Slow Tattooing – Podcast Script
SLOW TATTOOING
Have you ever thought of a tattoo session as an opportunity to step out of the daily routine and busyness of modern life? Maybe not. But it is actually a surprisingly nice way to slow down. Traditionally, getting a tattoo was always a big deal. Whether it is a tiny design or a full sleeve doesn’t matter. The purpose behind it might be deeply personal and understood only by you or purely aesthetic. In life we need both ——- beauty and meaning. One of the core values behind Vadelma Tattoo from day one was to create a space for people who know why they are getting a tattoo. Welcome. My name is Simon Vadelma. Today, we are talking about a concept I call Slow Tattooing. It has nothing to do with the speed of the tattoo artist, but rather an approach toward getting a tattoo.
Let’s dive in.
PILLAR 1:
Intentionally, we chose to open Vadelma Tattoo on the second floor of a beautiful building on Bilderdijkstraat 77 in Amsterdam —in a curated space called ‘’Gallery’’ where also other small businesses have their quarters. One of the many benefits of that solution for you is peace.
No one is walking in from the street asking for free spots – while you are getting a tattoo. One hundred percent of our focus stays on you and your tattoo. While we – well me and Natalie – lived in Finland we used to run a studio, clearly available from the street level – and after that experience we really wanted to open the one in Amsterdam in a place that remains a co-working space or polyclinic – where you go in, by appointment only.
Our schedule is also structured in a way that you are the only client in the studio during your session. It is dedicated, high-quality time for yourself. We hear from our clients all the time how much they appreciate not having to sit in an open room surrounded by eight or ten other people.
Please don’t get me wrong—open-concept studios are a huge part of tattoo culture and I got myself a few tattoos in places like that. This isn’t about picking a winner.
But after 5 years of running Vadelma Tattoo we just know our customers very well – and we are here for anyone who prefers a calm, personal environment in a private studio. So yes—it is almost impossible to get a spontaneous walk-in tattoo with us – but you are always welcome to contact us even the day before – sometimes another session might get rescheduled and we would be able to make a tattoo for you even on a short notice. On the other hand planning your tattoo appointment weeks or even months in advance can actually be a really good thing. It gives you something to look forward to.
Nowadays, almost everything is available right here, right now. We can order something today and have it delivered tomorrow. We can watch any movie whenever and wherever we want – no need to wait for Friday night to watch something on TV – like it used to be in the pre-Netflix era. We don’t really have to wait for much anymore. But I think there is also a good side of waiting. For example – Do you remember waiting for Christmas gifts when you were a child? You knew something big was coming, but you had to wait for it. Looking back, wasn’t the anticipation – and the scarcity of having Christmas only once in a year almost as special as the gift itself?
And btw many people – including me – do new tattoos approximately once a year, once they start getting them of course. I guess there might be a pattern there 🙂
PILLAR 2:
Another advantage of scheduling single-client sessions is the abundance of attention we are able to give to every person. As you might know, at Vadelma, you see your design on the day of the appointment—and then we review it together. This is a moment for an open exchange of thoughts. Feel free to tell us everything you feel about the design. Ultimately, you are the one wearing it for life. After that, we’ll print the stencil and move to what I call the rehearsal phase. Only after you are 100% sure about the design, size, and placement we start tattooing. This is an essential part of the Slow Tattooing concept. As a principle, during the actual tattooing, we keep conversations to a minimum. I don’t believe in multitasking so much, and I especially don’t believe in multitasking while tattooing. Plus newest studies and common sense – also confirms that we should focus on one thing at the time. Occasionally, I will check in to ask if you are doing fine of course, but beyond that, we let the session go quietly. That’s why bringing headphones is so recommended—so you can listen to your favorite music, a podcast, or an audiobook, while getting a tattoo.
And what about breaks?
It really depends – sometimes a three-hour session goes by smoothly in one sitting; other times, a quick break every hour is necessary. As a principle – If you need a break—just say so – there is always time for that. In my experience, even three minutes to stand up, stretch, and eat a chocolate bar is enough to reset your energy and continue comfortably.
PILLAR 3:
After the tattoo is finished, we do a short summary of the most important steps for your healing process. However, after getting a tattoo, people are usually a bit tired. So in the studio, we only cover the core steps. All the detailed instructions are available on our website and on this YouTube channel, where you can watch videos dedicated entirely to proper aftercare whenever you want. And if You would have any additional questions that are not explained there, You can just send us a message
OUTRO:
We live in a world where so many people are overstimulated and constantly in a hurry. I think slow tattooing can be a way of creating a little space within all of that. You may have noticed this happening in other areas too — from holistic treatments, yoga, breathwork classes to offline clubs that help people slow down and recharge. Maybe that’s because we’re starting to realise how valuable it is to have quality time where we’re not rushing to the next thing, but we stay present in the moment. Here and now. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next one. Have a good day, and have fun.
