We’re excited to share this interview with Ting, the visionary tattoo artist and owner of the world-renowned Shanghai Tattoo. Since opening her doors in 2007 in Shanghai, China, Ting has quickly gained recognition for her high-quality tattoos and impeccable standards. Now, with a new location in Folsom, California, Ting, along with her talented team, continues to bring diverse tattoo styles to life with passion and dedication. This interview delves into her artistic journey, the evolution of the tattoo industry, and what sets Shanghai Tattoo apart from the rest.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Ting. I’m a tattoo artist and the owner of Shanghai Tattoo. I opened Shanghai Tattoo in 2007 in Shanghai, China, at a time when there weren’t many women in the industry, especially in China. Starting a professional studio as a female artist back then came with a lot of challenges, but those experiences taught me a lot and helped shape who I am today.
Now, I’m based in Sacramento, California USA, where I’ve continued to grow Shanghai Tattoo with an incredible team of artists. Tattooing has always been my passion, and I still love learning, evolving, and creating art every day.
How did you start your career in tattooing?
I’ve liked drawing since I was a kid, and my dad had a big impact on how I understood art from a young age. When I grew up, I went to art school, I’ve always loved all types of art. The first time I came into contact with tattooing, I’d say it was love at first sight. That was it! In the beginning, I was just tattooing for fun. I didn’t even think it could become a career or a way to make money, it was just pure love and passion.
What is the biggest change you’ve noticed in the world of tattooing since you opened Shanghai Tattoo in 2007?
Nowadays, tattoos have become extremely mainstream. People get tattoos like they buy clothes 😉 There’ve also been a lot of changes within the tattoo industry. Equipment quality has improved dramatically, and tattoo styles have become much more diverse.
How did you experience the local tattoo scene in Folsom compared to Shanghai?
I chose Folsom for the lifestyle. I love Shanghai, and I had a great time living and working there, but after so many years, I needed a new chapter. Being close to nature, enjoying outdoor activities, and living in an animal-friendly place became my top priorities. I do miss Shanghai sometimes, especially the feeling of opening the door and not knowing where in the world the next customer might be from. As for the tattoo scene, there’s not a huge difference. There are lots of talented artists around here, and most of them are friendly, positive, and always trying to grow their skills.
What is Shanghai Tattoo mostly known for?
Shanghai Tattoo has always been known for high-quality tattoos, top-tier hygiene standards, excellent customer service, and genuine connections. When I first opened the shop in 2007 back in China, we were one of the few studios in Shanghai holding true to Western hygiene standards, and one of the only bilingual shops at the time. That was a big deal back then, and it helped build a lot of trust with our international clients. Since day one, I’ve kept those same high standards, and they’ve followed me all the way to where we are now. Quality and care have always been at the heart of everything we do.
How has your vision evolved over the years with your expansion into Folsom?
We love the new Shanghai Tattoo building in Folsom, it’s everything I dreamed of. We’re gonna keep growing as a team and keep making amazing tattoos that make our clients smile. The shop is really friendly and comfortable, not just a place to get tattooed but a place to hang out. The space is full of custom art made and collected by our team, mixed with cool Asian decor and some alien vibes too, it’s fun just to sit and look around. We also host art shows from time to time. It’s full of creativity, good energy, and positive vibes.
Who are your main artists at Shanghai Tattoo, and what can you tell us about them?
Right now, we currently have 10 amazing artists working at Shanghai Tattoo in Folsom and we are excited to be planning to bring some more of my amazing team from China to join us here in the USA too. We’re growing! As for me (Ms. Ting), my tattoo style is really diverse. I love doing large-scale tattoos, from Asian traditional to Realism and Traditional Chinese watercolor. I also do a lot of portraits and Chinese calligraphy. For my team, we have artists who specialize in American Traditional, Japanese, fine line, realism, anime, etc. Whatever style you’re looking for, you can find it here.
What’s your secret to leading a creative and skilled team?
It is quite challenging, actually. But overall, we just try to maintain a healthy, positive, and supportive environment for everyone working here.
What qualities do you look for in an artist when hiring for Shanghai Tattoo?
The right mindset is everything. We’re not looking for high-ego rockstars—nobody wants that energy in the shop. Being humble, honest, and respectful goes a long way, and of course, you’ve got to do solid tattoos. We also look for a positive attitude, no drama, no drugs, and someone who knows how to treat their clients right. Talent is important, but character matters just as much.
What are the 3 most requested types of tattoos at Shanghai Tattoo?
Japanese Traditional, Photo realism, and traditional Chinese watercolor tend to be the most popular styles requested at Shanghai Tattoo. The younger artists tend to stay pretty busy doing the final-line style too.
How do you stand out in the competitive tattoo scene in Folsom?
We create custom designs for every client and give them the right guidance and suggestions. What I think really sets us apart is our deep Asian roots, especially when it comes to tattoos like Chinese calligraphy or traditional imagery like dragons, koi, hannya masks, etc.. These designs carry a lot of cultural meaning, and because I grew up with that culture, I understand the history and symbolism on a personal level.
