For decades, Mario Barth has lived, breathed, and bled tattooing as an artist and a relentless innovator who has reshaped the industry from the inside out. From his beginnings in the underground tattoo scene of Austria, where tattooing was illegal, to becoming the world's leading force in tattoo ink innovation, his journey has been one of passion, sacrifice, and an unbreakable commitment to artists worldwide. What started as a fight for self expression became a mission to revolutionize tattooing forever, breaking barriers, setting new global safety standards, and creating the most advanced, safest, and artist-driven tattoo ink the world has ever seen. With every color made, one more artist, one more client, and one more tattoo becomes part of this unstoppable movement —because at INTENZE, it's not just about ink but the future of tattooing itself.
Mario Barth: From Austrian Underground to Global Tattoo Ink Innovator
Late 1970s – Early 1980s: The Austrian Underground
Mario Barth began his tattooing journey in the late 1970s in Austria when tattooing was illegal. Operating in the underground scene, he honed his craft and quickly gained recognition for his artistry. Despite the challenges, Barth's dedication led him to win over 200 international awards*, establishing him as a prominent figure in the tattoo community.
The 1990s: Expansion and Entrepreneurship
In the 1990s, Barth expanded his influence by opening multiple tattoo studios across Europe and the United States. Notably, he established the first tattoo shop on the Las Vegas Strip, marking a significant milestone in bringing tattoo artistry to mainstream audiences. His clientele included numerous celebrities, further cementing his status in the industry.
2000s: Founding of INTENZE Products & Expanding Color Possibilities
Recognizing the need for safer and higher-quality tattoo inks, Barth founded INTENZE Products, forever changing the landscape of tattooing.
For decades, tattoo artists were limited to a small, basic palette of colors, which restricted creative possibilities. In his mission to expand the artistic potential of tattooing, Mario Barth introduced a revolutionary 19-color set, providing tattoo artists with a more expansive range of vibrant, lasting pigments.
2005: Pioneering Artist Collaborations for Cutting-Edge Innovation
In 2005, Mario Barth became the first tattoo ink manufacturer to collaborate with top-tier artists to develop signature color sets. This groundbreaking move saw young, cutting-edge artists work with INTENZE to create customized color palettes tailored to their unique styles. This revolutionized tattoo pigment innovation, allowing INTENZE to stay ahead of the curve while *inspiring the next generation of tattoo artists.
By 2008, his ink collection had grown to an unprecedented range of over 300 shades, redefining what was possible in tattoo artistry. This development allowed artists to achieve hyper-realistic shading, richer gradients, and more vivid color work, setting a new standard for the industry.
2017-2018: Leading the Industry with Voluntary ISO Certifications
A defining moment in INTENZE's commitment to tattoo ink safety and quality came with the voluntary achievement of ISO certifications, making INTENZE the first tattoo ink company worldwide to meet these rigorous international standards:
2017: ISO 9001:2015 Certification – Ensuring a world-class quality management system that guarantees consistency, safety, and continuous improvement in ink production.
2018: ISO 22716 Certification – Adopting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for cosmetics, bringing tattoo ink production to pharmaceutical-grade safety levels.
Unlike other manufacturers who waited for regulations to be enforced, INTENZE pursued these certifications voluntarily, shaping a new era of advanced safety in the tattoo industry. These certifications solidified INTENZE's leadership in producing globally the safest, cleanest, and most traceable tattoo inks.
2022: Pioneering REACH-Compliant Tattoo Inks
INTENZE proactively developed REACH-compliant tattoo inks in 2022 in response to strict European Union REACH regulations. While many ink brands struggled with reformulation, INTENZE led the industry by ensuring its inks met EU safety standards without compromising vibrancy, longevity, or performance. This positioned INTENZE as a pioneer in regulatory-compliant tattoo pigments, setting a benchmark for the global market.
2023: ANVISA Approval and Expansion into Brazil
Demonstrating a commitment to global safety standards, INTENZE sought and obtained approval from Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) in 2023. This approval allowed INTENZE to offer its products legally in Brazil, ensuring compliance with the country's stringent health regulations and marking a significant step in *expanding into South America*.
Late 2023: A Technological Breakthrough – 100% In-House Ink Production & Advanced Laboratory Facilities
A significant milestone in INTENZE's relentless pursuit of Innovation was achieved in late 2023 with the successful development of a proprietary, fully computerized ink production system. This cutting-edge system allows INTENZE to manufacture 100% of its ink in-house, eliminating the reliance on external pigment suppliers and ensuring absolute control over:
- Pigment purity and consistency
- Advanced mixing and formulation precision
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Strict quality control and sterility measures
Additionally, as of 2023, INTENZE established a full-scale, in-house laboratory equipped with:
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High-end photo spectrometers for precise color analysis
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State-of-the-art bio-laboratory instruments that challenge the capabilities of most chemistry labs
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Advanced quality control systems to ensure the highest level of safety, stability, and performance in tattoo pigments
This investment in scientific advancement has positioned INTENZE as the world's most technologically advanced tattoo ink manufacturer, further securing its reputation as an industry leader in Innovation and safety.
2024: Strategic Expansion into Asia & Anti-Counterfeit Measures
By late 2024, INTENZE expanded into the Asian market, addressing the growing concerns over counterfeit tattoo inks that posed significant safety risks. The company established strategic collaborations with trusted partners to combat knock-off products, ensuring that artists and clients received only authentic, high-quality, and safe tattoo inks. This expansion reinforced INTENZE's commitment to artist protection and consumer safety worldwide.
2025: REACH-Compliant Permanent Makeup & Medical Tattoo Pigment
As part of its ongoing Innovation, INTENZE introduced:
The first REACH-compliant permanent makeup and microblading pigments – Offering artists and cosmetic professionals the safest, highest-quality pigments for PMU applications, setting a new industry standard.
Development of the first medical tattoo pigment
After a decade of research, INTENZE is on the verge of launching a breakthrough medical tattoo pigment designed for restorative and medical tattooing applications. This pigment will revolutionize medical aesthetics and scar camouflage technology.
Today: A Legacy of Innovation and Safety
From the underground tattoo scene in Austria to leading the world's most advanced and safest tattoo ink company, Mario Barth's journey is a testament to passion, Innovation, and commitment to quality. INTENZE remains at the forefront of tattoo ink manufacturing, holding multiple patents and setting industry standards in:
Tattoo ink sterilization and safety
- Internationally certified production practices
- Global regulatory compliance (ISO, REACH, ANVISA, GMP)
- Fighting counterfeit inks worldwide
- Groundbreaking innovations in PMU and medical tattoo pigments
- Cutting-edge, in-house computerized manufacturing & laboratory technology
- The continuous and selfless efforts of Mario Barth have shaped the tattoo industry, not only as an artist but as a pioneer in creating groundbreaking, industry-changing innovations. With every color created and every bottle of ink used, another tattoo artist and their client's experience is enhanced. The endless work for Innovation is not for personal gain but for the love and future of the tattoo industry —a mission that never stops evolving.
