WTF IS IYNK?

Ooh, I’ve always wanted a tattoo…

LOVE and HATE on the knuckles? The name of your dearly departed pet stick insect on the back of your neck? Your online banking password on the palm of your hand so you never forget it? Loads of people have tattoos these days, not just bikers and Scary Mick who’s been barred from your local, but the process of getting one done can still be intimidating. That’s what IYNK wants to change, so its IOS and Android app is a bit like Deliveroo for tattoos – although don’t expect a man on a bike to turn up on your doorstep with a needle.

Good. That’d be terrifying.

If you’re scared of needles then this probably isn’t the app for you. First and foremost it acts as a kind of online catalogue for tattoo artists and studios around the country, so you can browse the work of a whole range of them before settling on your perfect match. If you’re just looking for ink-spiration you can also see what others have had done recently and, importantly, how much it cost.

OK, I’ve made my mind up. What now?

Are you sure? You can’t just ctrl-z a tattoo if you change your mind, you know. But if you’re definitely ready to commit to a lifesize portrait of Ainsley Harriott on your chest, you can book an appointment with your chosen studio or artist directly through the app, plus you can chat with them about what you have planned, just in case you’ve picked somebody who absolutely refuses to do any more tributes to TV chefs. You can even choose to pay in instalments using the Klarna-based ‘Ink Now, Pay Later’ option if you want. Let’s just hope your tattoo artist’s spelling is better than the app’s…