It’s not really about where someone is from, it’s about the connection they have with the art. That background gives me a different perspective, and when clients come in looking for that kind of work, I think they can feel and trust that difference with Shanghai Tattoo.
What types of tattoos would you never do at your studio?
We would never do anything that promotes hate, racism, homophobia, or anything harmful to others.
Could you walk us through your process for creating tattoos for your customers?
Chat – Design – Make it happen – Care.
Is there any particular tattoo created at Shanghai Tattoo that you’re especially proud of?
So many of them, especially the ones designed based on people’s life stories.
Do you often host guest artists at Shanghai Tattoo?
Yes, we have hosted many guest artists from all over the world at the Shanghai, China and Folsom, CA USA location.
What’s the most challenging aspect of running a successful tattoo studio in 2025?
One of the biggest challenges is maintaining a strong, solid team and setting the shop apart in such an oversaturated industry. Regardless of our international presence, there’s a lot of competition out there. To stand out as a successful tattoo shop, it’s crucial to stay committed to high standards, whether it’s the quality of our tattoos, the care we give our clients, or the positive atmosphere we’ve created. It’s all about running the shop with integrity, doing right by our clients and team, and staying proud of both the work we create and the way we run things.
Do you ever attend tattoo conventions as a studio?
Yes, we have done many tattoo shows in the past as a team back in China. Here in the USA we recently did the Tahoe Tattoo Show and Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention, and plan to do the Golden State Tattoo Expo and a few more through the USA for 2025, 2026 and forward.
What has been your favorite tattoo convention so far, and why?
All the conventions are pretty unique, I like them all. Golden State Tattoo Convention (Big), Tahoe Tattoo Show (smaller and more intimate), both are really cool. The Frankfurt Tattoo Convention in Germany was super fun and had an insane show of body suspension that I really enjoyed. Thailand Tattoo Conventions are really chill and fun, many really friendly people. China and Hong Kong have really fun conventions too, with many people attending and taking photos as well as many great artists. Hard to say which is my favorite, I honestly enjoy them all and I look forward to doing many more.
What is your primary reason for attending tattoo conventions?
Mainly for fun, and to stay connected with the tattoo world outside the shop. Also to check out new tattoo products and learn something new from other professional artists.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for both artists and the public?
Honestly, some tattoo conventions could be better if they focused more on the craft and less on the ‘celebrity’ side of things. There’s too much attention on influencer tattooers or TV personalities, and it feels kind of generic. Conventions I feel should be about showcasing different shops, artists, and styles, giving people the chance to experience the real art of tattooing. Having unbiased judging panels is also important, where winning an award is based on talent, not relationships.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Don’t look for shortcuts. Learning tattooing is a full-time job and a full life commitment. Have patience. Always remember there’s always something new to learn. Drop the ego and entitlement, if you are lucky enough to get a real apprenticeship through a reputable shop and have a skilled mentor to learn from, be humble and soak up as much knowledge as you can from them like a sponge.
You have an impressive international following on social media. What do you think is the secret to building such a strong online presence?
Honestly, I’m not super internet-savvy 😂 I just focus on doing solid work and staying true to what I love. Word of mouth has always been more my style. I’m proud of the reputation I’ve built and grateful that it’s reached people all over the world.
What are your plans for the future of Shanghai Tattoo, both in terms of growth and artistic direction?
We’re always growing and evolving. My focus is on building a strong, creative team that’s passionate about their craft and dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what we do. Artistically, I’m excited to keep evolving alongside my team, learning and refining our skills every day. The most important thing is creating an environment where everyone feels proud to be part of Shanghai Tattoo and knows they’re contributing to something special.
Does Shanghai Tattoo have any sponsors?
We’ve had a strong partnership with Tattoo Lovers Care for years and we truly believe in their products. It’s some of the best aftercare out there, all natural with CBD, and we confidently recommend it to our clients, whether in the USA or China. We’ve always made it a priority to provide the best care for tattoos, rather than just sending people to grab whatever from the store. It’s important to us to support a product we truly believe in, and Tattoo Lovers Care has been a big part of that. While I don’t directly work with any other tattoo brands, I’ve also stood behind Eternal Ink, Sunskin Tattoo Machines, Cheyenne Tattoo Equipment, and TATSoul for years… 😉
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
I just want to say I’m truly grateful for all the support that I and Shanghai Tattoo have received over the years, from our clients, my team, and the tattoo community as a whole. It’s that support that keeps me motivated to keep improving and pushing the boundaries of what I do. I’m always looking forward to more collaborations, more learning, and creating better art every day. I appreciate everyone who’s been part of this journey with me, and I’m excited for what’s to come. A big thank you to World Tattoo Events for this interview and for giving me the opportunity to share the Shanghai Tattoo story. I’m thankful for everything, and I’m excited for the future. See you at the studio or the next convention! Cheers, Ms. Ting and the Shanghai Tattoo Team.
nice post