Tattoo Trends 2026 – Why Skill, Art & Quality Are Coming Back | Vadelma Tattoo Amsterdam
Tattoo Trends 2026 – A Tattoo Artist’s Prediction
Hello Everyone!
The year 2026 has just begun.
People from ancient times tried to predict the future. Let’s keep a bit of that tradition alive and play the role of Tattoo Nostradamus for a moment. This blog is made for fun — and as a mind exercise. Enjoy!
2026 – The Year of a Pro?
That’s my first bet.
A change is coming. You can feel it.
Starting in 2020, when Covid stopped the world for a while, many things shifted. We all remember it. During that period, people suddenly had a lot of free time — and very limited ways to spend it. Many started new hobbies. Others were forced to cut hair, cook, or do nails at home because shops were closed.
Misled by online courses and short tutorials, people started doing things for themselves and their friends. Even today, many small business owners still haven’t fully recovered to pre-Covid levels. Hairdressers, for example, spent years correcting bad experiments.
To master a profession, you need more than tools and a few YouTube videos.
With hair, the damage grows out.
But what about tattoos?
What Happened to Tattooing After Covid?
Many people decided to finally make their dream come true and become tattoo artists.
They bought a machine, watched some videos — and off they went. The tattoo industry saw an unprecedented rise of tattooers in an extremely short time. We’ve never seen anything like it.
It was a perfect storm:
-
boredom
-
too much free time
-
unfulfilled dreams
-
endless Pinterest designs
-
social media validation
For the first time in history, making tattoos became extremely easy to start.
Add to that social unease and confusion about what it actually means to be an artist, and suddenly tattoos that would once belong in a “Top 10 Ugliest Tattoos” list were trending.
Many styles were artificially pushed — not because they were beautiful, but because they were easy to execute. Often, it was a way to rationalize a lack of drawing skills.
But something has changed.
People are tired of sameness.
Common sense is quietly winning.
And we’re heading back toward something real — where people can once again recognize beauty in tattoo art.
Why 2026 Will Favor Real Tattoo Artists
That’s why my prediction for 2026 is simple:
We will see more real artists.
Artists who can draw.
Artists who care.
Artists who love what they do.
Social media made being a tattoo artist look like a lifestyle — and many people entered the industry for that reason alone. That’s why so many tattoo profiles look identical today. Same designs. Same aesthetics. Same shortcuts.
But this phase doesn’t last forever.
Skill always outlives hype.
Clients are becoming more aware. They ask better questions. They value originality, craftsmanship, and experience. And that’s good — for the entire industry and for customers.
At Vadelma Tattoo in Amsterdam, this shift feels natural. We’ve always focused on fine line tattoos, floral tattoos, text tattoos, and drawing-based work — not trends. Tattooing as art, not content.
I’m optimistic about what’s coming.
And you?
FAQ – Tattoo Trends & the Future of Tattooing
Q: Are tattoo trends really changing in 2026?
A: Yes. Clients are becoming more selective and value skill, originality, and long-term quality over trends.
Q: Is being able to draw important for tattoo artists?
A: Absolutely. Drawing skills directly affect composition, balance, and originality in tattoos.
Q: Will fine line and floral tattoos still be popular?
A: Yes, but executed with more precision and artistic depth, not as mass-produced designs.
Q: How can I choose a professional tattoo artist?
A: Look for consistency, original work, drawing ability, healed tattoos, and clear communication — not just social media popularity.
Much love,
Simon
Based in Amsterdam, where I tattoo together with my wife Natalie Vadelma.
And if you enjoy art beyond skin, you can also explore our Vadelma Art Print Store.
Tattoo Trends 2026 – A Tattoo Artist’s Prediction
Hello Everyone!
The year 2026 has just begun.
People from ancient times tried to predict the future. Let’s keep a bit of that tradition alive and play the role of Tattoo Nostradamus for a moment. This blog is made for fun — and as a mind exercise. Enjoy!
2026 – The Year of a Pro?
That’s my first bet.
A change is coming. You can feel it.
Starting in 2020, when Covid stopped the world for a while, many things shifted. We all remember it. During that period, people suddenly had a lot of free time — and very limited ways to spend it. Many started new hobbies. Others were forced to cut hair, cook, or do nails at home because shops were closed.
Misled by online courses and short tutorials, people started doing things for themselves and their friends. Even today, many small business owners still haven’t fully recovered to pre-Covid levels. Hairdressers, for example, spent years correcting bad experiments.
To master a profession, you need more than tools and a few YouTube videos.
With hair, the damage grows out.
But what about tattoos?
What Happened to Tattooing After Covid?
Many people decided to finally make their dream come true and become tattoo artists.
They bought a machine, watched some videos — and off they went. The tattoo industry saw an unprecedented rise of tattooers in an extremely short time. We’ve never seen anything like it.
It was a perfect storm:
-
boredom
-
too much free time
-
unfulfilled dreams
-
endless Pinterest designs
-
social media validation
For the first time in history, making tattoos became extremely easy to start.
Add to that social unease and confusion about what it actually means to be an artist, and suddenly tattoos that would once belong in a “Top 10 Ugliest Tattoos” list were trending.
Many styles were artificially pushed — not because they were beautiful, but because they were easy to execute. Often, it was a way to rationalize a lack of drawing skills.
But something has changed.
People are tired of sameness.
Common sense is quietly winning.
And we’re heading back toward something real — where people can once again recognize beauty in tattoo art.
Why 2026 Will Favor Real Tattoo Artists
That’s why my prediction for 2026 is simple:
We will see more real artists.
Artists who can draw.
Artists who care.
Artists who love what they do.
Social media made being a tattoo artist look like a lifestyle — and many people entered the industry for that reason alone. That’s why so many tattoo profiles look identical today. Same designs. Same aesthetics. Same shortcuts.
But this phase doesn’t last forever.
Skill always outlives hype.
Clients are becoming more aware. They ask better questions. They value originality, craftsmanship, and experience. And that’s good — for the entire industry and for customers.
At Vadelma Tattoo in Amsterdam, this shift feels natural. We’ve always focused on fine line tattoos, floral tattoos, text tattoos, and drawing-based work — not trends. Tattooing as art, not content.
I’m optimistic about what’s coming.
And you?
FAQ – Tattoo Trends & the Future of Tattooing
Q: Are tattoo trends really changing in 2026?
A: Yes. Clients are becoming more selective and value skill, originality, and long-term quality over trends.
Q: Is being able to draw important for tattoo artists?
A: Absolutely. Drawing skills directly affect composition, balance, and originality in tattoos.
Q: Will fine line and floral tattoos still be popular?
A: Yes, but executed with more precision and artistic depth, not as mass-produced designs.
Q: How can I choose a professional tattoo artist?
A: Look for consistency, original work, drawing ability, healed tattoos, and clear communication — not just social media popularity.
Much love,
Simon
Based in Amsterdam, where I tattoo together with my wife Natalie Vadelma.
And if you enjoy art beyond skin, you can also explore our Vadelma Art Print Store.
