Guide To Getting A Good
Tattoo
Finding
The Right Tattooist -
Finding Designs - Keeping
Tattooist Happy - Before You
Get Tattoo - During
Tattoo - After
Tattoo - Tattoo
Faux Pas - Tattoo
Urban Legends
Finding
The Right Tattooist
You should research your choice of Tattooist
carefully. Check out as many Tattooists in your area as possible, don't just go
for the first one you see. A Professional Tattooist will work from a health
registered, purpose built studio (not their kitchen at home) with a clearly
displayed portfolio of their work. A registered studio will display their
licence on the wall (normally in the actual studio as opposed to the waiting
room), few Tattooists will mind you asking to see it or some basic questions
about the sterility of the studio. Nearly all Tattoo Studios have a website now,
which helps with getting a feel for how professional a studio is.
Finding
Designs
Most studios carry a large range of Flash (Tattoo design
sheets) but to get the best design possible it helps if you research the
possibilities before you approach a Tattooist with your idea(s). Use the internet
(or library) and do as much research as time allows. A good starting point is a
search engine (such as Google) or you can use the handy links on our
Links Page. Take in anything you find that helps you explain
your idea clearly and concisely. A word of caution: Although photos of actual
tattoos may help you lay out your idea to a Tattooist, be wary of any Tattooist
that intends to just copy straight from a photo of an existing tattoo (see
Tattoo Faux Pas). It's also
worth mentioning good quality printouts, a bad pixelated picture isn't going to
help if the detail is important, and keep a note of the name of any fonts you
print out!
Keeping
Tattooist Happy
It should go without saying that for the best
results it's important to keep your Tattooist happy! If you've put in the effort
to find the best Tattooist for you then you should trust their judgement and
advice. This means that you shouldn't argue with the advice or price they give
you; by all means you shouldn't let them push you into something you are not
comfortable with but if a Tattooist tells you that your idea needs to be done
bigger then they tend not to be willing to do it smaller (and so on); trying to
argue with their advice will only annoy them! See
Tattoo Faux Pas for more on
"keeping your Tattooist happy".
Before You
Get Tattoo
Make sure that you are prepared for the Tattoo
session. It sounds simple but it's amazing how many people forget the basics. If
you've made an appointment and have been given an information leaflet READ IT!
Do not consume alcohol the night before a tattoo. Cleanliness is next to
Godliness..... do not turn up covered in dirt or in week old work clothes! It's
a good idea if the clothing you wear allows for easy access to the area you'll be
getting tattooed. Make sure you turn up for your appointment early (normally
10-15 minutes is a good time). Take a bottled drink in with you (normally
bottled water is best because it won't explode when you open it!). Declare any
medical problems/ medications BEFORE you sit down to be tattooed. Do not turn up
for a tattoo without having the cash to pay for the tattoo, most studios don't
have card payment facilities and don't rely on someone who's planning to bring
you money whilst you're in the studio.
During
Tattoo
The most important thing? Don't move without warning the
Tattooist! Listen carefully to what the Tattooist tells you and communicate
clearly with them. If you feel uncomfortable let them know. Most Tattooists have
the memory of getting tattooed themselves and will be sympathetic if you need to
adjust your position or want to take a 5 minute break. Some Tattooists will work
in stony silence whilst others will talk the hind legs off a donkey; if your
Tattooist isn't willing to talk don't try and get a conversation started, if
your Tattooist is talking and you don't feel like talking back let them know
(politely if you can!).
After
Tattoo
There is only one piece of advice about how to look after
your tattoo after it has been done: Follow the information that your
Tattoo Studio provides, don't listen to your friends advice until the tattoo is
fully healed! If you have a problem with your tattoo let your studio know as
soon as possible and arrange to see them about it..... if you haven't followed the aftercare advice
to the letter be honest about it.
Tattoo
Faux Pas
Certain things will get you into deep water with most
Tattooists, some things will lead to you making yourself or the Tattooist
uncomfortable...... there are even things that may well see you slung out of a studio.
Some things are just common sense; so be
aware not to do anything stupid or "against the rules".
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Do not expect or accept to have a tattoo copied from a
photograph of an existing tattoo. "Ripping off" another Tattooist's work
intentionally is one
of the biggest sins a Tattooist can commit against another.
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Do not haggle if you're given a price (or a price
range). Don't expect a Tattooist to be overly happy at you insulting how much
their work is worth. You wouldn't want a Tattooist to cut corners with your
tattoo so in return don't attempt to drive a bargain with them.
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If
you're told that something needs to be changed in a design then it's generally for good
reason and to your benefit. Putting your point of view across is acceptable,
being argumentative and difficult isn't.
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Generally Tattooists don't double-up as Psychics. You
need to explain yourself clearly during the design process so as not to end up
wasting time that could be better spent actually tattooing! Even the most basic of sketches can
illustrate a point you want to make. If a Tattooist doesn't "read your mind"
it's rarely their fault.
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Most professional Tattooists run an appointment system.
Sometimes it's not possible to fit you in straight away. Be ready to make an
appointment, if need be. Nearly all studios will require a substantial deposit.
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A friend is generally welcome to come with you but it's up to
the Tattooist if they can sit with you during the tattoo.
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Some Tattooists work differently than others. Insinuating their
way is wrong because you've seen it done differently isn't going to win you any
friends.
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As above: quoting something about a technical aspect you've
heard on a Tattoo TV program won't make you seem clever, you'll look like a fool
if the Tattooist asks you to elaborate on your opinion.
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ALWAYS be on time. Being late will normally lose you your deposit.
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ALWAYS have enough cash before you walk into the studio.
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Asking a Professional Tattooist to sell or get you tattoo
equipment....... Just don't!
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A Tattooist is going blind. If a Tattooist was going
blind then they'd be retired, wouldn't they? The same goes for "having the
shakes" etc. Mostly these are rumours spread by people that have reason to harm
the Tattooists reputation (usually because they are in competition with them).
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A Tattooist waters down their colours. Watered down
colours don't work as well during the tattoo process so it would be
self-defeating..... unless the desired effect is a colour fade. This rumour is
normally spread
for the same reason as above.
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If you get a particular tattoo in a particular place, it's
free. Various versions do the rounds (including the full Lords Prayer on the
bottom of you foot, "Made In Such-and-Such Country" on the penis), often garnished
with "without moving or making a sound". Generally a pointless tattoo in
an uncomfortable place.... normally told to test if someone is stupid enough to
ask the Tattooist!
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Tattooing on the wrist can puncture the vein. Wrists
don't bleed anymore than anywhere else.
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Tattoos explode if you have a CAT scan. Simply not true.
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