Demand for tattoos in South Australia jumps to record high post-COVID

Demand for tattoos in SA has surged post-COVID with studios across the city booking out and cashed-up clients looking to be inked with family-connected body art.

A surge in tattoo demand across Adelaide has forced artists to close their books to new customers, with requests for body art connected to family on the rise.

Tattoo studios contacted by the Sunday Mail say there’s an average three month wait for new clients, with one artist fully booked up until next January.

They say demand, particularly among first-timers, has continued to spike even after working through long client waiting lists caused by last year’s 10-week industry-wide pandemic lock down.

Tattoo Gallery co-owner and artist for six years Kat Clarke says her next new client will have to wait seven months for an appointment.

Jess Nielsen has flowers tattooed on her arm by tattoo artist Kat Clarke to represent her four children. Picture Mark Brake

“There has been a definite increase in tattoos focused around the connection people have with family and friends in their lives,” says Ms Clarke.

Her client Jessika Nielsen, 28, waited six months for her tattoo, inked last week. Ms Nielsen’s chosen a sleeve bouquet of birth flowers for her four children, partner, grandparents, mother and siblings.

“I wanted something that I can look at forever that is pretty and beautiful and that represents all my important people,” she said.

Tattoo artist Sarah Ielasi says: “It’s been a little bit out of control.”

Her next client has a three-month wait. The 30-year-old is among 10 artists from Ink Haus Creative Studios, in Hackney, and almost all are juggling full books for months.

Ms Ielasi says she’s yet to ink a virus-inspired tattoo, such as characters in face-masks or cartoon COVID-bacteria as seen interstate or overseas (see pictures).

But, she says tattoos in memory of a loved one who has passed away have been popular in the past year.

“I had a client tattoo the handwriting of his grandmother from a birthday card and others have had their loved one’s favourite flower or birth flower tattooed,” says Ms Ielasi.

Tyson Shipway with tattooist Sarah Ielasi at Ink Haus in Hackney. Picture: Matt Loxton.

“For many people, tattoos are a luxury and because of the travel restrictions people have more income to spend on themselves and they have had more time to scroll through images online and really work out what they want,” she says.

A small to medium sized tattoo (about 15cm by 10cm) can cost between $500-$700 depending on style, detail and colour.

Tell us: Have you gotten a tattoo in the 12 months since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Australia? If so, have was your new ink inspired by the pandemic? Tell us below.