Tattoos are a serious commitment. After all, they're for life. As such, the tattoo shop, tattoo design, artist's skill level, and many other factors play a huge role. To make the most of your tattoo session and ensure that you don't make a mistake that lasts a lifetime, you need to know how to find a good tattoo artist and tattoo shop. And if you're looking for quality tattoos and artists with good experience, welcome. You're in the perfect place!
Why the Tattoo Artist Is Important?
When choosing a tattoo artist, there are two sides to consider. Your first step should be to decide what you want: the style, the location, the price and the distance you are willing to travel. After that, it's time to decide who you'd like to work with. Your ideal candidate should be someone whose work you are 100% confident in.
The problem is that both sides have multiple considerations, so where do you begin? The search for the right artist can be difficult with so many styles and good artists available.
The artist is of utmost importance for a few reasons. Firstly, it's permanent, and you must be familiar with and comfortable with the artist's work. Secondly, tattoos can be uncomfortable and painful. Finally, they're also quite intimate. As such, you need to choose someone you feel comfortable with.
Tips on How to Find a Good Tattoo Artist
Let's look at some of the best ways to ensure that you find a good tattoo artist.
Identify your style
The first consideration here should be the style you're after. Remember that jack-of-all-trade tattoo artists are rare. Most specialize in one or a handful of styles.
The research for the style you're after is loads of fun, and you'll learn about the tremendous number of tattoo styles. Once you've done your research, you can narrow down the artists specializing in that particular style.
Make sure you do your research.
Tattooers should use Instagram as one of their social media platforms! Search there first. Since Instagram is the easiest and fastest way to showcase your work and what you can do, tattoo artists use it as their portfolio.
The social media pages of an artist will give you an idea of their style and whether or not that is what you are looking for. Using specific hashtags can help you find more artists with your style. You can also use Google image search, Pinterest, and other social media platforms and apps.
Make contact
Get in touch with the artist once you've found the one you like. You can do this via the social media page you found, an email address, the website, or a good old-fashioned phone call, or book a tattoo consultation.
Make sure you speak with several tattooists. Be as detailed as you can when emailing them, and be sure to check in on all the essential questions:
- How much experience do you have?
- What's the cost?
- Are you registered?
- How many artists are there?
Give as much detail as you can about what you want. For example, discuss the tattoo placement, size and style. Your artist's response will give you a good idea of whether they are right for you. Your idea will either be loved and built upon, or they will be honest and say it's not entirely their cup of tea.
Face-to-face communication is still available. Visit them if they're local. First-time tattoo customers tend to be more nervous than seasoned collectors, so meeting an artist can help you both feel more comfortable with the process.
Don't rush
Last but not least, don't rush. Choosing the right tattoo artist can be a stressful experience, so make sure you're 100% satisfied with your choice.
It would help if you kept in mind that many top tattoo artists are booked for a few months in advance, so you might not be able to get a tattoo when you need one.
Regarding tattoos, the right tattooist is always worth the wait!
Figure Out Your Tattoo Budget
Figuring out your tattoo budget is also an important step. The budget will often determine the tattoo shop type and artist. But here, you need to be very careful. Remember that great tattoos don't come cheap and that cheap tattoos are never great.
If you feel that you can't afford a good quality tattoo from a highly-rated tattoo shop, then perhaps try the following:
- Enquire about tattoo financing for customers
- Wait and save your money
- Enquire about smaller, more affordable tattoo ideas
Tips on How to Find a Tattoo Shop
Even though the appearance of the tattoo shop may not matter if the artists do the work you're looking for, you should still look into it before you choose a shop.
Many people choose a studio based on its aesthetic and how comfortable it makes them feel. However, you may not have the best tattoo experience if you don't feel comfortable or your style differs from the studios.
A studio's interior cleanliness, sanitation, and maintenance are more important than aesthetics. Ask yourself these questions as you walk through a shop:
- Does the tattoo parlor have a clean environment?
- What is the condition of the walls and floors?
- Does the room have adequate lighting?
- Does the facility appear to be well maintained?
- Stains and needles scattered around are red flags, and you should proceed with caution.
This is a lifelong decision, and as such, you need to place great importance on finding a good tattoo artist and tattoo shop. This guide will help your journey - Good luck with your new tattoo!