Educational
What Does Your Next Tattoo Look Like?
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the mirror, shirt off, arm tilted just right. There it is, your next tattoo. Not the rushed “let’s just do something” kind. No. This one feels like it belongs. But what does it look like? More importantly… what does it say about you? Maybe it’s got Main Character…
Read MoreYour Tattoo, But Better
Here’s the thing: What you think you want and what’s actually going to look incredible on your skin… are often not the same. And that’s not a problem. In fact, it’s where the magic happens. In the world of tattooing, there’s a sweet spot where your ideas and your artist’s expertise meet, and it’s pure…
Read MoreCommunication Is a Love Language
Let’s be honest, tattoos are a bit like biltong: everyone has a specific taste, but not everyone knows how to ask for it. Whether it’s your first ink or you’re building a full sleeve, one thing makes all the difference: communication. No, not sending a vague screenshot from Pinterest with the caption “kinda like this?”…
Read MoreTrust Your Tattoo Artist: Why Letting Go Leads to Better Designs
You’ve got a tattoo idea. It’s been brewing since that music festival in Stellenbosch, or maybe from that one heartbreak that hit harder than load-shedding at dinner. You’ve doodled it on receipts, whispered about it to your bestie, and now you’re ready. You march into the tattoo studio, idea in hand, confidence in your step,…
Read MoreWEARABLE ART: THE QUEST TO COLLECT TATTOOS
Some people collect stamps. Others collect comic books, cars or creepy dolls. Some collections take a lifetime to create; some can be bought at the click of a button, and some require effort and patience. Some collections can fetch a small fortune, and some are only of value to the collector. There is, however, one…
Read MoreTrue Blue Suggestion: Summer isn’t the Best Time to get a Tattoo
“Winter comes with an icy breath, and snowflakes dance until their death. A blanket of white that covers the ground and nature’s stillness; void of sound…’ A line from a sulky teenager’s death metal band, a stanza by the poet Robert Frost (get it?), or the topic of our newest blog? Arty allusions aside,…
Read MoreSkin Care & Tattoos: True Blue’s Pre-Care Guide
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I’ll spend the first four sharpening my axe” Now I can guarantee you that old Honest Abe wasn’t talking about preparing yourself for a day in the chair with your friendly neighbourhood tattoo artist, but he sure did hit the nail on the head.…
Read MoreThink Before You Ink
[Edited: October 06, 2023] 7 Essential Pro Advice Tips Before Getting a Tattoo “Think before you act”. “Think before you buy that”. “Think before you drink”. These pearls of wisdom have been with us since childhood. Parents, teachers, friends. Anyone with our best interests at heart has always reminded us to use our brains before…
Read MoreA Guide To Becoming A Badass Tattoo Artist
[Edited: July 07, 2023] Figuring out how to become a tattoo artist is no easy task. Truth be told, when it comes to making your mark (yeah, that’s a pun) in the tattoo industry, the ability to draw or sketch well accounts for about 1% of what it takes to become an artist who is…
Read More5 Things to Consider Before Getting a Finger Tattoo
[Edited: August 16, 2023] Thinking about getting your digits tattooed? Finger tattoos are big – actually, most are pretty small – rather, popular choices among the trendy, the young and anyone looking for something a little different. Some finger tattoo ideas are original and unique; others, not so much. Finger and hand tattoos are the latest crazes…
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