Getting a tattoo is a lifelong commitment, plain and simple. While you might be excited to get your ink, take your time to find the right tattoo artist and studio for you. Laser removal of tattoos is not nearly as advanced as some would lead you to believe, it's not very reliable, and let's not forget that removal is pricey and the process is lengthy (multiple sessions spread out over a year or more). So what you choose today could be with you for decades. Make sure it's an informed decision.
1) First and foremost, do your research. Don't even bother looking for a tattoo artist until you find a reputable parlor. These days, this is simpler than it sounds, thanks to our favorite online research and rating tools. Plus, you're not looking for the best parlor yet -- just eliminating the worst.
2) Ask around. Chances are that your friends and acquaintances have tattoos and you can ask about their experiences. Of course, if their tattoos are awful, don't bother asking! Surprisingly, even strangers are open to talking about their tattoos. After all, they are visible, so their owners want them to be noticed, and they're impersonal enough that few people take offense to questions. And it's a great way to meet people to boot.
Once you have personal recommendations, do some web searches for each of the specific parlor names. Search for phrases like "tattoo-shop-name complaints," "tattoo-shop-name sucks," etc.
Your local independent paper is a great way to find at least one leading local tattoo parlor. Tattoo shops very often advertise in these papers, and if the ads are recurring, odds are very high that the shop is favored in the community.
3) Do your safety checks. Once your list has been narrowed down, take a trip to each one. At this point you are interested in safety and cleanliness.
* When working with customers, do the tattooists wear gloves? * Do they wash their hands between tattoos? * Is smoking prohibited in the studio? Is the parlor licensed? * Is the studio free of dirt and debris, i.e. is it clean? * Do the artists pull their needles from the autoclave (sterilizing equipment) prior to each tattoo? * Are single-use supplies used during a session? For example, look for things like disposable ink cups, fresh needles, and the like? * Is each client shaved and properly disinfected prior to beginning work? * Are spray bottles and other hand-held equipment wrapped in plastic bags (prevents cross contamination)?
4) Find an artist. If you're satisfied that the shop is clean, it's time to look for a specific artist. This is a matching process. While most artists are very versatile, if you're looking for a skull tattoo, wouldn't it make more sense to get it from someone who specializes in skulls? Often by looking through the art books in the parlor, you can get a feel for the style of each artist.
When you meet the tattoo artist, they should be friendly and helpful. They get a lot of window shoppers, so don't expect them to be bubbly and excited to meet you, but they should still be accommodating. They should never try to talk you into getting larger or more intricate tattoos. Any artist who has been in business knows that the most satisfied clients are informed clients. Experienced tattoo artists will usually offer their opinions and guide the process, they should never push you.
If you feel that you are being pushed into something that you don't like, or if the artist is dismissive of your questions, you might need to move on. Many experienced artists prefer working on intricate, large designs, so you might just fall under their radar. It's nothing to worry about: there is someone out there perfect for your tattoo.
5) Don't price it. Keep in mind that this tattoo will be with you for decades, making the cost per wear minimal. Don't try to save a few bucks and risk ending up with a tattoo that is less than optimal. The risk just isn't worth it. I'm sure there are some cases of price gouging out there, but I've never personally experienced them or talked to anyone who has. Just spend the money -- the peace of mind is worth it.
6) Choose your location. Sensitive areas and areas closer to bone tend to be more painful, but you shouldn't let pain determine your tattoo's location. Hip tattoos are very popular, as well as lower-back and shoulder tattoos. Growing in popularity are hand tattoos and foot tattoos, while the old standbys like arm tattoos are still going strong.
7) Choose your design. Similar to pricing your tattoo, don't settle for any old design you find in their books. With the abundance of tattoo designs available in online galleries, there is no reason you can't find the perfect tattoo for your skin. Your best option is to make use of a quality tattoo finder to browse designs. You'll be able to find and download artwork, and see real life pictures of what the tattoos look like on people. - 16083
1) First and foremost, do your research. Don't even bother looking for a tattoo artist until you find a reputable parlor. These days, this is simpler than it sounds, thanks to our favorite online research and rating tools. Plus, you're not looking for the best parlor yet -- just eliminating the worst.
