Mission & Vision — Tattoo Industry Manufacturers Alliance (TIMA)
Our Mission
The Tattoo Industry Manufacturers Alliance (TIMA) exists to protect, elevate, and strengthen the businesses that support the art and science of tattooing. We unite tattoo studios, product manufacturers, researchers, and dedicated industry professionals to advocate for fair, informed, and responsible regulation—ensuring tattooing is represented accurately and respectfully across every level of government and public health decision-making.
TIMA’s mission is driven by three core commitments:
Representation: To ensure tattoo-related industries have a legitimate seat at the table in conversations involving FDA, OSHA, EPA, ISO, and EU REACH regulations.
Education: To proactively inform our members about evolving standards, compliance requirements, and scientific developments that impact tattooing.
Protection: To preserve the cultural, creative, and commercial integrity of tattooing by supporting the businesses, workers, and innovators who keep the trade alive.
We believe that tattooing deserves thoughtful regulation, evidence-based policy, and organizational support equal to any cosmetic or personal care industry. TIMA was created to fill a long-standing gap—and to build a united, authoritative voice for those who have historically been excluded.
“Tattoos have a global voice, but our industry has gone unheard for far too long. TIMA exists to unify manufacturers, studios, and advocates so the future of tattooing is shaped with us—not for us.”
— Sean Brown
Our Vision
We envision a future where tattooing is recognized, respected, and supported as a legitimate global industry—one defined by innovation, responsibility, science-based standards, and professional collaboration.
A unified trade voice that represents manufacturers, studios, suppliers, and experts across the world.
An industry empowered to influence its own future, rather than being shaped by outside groups who neither understand nor respect tattooing.
Regulatory frameworks that reflect real-world tattoo practices, ensuring safety without stifling creativity or destroying small businesses.
Open channels of communication and cooperation among artists, manufacturers, regulators, scientists, and health authorities.
A strong, diverse, interconnected membership of professionals dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the tattoo trade.
TIMA seeks to build an ecosystem where tattoo-related companies are no longer excluded from major cosmetic and pharmaceutical trade groups, where regulatory organizations no longer overlook our needs, and where enforcement decisions are informed by expertise from within our own industry.