Nick Carrick, a sales consultant from Frankston, Melbourne, faces disappointment over his incomplete tattoos as the soaring expenses of rent and groceries force him to tighten his budget.
Carrick, expressing his frustration to triple j Hack, reflects on the financial strain that has left his arm and leg designs unfinished, lamenting, “If I knew the cost of living was gonna get like this, I probably wouldn’t have started.”
Previously, Carrick sought affordable tattoo options in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. However, with escalating prices, this option is no longer feasible. Consequently, he and his peers are either exploring distant alternatives or abandoning their tattoo aspirations altogether.
Beth Kirk, a tattoo artist working in Adelaide CBD, echoes Carrick’s sentiments, citing the significant impact of cost-of-living pressures on her business. She notes a concerning trend where regular clients are spacing their appointments further apart.
Moreover, ABS data reveals a notable surge of 7.1% in the cost of “hairdressing and personal grooming” services, including tattooing, surpassing the 3.6% average inflation rate in the year leading up to March 2024.
Amidst these challenges, international travel for cheaper tattoo services has become a prevalent trend among Australians. However, Kirk emphasizes the potential compromise in quality when opting for cheaper overseas options.
Contrary to the notion of international travel, Mildura tattooist Shiva Dass asserts that Australians from capital cities can find cost-effective tattoo solutions domestically. Dass, whose business thrives due to Mildura’s lower cost of living, attracts clientele from Melbourne seeking affordable services.
Despite the allure of regional affordability, Kirk finds appeal in city tattooing for its artistic freedom. She highlights the diverse creative expressions offered by city tattoo artists.
In contrast, Dass humorously mentions the prevalent themes in Mildura tattoos, including football-related designs and nods to nostalgic trends like tribal barbed wire, reminiscent of the ’90s era.
As Carrick continues his quest to complete his arm piece, he acknowledges the financial constraints, estimating an additional $2,500 to $3,000 expenditure. Reflecting on his priorities amidst rising living costs, he accepts the imperfections of his unfinished tattoo, stating, “I’ll live with a patchy tattoo and areas where it looks a bit funny.”