An experienced, service driven tattoo specialist. From classic craftsmanship to medical treatments.

Katendrecht has been the birthplace of tattoo shops in the Netherlands since the 1950s and 60s. At one point there were eight shops on the Kaap. Tattoo Bob has existed since 1968 and grew into a well known name, both nationally and internationally. Ralph Moelker continued the family business with his brother and sisters in law.

“In the past I wasn’t allowed to say that my father was Tattoo Bob,” he says. “It had a rough image.” That changed in the 1990s when tattoos became mainstream. Today there is even a medical branch.

How did Tattoo Bob become more than just a tattoo shop?
Ralph: “Alongside the shop I also worked in the hospital doing medical tattoos. From that experience I started TB Medical together with skin therapists and specialists. For some patients the step to a traditional tattoo shop felt too big. That is why we created a separate medical environment. We offer laser treatments, tattoo removal and medical tattooing, all with a lifetime guarantee. People travel from all over the country for it.”

How do you stand out today?
“Service always comes first. We are professional, but also no nonsense, friendly and approachable. In the past people would walk in at night and get a tattoo on the spot. That has changed. Now we mostly work by appointment. Piercings are still possible without one. We think along with our clients, give honest advice and sometimes say no. For example with racist expressions or when something is technically not possible. Trends change. Right now you see a lot of fine line and small designs. But every tattoo should have a story.”

Who comes to you?
“In the past clients came from all over the country. Now it is more regional. We have several tattoo artists in house and a portrait specialist people still travel for. What stands out is that people choose more consciously. Less impulse, more meaning. Although we still see plenty of ‘drunken tattoos’ that later need to be removed. Our mini museum, with photos and stories from the past, is also popular with tourists and cruise passengers. Groups come by specifically to experience that nostalgia. It is like a small window into the past of the Kaap.”