Today we are very excited to share an interview with Max, who runs one of the most established and world famous tattoo studios in Barcelona and Spain: BHORN Tattoo!
As you can read here below, their work is fully focused on quality and meeting their customers expectations. Let’s dive in:
Dear Max, how would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi everyone! I’m Max, 41 years old, from Sicily, Italy. I’ve been living in Barcelona for 8 years now. I’m extremely passionate about tattoos and everything related, which is why I’ve spent most of my life working in one of the best tattoo studios here in Barcelona. Aside from that, I’m a simple person who enjoys meeting new people and sharing experiences and knowledge with others from around the world.
How did you start your career in tattooing?
Since I was a child, I have always been passionate about the world of tattoos. I got my first tattoo when I was 16. My best friend Roberto offered me the chance to open a tattoo studio, and without any hesitation, I relocated to Barcelona. Now, we have BHORN Tattoo Studio and Design.
Barcelona is definitely one of the most lively and vibrant European cities. How would you describe the current tattoo scene in it?
Barcelona is a wonderful city, a melting pot of different cultures, constantly changing and evolving—an ideal place for everything related to art and creativity. For all these reasons, I believe it is one of the key cities in the tattoo world. Very few places in the world offer such an abundance of high-quality tattoo artists, which attracts other amazing artists to come and compare themselves to our scene.
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the world of tattooing since you opened your studio?
Everything, to be honest. Tattoos, like other aspects of life, are influenced by and reflect the changes in the world around them. This causes stylistic trends, to shift what’s popular today may not be tomorrow. However, the biggest change I’ve seen in recent years has been the transition from the old, noisy tattoo machines, like “rotary” and “coil” machines, to the new silent “pen” machines, which make tattooing much easier. While evolution is likely right and necessary, it has taken away a bit of the charm that tattoo studios once had. In the past, you would walk into a studio and be greeted by the loud hum of tattoo machines; now, they feel more like beauty salons.
What is Bhorn Tattoo really known for?
BHORN is known for having some of the best tattoo artists in Spain, both those currently with us and those we’ve had in the past. We are also recognized for the care and respect we show our customers, which is something we truly value. Our clients are very important to us. We always strive to meet their needs and enjoy suggesting the best options for each type of tattoo. While it’s true that this is our business, it doesn’t change the fact that our customers need guidance and support in choosing what’s best for them. After all, a tattoo is for life, and we never forget that.
You just mentioned that your studio is housing some of the best tattoo artists in Spain: what else could share with us about them?
Our artists are our pride, not only for the high quality of their work but, more importantly, for their human qualities. Despite having twenty different personalities, there is no selfishness, abuse, or sense of superiority among them. All of our artists are exceptional tattooists, making it difficult to decide who to get a tattoo from, but even more so, they are fantastic people. I truly enjoy spending time with each of them, both inside and outside the work environment.
What’s your secret to managing such a big team?
I have to be honest, going back to the previous question, they are all incredible people who make my job easier. As for me, I treat everyone equally, but I take their different personalities into account and try to relate to each of them based on their unique traits. I always aim to communicate and address potential issues before they arise. Of course, I’m not perfect, and I make mistakes, but I believe each of them appreciates my honesty.
What kind of skills and experience are you looking for when you hire artists for your studio?
It’s obvious to say that the quality of work must meet the high standards already established in the studio. However, for me, the most important aspect is the person’s human qualities. When working in a team, the well-being of the group is more important than any individual, so it’s essential to determine if a person aligns with our values.
What’s your process to assign a customer to one of your artists?
We are fortunate to have a diverse group of 20 artists, each with a unique style. Even when multiple artists work in the same style, each one is distinctly recognizable. Based on the references clients provide, I always aim to assign the work to the most suitable tattoo artist, not only in terms of style but also considering aspects that, at first glance, may not seem directly related to the tattoo—factors more connected to the human element.
What are the 3 most asked types of tattoos at your studio?
Our audience is very diverse, reflecting the identity of our studio. As a result, the requests we receive are varied and often follow changing trends. At this particular moment, in line with current trends, the most popular requests are cover-ups or remakes of old tattoos, as well as fine line tattoos.
What’s your secret to standing out in such a competitive place as Barcelona?
I believe this holds true not only for me, but for the entire studio. What drives us is our passion for this world, a strong work ethic, and never feeling fully satisfied. This mindset pushes us to constantly experiment with new approaches, even if it means making mistakes along the way, but we never settle for what’s already been accomplished. We remain hungry and determined, always looking toward the future and continuously improving ourselves.
What types of tattoos would you never do at your studio?
For us all tattoos are important, whether it is an infinity or a bodysuit we treat them all with equal importance. For me, it is more a question of professional ethics and what we refuse, giving the right explanations, are tattoos in very visible places such as hands, face and neck to people who have few tattoos. To be clear, we never tattoo the hand of someone who has not first tattooed their entire arm because apart from the aesthetic factor which is merely subjective we must consider that this type of tattoo could affect the future of young people who only try to emulate the models that society proposes today.
What’s the process to create tattoos for your customers?
We usually ask customers to provide reference images and explain their ideas in detail, which helps us match them with the most suitable artist and create a unique, personalized tattoo. From there, our artists create the design and discuss it with the customers to fine-tune the final details and make any necessary adjustments. This level of attention allows us to avoid wasting time, as we have a clear understanding of what they want from the start.
Do you have any particular tattoo made at your studio that are you extremely proud of?
I am proud of every single piece created by our artists, which I consider works of art. However, the most meaningful to me are those that improve the quality of life for our clients. We’ve had clients who lost their hair due to cancer or skin conditions, and we tattooed their heads. Others came to us to cover scars from surgeries or self-harm, or to fix poorly done tattoos. Some have requested tattoos to honor a deceased loved one, or, more simply, to cover the name of an ex-partner.
Do you usually host Guest Artists?
We love welcoming guests. In our view, one of the most beautiful things in life is meeting new people and sharing experiences and knowledge with them. For me, this is the true beauty of life, not just in the tattoo world, but in everything.
Do you ever attend tattoo conventions as a studio?
In the past, we participated in some conventions, but it’s been years since we have done so as a studio, although we allow our artists the freedom to choose whether they want to attend. Unfortunately, many conventions follow a repetitive format, often focused purely on the financial aspect. However, in recent years, some conventions have emerged—perhaps less known—that genuinely reflect the passion and respect for the tattoo world.
At the same time, we no longer attend conventions because, over the years, thanks to the vision of the former owner, Trupiano, we created our own event: “THE ISLAND TATTOO CONNECTION.” It’s not a convention, but a gathering of artists from around the world, with the aim of creating something positive for the environment by fighting plastic pollution.
You seem to have a massive following on social media. What’s your secret to achieving that?
Work becomes easier when you have high-quality content to post, and fortunately, our work is always top-notch. Today, it’s important to have a presence on social media, but not at any cost, and not under the misconception that a studio or artist’s quality is determined by their number of followers, as is often believed. Popularity on social media can be gained in various ways and for different reasons, and sometimes even through improper means. I personally know many artists who aren’t very popular on social media like Paula Sgarbi, Lera Wolkovinscaa, Tim Beijsens or Oscar Moon but produce incredible work. For me, it’s not the number of followers that matters—it’s the number of people reaching out to get a tattoo. That’s the most important metric for me.
What are your plans for the near future?
My impressive team and I will continue to create the best tattoos in Barcelona, Spain, and maybe even the world.
Bhorn Tattoo Studio looks like a great spot for unique and high-quality ink in Barcelona. I wish I can have a tatoo there oneday. block blast adventure
Max is the best!!