Chain Tattoo Studios - Why You Should Avoid Them

The Rise of Chain Tattoo Studios in Zurich

Over the last few years, chain tattoo studios have started popping up all over Zurich. You’ve probably seen the ads—fancy interiors, glossy marketing, and “walk-ins welcome” signs that make it all seem easy and convenient. But there’s something important most people don’t know: these shops are often run like businesses, not studios where tattooing is treated as an art form or a craft.

We’re not saying every commercial tattoo studio is evil. But if you care about getting a high-quality, meaningful tattoo—not just some ink done quickly by someone you didn’t choose—you should know what you’re walking into.

What Are Chain Tattoo Studios (And Why It Matters)?

Chain or commercial tattoo shops are often:

Owned by businessmen or investors, not artists
Focused on scalability and profit, not quality or creativity
Staffed by inexperienced artists or apprentices, due to high turnover
Built on slick branding, not artist reputation

And here’s the truth: many good tattoo artists won’t stay long at these places. Why? Because they’re often underpaid, creatively limited, and replaceable.

You Might Not Know Who’s Tattooing You

In a real tattoo studio, you choose your artist. You know their name. You’ve seen their portfolio. Maybe you’ve followed them for months. You trust them.

In a chain shop? It’s more like walking into a barbershop and asking, “Who’s available today?”

You often don’t meet the artist until the day of your appointment.
You don’t know how much experience they have.
You may be getting tattooed by an apprentice—and not even know it.

Tattooing is not something you should leave to chance.

Why Marketing Shouldn’t Be the Reason You Pick a Studio

Chain shops in Zurich often have amazing marketing—clean branding, sponsored ads, “influencer-friendly” spaces. But here’s the catch:

Their money goes into marketing, not mentorship.
Their focus is volume, not quality.
Their design looks cool, but the work? Often rushed, generic, and inconsistent.

Tattoos are permanent. Great marketing doesn’t make a great tattoo.

Choose the Artist, Not Just the Studio

At Korda Tattoo Collective, we strongly believe that you should choose your artist before choosing a studio. Every tattoo is a collaboration between client and artist. And no matter how cool the shop looks, it’s the artist who holds the machine—and your skin.

Before you book:

Follow artists on Instagram and look at healed tattoos, not just fresh ones.
Read reviews, not just Google ratings.
Ask questions, and see how they respond.
Know the style you want, and find an artist who specializes in it.

💡 Not sure where to start? Check out our blog on How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist in Zurich

Independent Tattoo Studios Respect the Craft

At Korda Tattoo Collective, we’re not about fast ink or filling time slots. We’re artists first. Every piece we do is tailored to the client. We:

Take time to understand your idea
Offer free consultations
Don’t overbook or rush projects
Prioritize quality over quantity

Curious how we work? Here’s our full booking process explained

First Tattoo? This Is Even More Important.

If it’s your first time getting a tattoo, going to a chain shop because it’s “easy” is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

You deserve:

An artist who makes you feel safe
A clean, private space
Advice that’s honest, not sales-driven
A design you love—not one that’s rushed out of a flash binder

Final Thoughts: Support Real Tattoo Culture

Chain tattoo shops will always exist. Some are decent. But many are just money-making machines, built to churn out quick ink for high profit.

If you care about your skin, your story, and your experience—support independent artists. Do your research. Choose someone whose work you admire. Don’t gamble with your body.

Why You Should Avoid Chain Tattoo Studios (And Choose Your Artist Instead)