The Manchester Tattoo Tea Party brought together artists, fans, and enthusiasts this weekend, celebrating both tattoo art and the connections that drive the industry.
The event featured talent from across the UK and beyond, giving artists a platform to showcase their work to a diverse audience.
Face-to-face interaction remains a vital part of building relationships – something that social media alone cannot replace.
Ryan Unwin, who ran a stall at the event, reflected on the importance of making connections.
He said: “So what’s the goal? When you come to a place like this, it’s networking.”
He explained that conventions cover costs like travel and accommodation while allowing vendors and artists to engage directly with the public.
The experience at a convention also offers a different atmosphere than in a studio.
Unwin said: “The studio is very homely, it’s very quiet – conventions are a bit chaotic but once you find your system, it does work.”
This perspective illustrates why events like the Manchester Tattoo Tea Party remain important.
By giving vendors and artists a platform to meet new people, display their work, and engage directly with fans, conventions help to increase exposure.
For local tattoo artist Anggelos Kokovikas, who has been tattooing in Manchester for the last five years, connecting with people also extends beyond social media.
He said: “Social media is really important, it’s one of the main things other than word of mouth recommendations but you need that initial platform.”
Kokovikas explained that while online portfolios help with exposure, in-person interactions remain essential for building strong relationships with clients and the wider community.
This hands-on approach not only helps clients feel more connected to the artist but also allows casual introductions that might not happen online.
It gives visitors a chance to experience the energy and atmosphere of the tattoo world.
Both Unwin and Kokovikas emphasized that the energy and personal connection at conventions is irreplaceable.
Kokovikas said: “It is less intimidating when you just walk around, there’s hundreds of people, as opposed to a one-on-one thing, where people come for a consultation.”
As the tattoo industry grows, in-person events become even more essential, offering opportunities that online platforms alone cannot provide.
The wider community’s growing interest in tattoo culture has helped conventions expand, giving artists more opportunities to meet new clients and showcase their work.
This is critical especially as social media is not a sure bet for exposure, with Kokovikas noting that Instagram’s algorithm no longer favours reaching followers as it once did.
He said: “I’m probably lucky to reach maybe 20%, even 10% of my followers.”
Kokovikas also noted a post-Covid tattoo boom but also acknowledged a decrease in demand due to an oversaturated market and rising cost of living.
Despite these challenges, he is confident that conventions will continue to play an essential role in the tattoo industry.
He said: “They’ll definitely still be here in 10 years – they’ve got bigger and bigger and bigger.”
Feature image: Henri Crépin-Leblond
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