Dave Clarke’s deft artistic skills with a tattoo needle landed him a coveted spot on the hit television show Ink Master. While the TV time gained him exposure before a wider audience, Clarke knew he had to keep hustling to continue doing the work he loves.

Naturally, that effort entailed consistently executing awesome tattoos – something Clarke pulls off with aplomb. But it also entailed strong grassroots marketing – an effort helped along by branded merchandise, which Clarke was offering in abundance at his workspace at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Convention.

“It’s about putting your name out there and getting other people interested in what you do,” said Clarke of why he was offering free branded giveaways that included wristbands, stickers, autographed postcards and more. The merch has legs, he said. “People post about it on social media. They put stickers on their toolbox. It gets your name in front of more eyes.”

A stroll through the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City Philadelphia during the tattoo convention (February 9-11) made it evident that others in the skin art industry share Clarke’s belief in the power of promotional products to help build a brand and attract interest. Indeed, branded merchandise abounded. T-shirts, hats, hoodies, beanies, stickers, buttons/pins, banners, pens, can coolers, matches, coasters and more populated the booths of vendors, which included tattoo artists from around the nation, purveyors of tattoo supplies and more.

Hextat, a provider of tattoo products such as needle cartridges, had a merch table brimming with flat-bill hats, water bottles, stickers and apparel. The items were for sale, but anyone who spent $50 or more on Hextat tattoo products could pick out a free item, such as a shirt or hat. “It helps let people know who we are. You got to do it,” a Hextat representative said.

Another exhibitor with a stacked merch supply was the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international nonprofit focused on marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd was exhibiting at the tattoo convention because the organization felt it would find a receptive, supportive audience among convention goers. Sea Shepherd’s Kevin Starbard noted that many of the nonprofit’s volunteers have tattoos. “Sales of the merchandise helps fund our campaigns and gets the word out about what we do,” said Starbard, who noted that the Sea Shepherd logo is a popular tattoo choice for supporters.

For those experiencing tattoo regret, Go! Tattoo Removal was at the convention to consult about laser tattoo removal options. The company’s booth offered branded freebies that included a sticker in the shape of a laser removal “gun”, as well as a can cooler, matchbooks and buttons that featured the same logo.

Of course, all the items discussed above are just a fractional sampling of the branded merchandise that the thousands of attendees got to check out and take home with them from the convention, which was organized by Villain Arts and featured everything from sideshow acts, burlesque and appearances from tattooed TV celebrities and Ink Master contestants in addition to live tattooing. Check out more of the merch on offer below.

Photo Gallery

Stickers were an extremely popular giveaway. Sometimes, the designs were representative of the tattoo artist’s inking style.

Matchbooks were another popular freebie.

Coaster advertising an upcoming tattoo industry event.

T-Shirts, like this one from Borrowed Time Tattoo, were a sought-after branded product tattoo artists were offering.

One of the cool hooded sweatshirts at the convention.

With their trucker hats, matchbooks, stickers and more, Thick as Thieves had one of the especially impressive merch spreads among tattoo artists.

This drawstring tote from Inkaholik of Miami, FL, was great for carrying around all the free stickers and buttons on offer.

Pens from Inkaholik.

One the many clever, well-designed banners/signs at tattoo artists’ booths.

Branded wing banner flying high.

Business card.

…Many acted on the invitation.