Skin Ink Magazine

The Tattoo Culture

Tattoo artists and fans often refer to their designs as "ink" or "tats." Enthusiasts generally enjoy showing off their tats and seeing pictures of work done on others. Many people say that tattooing is a bit addictive: after they get one, they want to have more. Skin Ink magazine photos allow people to compare different artists, gather ideas for new tattoos, and simply admire others' art.

Like any community, tattooing has stories, celebrities, news and gossip. Conventions, web sites, and magazines help keep community members in the know and up on the latest technology and styles.

Skin & Ink Magazine

Skin & Ink Magazine caters to people who consider tattooing to be a form of fine art. The emphasis is on the intellectual, artistic aspects of tattoos and the tattoo culture. Photos are high-quality and the articles are thorough.

The magazine offers:

• News about celebrities in the tattoo world
• Tidbits about interesting happenings or events
• Photos of beautiful, striking, or interesting tattoos
• Features about conventions, artists, tattooing in other cultures, and more

Past articles include a review of tattoo shops in Mexico City, a visit to Omaha, Nebraska, to learn about tattooing in the heartland, and an account of tribal tattooing in Borneo. Ongoing columns offer a question and answer series, "Tattoo Art 101," and a monthly look into the history of tattoos.

Skin & Ink is published nine times a year. Issues are available at some bookstores and newsstands. Subscriptions are available on a one and two year basis and are significantly less than the newsstand price.

Some past articles are available on the magazine's web site, www.skinandink.com.

Readers' Photos

Web surfers who want a look at some high-quality tattoos without buying a skin ink magazine can view a gallery of photos submitted by Skin & Ink's fans. These are close-ups of designs featuring striking colors, sophisticated art, and interesting patterns. Some pictures are moving or thought-provoking. Some are just plain fun.

All photos include the name of the artist and the shop where the tattoo was done.

Other Types of Skin Ink Magazine

Skin & Ink attempts to explore tattooing's place in the wider culture as well as report on happenings within the tattoo world. A few other magazines also emphasize articles at least as much as pictures. Tattoo Magazine, available by subscription or on newsstands, reports on artists, conferences, and other happenings, but some readers find that the tone is less cultured.

Other skin ink magazines are much heavier on pictures and lighter on reporting and essays. Skin Art magazine offers abundant large photos with information about the artists. Its focus is on the pictures more than the culture. Tattoo Flash magazine combines photos and flash art, designs that can be copied as tattoos.

Some magazines are directed at a more specific audience. According to the publisher, Tattoo Savage is a "nasty and notorious magazine" for people who like "parasitic flash art and piercing displays." And then there's Outlaw Biker Tattoo Revue, which really doesn't need an explanation.

Online Tattoo 'Zines

In addition to Skin & Ink magazine's gallery, the internet is full of amateur and professional sites dedicated to skin and ink. One of the largest is BMEzine.com, an online community including multiple photo galleries, personal stories, advice, and more. Tattoos.com has a photo gallery and a search function to help readers find local tattoo shops. It appears to be up-to-date, with information about an upcoming convention at the time this article was written. A web search will turn up many more sites.