TATTOO RESOURCES

FAQ: TATTOO EVENTS, BRANDS & PRODUCTS INFORMATION

Where can I go to find out and see listings of body art expo, tattoo expo, tattoo convention, tattoo conference, and tattoo arts festivals?

We suggest visiting World Tattoo Events where you can find a full list of great tattoo events from all over the world.

Global Tattoo Conventions

Gods of Ink

  • The Gods of Ink Tattoo Convention is located in Frankfurt, Germany is hosted by Miki Vialetto proprietor of Tattoo Life Magazine and publishes beautiful quality tattoo art books. His convention draws international tattoo artists from all over the world.

Le Mondial du Tatouage

  • Le Monidial du Tatouage is an international tattoo convention in Paris, France. Host and tattoo artist Tin-Tin has been tattooing since 1984 and is based in Paris. He brings artists and attendees from all over the world.

Milano Tattoo Convention

  • The Milano Tattoo Convention is hosted in Milan, Italy has been a mecca for tattoo artists for quite some time. It brings amazing talented artists from all over the world. But many are from Italy!

World of Ink Tattoo Convention

Tattoo Conventions in California:

Golden State Tattoo Expo

Ink Con

  • Ink Con is a new tattoo convention that packs a punch with heavy hitters in Ontario, California. Hosted by renown fine line and black and grey tattoo artist Freddy Negrete and tattoo artist Corey Miller, a household name from Discovery Channel’s show LA Ink.

Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention

Body Art Expo

  • Body Art Expo is a tattoo conventions production company based in Southern California. With shows in Pomona, Los Angeles, and San Francisco - the show expanded into other regions such as Phoenix (Arizona) and Houston (Texas).

Villain Arts

  • Villain Arts is one the biggest tattoo convention production companies in the United States. Producing about two tattoo arts festivals every month. Villain Arts has expanded into California with two shows in Southern California:

San Diego Tattoo Arts Festival

Long Beach Tattoo Arts Festival

Some notable tattoo arts festival of the past:

Bay Area Tattoo Convention

  • The Bay Area Tattoo Convention at Hyatt Regency in SFO lasted 14 years (2004 - 2019) and attracted some of the best tattoo artists in the world to the Bay Area.

Ink-N-Iron Kustom Culture Festival

  • Ink-N-Iron Kustom Culture Festival left its mark on local tattoo culture in more ways than one. Ink slingers have always been the anchor of the convention-turned-festival since it began in 2003 and ran until 2015.

MusInk

  • MusInk at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa was a tattoo convention, car show, and live music concert featuring over 300 world-renowned tattoo artists, hundreds of vendors, three full days of bands, and the Low & Slow Car Show.

Event Location:

The Hangar, Costa Mesa & Huntington Beach Buildings, Santa Ana Pavilion, Baja Blues, and Main Mall (Enter at Gate 3 off Fairview Rd or Gate 4 off Arlington Dr).

San Diego Invitational Tattoo Convention

  • The San Diego Invitational Tattoo Convention in downtown San Diego, California, gathered many big names in Southern California, out of state, and overseas at the San Diego Concourse.

Notable out of state tattoo convention / tattoo expos include:

Empire State Tattoo Expo

Hell City Tattoo Fest

Motor City Tattoo Expo

  • The Motor City Tattoo Expo in Detroit, Michigan, has been hosted by Eternal Ink owner Tramp for more than 29 years!

New York City Tattoo Arts Convention

What are popular tattoo lifestyle apparel clothing brands I can shop from?

There are many tattoo lifestyle apparel clothing brands out there such as:

Sullen Clothing

  • Sullen Clothing, also known as Sullen Art Collective, collaborates with many tattoo artists to design their graphic t-shirts.

Inked Magazine

  • Inked Mag is a magazine publisher that also operates in the tattoo lifestyle apparel and beauty/makeup business through their web store.

Inked Clothing / Ink Addict

Ed Hardy

  • Ed Hardy was the first tattoo artist to have a clothing line go mainstream in pop culture with his designs.

What are some reputable tattoo ink brands commonly used by professional tattoo artists?

There are more tattoo ink brands today then ever before. Every professional tattoo artist will have their preference such as:

Dynamic Ink

  • Dynamic Ink black tattoo ink has been tried and true since 1990.

Eternal Ink

  • Eternal Ink was founded by Terry “Tramp” Welker in 1998 and expanded in 2004.

Fusion Ink

  • Fusion Ink was founded by Adam Everett, a chemist with experience in tattoo ink, working with international brands. In 2022, he founded Sacred Ink to provide high-quality inks and customer service to working artists.

Intenze Ink

  • Intenze Ink was founded in 2002 by renowned tattoo artist Mario Barth and is manufactured in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Solid Ink

  • Solid Ink was founded by tattoo artist Federico Ferroni, committed to providing the most enduring pigments while using natural, safe ingredients.

Radiant Ink

  • Radiant Ink is known for its vibrant colors and smooth application. It was founded by Karla Delgue and Victor Hugo Delgadillo, with Victor playing a key role in developing the brand’s high-quality, long-lasting tattoo inks.

World Famous Ink

What are some reputable rotary tattoo machine brands?

There are many rotary tattoo machine brands but the reputable ones include:

FK Irons

  • FK Irons (Fallen Kings Irons) was established in 2007 and is one of the leading manufacturers of state-of-the-art tattoo machines and devices, made in the USA.

Bishop Rotary

  • Bishop Rotary is a tattoo machine company based in Orange County, California, founded in 2009 by tattoo artist Franco Vescovi, who has over 20 years of experience.

Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment

  • Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment was founded by MT. DERM GmbH, a company based in Berlin with over 20 years of experience in medical technology and cosmetics.

What are some reputable tattoo supply companies in Southern California?

There are many Southern California tattoo supply companies including the following:

Kingpin Tattoo Supply

  • Kingpin Tattoo Supply began in 1996 as a small manufacturing company producing and selling hand-built tattoo needles to Florida tattoo artists.

Lucky Tattoo Supply

  • Lucky Tattoo Supply was established in 2000 to provide professional tattoo artists with the highest quality products.

Salt Water Tattoo Supply

Nuclear Tattoo Supply

  • Nuclear Tattoo Supply was founded in 2010 to create a seamless and convenient tattoo supply experience for professional tattoo artists.

Element Tattoo Supply

  • Element Tattoo Supply was founded by professional tattoo artist Eddie Tana, who also owns OC Tattoos in Orange County, California.

San Diego Tattoo Supply

TatSoul

  • TatSoul is known for its high-quality tattoo supplies and furniture.

What are some reputable tattoo book publishing companies?

There are many amazing tattoo book sellers all over the world for reference and to enjoy including the following:

Tattoo Life Magazine

Bezel Books

  • Bezel Books has been around for a long time. Founder Wendy Bezel is knowledgeable about all aspects of tattoo books, from old classics to the latest releases.

Tattoo Artist Magazine

  • Though no longer in print, Tattoo Artist Magazine still sells select books through the personal Instagram page of its owner, Crash.

Kintaro Publishing

  • Kintaro Publishing produces quality books featuring renowned artists such as Horiyoshi 3 of Yokohama, Japan.

Tribal Publishing

  • Tribal Publishing produces high-quality tattoo books, including Tattoo Machine Discourse by Shane Holmes and works featuring Chris Garver.

Afterlife Press

  • Afterlife Press prints interviews and showcases artists' works in a magazine-style format, featuring the biggest names in tattooing.