A recent story in The Guardian outlined the expansion plans of a laser tattoo removal business in California. The company is hoping to capitalize on a swelling number of unhappy ink fanatics — the other end of tattoo mania. But this doesn’t ring true for Steve Peace of Immaculate Concept Tattoo & Piercing in Calgary and the organizer of The Alberta Bound Tattoo and Arts Festival.

When asked if tattoos are still popular in Calgary he says “It’s insane.”

It’s the small pieces and the people that don’t really think about what they’re getting that tend to flock to laser removal joints. “I’d hate a piece of crap tattoo on me, as well. Thing is, I don’t have any crappy tattoos because I researched all my tattoo artists,” says Peace, one artist in town who has never inked a Tasmanian Devil or Mickey Mouse on someone’s ankle.

“If people are humming and hawing, don’t fucking get it then. We’ve got enough customers.”

Dr. Tom Woo, who operates the Laser Rejuvenation Clinic and Spa in south Calgary, says he started seeing an upswing in business about six years ago, but he echoes what Peace says. His typical appointment involves removing a small tattoo that people have grown to regret due to new jobs, new loves or their parents finding out. He rarely removes full sleeves or back tattoos (which Immaculate Concept tends to focus on). “I do a few, but I don’t encourage it. Ones that are sort of the size of your palm or smaller are pretty ho-hum to do.”

This year, the Alberta Bound tattoo festival is attempting to capitalize on the continuing popularity of tattoing by developing a split personality. For the first time, the festival will be held on back-to-back weekends, first in Calgary, then in Edmonton. Peace says it was a financial decision more than anything else. “Calgary was getting so expensive, it wasn’t even paying for itself,” he says.

“It’s a smaller space in Calgary this year and the equal amount of space in Edmonton. So what I paid in rent last year, I’m paying the same for two shows.”

That said, this year’s show won’t be lacking. It will feature an industry dodgeball tournament, a tattoo challenge, Lucky Diamond Rich’s sideshow (Lucky is the world’s most tattooed man), Roller Derby, a concert by Mudmen at Rusty Cage South and the Conventia De Mentia put on by Demonika at The Distillery. The Conventia will feature burlesque, sideshow acts, Suicide Girls, music and more. Missing this year is a big name concert and the odd television personality.

Of course, there will still be a lot of skin staining talent, with some of the best from Alberta and around the world showcasing their work. And it’s talent and careful selection that once again brings harmony to the opinions of the polar opposite professionals in ink and removal.

“The one thing is, there’s a few festivals coming up in the near future that are trying to emulate what Alberta Bound does,” says Peace. “We’re tattoo artists. We put everything into our show. My house is mortgaged to the tits because of this show…. And now, actually, there’s two more companies coming through town just trying to emulate what we do, with mediocre artists, and that’s one thing I hate.”

And Dr. Woo? “I would caution people, this is a little self-serving, but I would caution people to see a doctor, for sure, for tattoo removal, and preferably a dermatologist. There are some people, their clinics that are not run by doctors; they don’t always tell you the right information.”

“That’s been a bit of a bee in my bonnet.”

So if you don’t want to be under the good doctor’s laser, check out the portfolios at Alberta Bound — you’ll keep Peace happy. But if you want to help out the clinic, there’s still some people in town who will give you that tramp stamp you’ve always dreamt about — they just won’t be at the festival.