For studios
Put your studio in front of our inspectors.
Signature Studio status is not applied for. It can, however, be registered for consideration.
Signature Studio is SKINGRAPHICA®'s highest recognition at studio level, held by very few and awarded only on independent assessment. Registering interest does not influence the outcome and is not a guarantee of recognition. What it does is ensure your studio is on the list our inspectors work from as recognition opens in your market, with a decision within 60 days of assessment beginning.
Before you register
Ten conditions. Please read them all.
Registering confirms that the studio understands and accepts each of these.
- 01
Recognition cannot be bought
Signature Studio status carries no fee, no stocking requirement, no sales target and no commercial obligation of any kind. Nothing a studio purchases, stocks or promotes has any bearing on assessment.
- 02
Registering is not a guarantee
An expression of interest places a studio in front of our inspectors. It does not advance, accelerate or guarantee recognition, and most studios that register will not be certified. Status is awarded on assessment alone, and SKINGRAPHICA®'s decision is final. Studios are also identified independently, and most are.
- 03
The owner must attend the final meeting
Every certification ends with a meeting between SKINGRAPHICA® and the studio owner, in person at the studio or by video call. It cannot be delegated to a manager or an artist. Please register only if the owner is able to make time for it.
- 04
Assessment is on the work and the house
Studios are assessed against the six published criteria below, on healed work as well as fresh, and on the standards a client experiences. Social following, popularity and press play no part.
- 05
A record built over years
Longevity and consistency are among the criteria. Studios are expected to show sustained excellence across years of work, not a strong season. Newer studios may register and will be considered as their record develops.
- 06
Markets open in sequence
Australia is under way in 2026. The United States, the United Kingdom and Europe follow through 2027, and further markets as assessment capacity allows. Studios anywhere may register now and are held for consideration until their market opens.
- 07
Ranked artists are eligible, not certified
Studios owned or operated by a SKINGRAPHICA® globally ranked artist are automatically eligible. They register here in the same way and complete the full process, including the final meeting.
- 08
Everything is handled in confidence
Every expression of interest is read by the founders and used only for the purposes of the program. We do not disclose which studios have registered interest, which are under assessment, or which have been unsuccessful, to anyone, at any stage. Nothing is published unless and until a studio is certified, and then only what the studio approves.
- 09
Assessment takes up to 60 days
Once assessment of a studio begins, we aim to reach a decision within 60 days. The owner is told the outcome directly, whichever way it goes. Where a market has not yet opened, the studio is held for consideration and assessment begins when it does, so the wait before that point may be longer.
- 10
Certified studios are published
Studios that are certified receive the numbered Signature Studio Certificate and are featured in the Signature Studios listing for their country on skingraphica.com, with a profile, contact details and known styles approved by the studio. Studios that are not certified are never named.
The criteria
Six criteria. Nothing else counts.
Every studio is assessed against the same published standard, in every market.
- 01
Artistic excellence
The calibre, originality and consistency of work produced by the studio's resident artists, across the styles in which the studio works.
- 02
Technical mastery
Precision of execution across the studio's body of work, including linework, saturation, composition and consistency across skin types.
- 03
Reputation and peer standing
The respect the studio commands within the professional tattoo community, in its home city and beyond.
- 04
Client care and studio standards
The standard of consultation, hygiene and aftercare guidance, and the experience a client receives from first enquiry to finished piece.
- 05
Contribution to the craft
The studio's influence on the development and culture of tattooing, through its artists, its mentorship and its standards.
- 06
Longevity and consistency
Sustained excellence over time, demonstrated across years of work rather than moments of attention.
Social media following and popularity are not factors in assessment.
What happens next
Five steps, the last of them with the owner.
From the start of assessment to a decision takes up to 60 days.
- 1
Expression of interest
You register below. We acknowledge receipt by email, and the studio joins the list for its market, in confidence.
- 2
Independent assessment
The studio's body of work, healed results included, is reviewed against the six criteria.
- 3
Standards review
Peer standing, client feedback and studio standards are considered, in the studio's home city and beyond.
- 4
The final meeting
In person at the studio or by video call, with the owner. Every certification ends here.
Owner attendance required - 5
Certification
The owner is told the outcome within 60 days of assessment beginning. Certified studios receive the numbered certificate and join the published listing for their country.
When your market opens
Australia first, then the world.
- 2026Under way
Australia
A founding cohort of Australian studios is recognised through 2026. See the studios.
- 2027Next
United States, United Kingdom and Europe
City by city, with the number of studios in each kept deliberately small.
- OnwardTo follow
Further markets
As assessment capacity allows. Register now and the studio is considered when its market opens.
Expression of interest
Register your studio.
Tell us about the house: its resident artists, the styles it is known for, and what sets it apart. A link to healed work helps our inspectors more than anything else you can send. Every expression of interest is read by the founders.
Questions before you register can be directed to our Concierge Team.
- You have read the ten conditions above.
- The owner is able to attend the final meeting.
- The details you provide are accurate and current.
- You understand registering is not a guarantee of Signature Studio status.
Already recognised?
The Signature Studios of Australia, the founding cohort, are listed with their profiles, contact details and known styles. See the studios
About the program
What certification carries for the studio, its artists and its clients, including the Revenue Share Program, Skin Science training and the Concierge Team. Read the program page