Ink'd tattoo studio sets the standard

Ste Black, owner Ink’d’ on Milnrow Road

‘Ink’d’ on Milnrow Road has been awarded the highest possible score in a new Tattoo Rating Scheme in recognition of its commitment to hygiene, customer care and best practice.

The Tattoo Rating Scheme aims to inform residents planning to get a tattoo of the standards they should expect, while challenging studios to demonstrate or improve their own standards of service.

Owner Ste Black said: “I’m proud that Ink’d has become the first tattoo studio in Greater Manchester to be recognised in this way, and we’re particularly pleased to have attained the highest level possible. It’s a great reflection of the high standards we maintain here.”

Studios are awarded a rating from one to four based on criteria such as the provision of hot running water, level of after-care advice, ink records, infection control training and age consent mechanisms.

There are also rating incentives associated with booking studio staff in for vaccination against Hepatitis B. Studios that sign up will be offered free infection control training from the Public Health team and receive guidance and a toolkit.

All studios have been invited to take part and are being assessed in a rolling programme.

Studios will be rated as:

1 - Requires Improvement
2 - Satisfactory
3 - Good
4 - Very Good

Studios assessed so far are:

• Ink D, 20 Milnrow Road, Rochdale (3 artists)  - RATED 4
• Sacred Skin 203 Halifax Road, Rochdale (1 artist) - RATED 3  
• Blood & Iron, 72 Whitworth Road, Rochdale (2 artists) - RATED 3 
• Higgys Tattoo parlour, 190 Rochdale Road, Middleton (1 artist) - RATED 2