In China, tattoos starting to stick

Jeanne Sun gives a female customer a tattoo. Sun, who owns Jeanne Tattoo Studio, studied the art of tattoos in France for 10 years before moving back to China and opening a shop in Beijing. Sun, 32, said it’s important for customers to have a tattoo that shows their personality. Provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Celebrity ink

Inked to compete

Sun Yejie's show interviews tattoo artists, such as Jeanne Sun, about their craft and customers on why they get tattoos. So far the show, "Words Tattoo Artists Say" has released five episodes on YouKu, a Chinese website similar to YouTube.

Sun Yejie, 32, said intends to educate Chinese audiences on the emerging tattoo industry and where to go to ensure safe and quality tattoos.

The tattoo industry in China isn't heavily regulated. Wang said that's why the Ministry of Human Resources and Human Security official's decision to certify around 80 artists in 2013 was seen as a victory. For him, it's a sign that tattoo art is slowly becoming a "legitimate career in China."

He said the association continues to work to establish professional training for artists.

Jeanne Sun, who spent 10 years in France learning proper tattoo technique and hygiene, said she doesn’t think enough tattoo customers in China know what to look for in a tattoo artist and their studio. Sun hopes the online program will enlighten them.

Li said he picked Jeanne Tattoo Studio for its cleanliness and respect for clients. He was unimpressed with some other shops he visited.