Meet Staple: The Tattoo Essential That’s Changing the Game
In tattooing, the smallest details make the biggest impact.
For the team at Staple, that’s where it all began, with a dedication to refining, simplifying, and enhancing the everyday products artists rely on most.
We sat down with Staple crew to explore their origins, what drives their creativity, and what’s next for this fast-growing essential in tattoo studios.
Tell us, how did Staple come to life?
Out of necessity initially! About 4 years ago we ran into issues with what was readily available that also didn't break the bank. There was a decent period of R & D working in tandem with our team of Artists at Aquatica to make sure our formulation was properly stress tested. In the beginning we had no intention of bringing it to market, it was just for internal use for the studio! As time went on however, the amount of positive feedback we received had us thinking about what it might take to turn our formula into what would become ‘Staple Tattoo Supply’.
This led us back to the tried and tested legends at One and One and, in turn, to Ruban. This holistic team working in tandem with us was the key to unlocking so many questions we had about turning our idea into reality.
The name “Staple” feels simple, but strong. What does it represent?
That was intentional! Tattooing is a complicated job, if we were going to add to this world it would be to keep things simple and effective. ‘Staple’ speaks to this, a well-engineered product with a clean aesthetic, a ‘Staple’ in every set-up.
How did artists’ routines and studio workflows influence the decision to launch with a 200g tub?
This was quite an easy decision for us to make! With the intent to uncomplicate a tattooer's life, choosing a portion size that was easy to understand was key. 200g is roughly a month's supply for a tattooer working with a full calendar, keeping ordering our product easy to wrap your head around.
You’ve built a lot of trust in the tattoo community. What’s helped you connect so authentically with artists?
I think this comes down to us (Lauren & I) being a part of that community well before the idea for Staple came around. At Aquatica from the outset we’ve always strived to connect with the industry, a big part of this was dedicating a chair within the studio just to host guest artists. Allowing us regularly to connect with new and old friends to learn and work alongside each other.
When it came to the launch of Staple having an initial foot in the door with so many artists, most of which had already tried the beta and loved it, definitely gave us a running star
What’s been the key to building momentum for Staple?
Shaking hands and offering samples! Tattooing is a gig with infinite variables at play during each session, artists will often stick to what they know in an effort to minimise the randomness. We’re here to present a better solution to give them one less thing to think about.
Are there any new products or expansions in the pipeline?
For now, we're content with what we have. I've always been a firm believer in not over populating markets for the sake of it. Our glide answered the call for a well performing product at a cost-effective price point within the space, there was a clear gap. If we hear the call again, I wouldn't rule it out, but for now it's one jar at a time.
Launching a brand is no small task! What role did a dedicated design agency and production partner play in ensuring a fast, seamless process?
Bringing a product to market is fraught with variables and unknowns, especially when it's your first time around. With the amount of horror stories you hear when it comes to dealing with offshore factories, it was essential to muster a team behind us to ensure things went as smoothly as possible. The holistic design duo at One and One was an easy choice on our end, and they in turn lead us to Ruban. This combination was pivotal in the success of the early stages of Staple.
For tattooers who haven’t tried Staple yet — what’s the best way to get involved?
Reach out to us! We’d love to chat.
Want to try Staple for yourself?
Visit stapletattoo.com to shop the range or follow on Instagram @stapletattoo
