From Austria's Underground to the Global Stage

Celebrity tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and Austropop rockstar Mario Barth has spent more than four decades shaping the tattoo industry from the inside out. Rising from the underground tattoo scene in 1970s Austria—where the art form was still illegal—Barth built an empire through talent, perseverance, and vision. Today, he stands at the helm of INTENZE Products, the world's most advanced and trusted tattoo ink company, with studios spanning the U.S. and Europe, including the first-ever tattoo shop on the Las Vegas Strip.

PHOTO: The founder of INTENZE Products discusses a historic new patent, the fight against counterfeit inks, and the future of professional tattooing.

A Historic Patent for REACH-Compliant Ink

Barth's latest achievement marks a pivotal moment in tattoo history. INTENZE has secured a historic patent for a REACH-compliant tattoo ink formula—meeting the European Union's strict Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations. The patent represents years of research and development and offers tattoo artists worldwide a solution that upholds the highest safety standards without compromising on performance.

“For years, tattoo artists across Europe have struggled under increasing pressure from regulatory restrictions,” Barth shared. “This patent changes everything. It provides a verified, safe option that meets regulatory standards while preserving the artistic integrity and performance tattooers expect.”

Protecting Artists and the Art Form

The newly patented ink not only protects artists and clients but also elevates the legitimacy of tattooing as a professional and regulated industry. Barth emphasizes that the achievement is about more than compliance—it's about trust, transparency, and safeguarding the art form's future. The proprietary formulation and tightly controlled manufacturing process behind INTENZE's ink is now protected, helping to shield against a flood of counterfeits that have plagued the market in recent years.

Fighting Counterfeits with Full Control

INTENZE has taken a firm stance against counterfeit tattoo ink, which can pose serious health risks due to unsterilized and unregulated production. By overseeing the entire production process in-house—from sourcing pharmaceutical-grade ingredients to sterilization, packaging, and batch tracking—INTENZE ensures every bottle meets exacting standards. Each bottle can be traced back to a specific production run, offering artists full confidence in product authenticity. The company's dual ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22716 certifications underscore its commitment to manufacturing excellence and good practices—distinctions that remain rare in the tattoo industry.

Artist-Owned, Artist-Driven Innovation

INTENZE's artist-founded, artist-owned roots are at the core of its success. Barth, with over 200 international awards and a client list filled with music and Hollywood royalty, built the brand on a deep understanding of what professional artists truly need. Under his leadership, INTENZE has consistently led the industry in innovation—from pioneering sterilization techniques to developing breakthrough pigment technologies.

PHOTO: The patent for INTENZE is vital because it protects proprietary ink formulation and the rigorous manufacturing process behind it.

Leading the Future of Professional Tattooing

“This patent is about the future of tattooing,” Barth says. “Global regulations will only become more demanding, and artists need tools that not only comply but perform. With this, we're saying loud and clear: tattooing is a legitimate, science-backed, global art form. We're here to protect and support that.”

What's Next for INTENZE

As for what's next, Barth makes it clear that INTENZE is only just beginning. The company is doubling down on research and development, expanding educational outreach, and continuing to build a world where every tattoo is done with the safest, highest-quality ink available. It's a vision rooted in passion, precision, and purpose—values that Mario Barth has championed from day one.