Tattoo parlours in Mackay say they are becoming frustrated with constant visits by police.

A number of studios contacted by the ABC say they have had three to four visits in the past week, with police questioning staff and taking photographs of the studio.

Tattoo shop owner Jason Bird says there is no affiliation between any local studios and criminal motorcycle gangs.

He says their businesses are being unfairly targeted.

“I don’t know why they’re impacting so much on the tattoo business because I think it’s all to do with the Gold Coast and Brisbane and all the stuff that’s been happening down there,” he said.

“They must have a lot of bikers owning tattoo parlous down south.

“They [police] just want to know all their background, if we’re related to any bikies or if we’re related to anyone associated with bikies and that’s another discrimination.

“I don’t think there’s any indication that it’s going to ease up at all. I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. I’m not too sure where it’s going to go actually.”

As part of the crackdown on criminal motorcycle gangs, owners of tattoo studios and artists must be licensed.

Mr Bird says the process will be costly and time consuming with licences having to be renewed every few years.

He says it could have a significant impact on businesses across the state.

“A lot of people will be out of a job because a relative might be associated with somebody, you know of a motorcycle club,” he said.

“Even people that have been doing it for 20 or 30 years, they can just be stopped right in their tracks, even though they’ve got nothing to do with [bikies].”