The definition of a Scratcher

I have a question, If someone that owns a tattoo shop or works at a tattoo shop does a tattoo that is not done at the shop, Is that consider scratching, even though he is a well known or really good tattooist. Just a thought. Thanks

Well, I guess that would depend on where outside the shop the tattoo is being done, and what caliber of artist are we talking about here? A few questions come to mind- 1) what real reason would an owner of a shop have to do a tattoo outside of the shop that (s)he built up- 2) What is the skill level of the owner/artist? I've said it many times, just because someone works in a shop or owns a shop. that doesn't mean that they are not scratchers themselves. If you have an owner that is just in it to make money and doesn't tattoo, and knows nothing about tattoos, and doesn't even have an interest in tattoos except to profit financially from it, (s)he is more likely to be misled about an "artists" qualifications, especially if going by the word of the "artist", therefore the potential for a shop full of scratchers is higher than a shop owned by someone very knowledgeable about tattoos, or is an accomplished tattoo artist themselves, who knows what to look for in a quality artist.

I forgot number 3- sorry 3) If the artist is competent, well known and accomplished in their trade, in what conditions are they performing the tattoo under? Safe? Sanitary? Licensed facility? Once again, it goes back to why would they not do it in the shop that they work at. To tattoo a minor? To rip the owner off and undercut the shops rates? To do a house party in exchange for drugs? These take away the credibility of an artist in my opinion, but every situation is different and I can't comment specifically since you didn't give specific circumstances.

it has always been explained to me that a so called scratcher is one that really has no clue to what they are doing and really dont give a rats ass to it until it comes down to the almighty fast buck wiht no regards to cross contamination sterility and such and 80 to 90% of the focus is on how much they can get from you krystoff lays out some very fine points on what could and i personally would consider a scratcher there are different opions and such for this title i personally know some artist that are real good but due to circumstances of life they are between shops so they are doing what they can to pay for food and bills but still maintaing there safe bariers and such

ok, here is an instance: My buddy went to a shop and spent several thousand dollars with a very good artist to get full sleeves, chest and back pieces. He became very good friends with this artist. This artist happened to work for a tattoo shop that started becoming very shady( piercing minors and taking pics of 13 yr old girls naked, oh by the way he did goto the big house for that one) Well this certain artist was in the process of saving up enough money to open up his own shop and started tattooing my buddy at his house, and yes it was sterile. So, in a way he undercut the shop owner/child molester, but i think the shop owner deserved more than what he got. He needed his front teeth bashed in with a bat and his cock-n-balls removed.....Well, from the outside looking in, he tattooed outside a shop and on the side to give my buddy a better price and keep a bigger % for himself. Oh, btw my buddy has spent over $8000 with him and that certain shop and his was illustrated in Tattoo Mag. Thanks for any comments

If that is the case, I really don't see an issue with that if he had a dedicated room at home for what he was doing and it was treated as if it were a professional space (sterile, barriers, no pets/kids running in and out, etc)

this is a interesting scenario here and with the circumstances being unfolded as long as the artist is maintaing strelity and barriers i personally would not have a issue or problem with it hope all works out fot him as far as the underage shit goes ill keep my opions to my self as i can really get nasty with it but does the words FUCKING RETARD help

I have been called a scratcher myself. All the time... lol. This is why: I've wrote many comments on this topic before... I have tattooed in a shop for only 3 years. I know, I know.... I'm still just a little guy and I havent been doing it long enough... but I know a whole HELL of alot about tattooing. My problem was that the tattoo shop I was working in sucked money-wise. It was poorly placed in a poor area with the hopes to give from what I understand... the urban style people a good deal. Best prices anywhere!!! They boomed with business. I did GREAT for a while. Best experience of my life. I worked, day in day out, cleaning, scrubbing, tuning, dissassembling, bagging, sterilizing, and making needles. They had so much business it almost made me cry sometimes how busy it got and how overwhelming it seemed. However... Different times, different shit, you know... things went downhill iin that very poor neighborhood. I couldn't make my car payments and I struggled between tattooing and a part time JUST to make ends meet. And sometimes, my part time JUST payed for some of my equipment, too. but I loved it SO much, EVEN WHEN IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT I HAD TO SKIP MEALS... So, yes. I tattoo from my house to make money for MYSELF. Am I wrong? Why? I have my training... I have my passion... and not for the money either. For the art of it, medical and visual. I have a designated, tiled, cleaned EVERYDAY with MadaCide, scrubbed floor, ventilated WITH BARBER CHAIR room that is made for tattooing SPECIFICALLY AND NOTHING ELSE in my house. Am I a scratcher? It's nice for artists to judge.... tattooing in a shop is work. It's an industry. It's a business. They get it done the right way. So am I a scratcher with only 3 years, but HEAVY day in day out shop experience on REAL skin, and a 3 month awareness certification from GMBC on Blood Borne Pathogens and Cross Contamination? Am I a scratcher? I think the TRUE meaning of scratcher is a person who wants the fast buck, who cant name every part to the gun, or sit in front of it for hours and tune it, or fix it when it starts to bog and you dont know why. Or people who really think tattooing is cool but dont want to learn. I believe that I am allowed to freelance, even if it is illegal and fuck what anyone else thinks. My buddy works on cars, he buys parts from his shop at low low prices and fixes his OWN CLIENTS cars. And why not. He WORKED FOR HIS ASC cert didnt he? Thats his. And yeah, thats illegal... but it's American. I believe that if a person works for their apprenticeship, and FULLY understands the MANY safety risks involved.... AND REALLY REALLY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT a CLEAN ENVIRONMENT TO TATTOO is... make your money. Go for it. I would love to work in a shop again. But I have a 6 month old that CANT skip meals like I can. I have a family me and him and it doesn't seem fair for me to take my passion and NOT MAKE ANY MONEY and deprive MYSELF or MY SON of the things that I can do. I love this art, and I feel that I am no different than any other artist in the world. My passion for this drives me to go to such lengths to keep this my work... and I will keep it.