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The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
Welcome to the Awesome World of Tattoos
Tattoos are a wonderfully unique art process that has permanently applied designs to human
canvasses for thousands of years, and has many aspects that can be appreciated. It is the only
type of art that can be taken with you wherever you go, that can't be lost or stolen, and that
can come with you to the grave. It doesn't get much more awesome than that!
Tattoos were originally used to denote royal status or various ranks among tribes in countries
like Africa and Egypt. When they first began making their way to America in the early 1900's,
however, tattoos were the mark of the wayward, the misfit—in fact, if you were covered head
to toe in tattoos back then like some of today's tattoo patrons are, you could have earned
yourself an exhibit at the local circus, where people would pay to see your tattoos!
For many years, tattoos had maintained this taboo reputation, but somewhere along the way,
they became...well, trendy. Western folk began to recognize tattooing as the art form that it
truly was, especially when the process began evolving to a honed artistic skill. Today, we don't
use tattoos to denote power. We use them instead to bring facets of our personality to the
surface, as a sort of outward manifestation of who we really are.
It's no surprise then that more than 1 in 5 individuals in the United States currently sport at
least one of these permanent pieces of body art today, and this number encompasses a
whopping 40% of adults between the ages of 26-40 who have at least one tattoo.
Unfortunately, statistics also say that almost 20% of those who have gotten one more tattoos
regret a tattoo decision. Whether individuals succumb to the 'tattoo trend' and get a tattoo
“just to get one,” or they make the regrettable decision to tattoo a significant others' name to
them, a bad tattoo choice is something that they have to live with for, well, forever!
Sometimes, 'forever' is a long time frame to think about in terms of what type of design you'd
wear on your body for the rest of your life, but tattoos ARE forever. If you're in the market to
get a tattoo for yourself, whether it's your first or one of many, it is extremely important to give
as much thought as you can into the design and placement of the permanent design that you'll
be wearing, and it is equally, if not more important, to give just as much thought to who shall
be applying your tattoo. This article will hopefully give you some helpful insight so that you'll
end up with an awesome tattoo that you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
Picking Your Brain for the Perfect Tattoo Idea
Well, you know that you want a tattoo, and you know that you don't want to make a decision that
you'll regret. But how will you know exactly what type of tattoo to get?
Researching the Basics
There are absolutely thousands of different designs that you could choose from that are as different as
you are from your peers, and encompass a range of styles from classic tribal designs, Japanese tattoos,
and traditional tattoo designs from the 1940's and 50's to photo-realistic designs, abstract art,
lettering, and more modern concepts. Only you can make the executive decision as to what kinds of
designs you like, but the first step (after being familiar enough with your own personality to feel
qualified in making this assessment) is to do a little bit of research into the type of design you are
interested in.
For example, many potential tattoo customers love the look of traditional-style tattoos from the WWII
era because they are simple, readable and nostalgic. But, it might feel a little silly to get a traditionalstyle tattoo without knowing that it came from this era, or without knowing anything about why they
are drawn the way that they are. Similarly, it's easy to say that you want a tribal design, but there are
dozens of different types! Do you want a Polynesian style tribal, a Maori symbol, Hawaiian tribal, Aztec
style, or maybe something else?
And if you're thinking about doing some lettering, don't just tell your artist that you want “some kind
of cursive.” Look at a few fonts and think about what will best fit the words and your personality. There
are hundreds of beautiful fonts to choose from on Tattoo Me Now to start off your search, and you
might be surprised at how versatile a simple lettering tattoo can be.
It is equally important to observe the difference between color ink tattoos and tattoos that are done in
black and gray. Depending on your natural skin tone, how frequently your skin gets sunlight, the style
of design that you want, and your personal preferences, you may decide that one looks better than the
other, and it will change your perspective on your design choice. If you really want a color tattoo, will
the Aztec tribal design you were thinking of getting still look good, or will you need to pick something
else?
The next part of your research should be to make sure that the design you pick can be translated as a
tattoo. Even with the advancements made in the tattoo world, skin is still a malleable canvas, and it
moves over time, causing any tattoo design to blur a little bit eventually. Designs that are too small, or
that contain too many details, won't translate well over time because lines that are too close to each
other will blur together. As an artist, it drives me nuts when a client asks me for a dime-sized tattoo,
and he/she is shocked to discover this information. Keep this in mind when deciding what to get.
Why Are You Getting a Tattoo?
