So you want a tattoo?

How do you find an artist? How do you reach out? What will your tattoo consultation/appointment look like? Here are some tips and tricks I've learned about getting tattoos in my few years of experience.

Step 1: Coming up with an idea & finding an artist

For a lot of people, figuring out what you want tattooed is the hardest and most lengthy part of the tattoo process. The first thing to know is that is completely normal! You're deciding on something that you would like to have displayed on your body for a long time, it's important to feel excited about the design you choose.

For some people coming up with a design idea comes first. For others, finding an artist does. Either way, exploring and getting to know the work of tattoo artists in your area can be a great source of inspiration for your design. Do you like line work? Shaded tattoos? Color? Are you drawn to floral tattoos? Portraits? Writing?

Step 2: Reaching out an artist & scheduling a consultation/appointment

So now you've got an idea and a few artists in mind. It's time to reach out! Most artists share all of their booking information in the same place that they share their past work, on Instagram. You'll usually be able to find that information either in their bio or a featured story. Most artists ask that you fill out a form on their website or email them. 

When reaching out with an email, I usually include the following information: 

• My design idea. I include as much information as I have about what I want. It might be super specific or a more general concept!

• Where I want the tattoo on my body. It's okay if you have a few ideas!

• What size I want the tattoo to be (in inches).

• Photos I'm using as inspiration from their instagram and other sources.

When there's a form, follow their prompts. They'll likely ask about most of the information outlined above in their forms, or ask further questions related to them in a later email chain or at a consultation.

What's a consultation?

Some artists prefer to schedule a consultation before officially booking a tattoo appointment with you. The consultation is very low stress. It's mostly meant to be a time for you to both verbally hash out the details of what you're looking for which helps in making sure you're both on the same page before your appointment.

At the consultation you'll talk about all of the things outlined above. This is a great time to explain to your artist that this is your first tattoo and share some anxieties you may have about the entire process. In my experience, artists are happy to answer any and all questions you may have. It's cheesy, but no question is a dumb question, especially when it's about a permanent peice of artwork on your body!

You'll officially schedule your appointment at the end of the consultation. Many artists will also ask you to put down a non-refundable deposit. Think about it like a payment for the design itself. They have to set aside time to draw it up for you! When you pay at the end of your actual appointment, this deposit will be used towards the total of what you owe. 

Remember, whether you're communication via email or at an in-person consultation, it is always within your rights to ask about pricing. Many artists have an hourly rate that they use. Even if they don't, based on your design idea, size and placement, artists should be able to give you a reasonable estimate of pricing and the time it will likely take for the design to be tattooed.

Step 3: Get tatted!

Now it's the day of your tattoo appointment. Here's a bit on how to prepare and what to expect during your session.

Prepare for your appointment

Before you make your way over to the tattoo studio make sure to eat something substantial. You may have heard stories about people passing out at tattoo appointments. The most common cause of this is from a lack of eating ahead of time. Take care of your body! I also recommend getting a good night of sleep before your appointment.

You may be inclined to take painkillers ahead of your appointment to curb the pain of the inking process. Unless you've spoken with your artist ahead of time and they've approved whatever you're planning on taking, DON'T! Most painkillers are also blood-thinners which can complicate the inking and/or healing process.

If you are nervous about the pain, that's totally normal. True, it is a naturally painful process involving the penetration of the skin. However, I would describe the feeling as a more of a discomfort than pain. To me, it feels most like a stretching and pulling of the skin. Others describe it as a slight burning, hot scratch or vibrating sensation.

I recommend bringing some form of distraction along with you to your appointment, especially if it's projected to be a longer session. Some artists love to talk while tattooing, but don't bank on it. I once sat through a four hour session with an artist who preferred not to talk and hadn't brought anything other than my phone with me. Bring a friend to talk to if you can. Or a good book. Or earbuds! They help the time fly by and can shift your focus away from the discomfort of getting inked.

What to expect at your appointment

Believe it or not, you won't be tattooed as soon as you arrive to your appointment. First, they'll have you fill out some paperwork. Then you'll make your way back to the artists' station or room and they'll show you their design! This is your chance to make any tweaks or changes to the design. You're not being a burden by asking for some minor changes. Remember, this will be with you for a long time. Artists understand that and want to make sure it's what you want.

Once the design is ready, they'll print out the a stencil and start talking about placement. They'll get whatever area you're thinking about getting the tattoo all cleaned up and prepped for inking and then place the stencil down. Once the stencil is placed get up and go look at it in a mirror. Sure, it may look great from your perspective, but looking at it from a distance is also really important! You'll also want to move around so that you can see the way it moves and streches with your skin. What does it look like when you're standing normally?

If you don't love the placement, say so. It's pretty normal to have to place the stencil a few times. Again, you're not being a burden. You're making sure your tattoo is something that you love before you get it etched into your skin. 

Once the placement is what you're looking for, you're ready to get started! The artist will get everything set up, place you in a comfortable position you can hold, and give you a warning before they start actually tattooing. Usually, artists will draw a small line to acclimate you to what it feels like before moving along with tattooing. If you let them know that it's your first tattoo, they'll make sure to give you time to adjust.

Once your tattoo is finished the artist will give you a chance to go look at in the mirror and maybe take a few pictures. They might snap a pic for their instagram too if you're lucky. Then they'll wrap you up and explain their recommendations for tattoo aftercare. Different artists use different types of wrappings and suggest different variations of aftercare. Always listen to your artist. They know how to care for their work the best!

Finally, you'll pay your artist for their time and work. Remember two things: that your deposit should go towards your final total and that the standard in the tattoo industry is to tip your artist at least 20%!

Welcome to the club!

I love encouraging people who are interested in tattoos to go out and get one. If that's you, I hope this guide has offered you some peace of mind and that you are fueled with the confidence to start the process. 

Good luck! I'm excited for you!

October 25, 2023