When Christos Tsintsaris lost vision in one eye in 2019, it could have ended his career. Instead, it sharpened his focus. Four years later, he founded BLINK Tattoo Studio in Thessaloniki, and it’s now one of Europe’s fastest-growing names in body art.
Since opening in 2023, BLINK has doubled its growth, with international clients making up 25% of its bookings. That demand is set to surge another 50% this year, fueled by travelers from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and even the U.S.
The rise of “tattourism”
Tsintsaris calls it “tattourism”, a growing trend of travelers flying in for tattoos and piercings, and turning their appointments into short city breaks. Thessaloniki’s mix of culture, food, and affordability makes it an attractive stop for body art enthusiasts.
They get their tattoo or piercing, enjoy the city’s food and culture, and return with something truly unique, often for the same or lower price than they’d pay back home
Christos Tsintsaris
Through its BLINK Seminars, the studio runs group workshops every two months for 30 participants, plus year-round private training. Attendees, ranging from tattoo and piercing apprentices to permanent makeup artists, graduate with certificates recognized by industry partners in Greece and abroad.
