Friday, February 10, 2012

STORYLINE Alternative Sacramento

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Whenever I spend time in downtown Sacramento, I can't help but notice the vast amount of tattoos and tattooed people. They're everywhere: the barista making your coffee, the waitress serving your food or that guy riding his bike across the street. Tattoos have become an inherent part of the Sacramento culture.

No wonder — there are over twenty licensed tattoo parlors scattered throughout the midtown and downtown areas. Each one is unique and based entirely on the individuality of its tattoo artists.

Parlor registry is regulated by the State of California. According to AB 186, to get a parlor license both the artists and the parlor must register with their county health department, pay the registration and inspection fees, and agree to regular health inspections on top of getting their business license.

To keep blood-borne pathogens from infecting the client, sterilization is mandatory. These days if the parlor is reputable, it sterilizes. All licensed parlors in California are subject to the California Health and Safety Code, meaning tattoo artists have to register with their county health departments and follow the code's strict policies on sterilization in order to practice in an establishment.

Although they are becoming increasingly more popular, there still remains a stigma against tattoos. Plus, most of them are open late at night. I'm curious to know what the relationship is like between the parlor and its neighbors. Do you or someone you know live near a tattoo parlor? What is your perspective? What do you think about the tattoo culture in general?

I'm also curious to know if the economy has any negative effects on the tattoo business. Do people still get tattoos even when the economy is bad? What would you choose, art or money?

To read reviews about Sacramento parlors, visit midtowngrid.com.

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Conversation Express your views, debate, and be heard with those in your area closest to the issue.

William Burg

December 16, 2008 | 9:35 AM

I don't have any tattoos or piercings, but I think tattoo parlors are great. One opened up in my neighborhood a couple of years ago. Before they opened, the corner was dark at night, and typically it was the hangout for spare-changers due to its proximity to a local liquor store. When the tattoo parlor moved in, they installed bright lights, cleaned up corner graffiti, and almost always had someone out in front, discouraging panhandlers. They are open until midnight, which means that the corner has eyes on the street and legitimate business activity even when most of the neighborhood is closed.

Sure, tattoo parlors used to have a lot more social stigma. But there was a time when women wearing slacks or men with long hair was considered shocking. For most people under 40, tattoos and piercings are far more socially acceptable, simply because so many people have them. The parlors themselves are social centers. Some people go in for work and leave, but people often stay and congregate, because they can meet friends of similar interests in a comfortable, social setting. This kind of comfortable public gathering place fills a real social need, in addition to providing a service people want.

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Mona Romero

December 16, 2008 | 11:19 AM

Do you know which tattoo parlors are reputable? Not only by sterilization standards, but talent as well?

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Sarah Payne

December 16, 2008 | 3:57 PM

I've heard good things about Forever Tattoo on 16th Street from someone who got a 1/2 sleeve done there. She said the artists did great work and were really friendly. Another girl I talked to got hers done at American Graffiti. She said the people weren't as nice, but they did great art.

I myself actually had one done a couple of years ago at Bonehead on K Street, and I was quite pleased with both my tattoo and my tattoo artist's friendly demeanor.

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Mark Forsyth

January 8, 2009 | 10:27 AM

it all depends on what kind of tattoo you're looking for, whether its a small flash type or a large back mural. Each place does different styles well. Your best bet is to gather some recommendations, go to the shop with your design and ask them how they feel about doing the work. That is what I did and I am very please with the work I had done (at Modern Body)

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advocate

December 16, 2008 | 4:45 PM

What do I think? I think people should do whatever they want with their own bodies even if tattoos mar beautiful bodies and do nothing to improve less than perfect bodies.

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Greg Brown

December 17, 2008 | 8:26 AM

I have no tattoos or piercings....guess who's the rebel now?

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William Burg

December 17, 2008 | 3:38 PM

see, that's just it. Tattoos and piercings have entered the mainstream, and these days even the most button-down business type younger than 40 (and some older) are likely some ink or metal under their suit. Thus, I don't think folks have to worry much about tattoo parlors in their neighborhoods, as their customers these days probably include as many stockbrokers as sailors, as many businesspeople as bikers.

Mona: Not having any tattoos makes it difficult to recommend an artist, but I know one, Alycia at Modern Body on I and 20th, who has won multiple awards for her work and usually has a backlog of several months. She would be a safe bet if you're looking for a reputable artist.

I am told that you want to ask how they sterilize their tools. Some places use topical disinfectants to clean their tools but reputable places use an autoclave.

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Colleen Belcher

December 18, 2008 | 11:27 PM

There is also a yearly Tattoo Festival in June at the Sacramento Convention Center - even if you don't have tattoos it's worth going to check out the artwork. It will make you think of tattoos differently. They have artists from Japan, Spain, Italy, England - all over the world.
I wonder about the different techniques of tattooing - what sets people apart, how can you tell if it's a quality tattoo. What tattoo artists compare it to in terms of doing art?
Do you plan on interviewing any tattoo artists, Sarah?

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Sarah Payne

edited on December 20, 2008 | 9:33 AM

I do! I was originally going to ask them questions about how business goes in this kind of economy, but I think might add the ones you posed. The questions you just asked are really interesting - I want to know the answers, too!

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