Outstanding Premium Tattoo Studio, Imprint Tattoo in Sanlitun

Outstanding Premium Tattoos at Imprint Tattoo in Sanlitun

Tracy Wang, Senior Editor | Feb 8, 2017 5:30 pm | Add a comment | 6377 reads

In bustling Sanlitun, Imprint Tattoo’s brightly lit, modern interior doesn’t exactly bring to mind a traditional tattoo studio. With four professional, experienced tattoo artists, top-quality instruments, and a relaxing atmosphere, Imprint Tattoo is not just a place to get an impeccable tattoo, but also a place to share art and break people’s preconceptions of the tattoo industry. We spoke to the team about current trends in the tattoo industry.

What is the tattoo industry like in Beijing? Has it changed a lot in recent years?
It has only been a decade since the idea of tattoos started spreading in Beijing. With the development of the economy and changing consumption habits, the tattoo industry in China is developing rapidly. As tattoos have become less taboo and more popular, they are now seen as fashionable in China, becoming a popular art form.

What style of tattoo does Imprint offer?
There are four tattoo artists working in our studio, each with their own unique vision. Yu Haiyang has been working in the industry for nearly 20 years. He is one of the first generation of tattoo artists in China and has tattooed many Chinese actors, including Deng Chao, Han Geng, and Ding Zhicheng. He specializes in traditional styles, including Chinese ink, Japanese-inspired designs, and the New Traditional style.

Liao Lijia started in 2006 and his specialities are portraits and sketching. Over the years, he has participated in an Esquire cover shoot, joined the Perth Tattoo and Body Art Expo in 2014, visited Melbourne’s Tattoo Art Exhibition in 2015, and did arm tattoos for Nicolas Cage in 2012 and 2013.

Xi Jianhong started painting when he was younger and entered the tattoo industry in the 1990s. He is good at traditional styles and sketching, and has created tattoo for famous Chinese badminton player Lin Dan.

Last but not least, young female tattoo artist Zheng Hengchen became professional in 2014 and is already a specialist in both the New School and Old School style, which are popular among young Chinese people.

What sets Imprint apart from other Beijing tattoo studios?
For many people, tattoo studios are dim, dark, and dirty, and customers often don’t feel comfortable visiting them. We want to change this stereotype by providing genuinely good service, as well as a bright and clean atmosphere. We want to encourage people to see tattoos as art. We would never ask customers to make a snap decision on a tattoo; a tattoo should represent a happy memory of youth, a relationship or faith. Everyone is different and as a result, every tattoo is different.

How long in advance do people need to make an appointment? How much does a tattoo cost?
It’s normally best to make a reservation at least a week in advance, to make sure that the tattoo artists have enough time to design. You need to pay a deposit of RMB 1,000 when making an appointment, then choose your tattoo artist, then make another appointment to have the tattoo done.

The minimum charge is RMB 1,000, and if the tattoo takes more than half an hour, an additional RMB 2,000 per each hour thereafter.

Imprint Tattoo
Daily 10am-9.30pm. 1101, Bldg A, Yongli Guoji, Chaoyang District (186 1260 2418)
魁纹身工作室: 朝阳区永利国际一单元1101

This article originally appeared in the January/February issue of the Beijinger, which you can read here via Issuu, via the PDF here, or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.