Summary of our market study

French tattoo market estimated at €270 million

The global tattoo market has experienced significant growth, particularly with the permanent tattoo segment gaining ground. It is estimated to reach €2 billion by 2023.

A decade of growth in France

In recent years, the French tattoo market has experienced remarkable growth. The number of French citizens sporting tattoos has risen from around 10% to 18%. Despite the relatively conservative approach to tattooing in France compared with other countries, this art form has gradually won over the population, with adoption increasing particularly during international travel.

One significant trend is the generational shift in attitudes towards tattooing. Societal perception of tattoos is becoming more positive, with 43% of French people and 68% of young people aged 18 to 24 having a good image of tattoos.

A study shows that in France, around 20% of women and 16% of men are tattooed, with a higher frequency among blue-collar than white-collar workers.

The preference for discreet tattoos is clear, with 67% of participants opting for tattoos on parts of their body that can be concealed or exposed at will. conversely, 43% of participants choose more visible locations, indicating a certain boldness of self-expression among French tattoo enthusiasts.and the popularity of discreet tattoo locations. Social media, particularly Instagram, play a key role in the visibility and marketing of tattoo artists' work.

There are an estimated 5,000 tattoo studios in France.

In terms of regulations, tattoo artists in France are required to undergo at least 21 hours of hygiene and sanitation training, but do not need any specific diplomas.

The north-east of France has a higher tattoo penetration rate, contrasting with relatively lower rates in metropolitan areas such as Paris.

Tattoo players in France

  • American Body Art Solid chain in the heart of Paris, operating on a franchise model
  • Tribal Act Tribal Act
  • Graphicaderme
  • My Body Art salons in the Lyon region
  • Titanium Salon in Toulouse
  • Sorry Mom Tatouage, Toulouse salon with over 10 tattoo artists
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

A tattoo is a permanent drawing made on the skin, using sharp objects or needles that introduce indelible dyes under the skin. Tattoos have always been practiced in many parts of the world, and can have symbolic, religious or decorative functions.

There are two types of tattoo:

  • temporary tattoos: inks are classified as cosmetic products
  • permanent tattooing: carried out by professional tattoo artists, the inks used are subject to specific regulations

This study will focus on permanent tattoos.

The tattoo market is booming worldwide. It is expected to continue growing at an annual rate of 9.43% between now and 2029. The main demand is from European and Anglo-Saxon countries, where the proportion of the population with tattoos can reach almost half of the total population.

The democratization and growth of tattooing in France over the past 40 years has been spectacular: in the 1980s, there were just 20 tattoo parlors in France, whereas by 2023 there will be 5,000. As a result, tattoos are increasingly embraced by the French: between 2010 and 2018, the proportion of French people claiming to have experienced a tattoo rose from 10% to 18%. By 2023, some estimates put the figure at 25% of the French population; but the most likely figures areone in five. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, and tattoo artists are vying with each other to stand out from the crowd by communicating massively on social networks. However, despite this boom in French supply and demand for tattooing, France is still "behind the curve" when it comes to tattooing, compared with other countries where it is more widely practiced (some French people have even had tattoos while traveling).

The profession of tattooer-perceiver does not require any particular diploma, but the person must register with the ARS and follow a training course on hygiene and sanitary conditions, which lasts a minimum of 21 hours spread over 3 consecutive days.

The sector was largely affected by the Covid-19 crisis, with tattoo studios suffering the full brunt of the closures linked to the containment. Taking the example of the Auxerre tattoo parlour "Frappe Chirurgicale", it lost 80% of its sales during the first containment in 2020, and received only a small grant of €1,500. Aid from the second containment, however, made up for the losses. In 2021, there was a clear upturn, and the salons regained their clientele, some of whom were even more committed and more numerous.

1.2 The global tattoo market

The tattoo market is booming. It was estimated at $*.** billion in ****, up *% on ****, and should grow by *% to reach $*.** billion in **** . It is also estimated to grow by **.*% annually from **** onwards, reaching $*.** billion in **** [***].

Market size for tattoo inks World, **** - ****, in millions of US$ Source: ****

The popularity of tattoos varies ...

1.3 The French tattoo market

As we don't have an official market size for tattooing in France, we can use a number of hypotheses to propose an estimate below to give an order of magnitude for tattoo parlors' sales (***).

According to Les Echos, there will be between *,*** and *,*** tattoo studios in business in ****, with sales ranging ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 A practice in full expansion in recent years ...

The French are not the world's biggest tattoo consumers; Anglo-Saxon countries, for example, are ahead of France. Nevertheless, the rate of tattoo penetration among the population has been rising steadily over the past few years. While **% of French people were tattooed in ****, it is estimated that by ****, * in * French people will ...

