The Illusion of Oversaturation
Hello Everyone! In today’s blog, I’d like to share some of my recent thoughts on the tattoo scene in Amsterdam—or at least how I perceive it after more than a year of running Vadelma Tattoo here. Amsterdam is a beautiful and unique place, and it naturally attracts many people: tourists, museum enthusiasts, those looking to explore, or try frites with mayonnaise—and, of course, tattoo artists. Often, I’ve heard from customers that there are millions of tattoo studios in Amsterdam. But is that really true? Let’s explore it together!
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Amsterdam: The Tattoo Capital?
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is an internationally recognized hotspot. With around 1 million people living here, it’s an attractive location for tattoo artists. As the city draws in both tourists and locals, many tattooers use it as a prime destination for guest spots or to advertise their services on social media to pump up their follower count. But here’s the catch: The closer we get to peak tourist season, the more advertisements we see. Many of these ads, however, are run by tattoo artists from other countries like France, Germany, and the UK. They’re encouraging people living in the Netherlands to visit them abroad, rather than getting tattooed locally. This gives the impression that the tattoo market in Amsterdam is incredibly competitive and oversaturated. But let’s dig deeper and try to find out how many actual tattoo studios are in Amsterdam.
.
How Many Tattoo Studios Are Really in Amsterdam?
The statistics can be a bit murky, so don’t take them as gospel, but from what I’ve found, here’s the breakdown: As of January 1, 2024, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registered 3,940 tattoo-related businesses across the Netherlands. However, it’s important to note that this figure includes a range of business structures, including Permanent Makeup (PMU) professionals who are also registered under the same category. PMU professionals may use needles and follow similar hygiene protocols, but that’s about where the similarities end. It’s also worth mentioning that most tattooers have register their own business. This means the number of registered tattoo artists likely far exceeds the number of physical tattoo studios. That’s why it’s difficult to get an exact count. To make a reasonable estimation, we can assume that the actual number of legally registered tattoo artists is probably around 2,500.
.
Tattoo Artists in the Netherlands: A Broader Perspective
Let’s take a moment to put these numbers into context. Here’s how the number of tattoo artists in the Netherlands compares to other professionals:
- There is 1 dentist for around 885 people in the Netherlands.
- There is 1 general doctor for approximately 385 people.
- There is 1 tattoo artist for about 8,000 people.
Are There Too Many Tattoo Studios in Amsterdam?
While we can’t get a precise count of how many tattoo studios are in Amsterdam, estimates suggest that there are over 100 tattoo shops in the city. Is that a lot? Let’s think about it. In today’s world, we’re all dealing with something called “anxiety of choices,” a psychological concept that describes how having too many options can make it harder to make a decision, and ultimately less satisfying once the decision is made. The internet and social media have amplified this effect, especially when it comes to tattoo studios. Twenty-five years ago, you’d walk around a city and find only a handful of tattoo shops. Now, you have an impression to have an access to artists from around the world. It is often leading to overwhelming, and not super accurate perspective. But ”from abroad” is always better? Is it always superior to local? But does this apply to professional services like tattooing? Think about it for a moment. There are many talented, professional tattoo artists in the Netherlands who are working hard to create the best possible art for their customers. Yet, with social media algorithms and guest spots influencing what people see, the art often gets lost in the crowd. This creates the illusion of a saturated market, where the local talent gets overshadowed by ads and international artists.
.
Why It’s Worth Looking Local
One of the main benefits of supporting a local tattoo artist is the personal connection. Local artists live and breathe the culture of the city, and they care about their community and their clients. It’s more than just a transaction—it’s a relationship. The tattoo scene in Amsterdam is filled with artists who are passionate about their craft and committed to making beautiful art. When you choose to go local, you support your community, and that’s a benefit that’s often overlooked. Plus, you’re more likely to receive a personalized tattoo experience that you’ll remember for years to come. And, in anycase You can come back, easily 🙂
.
In Conclusion
So, are there really “millions” of tattoo studios in Amsterdam? Probably not. While the market might seem crowded at first glance, a closer look reveals that there’s a lot more to the tattoo scene than meets the eye. The number of actual tattoo artists is likely much smaller than what’s represented in ads and online profiles.
My advice to anyone looking for a tattoo: Don’t just go with what’s trending on social media. Explore your local scene. Look for artists whose style speaks to you and who are committed to delivering quality work. You might just find the perfect artist right around the corner.
.
