Back at the start of 2023 I finished my MVP creation process and needed to test it, but the testing phase was going to be a longer run - which I anticipated from the start. Having finished my first semester in my upcoming degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, I had to focus on a new angle within the industry I wanted to work with. Looking back at the data I’ve gathered from my first project, I got a pretty good hunch of what I need to look into next.
Based on my findings and insights, many of my respondents expressed a little discontent towards the current ink registration systems available:
- ‘It’s too expensive.’
- ‘There’s too many features they don’t really need.’
A bonus quote I’ve heard multiple times during my research phase was e.g. “why make a law based on thin air?” This sentiment reflects a deep concern among tattoo artists: New regulations could threaten their livelihood.
No ink = no tattoos = no jobs.
I plan to explore this issue further in another project, but it’s already shaping my current work.
Anyway - with my insights collected, I knew I had to do the following:
- Looking deeper into REACH
- Create an ink registration system
- Test and iterate
What is REACH?
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. It is a comprehensive EU regulation designed to protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by chemicals - including those found in tattoo inks - while encouraging the use of safer alternatives. The purpose of this are the following:
- Health protection: They aim to minimize health risks such as allergic reactions, skin irritations, chronic effects and exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic substances that can be present in tattoo inks and other products.
- Environmental safety: The regulation also seeks to prevent environmental contamination from hazardous chemicals.
- Transparency and accountability: It requires manufacturers and importers to prove the safety of their products, shifting the burden of proof onto them rather than regulators.
In short - it means tattoo artists have to take into account what they put into their clients bodies when tattooing.
The idea is simple - right? Not quite.
With the tattoo industry having minimal restriction for generations, this can seem like a big pill to swallow. Both for the tattoo artists, who is now forced to possibly look into other alternatives, which doesn’t work as well as the previous inks, and the manufacturers, who are forced to reformulate products and even reducing the available color palette in order to keep up with the regulation and much more.
It created an earthquake of negative reactions in EU and artists have different opinions about it. In my own perspective - I understood why it was necessary, and I didn’t really question it too much, when it was announced and put into action, because I already started doing this, when I started tattooing a few years back. I knew something like this could happen in the future. Starting out with pen and paper - I checked all my inks, labeled my inks with opening dates and registered the batch and lot number. Despite the earthquake, the regulation also pushes us to become uncomfortable, but maybe it would improve client trust and industry professionalism in the long run.
Despite this being applicable in the EU - who knows when other parts of the world will follow with the same type of restrictions in order to protect consumers?
Why it matters and how can tattoo artists ensure compliance?
REACH matters for tattoo artists and their businesses and it all boils down to client relationships and reputation.
- Client safety: Using compliant inks should ensure you’re not exposing clients to harmful substances known to cause serious health issues, including cancer, reproductive harm or severe allergies.
- Business reputation: Demonstrating compliance reassures clients and sets the tattoo artist apart as a responsible, professional artist or studio.
- Emphasizes underlying value over money: Despite price reflecting the value of the service, being collaborative regarding compliance shows the tattoo artists interest in their clients health both short-term (e.g. aftercare) - and long term.
The regulation seems like a big mouthful, but tattoo artists can rest easier by implementing the following:
- Check labels and documentation : Always verify that inks are labeled as REACH-compliant and request supporting documentation such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and certificates of conformity from their suppliers.
- Stay informed: Regulations will evolve over time, so they’ll need to follow updates from industry associations, regulatory bodies and trusted suppliers.
- Educate their team or themselves: Make sure all tattoo artists and staff understand the importance of using only REACH-compliant products and know how to verify compliance.
- Engage with suppliers: Choose suppliers who are transparent about their compliance and willing to provide all necessary documentation and support.
Easier said than done - unfortunately. Knowing myself - I needed a system that could help me keep track of this and more to ensure I could literally rest easier without waking up at night due to anxiety inducing thoughts.
The reason to build, iterate - and create a flexible system
Back to 2023 and on the drawing board - creating a system is not easy per se.
It’s easy to create a flow that helps me keeping track of the ink registration, but I also wished it to be flexible and cover several parts of my business such as pricing, resources, design portfolio, booking calendar and much. Not only for myself, but also for my clients.
If they don’t gain value at the end of the day, I wouldn’t consider it to be an option.
How does that work? Well - let me show you.
graph LR Implement_new_system --> saves_me_time --> More_time_for_clients_and_their_needs
Understanding what brings me value as a professional helps me design solutions that not only improve my own workflow, but also create better experience for my clients. To get there, I ask myself a few key questions:
- Which pain points do I experience in my current situation?
- High costs, lack of customization, and visually unappealing interfaces made existing systems frustrating to use.
- What do I need?
- A flexible ink registration system that’s easily accessible and works seamlessly, whether I’m at the studio, a convention or a guest spot. Most available options met some of these needs, but none offered the level of flexibility I was looking for.
- What do I want to achieve that wasn’t possible with the current available options?
- I want a system that acts as a true “second brain” for my professional life - adapting to my workflow, not the other way around.
By asking these questions, I was able to define exactly what my ideal system would look like first-hand. If you’re struggling with similar challenges, you might find value in asking yourself the same questions before choosing a solution.
When I began building my system, I focused on the features that would make a difference in my daily work - and later other tattoo artists like me. Here are the core features I prioritized:
- Booking calendar, ink registration, client list with design portfolio and lastly an inventory list.
- Here I could easily add and track every ink bottle, including batch numbers, expiry dates, safety data sheets and supplier details.
- Mobile-friendly access:
- Designed on a platform, Notion, that makes it easy to use on-the-go, and I can check or update my inventory from my phone or tablet, when I’m out of the studio working on other projects or jobs.
- Visual dashboard:
- A clean, intuitive interface that shows my calendar, my projects list (which I’ve chosen to call a ‘Quest Log’) and my task overview and timeline.
- Compliance documentation:
- Get instant reports for REACH compliance, including batch tracking and usage history, ready for inspections or client transparency.
- Integration options:
- Connecting with my Google Calendar, I can book clients and send the needed documents directly to them such as consent forms, aftercare instructions and the mandatory danish pamphlet from the Danish government, create a digital portfolio for my projects, or even connect a feedback formular database and connect them to my clients, truly makes the system become the ‘second brain’ for my business.
With those features in mind, I knew I needed a system that would be robust and adaptable. That’s why I set the following requirements from the start:
- User-friendly interface: The system must be intuitive and require minimal training, no matter how complex it becomes.
- Cloud-based and secure: All data should be securely stored in the cloud, accessible from any device and protected with strong privacy measures to ensure GDPR compliance, since I am located within the EU.
- Scalability: Able to handle growth, whether you’re a solo artist or managing a team across several locations.
- Customizable: Users should be able to tailor fields, categories and notifications to match their unique workflow and preferences.
- Data export and import: Easy ways to import existing inventory and export data for backup or reporting.
Why does these features matter?
By focusing on these features and requirements, I aimed to build a system that isn’t just another piece of software, but a tool that genuinely supports tattoo artists’ creativity, compliance and business growth. Whether you’re just starting out or running a busy studio, these features are designed to save time, reduce stress, and let you focus on what matters most: your art and your clients.
This specific system has taken me 3 years to build and now I’m using it on a daily basis, whether I’m working with my tattooing concept or my business development concept. This system allows me to keep doing what I love without the hassle of too much paperwork and lets me spend more time creating value for my clients.
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