Funny i was at a bookstore yesterday and found myself standing in the magazine section. I was amazed at the selection of Tattoo Magazines, Urban Ink, Skin and Ink, Girls with Ink, Prison Ink and so forth.
My initial reaction wasn't really amazement, as I stated earlier, more like disdain or disgust or annoyance.
I did quickly browse through all of them. I didn't like any of them for one reason or another. But honestly, photo quality fell low on my list of what I found irritating.
Some of the things I disliked---- If i wanted to look at pouty girls and buff boys with mediocre tattoos i'd watch Jersey Shore or taxicab confessions. I don't want to hear about the spiritual journey that lead you to your getting your tattoo on a reality show, having to read about it is even worse.
Really EVERYTHING that Stewart said and more!
I do agree Tattoo Life is better than the rest ( No U S artists though, correct? ) And, I really Like Tattoo Artist Magazine
I am sort of ranting.
Tattoo Life and Tattoo Energy feature many US artists.
Most recently Dan Wysuph, Chris Magnotti, Chad Koeplinger, Adam Barton.
I think some tattooers from the USA write for it too. Chad and Taki have written for it. Pre MySpace, it was the only place I'd get to see tattoos from Scott Sylvia, Jeff Rassier, Tim Lehi, Jef Whitehead, Grime, Chris O'Donnell, Mike Rubendall, Filip Leu etc.
I didn't mention Tattoo Artist Magazine because thats kind of by tattooers, for tattooers. So the direction of the content is slightly different. But some issues have been amazing and there's always something worth reading in there.
I think it's important that we've kept the discussion to print magazines. I've yet to read an online mag that was worth a shit. If I'm clicking links I'd rather do it from the blogs of people I admire and look up to. The links from the blogs of Thomas Hooper, Daniel Albrigo, The Blackheart guys individual blogs and a few others take you to some pretty fantastic places.
Mel, for coming right out of school it's pretty impressive you're doing so much writing straight out of the gate. KEEP IT UP!
Now to the serious bit.. To be honest, I've only really flirted with the life of a freelancer, making what now seems to be a half-hearted attempt at it after I got laid off in 2009. But bills came up pretty quick, so I had to scramble to find work that would pay and pay me with some sort of frequency.. Whether it was odd building jobs, or tattoo shop, or whatever. It usually meant the only time for writing I had was nights and weekends, which worked out ok, but the whole concept of getting paid for your work seemed like a foreign concept to all these people, most of whom were on a salary.
I've had to harass some magazines for the better part of a year on invoices though it seems pretty evenly split between those that cut checks on time vs. late. (I tried the whole "Net 30" thing but apparently that doesn't fly in the magazine publishing world.) For me, I figured out that I don't make up that small percentage that's got that hustler mentality (as in the drive, not the magazine) and can turn freelancing into something new and unique, and turn that into more of a career. In my experience it was impossible to pay the rent by doing freelance tattoo writing alone. So you may need to prepare yourself for working that day job a little longer than you might have hoped.
But it sounds like now for you is the perfect time to make a run at it! Sorry, didn't mean to put out this burst of negativity, but I found it really tough. Sounds like you've already got some good relationships going, so keep em up and keep working! I'll PM you here in a second..
My only advice is just to keep working your ass off and be critical of the people you get involved with. Seems like you have a good head on your shoulders, but there are a bunch of people in it for the wrong reasons. Some are obvious, some not so obvious. You seem to be doing great though and your blog is killing it! Keep it up!
Hey guys I'm back- hopefully I won't leave anyone out in this reply, let me know if I've been rude (I'm a sucker for politeness, haha).
Alanna, I've seen Urban Ink on one of those rubbish iPod apps too- I didn't realise it was a real magazine. This actually disappoints me! And there are more of those? That kind of sucks. Glad you saw the funny side of my embarrassment though- I can really put my foot in it at times!
Hustler sounds pretty bad, as does all of these other Ink magazines- who is it who keeps buying these magazines? I don't understand it sometimes. I think Deb hit the nail on the head- pouty girls and Jersey Shore boys! Picture quality is another thing which can really irritate me- I think it can be understandable once in a while (I know myself from doing a convention with no photographer available and having to take pictures myself- hopefully they turned out okay!), but when it's constant, you sort of wonder where your money's going when you buy it, do you guys think? Honestly, even if those magazines were good, I wouldn't fit in- I'm just a quiet girl from Newcastle who likes writing and tattoos, I don't care about all that suicide girls crap they put in some magazines.