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
If your reason is because tattoos are cool, trendy, or “because you've always wanted one,” then I can
almost guarantee that you won't be happy with your choice further down the road.
Tattoos often mean a lot of things to different people. In addition to their use as a symbol of status,
tattoos have been long regarded in some cultures as a spiritual symbol. Most tattoos in ancient
Japanese culture, dating back to 10,000 BC were worn for spiritual reasons for several thousand years
before they were ever worn decoratively. But hey, why not do both?
Would you like to sport a cross or religious figure to have your faith always physically manifested with
you? Or is there some sort of mantra that you like to say to yourself to remind you to that you're strong
enough to thrive during tough times? Spiritual tattoos can be very meaningful and are seldom
regretted.
Tattoos can also send a powerful inner message when they are worn to memorialize a loved one. Your
daughter/son/mother/father will always be your family; if the loved one has passed, there's something
about carrying a piece of him/her with you forever that brings a sense of peace, and it can often even
act as a sort of therapy to get a tattoo for this reason. It's even possible to add cremation ashes to
black tattoo ink!
If you don't have a spiritual meaning behind the idea of your tattoo, don't worry; as long as the tattoo
means something to you, no matter how elusive the meaning may be to others, then you'll likely be
much happier with your choice. Use your research and inspiration to think of ideas that match with the
purpose or reminder that you want your tattoo to fulfill.
Finding Inspiration
Tattoos are a reflection of your own individual personality, but when it comes to deciding what type of
tattoo will show your best colors, it can help to look to other sources for inspiration. This is why most
tattoo shops include books of designs, known as tattoo flash, for their clients to peruse.
When tattoo flash first originated over half a century ago, tattoo stencils were made differently and
took a lot of time to make, making it easier to ask customers to choose from a few select designs than
to make stencils for each original one. Today, tattoo flash is looked to more as inspiration to draw your
own ideas from. They can really get your creative juices flowing! Such tattoo design compilations can
also be found online, if you don't want to wait until you get to your local tattoo shop to get some ideas
(why not start with Tattoo Me Now's Idea Gallery?).
While you can simply choose a design from the books or online, you have so many more options these
days. If you thought it was embarrassing to be wearing the same shirt as your friend at a party,
imagine running into someone who has the same tattoo!
Don't forget that with the modern techniques, any picture can be used as a reference for a tattoo as
well, be it a comic book strip, a design on your favorite t-shirt, or a picture of your pet that you brought
from home. Reference pictures such as these are really helpful for you and your tattoo artist to both
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
visualize what you're going for and work together with the same idea. If you have a few ideas, feel free
to bring in as many pictures as you need, and tell the artist what you like and don't like about each
image. Being specific about what you want is never a bad thing, as long as you also keep an open mind
and be realistic about what your artist can accomplish.
Another fantastic well of ideas simply comes from looking at images of tattoos that other people
already have. Photos of tattoos are my favorite kind of references because they clearly illustrate how a
design looks as a tattoo, instead of visualizing it from paper, and it shows what is and isn't possible to
achieve with a certain idea. Again, the Internet can be a great source of inspiration when it comes to
looking at pictures of actual tattoos, whether you go to something like Google, or if you choose to
utilize something like the photo gallery that Tattoo Me Now offers, where members upload pictures of
their own tattoos.
Location, Location Location
Even the best tattoo performed by the most skilled artist can look strange and out-of-place if it isn't
placed well on the body.
More people than you'd think often overlook this concept for their own tattoos, and the fear of pain is
actually a commonly cited issue that keeps people from getting their design in a place that they really
want it, or in a place where it will conform to the shape of the body.
Before we go any further, you should know as a potential client: tattoos hurt. They will always hurt.
The degree of pain may vary from person to person, and it definitely does vary depending on the part
of the body being tattooed, but they hurt. What did you expect?
Knowing this is not only going to prepare you to sit better, but hopefully it will banish the notion that
because you've heard that the place you had in mind for your design is super painful (for example, the
feet, rib cage, inner arm, lower back, and any joint), that you should reconsider the placement. Is it
recommended to get a large tattoo on your ribs for your first tattoo? Not necessarily, but if you don't
want a smaller design in another place and you've had your heart set on your rib tattoo for years, then
getting the tattoo will be important enough to you that you'll do your best to sit through it like a
champ.
