Tattoo artists swap tips

The event at Dewsbury Fire Station was a chance for local artists and environmental health officers to talk about how they can work together to raise standards.

Kirklees health and Safety team officer Louise Marshall said: “There’s a lot of studios setting up in this area at the moment. It’s important we make sure standards are good.”

Delegates heard from Sheffield-based artists Graham Martin and Jim Aitken who have more than 25 years experience between them.

Steve Oliver, owner of Mirfield studio A Breed Apart, said: “It’s amazing how differently everybody does things in their own studios. If we can all work along the same guidelines it will solve a lot of problems.”

He added that people tattooing others from home without being registered were a particular concern for the industry.