicken scratch at home are not the same
All of this. People are conflating luxury and need.
It really hurts every time I see tattoo artists saying nobody wants to get tattooed right now, because myself and everyone I know wants to get tattooed so badly, but it's all because of money.. I think the thought that people aren't going to professional artists is due to people tattooing themselves or getting diy tattooed by friends is only a small niche, and for the most part everyone is just struggling to get by... and even people who do have a little extra income, with the cost of living it's just a big gamble to spend your extra cash on pricey things like tattoos instead of saving it for necessities. Like in this economy the extra funds we do have, we're not even free to spend because ANY extra expense that comes up is guaranteed to be big and drag down your budget, so it's not an ideal situation to be getting tattooed on the fly. You have to make sure to save up for something you REALLY want instead of getting tattooed impulsively or quickly back to back, so I think people are still getting tattooed, but because of the economy just doing it more slowly and cautiously which leads to slower times for artists.
The only issue I have with scratchers is hygiene. It's so dangerous. As someone who has dealt with si and sh though I completely understand not giving a shit. Thank you for mentioning this. I think there's an element of harmful not caring by those who use these amazon tattoo kits at home in deeply unsanitary situations, even if it's not intentionally sh. I hope those that do these at home tattoos do it safely for them and everyone around them.
Watching this while i get ready to go get my gesha's color filled in!!
Scratcher here, worked at three shops within six months & found heartbreak in every shop. I’ve tattooed off & on for several years, and didn’t feel comfortable starting my own shop, but rent for a chair is so expensive I can rent an entire facility for the price of a chair…
I feel like there's a difference between 'ignorant style' tattoos and scratcher tatts though. I think of ignorant as 'bad'/silly tattoos but still done well. As opposed to scratchers which are just bad tattoos done badly
🦋 taking my tattoo licensure test on Wednesday. I sure fucking hope the industry isn't tanking, I'm moved in to a reputable shop already 😅
Love your vids ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
It's hard to say, maybe 1 out of every 100 of these scratchers could end up being incredible tattoo artists one day, so it's empowering in one way.
But on the other hand the lack of hygiene really freaks me out. Like, maybe you should need a license or something to even buy a machine, maybe? Don't be out there spreading hepatitis or causing gross infections.
All the artists I've ever known apprenticed in prison first. My friend in college scratched in prison, then on me, then got into a shop with no apprentice time. It was rougher then, though in the Tribal tattoo era in Texas
A good friend of mine who has had a tattoo shop for about 20 years now was giving me an apprenticeship about 15 years ago. I honestly gave it up because I didn't want the pressure of learning and making mistakes... _on people_
I don’t love at home tattoos but it also doesn’t affect me because I don’t plan to do it… I just can’t afford to get tattooed at the moment so I just have to save until I can. Times are bloody tough in AUS too!
As for the question about why people are getting tattooed less…money is a big part of it. At least where I am, artists are raising their rates (and understandably so!) but at the end of the day tattoos are a luxury, a little treat, and the cost is just getting too high. And I’m seeing new artists charging way too much (like $250/hr for a first year artist) and there’s just no way I personally would pay that.
I actually love Gen Z and have a lot of respect for the way they question the system. I expect great art and innovation from this generation in the tattoo realm and beyond.
Watching this before i go into studio today xD! Im an apprentice