Era of specialization?
Hello Everyone! In today’s blog, I’ll be discussing whether we’re heading into an era of specialization in the tattoo industry—and what my thoughts and predictions are for the future. Curious? Let’s dive in!
Jack of All Trades
When you hear the term “jack of all trades,” you probably picture someone who claims to do it all—fixing a leaky tap, repairing a broken chair, replacing light bulbs. Sure, that’s true to some degree, but how often can one person do all these tasks at a truly professional level? It’s one thing to fix a tap, but a whole different story to design a plumbing system for a pharmacy factory. Both might call themselves plumbers, but who would you hire to take on the more complex project?
Anyone who’s tried to hire a skilled blue-collar worker—be it an electrician, plumber, or carpenter—knows that truly specialized trades are harder and harder to find. We all want someone who knows their craft inside and out, not just on a surface level. Mastering any profession takes years of hard work, dedication, and ongoing education. It’s a tough truth that social media rarely highlights. You’ll see lots of “overnight success” stories, but you won’t see much about the countless hours spent grinding away in the background. Social media loves cute success stories—but they don’t sell the reality of the time it takes to perfect a craft.
For example, how would you sell the fact that mastering a specific shading technique takes an entire year? It’s not the kind of content that gets likes or views. But that’s the reality of mastery—it’s in the details.
How Does This Apply to Tattoos?
The same applies to the tattoo industry. Customers are becoming more educated. They’re realizing that “tattoo” is an umbrella term, and there’s so much more beneath it. I remember a customer once asked my wife, Natalie Vadelma, to do an old-school, bold-line scorpio tattoo. He couldn’t understand that she’s a floral artist who works with fine lines and small needles. It wasn’t her style, but he just assumed that any tattoo artist could do anything.
We tried to explain that her art wasn’t the right fit for the design he wanted, but some people still think that a tattoo artist is a one-size-fits-all kind of person. Sometimes, it’s like asking for a pizza in a steakhouse—totally the wrong place for it.
In my view, the tattoo industry is entering a new era: the era of specialization. It’s a huge step forward. The “jack of all trades” mentality just doesn’t work in tattooing anymore. That’s why at Vadelma Tattoo, we focus exclusively on black and gray, floral/natural, and text tattoos. We believe that by being consistent and focused on our chosen specialties, we can create the best possible tattoos in those areas. It takes sacrifice and dedication, but it’s absolutely worth it. And for us, it’s the only way we know to truly excel.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this gave you something to think about.
Simon
Hello Everyone! In today’s blog, I’ll be discussing whether we’re heading into an era of specialization in the tattoo industry—and what my thoughts and predictions are for the future. Curious? Let’s dive in!
Jack of All Trades
When you hear the term “jack of all trades,” you probably picture someone who claims to do it all—fixing a leaky tap, repairing a broken chair, replacing light bulbs. Sure, that’s true to some degree, but how often can one person do all these tasks at a truly professional level? It’s one thing to fix a tap, but a whole different story to design a plumbing system for a pharmacy factory. Both might call themselves plumbers, but who would you hire to take on the more complex project?
Anyone who’s tried to hire a skilled blue-collar worker—be it an electrician, plumber, or carpenter—knows that truly specialized trades are harder and harder to find. We all want someone who knows their craft inside and out, not just on a surface level. Mastering any profession takes years of hard work, dedication, and ongoing education. It’s a tough truth that social media rarely highlights. You’ll see lots of “overnight success” stories, but you won’t see much about the countless hours spent grinding away in the background. Social media loves cute success stories—but they don’t sell the reality of the time it takes to perfect a craft.
For example, how would you sell the fact that mastering a specific shading technique takes an entire year? It’s not the kind of content that gets likes or views. But that’s the reality of mastery—it’s in the details.
How Does This Apply to Tattoos?
The same applies to the tattoo industry. Customers are becoming more educated. They’re realizing that “tattoo” is an umbrella term, and there’s so much more beneath it. I remember a customer once asked my wife, Natalie Vadelma, to do an old-school, bold-line scorpio tattoo. He couldn’t understand that she’s a floral artist who works with fine lines and small needles. It wasn’t her style, but he just assumed that any tattoo artist could do anything.
We tried to explain that her art wasn’t the right fit for the design he wanted, but some people still think that a tattoo artist is a one-size-fits-all kind of person. Sometimes, it’s like asking for a pizza in a steakhouse—totally the wrong place for it.
In my view, the tattoo industry is entering a new era: the era of specialization. It’s a huge step forward. The “jack of all trades” mentality just doesn’t work in tattooing anymore. That’s why at Vadelma Tattoo, we focus exclusively on black and gray, floral/natural, and text tattoos. We believe that by being consistent and focused on our chosen specialties, we can create the best possible tattoos in those areas. It takes sacrifice and dedication, but it’s absolutely worth it. And for us, it’s the only way we know to truly excel.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this gave you something to think about.
Simon
