There are plenty of different feelings when embarking on the quest of getting a new tattoo. Whether it is your first tattoo or it is your four hundred and twentieth, we’ve compiled this list of helpful tips to help guide your through the process.
FINDING THE RIGHT ARTIST
Many artists specialize in their own unique style of art, and don’t always stray from that path. You will want to put some time into selecting the right artist for your project.
Check out artist portfolios! It is important to find an artist whose style of artwork matches what you are looking for. Pay attention to the artist’s overall body of work; with an extra eye on their more recent pieces. You can view our artists’ portfolios here.
Many artists may have specific booking information/requirements/boundaries. This helps the artist provide you with the best work that they can! If you can’t find this information posted publicly, it is certainly ok to reach out and ask!
Social media is a great tool for helping to choose an artist. Instagram and other social media sites are full of tattoo artists and studios. Social media can also be a great way to help you find an artist that you connect with and will feel comfortable with. You may be spending a great deal of time with this person so its important to find someone you vibe with.
With so many unique artists in this world, the styles of tattooing are nearly limitless. You will want to find an artist whose portfolio matches your vision. In addition to the many different styles of tattooing, artists also provide services in different ways.
Custom Tattooing - Many artists specialize in custom work; these artists enjoy working with ideas that you bring them. A custom artist will typically schedule you for a consultation prior to your appointment. During the consultation, expect to sit down and discuss all of your ideas with the artist. For some artists the consultation process is of great importance, especially when dealing with large, in depth projects. Following the consult(s), the artist can then begin to interpret your ideas with their own artistic vision.
Flash/ Pre-Drawn Designs - Many artists really love drawing flash tattoo designs! This is great if you are looking to collect a piece from a particular artist, whose style calls to you. It is a great way to get a tattoo that is purely artistic vision. Also, you might not know what you want until you see it! With many artists booking far in advance, flash is a great way to potentially get scheduled sooner, or be able to get in on a cancellation.