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In the history of tattooing, few names carry the weight and legacy of Bert Grimm. Revered as a founding figure in American traditional tattooing, Grimm's contributions helped define the visual style, ethos, and professionalism of modern tattoo art. His influence is deeply embedded in the culture of tattoo studios worldwide—from his iconic flash designs to the generations of artists he trained.
At Baker Tattoo Supply, we pay tribute to tattoo pioneers like Bert Grimm whose legacy laid the groundwork for the vibrant, ever-evolving tattoo community we support with high-quality tattoo supplies and inks.
Bert Grimm was born in 1900 in Sedalia, Missouri, and came of age during a time when tattooing was still regarded as a sideshow curiosity. His introduction to tattooing began in carnivals and circuses, where he learned to tattoo while working the traveling show circuit. These early experiences honed his speed, precision, and customer-focused approach—qualities that would define his long career.
Grimm’s tattoos, even in those early years, stood out for their clarity, confidence, and bold execution. His commitment to improving his art and learning from others led him to travel across the U.S., visiting shops and picking up techniques from other early masters.
By the 1920s and ’30s, Bert Grimm had worked in nearly every major American tattoo city, from Chicago to St. Louis to Honolulu. His mobility not only broadened his horizons but also exposed him to a wide range of clientele—particularly military personnel, bikers, and working-class men and women looking for tattoos that reflected pride, protection, or personal stories.
Grimm eventually set up multiple shops, but his most famous studio was yet to come—on the West Coast, in Long Beach, California.
Bert Grimm’s most legendary shop was on the Long Beach Pike, a boardwalk amusement zone known for its carnival atmosphere and naval presence. In the 1950s, Grimm took over a tattoo shop that would become one of the longest continuously operating tattoo studios in American history.
The shop, simply known as “Bert Grimm’s World Famous Tattoo”, catered to sailors, soldiers, bikers, and travelers. The Pike provided a near-constant stream of customers, many of whom wanted tattoos that were quick, bold, and easy to recognize.
It was here that Grimm perfected the American traditional style—thick outlines, minimal shading, saturated primary colors, and timeless imagery like:
Eagles
Anchors
Hearts with banners
Skulls
Snakes
Pin-up girls
These designs were fast to execute and held up well over time—especially important for sailors spending months at sea. Today, these motifs remain among the most recognizable in tattooing.
One of Bert Grimm’s greatest contributions to tattooing was his role as a mentor and teacher. At his Long Beach studio, he trained some of the most important tattoo artists in American history, including:
Bob Shaw
Ed Hardy
Colonel Todd
Lyle Tuttle
These names would go on to revolutionize tattooing, opening it up to wider audiences, advocating for hygiene and professionalism, and pushing the art form into galleries and museums.
Grimm was known for demanding high standards from his apprentices. He taught them discipline, cleanliness, and efficiency, all while encouraging artistic excellence and respect for the tradition.
Grimm’s legacy is deeply tied to the flash sheet—pre-drawn designs displayed on studio walls to inspire or guide customers. He created hundreds of flash designs, many of which are still in circulation today.
His flash sheets featured designs that were:
Readable at a glance
Easy to apply on various body parts
Symbolically rich
Whether it was a dagger piercing a heart or a black panther mid-pounce, each piece conveyed emotion and identity in a bold, graphic language. Tattooers today still use Bert Grimm-inspired flash when studying traditional composition or when offering walk-in tattoos.
Grimm tattooed for over six decades, a rare feat even among legends. While many artists faded into obscurity or left tattooing altogether, Grimm never stopped working, adapting to trends while never straying from his foundational style.
Even as the 1970s brought new styles like black-and-gray realism and Japanese sleeves into the mainstream, Grimm’s work remained a benchmark for simplicity, clarity, and storytelling. He continued to tattoo well into his 80s.
Bert Grimm passed away in 1985, but his influence remains monumental. His Pike shop was preserved for years as a living museum of tattoo history, and his flash art continues to be studied and revered by traditional tattooers worldwide.
His legacy lives on through:
Tattoo conventions and retrospectives honoring his work
Flash collections reprinted for artists and collectors
Influence on contemporary artists in the neo-traditional and American traditional styles
For those who appreciate bold, time-tested designs and a grounded philosophy of tattooing, Bert Grimm is essential history.
In today’s tattoo world—dominated by social media, innovation, and artistic fusion—there’s a growing desire to connect with the roots of tattoo culture. Bert Grimm represents the foundation of professionalism, quality, and tradition that continues to influence artists globally.
Whether you're a tattoo artist, apprentice, or enthusiast, studying Grimm’s life and work helps ground your practice in the values of:
Consistency
Clarity
Craftsmanship
Respect for history
At Baker Tattoo Supply, we believe that tattooing’s future is strongest when it’s informed by its past. That’s why we support artists with high-performance inks, machines, and accessories—tools that uphold the standards set by pioneers like Bert Grimm.
Bert Grimm was more than just a tattoo artist—he was a cultural figure, a trailblazer, and a craftsman who helped shape what tattooing is today. His bold imagery, mentorship, and commitment to the craft have left a permanent mark on the tattoo industry.
As we continue to evolve, we carry his legacy forward—one needle at a time.
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