Convention Connection: American vs. European Tattoo Clients, According to Potter Seunghyun Jo
In Europe, a client might tell Potter Seunghyun Jo exactly how they want a strand of hair to turn, down to the angle. In the U.S., a client is more likely to say they want a tattoo from him, no matter what, and let him take it from there. After 17 years of tattooing and conventions across North America, Europe, and Asia, Potter has seen both approaches up close. He doesn’t think one is better. Each has its good and bad sides.
Chico Cortez sat down with Potter at the Tattoo Society World Expo in New York for Convention Connection. In this video interview, Potter talks about clients on both sides of the Atlantic, a bodysuit project of more than 100 hours, and the statue in Vienna that changed his career.
Key Takeaways
European clients: Often very specific about what they want, which gives clear direction but less creative freedom.
American clients: More likely to want a tattoo from a specific Tattoo Artist, no matter what, which means more artistic freedom.
His take: Both have good and bad sides, and he respects each.
The bodysuit: A year of weekly sessions on a client and friend who gave him the freedom to design.
The turning point: A statue he saw during a guest spot in Vienna changed his entire career.
Who is Potter Seunghyun Jo?
Potter Seunghyun Jo is a Tattoo Artist originally from Korea. He moved to Toronto, Canada, 15 years ago.
He’s been tattooing for 17 years, since 2009. He’s done somewhere between 30 and 40 conventions, but he’s lost count. Until about seven years ago, he traveled a lot, working in Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
He loves color. Sometimes he goes for clean edges, and sometimes for rough, abstract shading, depending on the piece.
Why do tattoo conventions matter for your career?
For Potter, conventions and guest spots shaped his career, and one guest spot changed it completely.
Almost 10 years ago, his good friend Boris, a Tattoo Artist in Vienna, invited him to do a guest spot at his tattoo shop. While he was there, Potter saw a statue in person. That experience, he says, changed his entire career.
The statue is now part of his bodysuit project, which makes the piece especially meaningful to him.
Traveling also let him see how clients differ around the world. And it showed him how conventions themselves are changing. He feels many recent American conventions focus more on the commercial and business side, and try to make things too busy.
Tattoo conventions bring clients from around the world to a single floor.
What are American tattoo clients like at conventions?
Potter says American clients tend to give him more artistic freedom.
He believes it comes down to mentality. Many American clients want to get tattooed by a specific Tattoo Artist no matter what. They trust the Tattoo Artist’s vision, so he has more room to create.
Potter enjoys that freedom. Chico pointed to the bodysuit as proof. He was sure the client never said “put this here, put that there.” The design is all Potter.
Trust in the Tattoo Artist: Clients choose the person, not just the design.
Creative freedom: More room to design based on the Tattoo Artist’s own vision.
How do European tattoo clients differ?
Potter says European clients are often very specific. They might ask for a strand of hair turned at exactly 45 degrees, or 15 degrees, whatever they have in mind.
That means he loses a little freedom. But he also respects it, because these clients understand exactly what they want.
He adds that the client base in Europe is a bit different, too. Many care more about a specific idea.
Pro Tip: As Chico summed it up, European clients give you better direction, and American clients give you more artistic freedom.
What are the biggest differences between American and European clients?
Based on Potter’s experience, the biggest difference is how much direction the client gives.
Direction: European clients often bring precise details. American clients often leave more to the Tattoo Artist.
Mentality: European clients focus on a specific idea. American clients focus on getting tattooed by a specific Tattoo Artist.
Freedom: Potter has more room to create with American clients.
Respect: He values both. “I can’t really say which ones are better,” he says.
How can you adapt your approach to different clients?
Potter’s experience offers a few lessons.
Step 1: Understand what the client wants. Some clients come with exact details. Others want your vision.
Step 2: Respect direction. When a client knows exactly what they want, honor it, even if it means less freedom.
Step 3: Make the most of freedom. When a client trusts you, bring your full vision. Potter says every element of the bodysuit reflects his personality and taste.
Step 4: Collect references for years. Potter takes photos of things he wants to tattoo someday. When his client and friend decided to get a full bodysuit, Potter showed him everything he’d collected and asked for freedom.
Step 5: Follow safety standards everywhere. No matter where you tattoo, follow the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
Inside the bodysuit
The bodysuit started exactly a year before the interview. They’ve done sessions at least once a week, sometimes twice, from two hours up to five or six. Potter estimates it’s at least 100 hours, maybe more. “It’s countless,” he says.
Chico called the piece Potter’s “renaissance.” Potter agreed. He says he could explain every single element, because every part reflects who he is.
Where can you learn to serve clients worldwide?
You can start with structured training, then build experience one client at a time. Potter’s career grew through years of tattooing, guest spots, and conventions.
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. Its “Good Humans” culture means you’ll join a supportive community from day one.
Tattooing is a human craft, which is why Tattoo Artists are still essential. Learn why tattoo apprenticeships are gaining ground as a solid alternative to college.
What does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship offer?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship built for beginners. No prior art experience is required.
Hands-on mentorship: You learn in person from experienced Mentors inside a working tattoo studio.
Beginner-friendly: No experience needed to begin.
Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements, like how to get your tattoo license in Texas or how long a tattoo license takes in Colorado.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.
Want to push even further? Master Mentorship
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, Jordi Pla, Marcel Oliveira, and Kara Gutierrez.
Making tattoo training accessible for everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist?
Potter Seunghyun Jo built his career over 17 years, through guest spots, conventions, and years of collecting ideas. When this interview was filmed, he hoped to work shows like Golden State and Empire, and to return to the Tattoo Society World Expo if promoter Tony Romel brought it back. He also hoped to return to Europe, including the Mondial du Tatouage in Paris, one of his favorite shows.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist? Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
To get tattooed by Potter, find him on Instagram at @seunghyunjotattoos and @sj_tattoostudio. Follow Chico at @m4l_chico.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are American and European tattoo clients different?
Potter says European clients often give very specific direction, while American clients tend to give more artistic freedom because they want to be tattooed by a specific Tattoo Artist.
Which kind of client does Potter prefer?
Neither. He enjoys the freedom American clients give him, but respects that European clients know exactly what they want.
How long has Potter been working on the bodysuit?
About a year at the time of the interview, with weekly sessions adding up to at least 100 hours.
What changed Potter’s career?
Seeing a statue in person during a guest spot at his friend Boris’s tattoo shop in Vienna, almost 10 years ago.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
Does Ink Different offer training in Spanish?
Yes. Ink Different has Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.
