Niklas has earned respect and admiration far beyond the borders of Germany: From his first encounters with tattoos in the punk and alternative scene to becoming a professional artist in 2011, he has shaped an artistic identity defined by creativity, imagination and freedom. Known for his versatility and experience in traditional, blackwork, and ornamental styles, Niklas takes us on the journey of his career and shares his perspective on today’s tattoo industry.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
It’s always a pleasure to introduce myself! My name is Niklas, I’m from Germany, but I feel at home anywhere in the world. I’m always drawn to new experiences and adventures.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
My fascination with tattoos dates back to my youth, when I hung out with punks and alternative people, many of whom had tattoos. That’s how I first came into contact with tattoos, and the fascination has remained.
At what point in your life, you became a professional tattoo artist?
In 2011 and 2012, I had the opportunity to learn from and observe some of the very good tattoo artists in the area where I lived. This worked out very well for me, as I was quite unhappy with the job I had at the time.
How do you balance creativity with the client’s personal vision?
I am very happy that my customers usually give me complete freedom and/or take one of my wanna dos straight away.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Germany these days?
Puh! Good question. I’d say a big change is currently taking place in my home country. After the pandemic, tattoo studios sprang up like mushrooms, and now the market is slowly stabilizing itself. But that doesn’t mean everyone will survive. I know many good tattoo artists who have given up, unfortunately. The solidarity that once existed is no longer there.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
I switch between several styles because I would get bored tattooing just one style. I mainly tattoo traditional, blackwork, and ornamental.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
The biggest challenge I see right now is keeping up with the constant innovations and the enormous amount of time one has to invest in social media. Acquiring customers has also become a challenge, as the number of artists continues to grow, but the number of people getting tattoos remains relatively constant.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
My experiences with tattoo conventions have been consistently positive. From the first to the last, I’ve always had great encounters, a great learning experience, and a very good exchange.
Did you ever participate at any tattoo contest?
A few times, but unfortunately never on the podium.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
To exchange ideas with other artists, to see what the suppliers have to offer, what new machines and needles are available, and to find my next guest spots.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
A uniform registration and payment system would be beneficial.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
Hard to say. I like going to the conventions in Berlin, Brussels, Dortmund, and Wuppertal. Mostly because I know a lot of tattoo artists there or I find the location (Wuppertal) quite beautiful.
What advice would you give to first-time artists attending or working at a convention?
Don’t take too much stuff with you! The space is small and will quickly become cluttered, which can cause confusion.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
It’s good to have your own style, but it’s not absolutely necessary from the start. Experiment at first, try to learn and copy as much as possible from other tattoo artists. Your style will gradually emerge. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, as that will severely limit your creativity and everything else.
Which tattoo artists have inspired or influenced you the most?
Tobi from Think.it
Snueden
Giuliano Previtali
Nick Schweikert
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
My greatest achievement is probably the freedom I have gained through this job and the opportunity to work anytime and anywhere.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
Practice, practice, practice, and also do some physical training.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
I have neither goals nor dreams at the moment, as I’ve achieved everything I set out to do and am currently enjoying a time of contentment. But it won’t be long before new goals and dreams enter my life again.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Starting is always better than waiting.
What was the hardest thing you had to learn in your career so far?
That words have lost their weight, and everything has to be put in writing, and reliability is dwindling more and more.
What’s the most annoying thing about working in a tattoo studio?
The eternal search for scissors!
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