In this article, we’ll take a look at the client side of tattoo chairs. These are the chairs the person receiving the tattoo sits in, as opposed to the chair the tattoo artist sits in while performing their craft.

There are many different types of tattoo chairs out there on the market, from the all purpose tattoo chair that could also double as a massage, barber, or stylist chair, to the flat tattoo chair that one lies on, to a sit up chair that you sit in to expose the back, shoulders, and arms for easy tattooing.

What are some of the nicer, nifty features offered in a good tattoo chair? Let’s take a look at some things artists appreciate in the tattoo chair for the clients.

1. Adjustable Head Support.
Like going to the dentist, massage therapist, or hair styling, if you’re sitting in a chair for awhile and need to have your head back, you need a good way to support for it. The answer is adjustable head support, so that no matter the height of the client, their head can comfortably rest. The truth is one size does NOT fit all when it comes to the tattoo chair, and having one with adjustable head support reflects this fact.

2. Stable, Rubber Footing and a Locking Mechanism for Safety.
These items all relate to making sure the tattoo chair doesn’t move. One can only imagine the nightmare it could be if a table continually shifted around in a wobbily fashion, or – far, far worse! – collapsed while a client was on it! Having a tattoo chair with rubber footing provides a way to make the overall chair more stable. The locking mechanism in this case refers to chairs that are collapsible or foldable. Having a lock to switch on and off in order for the foldable mechanisms to work is a great way to make sure the chair stays stable.

3. Collapsible or Foldable Parts.
A tattoo chair for the client is a decent sized piece of furniture. A good chair is also not a lightweight piece of junk! This means a tattoo chair with parts that either collapse, come apart, or fold up make it much easier to transport. Just be sure the parts are entirely secure when set up or else this benefit poses a risk (such as the chair falling apart, moving, or collapsing. See number two above!)

4. Tattoo Chair Padding That is Waterproof, Oil Resistant, and Sweat Resistant.
A chair that feels oily and sweaty is going to disgust someone getting a tattoo. Rightfully, no one wants to lie for hours getting a painful tattoo in a sticky chair, even if its their own sweat! This means you’ll want to look for a chair that advertises one its benefits as providing cushioning that is oil resistant and water resistant. One type of material that provides these qualities is PU Leather, and many chairs use it for just this reason.

Bonus: Many artists love having the ability to completely rotate and adjust the chair as necessary. Check out this article on hydraulic tattoo chairs for more information!