Kim Tattoo
Tattoo artist
Joaquin Sánchez Viñas, better known as “Kim Tattoo” has been a professional tattoo artist since 1989. As one,if not the first, tattoo artist in Spain, Kim set up the first legal tattoo studio in 1989 in Calafell and later, in 1992, he opened the first school for tattoo artists in Europe, also in Calafell.
In 1998 he thought that the sterilisation process in tattooing was not effective enough and this led him to investigate further. Two years later he began to change the methods he was working with, mainly to do with professional hygiene and security.
After closing down his studio in Calafell and moving to Valls and Masllorenç to work in a more relaxed environment, Kim began to test tools which worked with compressed air. In 2008, he invented and produced an air tattooing apparatus capable of standing up to disinfectant liquids, a world first. The benefit of using such a process is simple, it avoids any possibility of viral infection.
Later on, in Paris, he attempted to introduce his advances into the European tattooing scene, without much success. However, thanks to his method of doing tattoos his clients are able to sunbathe and swim just one day after being tattooed.
Sánchez finally returned to Valls because he felt it is the place he should be. Now, he simply wants to develop himself as an artisan of tattoos and as a person.
1. Povidone. A spray used in operating theatres for disinfecting the skin and incisions.
2. Sterile ink. Sterile inks of different colours allowing the client a wide choice of colours for the tattoos.
3. Sterile caps.Sterile caps where the pigments are stored
4. Needles. They are sterile, as is everything else Kim uses, and the needles used for tattooing are registered in the medical register.
5. Sterile gloves. These are special reinforced gloves that give higher protection than the normal latex gloves.
6. Sterile air machine. This is the machine used to make the tattoo and it must be sterilised in order to prevent infections and the transmission of viruses.
7. Sterile markers. They are used to draw the outline of the tattoo on the skin.
8. File cards. They can be either material controls or personal records of the clients, where the method and material used in the tattoo is specified.
9. Tattoo chair. Clients are seated here while they are being tattooed.
10. Sterile razor blade. Used to shave body hair, thereby avoiding possible infections while the healing process takes place.
11. Sterile dermatological towels. Useful for cleaning the tattoo during the sessions.