Visit our Art Print store : VADELMA PRINTS
SLOW TATTOOING
Have you ever thought of a tattoo session as an opportunity to step out of the daily routine and busyness of modern life? Maybe not. But it is actually a surprisingly nice way to slow down. Traditionally, getting a tattoo was always a big deal. Whether it is a tiny design or a full sleeve doesn’t matter. The purpose behind it might be deeply personal and understood only by you or purely aesthetic. In life we need both ——- beauty and meaning. One of the core values behind Vadelma Tattoo from day one was to create a space for people who know why they are getting a tattoo. Welcome. My name is Simon Vadelma. Today, we are talking about a concept I call Slow Tattooing. It has nothing to do with the speed of the tattoo artist, but rather an approach toward getting a tattoo.
Let’s dive in.
PILLAR 1:
Intentionally, we chose to open Vadelma Tattoo on the second floor of a beautiful building on Bilderdijkstraat 77 in Amsterdam —in a curated space called ‘’Gallery’’ where also other small businesses have their quarters. One of the many benefits of that solution for you is peace.
No one is walking in from the street asking for free spots – while you are getting a tattoo. One hundred percent of our focus stays on you and your tattoo. While we – well me and Natalie – lived in Finland we used to run a studio, clearly available from the street level – and after that experience we really wanted to open the one in Amsterdam in a place that remains a co-working space or polyclinic – where you go in, by appointment only.
Our schedule is also structured in a way that you are the only client in the studio during your session. It is dedicated, high-quality time for yourself. We hear from our clients all the time how much they appreciate not having to sit in an open room surrounded by eight or ten other people.
Please don’t get me wrong—open-concept studios are a huge part of tattoo culture and I got myself a few tattoos in places like that. This isn’t about picking a winner.
But after 5 years of running Vadelma Tattoo we just know our customers very well – and we are here for anyone who prefers a calm, personal environment in a private studio. So yes—it is almost impossible to get a spontaneous walk-in tattoo with us – but you are always welcome to contact us even the day before – sometimes another session might get rescheduled and we would be able to make a tattoo for you even on a short notice. On the other hand planning your tattoo appointment weeks or even months in advance can actually be a really good thing. It gives you something to look forward to.
Nowadays, almost everything is available right here, right now. We can order something today and have it delivered tomorrow. We can watch any movie whenever and wherever we want – no need to wait for Friday night to watch something on TV – like it used to be in the pre-Netflix era. We don’t really have to wait for much anymore. But I think there is also a good side of waiting. For example – Do you remember waiting for Christmas gifts when you were a child? You knew something big was coming, but you had to wait for it. Looking back, wasn’t the anticipation – and the scarcity of having Christmas only once in a year almost as special as the gift itself?
And btw many people – including me – do new tattoos approximately once a year, once they start getting them of course. I guess there might be a pattern there 🙂
PILLAR 2:
Another advantage of scheduling single-client sessions is the abundance of attention we are able to give to every person. As you might know, at Vadelma, you see your design on the day of the appointment—and then we review it together. This is a moment for an open exchange of thoughts. Feel free to tell us everything you feel about the design. Ultimately, you are the one wearing it for life. After that, we’ll print the stencil and move to what I call the rehearsal phase. Only after you are 100% sure about the design, size, and placement we start tattooing. This is an essential part of the Slow Tattooing concept. As a principle, during the actual tattooing, we keep conversations to a minimum. I don’t believe in multitasking so much, and I especially don’t believe in multitasking while tattooing. Plus newest studies and common sense – also confirms that we should focus on one thing at the time. Occasionally, I will check in to ask if you are doing fine of course, but beyond that, we let the session go quietly. That’s why bringing headphones is so recommended—so you can listen to your favorite music, a podcast, or an audiobook, while getting a tattoo.
And what about breaks?
It really depends – sometimes a three-hour session goes by smoothly in one sitting; other times, a quick break every hour is necessary. As a principle – If you need a break—just say so – there is always time for that. In my experience, even three minutes to stand up, stretch, and eat a chocolate bar is enough to reset your energy and continue comfortably.
PILLAR 3:
After the tattoo is finished, we do a short summary of the most important steps for your healing process. However, after getting a tattoo, people are usually a bit tired. So in the studio, we only cover the core steps. All the detailed instructions are available on our website and on this YouTube channel, where you can watch videos dedicated entirely to proper aftercare whenever you want. And if You would have any additional questions that are not explained there, You can just send us a message
OUTRO:
We live in a world where so many people are overstimulated and constantly in a hurry. I think slow tattooing can be a way of creating a little space within all of that. You may have noticed this happening in other areas too — from holistic treatments, yoga, breathwork classes to offline clubs that help people slow down and recharge. Maybe that’s because we’re starting to realise how valuable it is to have quality time where we’re not rushing to the next thing, but we stay present in the moment. Here and now. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next one. Have a good day, and have fun.
Visit our Art Print store : VADELMA PRINTS
