One-Eyed Artist Builds BLINK Tattoo Studio Into A European Destination For“Tattourism”

Thessaloniki – BLINK Tattoo Studio is turning Thessaloniki into a must-visit stop for Europe's fast-rising“tattourism” trend, blending contemporary design, rigorous hygiene, and a strong education program to attract clients and trainees from across the continent and beyond. Since opening in 2023, BLINK has doubled its growth and today counts international clients at roughly 25% of its bookings, with demand projected to rise another 50% this year. Over 4500 five-star original reviews on Google Maps, makes it the most reviewed tattoo studio in Greece, and likely one of the top in all of Europe. BLINK has visitors from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and a growing number from the United States.

Founded by Christos Tsintsaris, BLINK is as much a story of craft as it is of resilience. After permanently losing vision in one eye in 2019, Tsintsaris rebuilt his practice around precision, restraint, and narrative-a philosophy visible in BLINK's specializations: fine line, minimalism, and realistic black & grey work.

“I didn't lose my perspective; I gained focus,” said Tsintsaris.“Tattooing marks life's turning points. BLINK exists to honor those moments with discipline, ethos, and creativity.”

Artists and educators collaborate to continue the tradition

BLINK Tattoo Studio is a bold newcomer to Greece's body art scene, providing tattoos, piercings, and jewelry alongside professional training for emerging artists. The studio's distinctive yellow winking-emoji mark has become a shorthand for“seeing differently,” and is even requested as a tattoo by fans. What began as a playful emblem now symbolizes resilience, echoing tattooing's enduring role as a medium for personal storytelling.

Beyond client work, BLINK is a recognized educational hub. Through BLINK Seminars, Tsintsaris and his team train emerging tattoo, piercing, and PMU (permanent makeup) artists from Greece, the Balkans, and beyond. Group sessions, which are held every two months with 30 participants, combine theory, live demonstration, and hands-on practice. Private training is available year-round, with all participants earning a Certificate of Completion recognized by industry partners in Greece and abroad.

“Our mission is not just to teach craft, it is to shape artists who carry discipline, ethics, and creativity into every piece they create,” says Tsintsaris. This commitment to skill-sharing reflects the apprenticeship traditions that have kept tattooing techniques alive across centuries, evolving without losing their roots.

Tattourism is a fast growing trend

BLINK's client base is around 25% international. The studio's reputation has also given rise to what Tsintsaris calls“Tattourism”. Clients traveling to Thessaloniki specifically for a tattoo, often making a short holiday of the trip. Moreover, the studio's piercing department is one of the fastest-growing in Northern Greece, known for impeccable hygiene, premium materials, and a wide jewelry selection.

“They get their tattoo or piercing, enjoy the city's food and culture, and return with something truly unique that is more often than not the same price or less than they'd pay back home,” he says.

BLINK regularly hosts international guest artists, flash tattoo events, and industry-specific workshops, helping position Thessaloniki as a creative hub for body art. This openness to exchange mirrors tattooing's long history as a shared cultural practice, passed between communities and continually reimagined.

From symbolic skin markings to contemporary fine-line designs, tattooing has always been a way to tell stories on the body. BLINK Tattoo Studio carries that tradition forward with resilience, reinvention, and the belief that the way we choose to see the world creates the world we see.

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