Much Love,
Simon
Hello Everyone! In today’s blog, I’d like to share some of my recent thoughts on the tattoo scene in Amsterdam—or at least how I perceive it after more than a year of running Vadelma Tattoo here. Amsterdam is a beautiful and unique place, and it naturally attracts many people: tourists, museum enthusiasts, those looking to explore, or try frites with mayonnaise—and, of course, tattoo artists. Often, I’ve heard from customers that there are millions of tattoo studios in Amsterdam. But is that really true? Let’s explore it together!
.
Amsterdam: The Tattoo Capital?
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is an internationally recognized hotspot. With around 1 million people living here, it’s an attractive location for tattoo artists. As the city draws in both tourists and locals, many tattooers use it as a prime destination for guest spots or to advertise their services on social media to pump up their follower count. But here’s the catch: The closer we get to peak tourist season, the more advertisements we see. Many of these ads, however, are run by tattoo artists from other countries like France, Germany, and the UK. They’re encouraging people living in the Netherlands to visit them abroad, rather than getting tattooed locally. This gives the impression that the tattoo market in Amsterdam is incredibly competitive and oversaturated. But let’s dig deeper and try to find out how many actual tattoo studios are in Amsterdam.
.
How Many Tattoo Studios Are Really in Amsterdam?
The statistics can be a bit murky, so don’t take them as gospel, but from what I’ve found, here’s the breakdown: As of January 1, 2024, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registered 3,940 tattoo-related businesses across the Netherlands. However, it’s important to note that this figure includes a range of business structures, including Permanent Makeup (PMU) professionals who are also registered under the same category. PMU professionals may use needles and follow similar hygiene protocols, but that’s about where the similarities end. It’s also worth mentioning that most tattooers have register their own business. This means the number of registered tattoo artists likely far exceeds the number of physical tattoo studios. That’s why it’s difficult to get an exact count. To make a reasonable estimation, we can assume that the actual number of legally registered tattoo artists is probably around 2,500.
.
Tattoo Artists in the Netherlands: A Broader Perspective
Let’s take a moment to put these numbers into context. Here’s how the number of tattoo artists in the Netherlands compares to other professionals:
- There is 1 dentist for around 885 people in the Netherlands.
- There is 1 general doctor for approximately 385 people.
- There is 1 tattoo artist for about 8,000 people.
Are There Too Many Tattoo Studios in Amsterdam?
While we can’t get a precise count of how many tattoo studios are in Amsterdam, estimates suggest that there are over 100 tattoo shops in the city. Is that a lot? Let’s think about it. In today’s world, we’re all dealing with something called “anxiety of choices,” a psychological concept that describes how having too many options can make it harder to make a decision, and ultimately less satisfying once the decision is made. The internet and social media have amplified this effect, especially when it comes to tattoo studios. Twenty-five years ago, you’d walk around a city and find only a handful of tattoo shops. Now, you have an impression to have an access to artists from around the world. It is often leading to overwhelming, and not super accurate perspective. But ”from abroad” is always better? Is it always superior to local? But does this apply to professional services like tattooing? Think about it for a moment. There are many talented, professional tattoo artists in the Netherlands who are working hard to create the best possible art for their customers. Yet, with social media algorithms and guest spots influencing what people see, the art often gets lost in the crowd. This creates the illusion of a saturated market, where the local talent gets overshadowed by ads and international artists.
.
Why It’s Worth Looking Local
One of the main benefits of supporting a local tattoo artist is the personal connection. Local artists live and breathe the culture of the city, and they care about their community and their clients. It’s more than just a transaction—it’s a relationship. The tattoo scene in Amsterdam is filled with artists who are passionate about their craft and committed to making beautiful art. When you choose to go local, you support your community, and that’s a benefit that’s often overlooked. Plus, you’re more likely to receive a personalized tattoo experience that you’ll remember for years to come. And, in anycase You can come back, easily 🙂
.
In Conclusion
So, are there really “millions” of tattoo studios in Amsterdam? Probably not. While the market might seem crowded at first glance, a closer look reveals that there’s a lot more to the tattoo scene than meets the eye. The number of actual tattoo artists is likely much smaller than what’s represented in ads and online profiles.
My advice to anyone looking for a tattoo: Don’t just go with what’s trending on social media. Explore your local scene. Look for artists whose style speaks to you and who are committed to delivering quality work. You might just find the perfect artist right around the corner.
.
Much Love,
Simon
