A tattoo is a big step.
As a tattoo artist, I know a lot about tattooing. I spent 60+ hours inking myself.
These are the things that I believe people need to know before they get inked.
If you are looking for the best tattoo artist, do your research.
If you are looking for an artist to work with, make sure that your portfolio is up-to-date. You can find it on the website of their shop or social media.
Look at their aesthetic and the styles they specialize in — you’ll want to pick someone familiar with the type of design you’re looking to get.
You can also look at photographs of completed tattoos as well as fully healed to see the final design and help you visualize the healing process.
It’s also good to find a shop you are excited about — that might mean specifically choosing an LGBTQ- or BIPOC-owned business.
Find a place to tattoo. Mikhaila Friel/Insider
Prepare for your consultation — but be flexible
You’ll meet with your chosen artist to finalize your tattoo design.
To help your artist design your project, bring as many photos and other source materials as possible. Bring questions, and listen to the artist for advice on placement.
These professionals are experts and will help you to get the perfect tattoo.
Sometimes, an artist might not agree with you. iStock
Tattoos that are good quality can often be very expensive
According to me, “You get what your pay for” is a true statement. especially true for tattoos.
You want tattoos to last forever, so pay more to get a skilled artist that you are comfortable with than to try to save money.
Keep in mind that the cost of a tattoo usually starts when you make an appointment. Most shops require a deposit. It is usually the minimum cost for the tattoo, or the hourly rate of the artist. This deposit is used to cover the total cost of the tattoo.
My regular tattoo artist charges $250 an hour, while most of my deposits have been less than $80.
Also, be sure to budget for a tip — 20% of the total is a good general rule of thumb.
As with any major expense, it is a smart idea to plan ahead for your tattoo. Shutterstock
Each person’s pain tolerance differs and certain areas are more painful to ink than others.
Pain is considered a subjective experience — and there are factors that contribute to this, It includes how the individual views it, and what the surrounding circumstances are..
It also has a significant impact on the pain.
The worst pain that I have ever endured was getting my ditches (the inside of your arm, where it bends), inked. Due to how close these areas are to bone, it was painful for me to have my tops and feet inked, as well as my chest.
The other thing was that I didn’t feel much pain when I got full pieces to my thighs, as the fattier area wasn’t close to bone.
You can ask your artist to provide numbing cream for pain if necessary. If it makes the process easier, there’s nothing wrong with it.
A tattoo that has a deeper meaning than you might think is important.
My first tattoo was at age 18 when I really thought it through.
My older sisters had said that they would get it for me, so I searched months to find a design we all agreed upon.
However, when it came time to ink my tattoo, I was not the only one. It’s not my largest tattoo, about the size of one quarter. I find it funny, and was angry at them for quite some time.
After this realization, I discovered that a tattoo’s meaning doesn’t necessarily matter. These days, images are just chosen by me because they look great or were created by artists that I admire.
A tattoo is for the person who is getting it — what it means or doesn’t mean is your business only.
Pause and bring some snacks
You should eat well before the big day, have snacks and keep hydrated.
Don’t hesitate to ask your tattoo artist for a rest if necessary. It can be difficult to get a tattoo, so it is essential that you take care of your health.
Be present with your body and listen to it.
