In the heart of Budapest’s bustling city center, you’ll find a tattoo studio where vibrant surrealism meets heartfelt craftsmanship and behind the ink is Bence Ignacz. Originally from a small Hungarian town, Bence’s journey into the tattoo world began with childhood sketches and evolved through years of artistic training, curiosity, and quiet determination. Now a recognized artist with a distinct, colorful style, he continues to push creative boundaries while staying grounded in a deep respect for the craft. In this candid interview, Bence offers valuable insight for fellow artists and tattoo enthusiasts alike.
For the readers who are not familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself?
Hi everyone, my name is Bence Ignacz. I live in Hungary, specifically in the capital city, Budapest, where I’ve been living for nearly 10 years. I moved here from a small town after finishing school. I have a beautiful wife, and we have a dog together named Tapsi. I work in our own tattoo studio located in the city center, which I opened with my friend and business partner.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
It goes back a long way, all the way to my kindergarten years. My parents were very supportive of my drawing. They enrolled me in extra classes and private lessons, and my improvement was noticeable. I attended painting classes, learned perspective drawing, spatial representation, and had the chance to try different techniques. Then in 8th grade, I drew various designs on my classmates, and the teachers thought they were tattoos. Maybe that sparked something in me. In high school, I studied graphic design, and during school at the age of 16, I bought my first tattoo kit. That’s where the story begins.
At what point in your life did you become a professional tattoo artist?
Unfortunately, I can’t really say. Even now, I don’t consider myself a professional tattoo artist, though I appreciate the compliment. I believe it’s important to be aware of your professional level. Whenever I reach a new level and start to believe I’m finally a good tattoo artist, I see an even better and more complex tattoo, which motivates me to push myself further and aim to do even better work. I think this is the beauty of it: The constant humility and dedication that pays off step by step.
How do you balance creativity with the client’s personal vision?
Luckily, this usually isn’t a problem because clients typically give me a theme and leave the rest up to me. Fortunately, they trust my expertise. I don’t get asked for many personal tattoos. People mostly ask me for visually impactful designs.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Hungary these days?
Tattooing in Hungary is quite diverse, in my opinion. There are many new artists, and many people try this profession, some more successfully than others. There are many skilled tattoo artists who have been working in the field for years, and others who have mastered it in just a few years thanks to their talent. I believe Hungary will continue to produce excellent tattoo artists with fresh perspectives.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
My current tattoo style is colorful surrealism. Dark, yet with some bright, vibrant parts. I was simply drawn to this type of art and wanted to translate it into my own world through tattooing.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
Personal consultation is very important to me. I check the client’s skin to see how the colors I use would work on it. I also try to understand their personality to see if we’ll be able to work together long-term. If that checks out, I start designing their tattoo based on what we discussed, usually a few days before the appointment so the idea stays fresh. I always aim to create the best possible design, paying close attention to the flow of the body part, color harmony, contrast, and depth.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
I think the most important thing is creating a personal style that makes your tattoos instantly recognizable. You need to keep evolving, but within a certain framework and with some conscious direction.
What’s a tattoo project that challenged your skills the most?
Unfortunately, I can’t draw parallel lines. I just don’t feel it for some reason, and I’ve seen such beautifully executed lines that I couldn’t believe they were real. So for me, this is the hardest part.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I’ve had really great experiences. I’ve been to quite a few conventions, and I have to say, all of them had a positive impact on me. Tattoo artists are kind to one another, they share their experiences, and I got to see the people I look up to working live. Truly inspiring.
Did you ever participate at any tattoo contest?
Yes, I’ve participated and even managed to win awards, both internationally and domestically. I don’t have many awards, and they’re not the main thing for me. It’s more about the atmosphere and the knowledge that conventions offer.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
The first reason is the honor of being part of it. Then there’s the chance to meet many interesting and talented artists, have inspiring conversations, and finally create a tattoo that will be seen and maybe judged by other tattoo artists. That means a lot to me.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
All of them were great, but if I had to highlight a few: the Milano Tattoo Convention, the Caserta Tattoo Convention, and the World of Ink. These are the ones where I met the artists I admire the most. They were very well organized, had a great atmosphere, and were very high-level professionally.
What advice would you give to first-time artists attending or working at a convention?
Don’t see it as a competition, but rather as an opportunity to gain experience, watch your favorite tattoo artists work, and create a beautiful tattoo in that environment. If you’re attending as a spectator, observe the artists closely, learn as much as you can, and build connections.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Don’t rush. Think it through. Do you really want to do this? If yes, go for it. Be patient, don’t compare yourself to others, and be grateful for every milestone you reach. You need to learn tattooing techniques, develop a unique vision, and understand that this will take time.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I don’t want to talk too much about this, because there are many people I deeply admire. But if I had to name a few: Rich Harris, Sandra Daukshta, Boristattoo, Natasha Animal.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
What I consider my biggest achievement is learning how to blend light colors seamlessly without blotches. That means a lot to me. Also, I won a Best of Show award at the Caserta Tattoo Convention, which made me really happy.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
Sometimes it’s harder, sometimes it flows easily. I always try to reinvent myself, within certain boundaries of course. I like to think that every new tattoo I create will be even better than the last one. Maybe this enthusiasm is what keeps me grounded while also driving my professional and personal growth. But maybe I don’t need to overthink it. I just really love tattooing.
What’s the most meaningful feedback you’ve ever received from a client?
Maybe the best reactions have been:
“Wow, this looks even better than the photo!”
“I didn’t think it would be this good! I knew it’d be good, but this?!”
I don’t usually get deep emotional feedback, but my clients are generally very happy with their tattoos.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
To attend as many conventions as possible, meet more tattoo artists, visit places I haven’t been to yet, build connections, grow, and constantly evolve.
Do you have a sponsor? If so, what could you tell us about your sponsors?
Yes, I do have a sponsor: Radiant Colors Tattoo Ink. Their inks are of excellent quality, with beautiful and unique shades. I love working with them. From simple to bright neon colors, they have everything. I can only recommend them.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Don’t rush. Be patient. Good work always pays off.
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