The world’s first devoted vegan tattoo shop opened its doors to clients in Portland, OR back in 2005. Since then, the popularity of this relatively new tattoo trend has skyrocketed. Vegan tattoos and dedicated vegan tattoo shops have been on the rise and existing popular tattoo shops have begun to incorporate the practice. Many people don’t realize that the majority of tattoo inks contain animal products like bone char, gelatin, fat and shellac.
While this isn’t an issue for some people, for a vegan, getting inked with animal products is a no-go. And while you may not be expected to transform your shop into a vegan one, providing this option can help to boost your sales, bring in new clients and create lasting relationships with them.
Is It Time to Make Your Tattoo Shop Vegan-Friendly?
It’s no secret that self-expression through body modification is popular among many modern vegans but up until the last 10 years or so, getting a tattoo that was 100% vegan was nearly impossible. However, with new technological breakthroughs in the tattoo industry, vegan inspired tattoo products are now readily available on the market.
What is Vegan Tattooing?
Vegan tattoo ink isn’t the only component that makes a vegan tattoo unique. In fact, for a tattoo to be truly vegan, the entire process should not include the use of any animal products. This means that all of the tools you use as a tattoo should be vegan tattoo supplies, from the razors to the ink and ointments too.
Some common tattooing items that are not vegan-friendly include:
Tattoo Inks – What is vegan tattoo ink? Many tattoo inks on the market today contain shellac and bone char. Vegan tattoo ink does not!
Razors – The razors used to remove hair before the tattooing process can contain moisturizing strips that include animal products. Accessing vegan razors can be difficult but there are several brands on the market that offer vegan options.
Glycerin – This animal product is most often found in soaps and the ink mixture used on your clients. To offer a vegan tattoo, you’ll need to make sure that all of the products you are using only contain vegetable glycerin.
Ointments – To ensure proper healing, most vegan tattoo artists recommend that their clients apply ointment to the site for several days or weeks. However, some ointments can contain both cod liver oil and lanolin.
Transfer Paper and Cream – Several companies, including ReproFX, now offer transfer papers and creams that are certified vegan and produce great results.
Protecting Your Clients and Your Bottom Line
Being proactive and working to include a broader client base with the introduction of vegan tattoo options can be a great way to boost your business. However, whether you plan on making the shift to include vegan tattoo options in your shop or not, investing in comprehensive insurance coverage is the best way to protect your clients and your business.
When artists make the shift to open vegan tattoo shops or start working with vegan tattoo ink, they can be opening themselves up to the possibility of new risks as well. Tattoo lawsuits can be expensive mistakes if your business is not properly protected. Give yourself peace of mind by investing in a quality tattoo studio insurance policy that will protect against liability claims.
Things to Remember Before Your Tattoo Parlor Offers Vegan Tattoos
A vegan tattoo involves much more than a special type of vegan tattoo ink. Keep these key factors in mind as you make the switch.
- Vegan tattoo options have only been around for the last several years, so education for your tattoo artists and clients is important.
- It’s not just about the ink! Make sure all products used on vegan clients are free from animal products.
- No matter what kind of ink is being used in your shop, make sure you have the right level of insurance in place to protect your business.
Want to learn more about the benefits of cosmetic tattoo insurance coverage for your tattoo shop? Call 877-959-1197 or contact Marine Agency Insurance online today to get a quote.
