By Austin Spencer – Tattooer, Studio Owner, Founder of Maverick Tattoo Mercantile

Let’s be real for a second. There are a lot of tattoo supply companies out there. Big ones, small ones, ones owned by people in suits who’ve never picked up a machine in their lives. But here’s the thing:

Not all supply companies are created equal.

Some of us actually live this life.

🧷 What Tattooer-Owned Really Means

A tattooer-owned supply company isn’t just a trendy tagline. It means the people behind the supplies have been in the chair, pulled long sessions, scrubbed their tubes, blown out lines (and learned the hard way), and showed up day after day for the love of the art — and the people. The people are the best.

We know the rhythm of a machine. We know what matters in a cartridge needle and we know what it feels like to pour everything into this life, because that’s who we are.

🐧 Who Am I, Anyway?

My name’s Austin Spencer, and I’ve been tattooing professionally since 2000. I own and operate Studio 21 Tattoo in Las Vegas — a family-run shop that’s been going strong for 22 years.

I’ve done murals on the Strip, painted in garages, competed in model car shows at 12, and thrown down pieces on thousands of clients. I’ve seen trends come and go. What’s stayed the same is my love for art, community, and building something real.

That’s why I started Maverick Tattoo Mercantile — not to cash in, but to create gear that artists can trust, because it was made by someone who gets it.

🧪 Gear That’s Built for the Craft (Not the Stock Market)

When you buy from a tattooer-owned company like Maverick, you're not helping some faceless corporation hit its quarterly target. You're supporting a business that:

• Tests everything in a real working shop

• Cares about artists, not shareholders

• Invests in community-driven innovation

• Gives a damn about consistency, safety, and long-term relationships

💥 Why It Matters More Than Ever

Tattooing is growing fast — but we need to protect the soul of this craft. Supporting independent, tattooer-owned brands keeps this industry in the hands of people who actually live it.

When you buy from us, you're doing more than stocking up. You're casting a vote for the culture, the community, and the artists who give everything to this craft.

🛍️ The Next Time You Gear Up…

Think about where your money’s going.
Think about who made that needle.
And think about what kind of future you want to support.

If it’s one where tattooing stays artist-driven, passionate, and authentic — then you already know what to do.

Support tattooer-owned. Support the real ones. Support Maverick.

🎙️ Want More Real Tattoo Talk?

Check out my podcast, Support Your Local Tattooer — where I sit down with fellow artists to share the stories, struggles, laughs, and lessons that make this industry what it is.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, and streaming on YouTube →

Because tattooing isn’t just a job — it’s a passion and lifestyle. Let’s talk about it.

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