2.2 ... which differs according to certain generational and social criteria

Although tattooing has been democratized in France, it is more prevalent among certain segments of the population, depending on various criteria. In short, despite the democratization of tattooing, it remains more common among women, the younger generation, and those with lower incomes and fewer qualifications.

Age : a determining factor:

The **-** ...

2.3 Tattooing: more of a long-term trend than a passing fad ...

**% of French people have a good image of tattooing, compared with **% who have a poor one.

This image varies considerably with age: **% of **-** year-olds have a good image, versus *% of those over **. We can therefore assume that, as the generations change, tattoos will become increasingly accepted, which will play in ...

2.4 ... whose development is still hampered by a number of obstacles

Drawing on the Harris-interactive report on permanent body modifications, the main obstacles to the development of tattooing include

the often high price tag the fairly irreversible nature of the operation (***), which can lead to regret a few years later the health risks associated with the practice (***)

What are the main reasons ...

2.5 Most tattooed body parts

By ****, **% of all people will have a tattoo on their arm. In fact, this location is ideal for both large tattoos and smaller, more discreet ones. The upper arm and wrist are classic locations for small tattoos. Many people also opt for sleeves. Arms are also less sensitive areas and easier ...

3 Market structure

3.1 "Other personal services" in France

Tattoo and piercing salons are registered under NAF code **.**Z, in the same way as "other personal services". The scope of this code is broader than tattoo parlors alone, but it gives an idea of the geography of the sector.

Tattoo parlors are often located in city centers to cater for ...

3.2 Tattoo studios in France

According to the Syndicat National des Artistes Tatoueurs, the number of registered tattoo artists is estimated at **,***.

In ****, there will be over *,*** tattoo parlors (***) in France, compared with *,*** in ****[***].

However, the number varies greatly depending on the source, and remains highly complex to estimate. What's more, nearly half of all tattoo ...

3.3 Strategy and dynamism (examples)

Most tattoo studios are independent, and many of them are also piercing salons.

These independents are often small structures of * - * people, sometimes family-run.

Among the independent studios is Tribal Act , which reported sales of €***,*** in ****[***].

in Lyon, My Body Art is the salon with the most Google reviews and sales ...

3.4 Certain events promote tattooing

The Mondial du tatouage was one of the most popular events in the tattoo world. Every year, some **,*** people attended[***]. However, health restrictions prompted its founder, Tin-Tin, to cancel the **** and **** sessions. For financial reasons, Tin-Tin announced in **** that he would have to close the show. The Mondial du tatouage is ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Different types of tattoos

Tattoos come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Permanent or ephemeral: The majority of the tattoo market is made up of permanent tattoos. In recent years, however, ephemeral tattoos have become increasingly popular. One of the leaders in the ephemeral tattoo sector is Be Inked, which offers a wide ...

4.2 A wide range of prices

In ****, the price of a tattoo was generally between ** and *** euros an hour[***]. But there are many other variables involved in the price of a tattoo. The price depends on

The size of the tattoo : the larger the tattoo, the longer the tattooist's work. Thelocation of the tattoo: certain parts of ...

4.3 Supply trends

The rise of influencers on social networks

For tattoo artists, Instagram has become a highly effective showcase for their work. In ****, Inbeat counted ** French tattoo influencer accounts to follow on Instagram.

Instagram also enables tattoo artists to release their flash tattoo grids, so that their subscribers can select in advance the ...

5 Regulations

5.1 Regulations

For the consumer: Without parental consent (***), it is forbidden for a minor to get a tattoo.

Hygiene and health training for tattoo artists:

Since ****, hygiene and sanitation training has been mandatory for tattoo artists and piercers. The training must last at least ** hours, and its content is defined by the decree ...

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Segmentation

  • American Body Art
  • Tribal Act
  • My Body Art
  • Carishna
  • Abraxas
  • Graphicaderme
  • Des1volt Tatouage
  • RigalStudio Tatouage
  • Tatouagenkit

List of charts presented in this market study

  • Percentage of French people with tattoos
  • Proportion of French people who believe that HIV can be transmitted by piercing or tattooing
  • Percentage of young people who think AIDS can be transmitted by piercing or tattooing
  • What are the main reasons why you haven't yet acted on the permanent transformation(s) you'd like to make?
  • Growth in the number of tattoo parlors
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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

American Body Art
Tribal Act
My Body Art
Carishna
Abraxas
Graphicaderme
Des1volt Tatouage
RigalStudio Tatouage
Tatouagenkit

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