I can also see why Stewart didn't mention Tattoo Artist Magazine- I know it's a great magazine, but I feel like I'd have no right doing anything for them since I don't tattoo. I've only ever written for one trade only magazine before, and it was on Japanese art so I just managed to get away with it!
Patrick, your advice really rocks, thank you for that I'm already starting to see what you mean about how hard it can be, though what you said about this being a good time was right- since I've only just left university, I'm still living at home, so it'll be a lot easier right now. My best friend is also freelancing in film, so we probably have a fair way to go until we move out, too, haha. A part time job is something I've been really thinking about- it should be easier to get one soon, now that all the students are moving home! Thank you for the kind words and advice, I'll take all of it on board. You're a real gem, mate! I'll have a read of your PM now, too.
Oh, and by the way- it's really awesome to be talking to people who are really impartial and don't really know me too well yet about this. Half of the time when I talk to people I know I sort of get smoke blown up my arse and people telling me, "you rock of course you can do X, Y and Z!". My friends always mean well, but it's really kind of refreshing to hear some solid advice from you guys, so thank you very much.
Bound by Ink is okay. The first issue was probably the best. The ones that followed were a little on the bland side. The featured artist interviews have been pretty dope, but the lifestyle section of that magazine has been a MISS with me.
Inked hasn’t really done anything to me. It doesn’t motivate me to draw or anything. Thumbs down.
Skin-N-Ink was making a pretty cool come back, but then the last 2 issues have been poo. Then again, every other month is a hit and miss with this magazine.
Urban Ink is just garbage, they'll put any celebrity who has tattoos as the main article and its not even about tattoos half the time.
Rebel Ink is the same company, so the above statement applies to this magazine.
Lowrider Arte has recently added more tattoo artist to its ONLY article in the magazine. The quality of artwork in the magazine is horrible though. I wouldn't want an article of myself in a magazine that has drawings submitted by a 4 year old. (That's what actually happens).
A magazine I recommend, that has nothing to do with tattoos, but is an excellent tattoo reference is Teen Angel Magazine. But... You have to go online (ebay) and buy the old, I mean... old versions. Back when the locked up Vatos were submitting for Pen pal requests. The prison art back in those days was the SHIT! If you buy the current Teen Angel magazines, it's pretty much like buying a Lowrider Arte magazine.
Tattoo and Tattoo Flash are definitely the most consistent. Some issues are good, some issues are just plain crap. The Flash section is Shit! Not "The Shit" but plain "Shit!"
Savage and the other mags Tattoo puts out are just plain obnoxious.
To my taste Tattoo Life, Tattoo Energy and Total Tattoo are the go-to magazines. Most of the articles are usually well written and have great content. They cover all the worthy conventions and the tattoo pictures are by far the clean and crispiest!
Those Urban Ink mags are a disgrace. They basically are telling black people to get shitty tattoos from sucker tattooers. It's just full of stars, crosses and background shading. What a piece of shit! Magazines are supposed to educate people on what's good, and suppress bad work from seeing the light of day. If they are showing horrible work, then they are only helping scummy tattooers continue to ply their trade.
Hey NavyDavy, thanks for that, it's much appreciated! Really feel like I'm getting a good grasp of what more of the international magazines are about. I'm actually sort of surprised that there aren't many great magazines in America, with it being such a huge place. What a shame, eh? Thanks though, Total Tattoo is now a definite, and I must email Sally this week to see what her thoughts are.
I agree with you about those Urban Ink magazines though, Mr. Frog. Really horrible magazine, that sounds like. The worst thing is the fact that people will read that, and then trust it because it's in print.
I agree that Total Tattoo is hands-down the best UK-based magazine. From what else we get here thumbs up also forTattoo Energy and Tattoo Life. I check Bound By Ink to see if there are any good interviews, but that's about it. Inked I am turned off by.
I seem to recall Skin Deep used to be a lot better ... But now even the way the photographs are arranged and tattooists' names placed annoys me ... The whole thing feels awkwardly laid-out.
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I'm already starting to see what you mean about how hard it can be, though what you said about this being a good time was right- since I've only just left university, I'm still living at home, so it'll be a lot easier right now. My best friend is also freelancing in film, so we probably have a fair way to go until we move out, too, haha. A part time job is something I've been really thinking about- it should be easier to get one soon, now that all the students are moving home! Thank you for the kind words and advice, I'll take all of it on board. You're a real gem, mate! I'll have a read of your PM now, too. 
