Meet Wayan. The Balinese Man Who Got Rich Selling Cling Wrap To Aussie Tourists
Wayan, a 32-year-old Balinese man from Seminyak, turned a simple observation into a thriving business. Noticing the surge of Australian tourists at Bali’s Denpasar airport with cling wrap protecting their fresh tattoos, he spotted an opportunity. Bali, especially areas like Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian, has become a hotspot for tattoo parlours catering to Aussies seeking affordable, high-quality ink—often at a fraction of the cost back home. Many of these parlours, like Artful Ink and Mason’s Ink, are Australian-managed and adhere to strict hygiene standards, drawing in droves of tourists who often get inked at the end of their trips to avoid sun and water exposure during healing.
Wayan recognized that tattoo studios were using cling wrap to cover new tattoos, a common practice to shield the fresh ink from contamination during the initial healing phase, as noted in tattoo care guides from studios like Luxury Ink Bali. He started small, sourcing bulk cling wrap and selling it directly to parlours in Seminyak, where the tattoo scene is booming—over 200 studios operate in the southwest coast alone, including Badung Regency. His pitch was simple: reliable supply, competitive prices, and convenience for studios catering to tourists who often get large pieces done in marathon sessions, like the Australian man who paid $1800 AUD for a full-leg tattoo.
As demand grew, Wayan expanded, supplying parlours across Kuta and Canggu, and even offering pre-cut rolls tailored for tattoo aftercare. His business tapped into Bali’s tattoo culture, where tourists—especially young Australians—flock for ink, drawn by the island’s reputation for skilled artists and lower costs. A small tattoo in Bali might cost $100 AUD, while larger pieces can run up to $600 AUD or more, with cling wrap being a standard part of the aftercare process. Wayan’s hustle paid off, making him a wealthy entrepreneur by Balinese standards, all from spotting a niche in the island’s tourism-driven tattoo economy.
