Tattoos from unlicensed artists: Illegal and dangerous - WTKR

If you've ever gotten a tattoo, you know good work can be expensive. But now a growing number of tattoo artists are offering deep discounts for work done at home.

[Southern Cross Tattoo Va]

Yes the non licensed Tattoo artist ,is a boom.. the state wants us to get licenses, but is very slow to do much about non licensed people, in Roanoke Va there are a lot of shops with , shop licenses , but have a lot of Tattooers Tattooing with out the artist license, thay do not even check to see if what was licensed has been keep up right.. all the people have to do is open up after 9:00pm and there in open, inking as thay feel...

[Chelsea Man]

Since tattoos are only for red necked wannabees, who cares whether the purveyors are licensed or not?

[Jahovasneedle]

I understand the dilemma in your area. My question is what is the problem for a legitimate artist in an area that doesn't require a tattoo license?I'm in an outskirt of Philly, am really good and sometimes do work at home for friends.Is this wrong? Or is this just frowned upon by shop owners who really wouldn't give a chair to an artist anyway cause your not in thier clique?
I'm in the process of opening my own shop. The thing is all that is required in our area is a buisness license and a Blood bourne pathogens certificate.I want to do this right. I respect the trade and love the life. Oh, and the ink.So what else do I need to do this and keep good karma in our
"community"? Thanx

[Chelsea Man]

The problem is we just don't have enough ex cons to warrant a lot of tattoo shops.

[Southrn Cross Tattoo]

Chelsea Man wrote:

Since tattoos are only for red necked wannabees, who cares whether the purveyors are licensed or not?

..........The person that does not want Hep.

[rebeccamartin]

yes illegal tattoos artist are on the rise and its a threat to everyone in all angles.

[Memo]

Anybody who would risk going into someone else's home that they do not know, and let them tattoo them is a complete idiot that gets what they deserve.

I've been a professional tattooist for over 18 years now, and although I'm not from the area we see the same problem out here on the west coast. Honestly, whenever someone comes in to have a tattoo fixed, or covered up that was obviously done at a home by a scratcher, I charge them twice what I'd normally charge. It's called the stupid tax.

But the real problem here isn't a messed up tattoo, or scarred skin. What shows up in a blood test up to 6 months after the tattoo is the real deal. Not to mention staff infections, etc.

People....you get what you pay for in life. Tattoos are a permanent piece of art that will remain with you as long as you live. Spending money on a tattoo should reflect just that. When you go out and bargain hunt on craigslist or at your neighbors garage you are setting yourself up for a wreck.