There’s something inspiring about watching someone turn their passion into a proper craft. Tomasz Czekaj—or Tommi, as everyone calls him—is one of those rare people who didn’t just stumble into tattooing. He pursued it relentlessly, and his journey from Krakow to becoming one of the most respected tattoo artists in the UK is genuinely brilliant.
The Beginning: When Passion Met Ambition
Tommi’s tattooing career didn’t start in Congleton or Manchester. It started in 1998 in Krakow, Poland, where he discovered his love for the craft. But here’s the thing—knowing your passion and actually committing to it are two different animals. In 2006, Tommi made a life-changing decision. He packed up and moved to the UK, leaving behind everything familiar to pursue his dream seriously.
That takes guts. Most people would stay comfortable. Tommi didn’t.
The Grind: Building Something Real
When Tommi arrived in the UK, he didn’t immediately open his own studio and start getting high-profile clients. He did what proper craftspeople do—he went to work in some of the best studios in the country. He worked alongside world-famous artists, learning from the absolute best in the business, honing his technique, and understanding what it takes to create tattoos that actually stand the test of time.
This is a crucial bit that a lot of people skip over when they’re chasing their dreams. You’ve got to put in the graft. You’ve got to be willing to learn from people better than you. Tommi understood this, and it shows.
The Recognition: When Talent Gets Noticed
Over the years, Tommi’s work started winning recognition. We’re not talking about one or two awards here. He’s won over 25 tattoo convention awards. Think about that for a second—25 times, his work was judged against other artists and came out on top. That’s not luck. That’s consistent excellence.
He’s taken first place at numerous conventions across the UK, from Norwich to Manchester, from Coventry to Birmingham. His work has been featured in Skin Deep magazine, one of the most respected tattoo publications around. High-profile clients started seeking him out—football stars, TV celebrities, models, UFC fighters.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
The Specialisation: Finding Your Lane
What sets Tommi apart isn’t just that he’s talented (though he clearly is). It’s that he’s mastered certain specialisations that genuinely matter to people. He’s particularly renowned for cover-ups—those tricky pieces where you’ve got to work with someone’s existing ink to create something brilliant.
Cover-ups are genuinely demanding work. You can’t just paint over the old tattoo and hope for the best. You’ve got to be creative, technical, and thoughtful. You’ve got to understand colour theory, placement, and design. You’ve got to work with what’s already there while creating something the client will actually love.
Tommi specialises in exactly this kind of work. He also creates personalised tattoos with genuine narrative—pieces that actually mean something to the person wearing them. That’s not churning out generic designs. That’s art.
The Shift: Going Solo
In 2018, after years of building his reputation in various studios across the UK, Tommi made another bold move. He opened his own exclusive private studio in Congleton, right in the heart of Cheshire. This wasn’t just about hanging out a shingle and hoping clients would show up. This was about creating a space that reflected his standards, his vision, and his commitment to quality.
His studio in Congleton has become something of a destination. Clients travel from Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, and beyond to sit in his chair. The location benefits from excellent transport links—just minutes from town, easily accessible from Manchester (45 minutes by car) and Stoke-on-Trent (20 minutes away). Free parking outside. No excuses, really. If you want quality work, you make the drive.
The Philosophy: What Drives Him
What’s interesting about Tommi is that he’s not just focused on getting the money and moving on. He’s actually invested in the tattoo community. He’s mentored dozens of aspiring tattoo artists, sharing his knowledge and helping people start their journey into tattooing. That speaks volumes about someone’s character.
He’s also meticulous about technology. Tommi keeps up with the latest tattoo equipment and innovations, which results in top-quality work that holds up over time. He uses Swash Drive Tattoo Machines, renowned for their precision. He’s not the type to just make do with whatever’s lying around.
Why This Matters
Here’s what makes Tommi’s story relevant to anyone thinking about getting a tattoo—and especially if you’re in the Manchester area, Cheshire, or anywhere in the North West. His journey demonstrates what proper tattooing looks like. It’s not a quick cash grab. It’s not something you learn in a weekend and then start charging people.
It’s a craft that demands decades of dedication, continuous learning, and a genuine commitment to quality. Tommi’s been at this for over 25 years. He’s invested in his skills, invested in his equipment, and invested in creating an environment where clients get the best possible experience.
Real Talk About Standards
There’s a tendency in some industries to skip corners, charge less, and hope nobody notices. Tattooing doesn’t work that way. Your tattoo is literally on your body forever. It’s not something you can return or complain about quietly—it’s visible, it’s permanent, and it reflects on you.
Tommi’s approach—winning 25+ convention awards, specialising in complex work like cover-ups, mentoring the next generation of artists—that’s the standard that matters. That’s the standard you should be looking for when you’re choosing a tattoo artist in Cheshire or anywhere else, really.
Finding Your Artist
If you’re looking for a tattoo artist who actually knows their craft, who’s invested in quality, and who’s been proving it for over two decades, Tommi’s work is worth checking out. Tommicrazy Tattoo operates from a private studio in Congleton and attracts clients from across the North West and beyond.
The point isn’t just about one artist, though. Tommi’s story illustrates what you should be looking for in any tattoo artist. Look for someone who’s put in the years, who’s invested in their craft, who’s won recognition from their peers, and who’s willing to take on challenging work. Look for someone who actually cares about the final result, not just the immediate transaction.
Because at the end of the day, your tattoo artist isn’t just someone holding a needle. They’re creating something that’ll be on your body forever. That’s worth taking seriously.
