definition of a scratcher?????

Can anyone define a true scratcher for me??? We can all look at really bad line work and little or no shading and probably deduce that this is the work of a scratcher, but what is one really???? Is it someone who lacks artistry skills? or someone who lacks knowledge tattooing? Is it someone who lacks premises? Or someone who has not served any formal apprentiship? Is it someone who can only do flash and not freehand? Or someone who can put anything on paper then transfer it to a stencil? Is it someone who is just starting out with shaky line work? or someone who has been an apprentice and picks up a machine for the first time only to find that the line work is shaky and the shading poor? And after all that thought, what would you call someone who works from home and turns out better pieces than the local tat shops?????

There is a difference between a scratcher and a beginner. And I believe that ethics and eagerness to learn have more to do with it than formalities. My personal story is that I'm taking an on-line tattoo course (yes, you read right and I DO NOT recommend it) and I'd say self tought. However one of my first purchases was an autoclave and one of the first things I did was get certified in BBP and First Aid. It's not even in my scope of reasoning to re-use a needle. I wouldn't even do that on a husband and wife. Not ever. I have made a concious effort to learn and apply safety measures to the point where I'm a fanatic. I have a room seperate from the rest of the house that is set up as "by the book" and professional as possible. And mind you, I've only tattooed myself, my mother and my sister. And I even made them sign release forms. I also know my limitations and will not attempt a tattoo that is beyond my capabilities or tattoo at every opportunity I get sacrificing quality just to get practice in. I truly don't want to screw people. I can say with certainty that I am not a scratcher. I got into this old enough and wise enough where I want to do things as properly as possible in my situation - even though I'm not in a shop. My concious plays a big role in what I will and won't do. I eat, sleep and breath tattoos and I'm willing to learn as much as possible before I really actively and regularly tattoo people. While the tattoo school is a joke to most of you, I went into it with the most wide-eyed and honest intentions, not to bail on doing a real apprenticeship. It was only later that I realized what a joke it was to most tattooists and why. But I'd like to think that my common sence, concious and eagerness to do things right has at least led me in a better direction than someone who buys and eBay kit and goes to town.

A scratcher is someone who values money over safety and that is usually apperant in his or her work. Lacking premises as you put it is a symptom of something else. With as many shops as there are out there, there is usually a good reason why one is forced to work from home; and most homes don't have autoclaves. A scratcher is narcissistic, reckless, greedy, and almost never talented. Safety is the platform that a real artist stands on, far more important than one's quality and talent. Bad tattoos are an unfortunate thing, but can be rectified with education and practice; unsafe tattoos are a curse and should be rectified with HAND BREAKING.

hmm, I dont know the technical definition, but I know hacks work when I see it. Honestly, most of the clean tattoos out there still disgust me, Im a snobby type. Just launched a site with Jack the laser guy...

i think a scratcher can be a shitty tattooist who's lines and colors drop out due to lack of skills. poor line work, using cheap matrials, unsafe procedures. you can have a chemical autoclve, but it does no good if you are using cross contaminated gloves and such. alot of pros say kitchen tattooists are scratchers, and of course, there's alot of truth to that, but tat shops all over the world are full of scratchers.

See the Kat Von D on the Tom Green show post... JOE