The art of tattooing is deeply entrenched in Indian culture. Passed down from generation to generation, the legacy art of tattooing has been in India for hundreds of years. It was originally practised in tribal areas of the northeast and central India where it symbolized a rite of passage. From town fairs to village melas, homegrown Indian tattoo artists have freely set up shop wherever the people are.
Over time, as our country began to keep pace with the rest of the world, the trade of ideas and creative instincts have helped the art of tattooing evolve, too. This evolution can also be seen in the increasing levels of complexity when it comes to tattoos. What began as simple tribal designs have now evolved into intricate artworks that creative and passionate artists spend days to complete.
It is estimated that the Indian tattoo industry generates more than Rs. 20,000 crore every year. However, the industrialization of tattooing is relatively new in India. Even though it is such a money-maker, the industry is fragmented. There is no organized structure, rules and regulations, enforcement of safety protocols, or a governing board/union to keep a check on the standards maintained within the industry.
Technology and the Tattoo Industry
Another aspect in which the tattoo industry has grown by leaps and bounds is the technology used to create tattoo art. From the initial days of using rudimentary tools to hand-poke tattoos into the skin, a shift towards coil-based machines was seen. These magnetic coil machines gave artists the freedom to set up their rig at home. It also allowed artists to hasten the process of tattooing and made it possible to create more elaborate designs, as compared to the simple tribal tattoos done earlier.
Today, advanced technology rotary machines from top-notch companies like Germany-based Cheyenne have become popular. Not only are these rotary machines powered by a robust motor, they make much less noise, and are built to ensure that the artist does not dig too deep into the skin and cause damage.
Machines have also improved in terms of power supply. Instead of having to keep the machine plugged into a power source throughout the time, it takes to make the tattoo, wireless machines with an internal battery source have made tattooing much simpler. These wireless machines are easy to manoeuvre and portable.
Taking Cues from the West
Internationally, tattooing is recognized as a lucrative and profitable business opportunity. In line with this, they also have proper organization and regulatory systems in place. So, when it comes to the practices that need to be implemented for hygiene and health or supplies to be used, Indian tattoo artists take cues from their Western counterparts.
For most artists, this means ordering supplies from the West or utilizing local alternatives for the same purposes. However, with no set protocol or implementation standards, some studios and artists who may not have the resources or inclination to maintain good practices tend to fail in the long run.
Tattooing as a Lucrative Career Option
When it comes to products and services, the demand dictates the supply. This is visible in the burgeoning growth of the tattoo industry in India, too. As the younger generation’s interest in tattooing, body piercing, and even extreme modifications increases, the need for quality tattoo artists is also increasing. This demand is especially evident in the post-pandemic world. More people are feeling the need to express their resilience and strength, to carry their hopes for the future tattooed on their skin.
For a long time, the tattoo business in India was not considered a lucrative one that could be seriously pursued. However, with time and an exponential increase in demand, the tattoo industry in India is being recognized as one of the trendiest business options in modern times.
To cope with the increasing demand, more and more tattoo studios have opened shop in the past decade or so in India. While some of these tattoo artists have learned their skill from specialized institutions, many more are self-taught.
The impact of COVID-19 cannot be denied here. Travelling to work has become infrequent as people are working from home. The situation is direr for those working in MNCs. Global instability and a job that cannot be done from home mean that many young workers are facing a career crisis.
While there are many things to improve with respect to regulations and governance, the tattoo industry is better placed as compared to most other career options. One of the essential characteristics of quality tattoo artists is their love for the art of tattooing and respect for their own talent.
They say that a bird does not worry about the branch falling because it has faith in its own wings. This is true about tattoo artists, too. As long as an artist has some basic equipment and the will to pour themselves into their work, they can work from anywhere. Learning how to tattoo is not just an art, it is a life skill.
Designing Your Own Path to Success
Like most tattoo artists, Max’s successful journey into the world of tattooing began with his first tattoo. While studying for his MBA, he decided to get inked, and the rest is history. Unlike others, Max did not stop just at getting inked—he delved deeper into the art of tattooing, learning the skills required to turn his dream into reality. Two years and many tattoos later, he bid adieu to his well-paying job as a branch manager at a reputed stockbroking firm to establish Inkinn Tattoo Studio in 2011.
Being a tattoo artist offers you the freedom to set up shop wherever you want. Like other creative pursuits, tattooing has many takers, particularly amongst the younger Gen Y and Gen Z population. However, Max saw a glaring gap—unlike singing, dancing, or photography, tattooing did not have a structured format in which it was being taught. There were no institutes to help budding artists learn the art of tattooing and the science of hygienic practices. The establishment of Max’s labour of love, the Inking Tattoo Academy is a step towards filling this gap.
Today, unconventional career options are becoming the norm. As a pioneer in the Indian tattoo industry, Max has the expertise and the passion to share what he learned the hard way with artists of the new generation. By teaching the art in a formal and structured manner, it is Max’s hope that new artists will not have to struggle as he did.
In a world where everyone advises you to make typical career choices, Max hopes to make it easier for you to follow your heart and experience the satisfaction of making money out of your passion. Together, established and new artists can help the tattoo industry of India evolve further and reach new pinnacles of success bringing it to par with the rest of the world.
