What Is a Private Tattoo Studio? | Vadelma Tattoo Amsterdam
What Does “Private Tattoo Studio” Really Mean?
The Vadelma Tattoo Perspective
Hello Everyone!
In today’s blog, I’d like to explain what the term “private studio” means to me — and more specifically, what it means at Vadelma Tattoo.
How does it differ from the traditional tattoo studio concept? Why do I believe we are entering a time where private studios and traditional studios will exist side by side? And why “private” does not mean tattooing at home as a side job?
Curious? Let’s go.
“Private” in Vadelma’s Understanding
When Natalie and I opened Vadelma Tattoo for the first time in 2021 in Finland, we had a clear vision.
We wanted to create a place where we ourselves would love to get tattooed.
By observing the tattoo industry, listening to our clients, and reflecting on our own experiences, we noticed something important:
more and more people no longer want to get tattooed in a large studio where 6–8 artists work in one room — which often means double that number of people present.
Even though I’m a guy, when I got my first tattoos, I chose an artist who worked alone in a small, clean studio room.
The experience felt calm, focused, and personal. I was the only client.
I loved that.
Getting a tattoo is a big moment for me, and I didn’t feel the need to share it with strangers.
I’ve also had experiences in studios where several tattooers worked at the same time. Honestly, it felt more like a noisy classroom than a personal art experience — constant talking, overlapping sounds of machines, and very little intimacy.
That was about seven years ago, but I believe such environments still exist today.
I Was a Client First
Those experiences shaped how Vadelma eventually became what it is today.
For us, “private” means:
-
personal
-
calm
-
focused
-
customer-centric
It means that your tattoo is the most important thing that day.
Not other tattooers.
Not walk-ins.
Not random people coming and going.
Just you, your artist, and your tattoo.
A Studio That Feels Familiar
If you’ve already visited us in Amsterdam, you might have noticed that our studio feels similar to a doctor’s or therapist’s office.
It’s small, quiet, and located in a building with other professional services.
Most of us are completely comfortable visiting psychologists, dentists, physiotherapists, or coaches in such spaces — yet the old idea of a tattoo studio as a loud, busy place is still very strong.
At Vadelma, we simply chose a different approach.
“Private” and “Traditional” — A Parallel World
I strongly believe that private studios and traditional studios will coexist.
And I’m grateful we live in a time where both options are possible.
Some tattooers love working in a big community — and that’s great.
Others are more introverted and prefer working alone — that’s great too.
The biggest shift we see today is this:
people choose artists, not studios.
With so many artists specializing in very specific styles, it’s no longer realistic to walk into a random studio and expect the same work you saw in a particular artist’s portfolio.
40–50 years ago, styles were more limited.
Today, diversity in tattooing is massive — and that’s a beautiful thing.
A Small Warning About the Word “Private”
One important note:
“Private” does not automatically mean professional or legal.
Unfortunately, some people use the word “private” to hide the fact that:
-
they don’t have a registered company
-
they are not approved by health authorities
-
they work illegally
Tattooing is not a side hustle.
It requires commitment, responsibility, and strict hygiene standards.
Yes, in some countries it is possible to work legally from an apartment — but only under specific conditions and regulations.
Basement tattoos existed, exist, and probably always will.
I mention this only to make you more aware.
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog helped you better understand what “private tattoo studio” truly means — and why we chose this path at Vadelma Tattoo.
Soon, I’ll be talking about these topics (and many more) on my podcast, where we’ll dive deeper into tattoo culture, creativity, and mindful living.
If you’d like to visit us or talk about your tattoo idea, you can always reach us here:
https://vadelma.eu/contact
Listen to the Podcast
You can already find my podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/@simonvadelmapodcast
Support Our Art
If you enjoy our philosophy and artwork, feel free to visit our art print store featuring Natalie’s original pieces:
https://vadelmaprints.com/
FAQ – Private Tattoo Studios
What is a private tattoo studio?
A studio where only one artist (or a very small team) works by appointment only, focusing on a calm and personal experience.
Is a private studio less professional?
No. Many private studios meet the highest professional and hygiene standards.
Does private mean tattooing at home?
Not necessarily. A private studio can be a fully licensed professional space.
Can private and traditional studios coexist?
Absolutely — and they already do.
How do I know if a private studio is legal?
