National Tattoo Day celebrates the ancient and evolving art of tattooing every July 17. Take time to appreciate the skill of artists, the stories behind the ink, and the rich history of body modification. Share your own tattoos, visit a local studio, or learn about different styles.
As National Tattoo Day approaches, many tattoo studios and related brands typically offer special promotions and events. Expect local parlors to announce flash sales, discounts on consultations, or gift card bonuses. Brands like Hustle Butter Deluxe and Afterinked may feature deals on aftercare products, while apparel companies such as Sullen Art Collective could offer discounts on their tattoo-inspired clothing. Keep an eye out for online retailers like Tattoo Supply & Equipment for sales on machines and ink. Some artists might host charity tattoo events or offer special rates for specific designs. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 17 approaches.
Social Media Tips for National Tattoo Day
Individuals
Show off your personal tattoos and the stories behind them. Engage with artists you admire and explore new styles for inspiration. Consider getting a small, meaningful piece of flash art.
Creators
Produce content that educates viewers on tattoo aftercare, the process of getting inked, or interviews with local tattoo artists. Highlight diverse tattoo styles and cultural significance.
Brands
Run a ‘share your ink’ contest with prizes for the best tattoo stories or designs. Partner with local studios for joint promotions or host a pop-up event featuring tattoo artists and related merchandise.
Samuel O’Reilly, an Irish-American tattoo artist, is widely credited with inventing the electric tattoo machine in 1891. His invention, based on Thomas Edison’s autographic printer, significantly sped up the tattooing process and made it more accessible, fundamentally transforming the industry and paving the way for modern tattoo artistry.
National Tattoo Day has only been celebrated for the past few years, but the art of tattooing has been around for millennia. Archaeological evidence shows that the ancient Egyptians practiced tattooing and the ‘Iceman,’ or Ötzi, the natural mummy discovered in glacial ice in the Alps in 1991 and carbon-dated at 3250 B.C., bore 61 tattoos. Ancient tattooing was most widely practiced among the Austronesian-speaking peoples as far back as 1500 B.C. They practiced tattooing traditions including facial tattoos that some modern scientists allege were connected to headhunting among warring indigenous tribes. Fast forward to 17th-century Europe, ‘painted’ individuals were sometimes abducted from their native countries and put on public display, the European abductors collecting money for each viewing. The explorer William Dampier took his tattooed slave Jeoly, known as the ‘Painted Prince,’ on an extensive tour to show off and capitalize on Jeoly’s tattoos.
The first tattoo shop to open in the U.S. belonged to Martin Hildebrandt, who started his business in New York City in 1846 and was sought after by Union and Confederate soldiers alike. By 1975, there were still only 40 tattoo artists operating in the U.S., but by 1980 that number had ballooned to 5,000. Today, tattoo shops are in every city and medium-sized town in the country, and on July 17, we honor their proprietors’ contribution to American culture.
Local tattoo studios can host open house events, offering tours of their facilities and showcasing different tattoo styles. Consider running a flash tattoo day with pre-designed, smaller pieces at a special rate, or partner with a local charity for a ‘tattoo for a cause’ event. Retailers selling tattoo-related merchandise, like apparel or aftercare products, can offer in-store discounts or host artist meet-and-greets.