2) Ask around. Chances are that your friends and acquaintances have tattoos and you can ask about their experiences. Of course, if their tattoos are awful, don't bother asking! Surprisingly, even strangers are open to talking about their tattoos. After all, they are visible, so their owners want them to be noticed, and they're impersonal enough that few people take offense to questions. And it's a great way to meet people to boot.
Once you have personal recommendations, do some web searches for each of the specific parlor names. Search for phrases like "tattoo-shop-name complaints," "tattoo-shop-name sucks," etc.
Your local independent paper is a great way to find at least one leading local tattoo parlor. Tattoo shops very often advertise in these papers, and if the ads are recurring, odds are very high that the shop is favored in the community.
3) Do your safety checks. Once your list has been narrowed down, take a trip to each one. At this point you are interested in safety and cleanliness.
* When working with customers, do the tattooists wear gloves? * Do they wash their hands between tattoos? * Is smoking prohibited in the studio? Is the parlor licensed? * Is the studio free of dirt and debris, i.e. is it clean? * Do the artists pull their needles from the autoclave (sterilizing equipment) prior to each tattoo? * Are single-use supplies used during a session? For example, look for things like disposable ink cups, fresh needles, and the like? * Is each client shaved and properly disinfected prior to beginning work? * Are spray bottles and other hand-held equipment wrapped in plastic bags (prevents cross contamination)?
4) Find an artist. If you're satisfied that the shop is clean, it's time to look for a specific artist. This is a matching process. While most artists are very versatile, if you're looking for a skull tattoo, wouldn't it make more sense to get it from someone who specializes in skulls? Often by looking through the art books in the parlor, you can get a feel for the style of each artist.
When you meet the tattoo artist, they should be friendly and helpful. They get a lot of window shoppers, so don't expect them to be bubbly and excited to meet you, but they should still be accommodating. They should never try to talk you into getting larger or more intricate tattoos. Any artist who has been in business knows that the most satisfied clients are informed clients. Experienced tattoo artists will usually offer their opinions and guide the process, they should never push you.
If you feel that you are being pushed into something that you don't like, or if the artist is dismissive of your questions, you might need to move on. Many experienced artists prefer working on intricate, large designs, so you might just fall under their radar. It's nothing to worry about: there is someone out there perfect for your tattoo.
5) Don't price it. Keep in mind that this tattoo will be with you for decades, making the cost per wear minimal. Don't try to save a few bucks and risk ending up with a tattoo that is less than optimal. The risk just isn't worth it. I'm sure there are some cases of price gouging out there, but I've never personally experienced them or talked to anyone who has. Just spend the money -- the peace of mind is worth it.
6) Choose your location. Sensitive areas and areas closer to bone tend to be more painful, but you shouldn't let pain determine your tattoo's location. Hip tattoos are very popular, as well as lower-back and shoulder tattoos. Growing in popularity are hand tattoos and foot tattoos, while the old standbys like arm tattoos are still going strong.
7) Choose your design. Similar to pricing your tattoo, don't settle for any old design you find in their books. With the abundance of tattoo designs available in online galleries, there is no reason you can't find the perfect tattoo for your skin. Your best option is to make use of a quality tattoo finder to browse designs. You'll be able to find and download artwork, and see real life pictures of what the tattoos look like on people. - 16083
About the Author:
Ben has a growing collection of body art and helps match people with their perfect tattoos. If you're looking for a high-quality tattoo finder, visit Ben's site for access to the largest collection of pictures of tattoos on the web! You'll find hip tattoos, shoulder tattoos, foot tattoos, tattoo crosses, sleeve tattoos, lower back tattoo designs, and more.
