Tattoo technology evolves as ink becomes more mainstream

Recently, a group of students developed an innovative way to use 3-D printers as tattooing machines.

The use of technology for taking over human tasks is nothing new in our culture. In fact, an article recentely outlined how robots might take over certain jobs including pharmacy techs, store clerks and drivers. Humans are becoming increasingly reliant on technology as more than a tool to get work done. Now, we've having technology do the work, period.

Will tattooing become a lost art as the 3-D printing technology phenomenon develops?

Tattoos have historically been a way for cultures to communicate, to tell stories and even to remedy medicinal or cosmetic complaints. The earliest tattoo was, after all, cosmetic.

Granted, there have been many different meanings and techniques throughout the history of tattooing, particularly when you consider tribal or native peoples.

Consider what Lars Krutak, tattoo researcher, had to say:

So, could our technology-obsessed culture simply be re-creating our own meanings of what tattoos and tattooing mean to us through technological advances?

In a way, it's sort of a shame because tattooing is such an intimate and ancient process. In essence, you are allowing an individual to make their art a part of you. There was even a recent controversy surrounding tattoo copyrights that speaks to the issue of tattoos and artistic ownership.

Of course, generally prior to getting inked, you have some input on the aesthetics behind your tattoo. It's an artistic collaboration of sorts and one that wouldn't necessarily be diminished by the use of 'robot' tattoo artists -- someone has to draw the design, unless robots become adept at graphic design as well.

Who knows, that may be next.

Tattoos are mainstream now. A Harris Interactive poll found that 1 in 5 adults  are inked. Gone are the days where only the degenerate drifter or motorcycle gang member sports a tat. Maybe this fact is pushing our generation to begin to think more outside-the-box when it comes to tattooing technique and culture.

This might not be a bad thing, but it will certainly be interesting to see where this -- and other tattoo technology -- will take us.