Intresting article by Karen L. Hudson.
Tattoos and the Economy
Is the Tattoo Industry Being Hurt by Current Economic Conditions?
By Karen L. Hudson, About.com
I hesitate to speak of our current economic situation as being anything more than a temporary slump, but the fact remains that there are a lot of people feeling a financial pinch right now. Layoffs, pay cuts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and closings of once-strong company giants are on the rise and serve as proof that, as a whole, our nation is suffering.
And yet, there has been a recent string of news articles from varying parts of the country that describe the body art industry as holding strong despite the current economic downturn:
I found that interesting considering the fact that tattoos and piercings – although highly addictive and a great passion for many of us – would hardly be considered a “need” when faced with other financial demands.
So, I started asking around for thoughts on the situation from readers and from friends in the industry, and (fortunately!) the responses do lean more heavily on the positive side. While some tattoo shops, especially new ones, are struggling to keep their heads above water, the majority are surviving and some are even thriving.
When it comes to body modification, no matter how tight our wallets are we found that we will somehow come up with just enough money to get that new piercing or tattoo done. If it means something to us or anyone we will come up with enough money to get it done. It’s self expression and the economic times should not affect how we want to express ourselves. – Krystal
What Krystal says would sound unreasonable to someone who is experiencing true financial hardship. When your income is less than your outgoing bills, or even if you just manage to break even, then there isn’t really much you can do to “come up with enough money” if there literally isn’t anything left, which sadly happens to many people in this country.
However, the majority of working and middle class society people do have expendable income, even if it is less now than what it once was. It becomes the choice of each individual or family unit, then, to determine where that expendable income should go. We all have different priorities and make that decision based on what we hold most dear. For some it may be entertainment, travel, dining out, clothing, personal pampering or some other equally “superfluous” means of making life enjoyable. And then again, for some of us, body art is at the top of that priority list.
Only a fellow body art enthusiast can truly appreciate why we would choose getting tattooed over a fabulous new outfit, a trip to Vegas, or tickets to the biggest concert of the year. But the very thing that draws us to tattoos in the first place – their permanence – is sometimes what draws us even more when the world around us seems to be spiraling out of control.
I own a shop in Limestone County, Alabama and we have not seen any abnormal slumps in our business. If anything we are maybe a bit busier. I think, in these economic times, that people find comfort in seeing any hard earned money spent on something tangible; something they can’t lose and that will be with them for life. Tattoos offer that. Clothes, cosmetics and other retail “me” items don’t last and everything else we spend money on are just consumables – purchased and gone. – Andi
Sometimes, though, when you have a family – especially one that includes younger children – a parent has to make personal sacrifices in lieu of providing for the family. In this case, sometimes the “choice” of how to use expendable income has already been made—the kids come first, and that is the creed followed willingly by any loving parent.
My husband, two kids and I live quite comfortably in northern California. While we both have our same jobs, we have felt the sting in the stock market and 401Ks. Tattooing was the first things to go for me. I was working on a back piece that’s about 70% complete. For the last 6 months I have not tattooed because it is a wonderful expensive hobby. The fact that it is something that I do only for myself and not for the family feels greedy. So until the economy is a bit more stable I’ll have to stay “incomplete”. – Nicole
I’ve been working on a sleeve of my two children and some of the things that remind me of them. I got about 3/4 of it done and had to stop due to the economy. – Paul
Tattoos can definitely cost a lot, especially large ones, and I certainly wouldn’t want you to go somewhere unclean just to get a cheaper one. If you decide you need to avoid hat expense for a while until you’re in a better position financially, that is your decision and it doesn’t mean your any less of an enthusiast or true fan of the art. In fact, waiting until you’re able to do it right – instead of getting something ugly and cheap just for the sake of saying you got a tattoo – proves that you do have great respect for the art form and there’s nothing for you to feel guilty about!
I have found that, surprisingly, I have been doing just as many tattoos this year as the same month last year, but the average size and expense is down. I even did one to reflect the current state of economics–a sad piggy bank with money spilled out. (Photo above) – Crystal Kyle (Crystalz Tatz – Bradenton, FL)
So, what are you supposed to do when the craving for new ink keeps you awake at night? Well, maybe you can work a few extra hours at your job or eat beans and rice for the next few weeks. Maybe you could come up with enough cash to at least get something small, or perhaps even a piercing. There are also some ways you can actually cut the cost of a tattoo, which I share in my article, How to Save Money on a Tattoo.