The shape of the tattoo should always flow with the body. For example, a symmetrical design should
be placed in a symmetrical area, such as the center of the chest, upper or lower back, the center of the
back of the calf, or on the ball of the shoulder. Similarly, a rectangular shape on a circular part of the
body, like a pectoral muscle, is going to look extremely out of place because it disrupts the natural flow
of muscle structure. Your artist may have recommendations to change the placement or shape of your
design based on how it will flow with your natural form, and sometimes this can make the difference
between a good tattoo and an absolutely awesome tattoo.
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
The Importance of Finding the Right Tattoo Artist
Once you have given some real thought to the concept of what design you'll be getting, it's equally
important to put just as much effort into the consideration of who will be tattooing the artwork. There
are an estimated 20,000+ tattoo shops spread across the United States alone, so as you can imagine,
there are a TON of tattoo artists to choose from, many of which are very, very good. Where do you
even start to find the right tattoo artist?
It's All About Customer Service
With as many shops and artists as there are out there, there has to be something that separates the
competition. The tattoo industry is 100% a customer service industry, and just like with a mechanic,
plumber, or other trade industry job, providing a good customer experience is absolutely crucial. Tattoo
artists (mostly) know that you don't want to be in close proximity to someone for sometimes hours
when they're a complete jerk, especially if they're also poking you with needles! You should find an
artist that you get along with on a basic level; this can be just as important to your tattoo experience
and overall result as the quality and price of the work.
Some artists have an 'artist ego,' that is to say, they know they're good and they don't really value
customer service as much as their skill. They know what you want, and if it's not what you want, then
it should be because they know about tattoos way more than you do.
Your tattoo artist should absolutely demonstrate knowledge in a polite, professional manner and offer
helpful advice in the process, but good customer service means that it's up to you to take the advice or
not once you've been informed. Some people are alright with the rockstar attitude, but keep in mind
that 'artist ego' types are difficult to budge on their vision of your tattoo, and they're often pushy
about it. Usually they really do know what they're doing, but if you feel pressured into getting
something that you didn't necessarily want, then you might end up regretting it even if the tattoo is a
solid work of art. If you and your artist are on the same page, the process will be smoother and you'll
feel more involved with the decision.
Don't Be Stingy
Cost can be a huge deciding factor for a lot of people—I mean, let's face it, money doesn't grow on
trees, and we want to make sure we get the best deal possible. However, the saying “You get what you
pay for” is also very applicable to the tattoo industry, and you don't want price to be the only
consideration.
As a tattoo artist, I've never really understood the concept of 'price shopping' for a piece of art that will
be on your body for the rest of your life. Granted, yes, some tattoo artists will just be out to get your
money, as can be expected in any industry, and they might not deliver sound quality work. However,
it's your job to look into that, and it's also your job to inform yourself on what you should expect to
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
spend on a tattoo.
A typical tattoo shop will either charge an hourly rate, or simply charge based on the individual design
or concept. An hourly rate is roughly between $100-$150 per hour, but a really well-known artist like
Kat von D can charge anywhere from $400-600 per hour! The price varies depending on the amount of
experience and the popularity of tattoos in the area. Obviously an area with more tattoo shops will
offer a variety of shops with more competitive prices, but normally you really will get what you pay for.
It's a good idea to work around a budget, but also be open to being quoted more than you expected
and saving up for it if the artist is really worth it.
Portfolios Are There For a Reason
The worst thing you could do is combine the above price-shopping with a casual apathy towards the
quality of an artist's work. Every tattoo artist worth going to has carefully put together a portfolio of
his/her best work to showcase their skills, to provide you with an idea of the style that they render,
and to show you what types of tattoos they like to do the most.
More people than you think who just walk in to a shop on the spot simply assume that because they're
in a tattoo shop, that they'll be offered good service, and they skip right to the price quote and if the
artist is available then and there. Please look at the portfolios to see if you like what you see first!
Be Patient
You have an idea for a tattoo, you have money in your pocket, and you're ready. You can't quell the itch
to get a tattoo unless you get one right now.
I understand that in today's fast-paced society, immediate satisfaction is ideal. People want their
phones to be the fastest, they pay $20 to have an item shipped to them the next day, they start a fad
diet and want to immediately see the pounds fall off. Tattoo artists aren't copy machines though, and
we aren't horrible human beings if we can't accommodate you right away.
As much as tattoo artists would love to sit down and know exactly how to draw your custom design for
you right away and draw it in 20 minutes while you wait, it doesn't work that way. A decent-sized
design could take an hour or more to draw, and take as long as a week or so to get it right—in between
completing all of our other appointments who were willing to wait for us to tattoo them. Would you
rather wait for us to get it right, or settle for a rushed design to wear for the rest of your life because
you simply had to get it that day?