Check for company registration, health inspection approval, and clear communication.
What Does “Private Tattoo Studio” Really Mean?
The Vadelma Tattoo Perspective
Hello Everyone!
In today’s blog, I’d like to explain what the term “private studio” means to me — and more specifically, what it means at Vadelma Tattoo.
How does it differ from the traditional tattoo studio concept? Why do I believe we are entering a time where private studios and traditional studios will exist side by side? And why “private” does not mean tattooing at home as a side job?
Curious? Let’s go.
“Private” in Vadelma’s Understanding
When Natalie and I opened Vadelma Tattoo for the first time in 2021 in Finland, we had a clear vision.
We wanted to create a place where we ourselves would love to get tattooed.
By observing the tattoo industry, listening to our clients, and reflecting on our own experiences, we noticed something important:
more and more people no longer want to get tattooed in a large studio where 6–8 artists work in one room — which often means double that number of people present.
Even though I’m a guy, when I got my first tattoos, I chose an artist who worked alone in a small, clean studio room.
The experience felt calm, focused, and personal. I was the only client.
I loved that.
Getting a tattoo is a big moment for me, and I didn’t feel the need to share it with strangers.
I’ve also had experiences in studios where several tattooers worked at the same time. Honestly, it felt more like a noisy classroom than a personal art experience — constant talking, overlapping sounds of machines, and very little intimacy.
That was about seven years ago, but I believe such environments still exist today.
I Was a Client First
Those experiences shaped how Vadelma eventually became what it is today.
For us, “private” means:
-
personal
-
calm
-
focused
-
customer-centric
It means that your tattoo is the most important thing that day.
Not other tattooers.
Not walk-ins.
Not random people coming and going.
Just you, your artist, and your tattoo.
A Studio That Feels Familiar
If you’ve already visited us in Amsterdam, you might have noticed that our studio feels similar to a doctor’s or therapist’s office.
It’s small, quiet, and located in a building with other professional services.
Most of us are completely comfortable visiting psychologists, dentists, physiotherapists, or coaches in such spaces — yet the old idea of a tattoo studio as a loud, busy place is still very strong.
At Vadelma, we simply chose a different approach.
“Private” and “Traditional” — A Parallel World
I strongly believe that private studios and traditional studios will coexist.
And I’m grateful we live in a time where both options are possible.
Some tattooers love working in a big community — and that’s great.
Others are more introverted and prefer working alone — that’s great too.
The biggest shift we see today is this:
people choose artists, not studios.
With so many artists specializing in very specific styles, it’s no longer realistic to walk into a random studio and expect the same work you saw in a particular artist’s portfolio.
40–50 years ago, styles were more limited.
Today, diversity in tattooing is massive — and that’s a beautiful thing.
A Small Warning About the Word “Private”
One important note:
“Private” does not automatically mean professional or legal.
Unfortunately, some people use the word “private” to hide the fact that:
-
they don’t have a registered company
-
they are not approved by health authorities
-
they work illegally
Tattooing is not a side hustle.
It requires commitment, responsibility, and strict hygiene standards.
Yes, in some countries it is possible to work legally from an apartment — but only under specific conditions and regulations.
Basement tattoos existed, exist, and probably always will.
I mention this only to make you more aware.
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog helped you better understand what “private tattoo studio” truly means — and why we chose this path at Vadelma Tattoo.
Soon, I’ll be talking about these topics (and many more) on my podcast, where we’ll dive deeper into tattoo culture, creativity, and mindful living.
If you’d like to visit us or talk about your tattoo idea, you can always reach us here:
https://vadelma.eu/contact
Listen to the Podcast
You can already find my podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/@simonvadelmapodcast
Support Our Art
If you enjoy our philosophy and artwork, feel free to visit our art print store featuring Natalie’s original pieces:
https://vadelmaprints.com/
FAQ – Private Tattoo Studios
What is a private tattoo studio?
A studio where only one artist (or a very small team) works by appointment only, focusing on a calm and personal experience.
Is a private studio less professional?
No. Many private studios meet the highest professional and hygiene standards.
Does private mean tattooing at home?
Not necessarily. A private studio can be a fully licensed professional space.
Can private and traditional studios coexist?
Absolutely — and they already do.
How do I know if a private studio is legal?
Check for company registration, health inspection approval, and clear communication.
