Behind the Needle and Thread: How Tattoo Art Translates to Clothing and Prints
From Tattoo Shop to Shirt Rack: The Story Behind the Art
Since 2006, Mindzai Creative has been bridging the gap between tattooing and fashion, translating the energy of tattoo art into prints and apparel that people can collect and wear to express their style. What began as a recording studio and artist development hub eventually evolved into a powerhouse print shop and fashion brand, fueled by a deep respect for tattoo culture and a hands-on approach to artist collaboration.
In the mid-2000s, founder Scott Hunter Weatherwax was traveling across the country getting tattooed by some of the best in the game—Scott Sylvia in San Francisco, Brian Bruno in Richmond, and Richard Stell in Dallas. It wasn’t long before a local tattooer, Dave Kruseman of future Ink Master fame, walked into the print shop and asked if Scott could make prints of a painting he’d done. A few weeks later, Kruseman came back for more prints—and began introducing Scott to a circle of world-renowned artists like Myke Chambers, Chris Stuart, and Derek Noble.
What started as a simple order of art prints evolved into a tattoo brand clothing line. But not all tattoo artwork works well on a shirt. “You’ve gotta keep in mind,” Scott says, “a great-selling print may not look good on a shirt—especially with backgrounds and borders. Sometimes it can make the shirt look boxy or minimize the central theme of the art.” Those early shirts were sold at just 3–4 tattoo conventions a year, tracked with pen and paper, with artists getting credit at the print shop.
Today, the game has changed—but the ethos hasn’t.
Artists Working Their Magic
One of the things that sets Mindzai apart is its artist-first approach. While Scott brings a strong eye for what’s going to resonate with collectors and customers, he trusts the artists to bring their vision to life. "The collabs are pretty hands-off on my part. I just let the artist do their thing," he explains. “If something feels off, I’ll suggest revisions, but for the most part, these are world-class tattooers—I trust their process.”Some of the best-performing pieces come from ongoing partnerships, like the annual limited-edition outerwear collabs with Paul Dobleman. These aren’t just jackets—they’re artifacts, rooted in timeless tattoo styles and elevated through high-end garment design.
Analog Roots, Digital Precision
While many of the art prints are still based on full-color paintings, the clothing side has shifted toward digital tools. Most artists now design in Procreate, but Mindzai’s art department has the ability to work their magic with everything from scanned sketches to high-res photos of original paintings. If you’re a tattooer designing apparel, here are a few Procreate tips from the Mindzai team:
- Create a 12x16" canvas at 300–450 DPI for print-ready results
- Keep your linework, shading, and color layers separate
- Use high-quality brushes like BJ Betts Penmanship for lines and True Grit’s Stipple Studio for shading
The goal is always the same: crisp, clean, bold designs that stand the test of time. Pieces with a clear subject and minimal background tend to perform best on apparel - avoiding that "big printed square" look that can flatten an otherwise strong desig
Favorite Collabs: Velvet, Ink, and Innovation
One standout piece in Mindzai’s lineup is the reversible jacket created with
Madi Octavia. On one side: a velvet track jacket featuring a haunting black velvet painting. On the other: a Mindzai-branded quilted satin bomber. It’s a perfect example of what’s possible when traditional mediums like velvet painting are translated into modern fashion without losing their soul.
Whether it’s a T-shirt pulled from a tattoo flash sheet or an embroidered jacket based on a full-color painting, each piece tells a story—of trust, collaboration, and artistry.
Tattoos Beyond The Skin
Tattooing is about timelessness, self-expression, and storytelling. At Mindzai Creative, those values carry through every product we create. The art may not live in the skin, but it still becomes part of who you are. And that’s what makes it special.
Stay tuned for more drops, more stories, and more art that’s built to last.
