Increases in the cost of groceries, gasand oil have not reduced consumers' budget for tattoos.
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Over the last several months, small businesses have seena potential recession looming and are afraid they might not be able to keep up with the high demand for products.
Despite those concerns, there is one industry that'sbusier than ever. Appointments are booking up fast, and the customer basecontinues to grow.
The popularity and demand for tattoos have blossomed as body ink has become more acceptable and the economy isn't even making a dent. According to IBISWorld, which researchesthousands of industries worldwide, the tattoo industry in the U.S. grew8.1% ayear on average between 2018 and 2023. The market size of the tattoo is expected to increase by 7.6% in 2023.Adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have driven the demand for tattoos.
Alexis Wells
Douglas Wood works on a customer at Leviathan Body Art in Scarborough.
"I have never been busier in my life," saidDouglas Woodas he tattooed a customer's forearm on Jan. 27at Leviathan Body Art at 582 Route 1 in Scarborough. Wood, who's been a tattoo artist for 19 years and has worked in southern Maine for the last seven, said he's seen definite spikesin business over the past couple of years.
Although the shop shutdown for more than three and half months at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the owner of Leviathan reopened when business backed up because "everyone wanted to get tattoos at that point," said Wood, who works at Leviathan.
The shopcould only allow clients andno guests on the premises during the pandemic, and clients had to bemasked. But the tattoo industry was more prepared than most to implement COVID-19 health protocols, Wood said, because italready hadmany safety protocols in placesuchas sterilizinginstruments. Tattoo parlors are alsoaccustomedto usinggloves and disinfectants. Pandemic rules didn't change daily operations much.
Before the pandemic, Wood booked appointmentsthree to four months in advance. Nowhe's booked seven months ahead. He doesn't take deposits and has had the fewestcancellations he's ever seen.
He has yet to hear from any of his clients that the increase in prices of groceries, gasand oil has decreased their tattoo budget. Most of the cancellations are from people who may be gettingsick, but their spots are always filled immediately.
Wood isn't alone in seeing a surge in demand since shops reopenedand concerns over contracting the virus waned after keepingmany from getting inked. Once the virus restrictions were lifted, it resulted in a rush of customers.
"Business is booming;come and get tattoos but be patient," Wood said.
Steve Marzza
Interior shot of Dark Harbor Tattoo in Portland.
Steve Marzza, owner of Dark Harbor Tattoo in Portland's Old Port, started his business in 2018. The company has hired guest artists from Florida, New Yorkand Chicago, where business is slow.
"We have not seen a downward spiral of customers," said Marzza. "Things seem to be normal with us."
Marzza also said if there's a cancellationit's easily filled, and Dark Harbor hasseen anormal number ofcancellations.
"I think the economy doesn't affect tattoos too much," Marzza said. "When I have done my research in times of struggle, such as pandemics, recessions and the like, our business tends to pick up a little bit.
"What we are seeing now is a giant influx in tattoo shops since COVID. So what will happen is that the weak shops that do not market properly or run their business correctly are fully under the radar or shut down. But it's because there was an influx in shops opening. People find out quickly they don't know how to run a business."
Frank Ervin, owner of Blacklist Tattoo, at 2 Main St.in Biddeford, said when his shop, like the others, closed in2020,"fortunately, there was a social safety net for us and everyone else.
"However, it's a shame that big business interests have swallowed up most of the [pandemic relief] funds allocated to help regular people. In fact, immediately after the pandemic closure, for me, it was the busiest I've been. The bulk of my clients are regular, working people, and the added help from the stimulus funding let them have some money in their pocket."
If a recession becomes a reality, the surge in business could end, Wood acknowledged,and getting new ink could be the least of his customers' concerns.
But right now, the artist said he will continue to enjoy the increase in demand while it lasts.
