A couple of thousand years ago. In Asia, Oceania and Africa people found mummies with tattoo's from way, way back

Explorers ( as in "sailors" ) discovered the world and brought the tattoo to the "old world" a few centurys ago. Especialy from the Pacific ( Samoa/New Zeeland/Tahiti) and Japan  to Great Brittain.

To make a difference ( which tribe they belonged to and/or which rank they had ), to point out something ( accomplished a special mission or a victory on man or beast ), or just as a decoration.

From the same Great Brittain the "tattoo virus" ( a very healthy disease ) was spreaded to almost every port in the free western hemisphere.

The now-known international word for permanent skin decoration is probably related to A; the Samoan TAU TAU which stands for "rythmic knocking", or B; the Dutch ( really !! ) TAPTOE which stands for "drum roll". Probable cause is the sound of the traditional tattoo, as is beating with a wooden "hammerstick" an a chissel which has a pointed "comb" on the end. Must be painfull, I guess.

The tattoo got very popular the last 15 years of the previous century and still is. Thanks to actors, rock stars, atlethes and royalty ( our own diseased Dutch Prince Bernhard ) nobody, well, almost nobody, is really shocked by tattooed people these days. And the often told fairy-tale that only sailors ( totally drunk ofcourse ! ), outlaw bikers and criminals are the only tattooed people is out-dated and therefor a fairy-tale.

The tattoo virus has ( despite the stuborn denial of the few naive

fairy-tale believers ) spreaded among all classes of this worlds population. Male and female ! And it has also landed in

our hometown, Zwolle

Drawing always was and is one of my hobby's. And it was around 1976 that I went with

a couple of friends to Tattoo Jack in Rotterdam ( also a port, you remember ).

On our way back, I got my first skin decoration, I told my friends that "that" could

be my next hobby. Once said, nothing done. There was no internet or E-bay in those

days, and you could not buy the stuff that easy. A few years and wanderings later I

still couldn't get the idea out of my head. I contacted a ( at that time ) photographer of a trendy dutch magazine who had recently ( it was 1981 ) started tattooing. A guy

called Henk Schiffmacher. "Come along" he, the man now known as HANKY PANKY,

                        told  me. A week later we went to the big city, Amsterdam.  

                             Much, much to late according to the "King of Tattoo's",

                                     and we didn't get a very warm welcome

After that "friendly" welcome I still got a little help from him and a wee while later I made my first steps on the mysterious path of tattooing. Fortunatly in those days the "flash" ( designs ) was a lot more simple, compared to the complcated things we are doing now. The golden age for starting tattooists. One thing led to another and from a small attic, a shabby shed, a tiny shop we came to the studio we own today. And starting with 2 hours we went to 8, to 12, to 38 and now 43 ( and a "few" out of

office hours ) hours working in this for me ideal, custom

made and busy studio. On something that is still a hobby

but what I now call my trade; THE TATTOO !!

It doesn't really differ that much from the previous "The reason why - back then".

After discussing the design ( from our large 10.000+ collection or your own, photograph/magazine/T shirt/CD cover, anything ) and the place you want it ( hands, face and genitals are out of the question ), you'll have to make an appointment, asuming that you are at least 18 years of age. You have to fill out a DoH form and make a deposit ( at least €20,- which will be deducted from the price of the tattoo) and receive a card with the date and time, and regulations" for that appointment.

There can be a long waiting list. You can always call to check that. The price of the tattoo is in our public pricelist or, 2wit an own design, an estamation will be given.

On the planned day the tattoo will be done, if nescessary in complete privacy.

It will be done with NEW and STERILE (mostly disposable) materials and certified pigments for each customer.  All by the current regulations of the Department of Health, by whom we are fully licensed .When the job is done the tattoo will be covered by a sterile bandage and you will receive an aftercare instruction.

For any questions, just call or visit us (no obligations) during opening hours.