The artist should never rush the tattoo application either, whether it's because you have somewhere
to be or because they're running late and don't want their next appointment to wait. Never squeeze a
tattoo into your schedule. We can estimate how long it'll take, but we have no way of knowing for sure.
We do know that your asking how much longer it'll be every 5 minutes will just make us think that we
need to hurry up and finish instead of take the time to make your tattoo perfect. Never allow or ask a
tattoo artist to squeeze you into their schedule either for the same reason!
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
Once again, tattoos are permanent. Patience is a virtue when making a permanent decision, so if you
need to make an appointment for another day, set it up and be happy that your artist is taking the time
to do things right for you.
The Tattoo Experience
Now that you've spent weeks really brainstorming the concept of getting a tattoo, and after finding the
perfect artist to gift your skin with a beautiful piece of permanent body art, are you mentally prepared
for this awesome experience? You bet! Is there anything else you need to know before you sit in the
chair? Possibly.
Getting Prepared
First, make sure that you've eaten within at least 2-3 hours of going to your appointment. I'm sure
you've heard all this talk about fainting during a tattoo, but it does happen sometimes, and it has
nothing to do with your pain tolerance. Light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting are caused by the
drastic blood sugar spike that happens when your body realizes that it's in pain, and its quick descent
back to normal levels after your brain figures out that you aren't dying after all. Eating will keep your
blood sugar levels more stable, which also boosts your ability to endure being tattooed for long periods
of time. It's equally important to stay properly hydrated, especially during warmer months and
climates.
Next, please wear appropriate clothing for the part of you being tattooed. The body part being
tattooed should be easily accessible; for example, wear open-top shoes if you're getting your foot
tattooed, or wear shorts if you're getting a thigh tattoo. If you want to look nice before you come in,
wearing separate clothes underneath or bringing additional clothes to change into is a superb idea.
Don't wear clothing that you would hate to get ruined; tattoo ink does NOT come out of clothes.
And finally—this one may seem obvious—don't be under the influence of anything when you come in.
One or two ibuprofen is fine, but prescription/recreational drugs and/or alcohol will not serve to make
the experience physically easier for you; it will make it more difficult, especially for your tattoo artist. If
we can tell that you aren't sober, we're likely to push your tattoo appointment to a day when you will
be.
In the Chair
A tattoo machine pokes the needle into your skin at 1,000 times or more per minute. You should
already know that this won't feel like a summertime picnic, and you should be prepared to do your
best to relax and just wait it out.
Once the tattoo begins, the most important advice I can give you is to sit still, no matter how much it
hurts. You can whine, you can complain (within reason—make sure you aren't rushing your artist as
The Definitive Guide to Getting an Awesome Tattoo
previously stated), but you absolutely cannot move. There is very little room for error in tattooing,
especially if the piece is especially small or ornate, and if a mistake is made because of you, then it'll
take even longer for the artist to finish because we'll spend time trying to fix it—if we can. If we can't,
then it's on you. While you may understand that and have to live with it, your artist will also have to
live with his/her name on your wobbly-lined tattoo. This is permanent.
If you feel close to tapping out and you need a break, don't be afraid to ask for one if you think it'll help
you finish out the tattoo session. Just don't ask every 10 minutes--that can be pretty time-consuming
and frustrating. Just remember that it's all worth it, and as soon as you're done, you'll never have to do
it again, at least in the same place!
Take Care of Your Tattoo
As elated as you'll be to look at your new tattoo for the first time, the tattoo experience doesn't end
after you pay. The first two weeks of your tattoo's life are the most important in terms of its longevity,
and it's your responsibility to make sure you follow all healing instructions given to you. Each artist is
different in what he/she recommends for aftercare, but generally speaking, the tattoo will be kept
moist enough that it doesn't scab, but not so moist that it is suffocated, because they need air to heal
more than anything else. Follow your artist's instructions, and call if you aren't sure. It's not a hassle to
hear from you, it's part of our job, and we want your tattoo to look perfect just as much as you do!
And there you have it—the recipe for getting a fantastic tattoo blends the right tattoo idea with the
perfect tattoo artist, and is topped off with a little knowledge of what you're getting into. Tattoos are a
wonderfully unique personal statement that will last for years and years to come. And they're pretty
awesome.