Get a Tattoo the Right Way

Anonymous
Get a Tattoo the Right Way

If you have never gotten a tattoo before in your life, and you are thinking of getting one listen to me very carefully before you end up with something on your body that you will regret for the rest of your natural life.

1. Do your research

If you needed to have a leg amputated, also permanent, would you just let any old "surgeon" that says they are a surgeon do it, even if they're operating out of garage? I hope to hell not, and I hope to hell you just don't whip through Craig's list and try and find any old tattoo artist or just walk by one night out while partying and go into the first shop you see because you will probably get screwed.

In this case, the internet is your friend. Look for shops and artists that have tons of good recommendations and very detailed reviews on the artists and their work. If you see someone with a kick ass tattoo on the street, ask them about it and who gave it to them. Carefully read through all the negative reviews and PAY ATTENTION because their negative review could be you.

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

2. Check that they have a license and sterile environment

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

A tattoo artist must have a license to legally do tattoos unless you love playing Risk. This is a person who is dealing with potentially infectious material--like blood, skin...your tears, lol, and must maintain a clean and sterile environment in which to do their tattoos. That means, they must wash their hands with antibacterial and germicidal hand soap, always use single-use disposable gloves, use sterilized tattoo needles and ink, or must use disposable equipment and properly dispose of needles and other hazardous waste in properly marked containers. You walk in that shop and it's dirty, it smells, you see artists without gloves working on people, or not washing their hands or switching out equipment, or it's not being done in a shop in the first place, run because infected tattoos from non-sterile equipment are disgusting...absolutely disgusting and can leave you scarred for life or with other medical issues.

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

3. Look at the book

Every REAL tattoo artist has a nice thick very detailed book on tap of their work. A few pages isn't going to cut it. You should be able to see the absolute variety and the use of different skills in their work. The designs should not all be things you'd find on the wall of hearts and stars and simple crap anyone taking 3rd grade art could do.

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

PAY ATTENTION. Don't just flip through nonchalantly. Study the images in detail. Do you notice crappy line work, really dark shading, uneven letters and numbers, amateur work...because if you do, that's going on you next.

4. Talk to the artist

Schedule an appointment and sit down and really talk to the artist about what they do, how they got into the work, their inspirations, what they love to tattoo, about what you want, and ask if they can sketch something out for you or a couple things. Ask about their procedure, about their own tattoos, if they do shows, how many years they've been in business, etc. An artist, who also coincidentally wants your business and your money, will be willing to talk to you at length and in detail during your appointment. If you're being rushed or told your questions are stupid, or if they make you feel uncomfortable in anyway, imagine that person, now with a needle jamming it into your arm as you beg them to stop. Yeah, not a pretty picture. You hold the power here, and use it. You don't like what's going on, walk away, and find someone else.

5. Spend the money

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

I am the absolute queen of saving money, but that motto goes out the door with tattoos. This is one case where spending the money is in your best interest. The average young in the game artist will charge you about $75-$125/hr and ones well established will run you $150 on up/hr (or they'll charge by size of the piece). If we're talking a full detailed sleeve for either or, you probably aren't getting out of there for less than a grand (on up of course).

BUT don't be lulled in by just the pricing. #3 and #4 should help to really inform you on the quality of the artist you will be working with. And for goodness sakes, don't haggle with an artist. They don't come to your job and suggest they pay you less for the work you're doing!

6. Speak up

Get a Tattoo the Right Way

Even if you select someone who is supposed to be revered in the field of tattoos, it's still your own body they are working on. If you are not happy with the sketch or their ideas for what they're thinking of putting on you, say something asap. Even if you have to go back to the shop 5 times before they come up with something you like, go, because this is something you will have to live with forever, and both you and they should understand that.

Get a Tattoo the Right Way
18 Opinion