Ask yourself the following questions before getting a tattoo;
- Where is the best place for my design?
- Is what I want for a design do-able?
- I want to get a lot of colour in my design, what do you think will work?
- How big should my design be?
- What else can I do with this design later?
- Have I done anything like this before?
- Should I get this as a tattoo?
- Is there any reason why I shouldn’t get this tattoo?
- Is the artist happy to do this design?
- Will I regret getting this design later?
The time has come, you’ve got the perfect design for a tattoo, and you commit to booking in and getting the work done.
But before getting a tattoo you may have a few questions running through your head about how it will actually look on your skin.
Don’t stress yourself too much.
Having questions about something as permanent as a tattoo is very common.
Tattoo artists are equipped to answer questions that are very straight forward, as well as very specific questions that don’t have a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
We like answering questions! We know our clients are well researched and well prepared this way.
To help you out with what things you might want to ask, here's a list of our top ten questions you should ask your tattoo artist.
1 | Where is the best place for my design?
Tattoos can be very personal and depending on the reason why you are getting a particular design.
This can even influence where on your body you end up getting it.
Tattoo artists are great at giving advice on where to get a tattoo.
2| Is what I want for a design do-able?
Tattoo artists are passionate about their work.
Their goal isn't just to make you happy, but they also take pride in their own work.
Before getting a tattoo, get their thoughts on how best to make your design work as a tattoo.
3| I want to get a lot of colour in my design, what do you think will work?
Colour can really make a tattoo come to life.
If you want a lot of colour in your design, ask your tattoo artist if they have adequate experience with colour.
Get their recommendation on what will and won’t work for your design and skin tone.
4| How big should my design be?
This can depend on a number of different things ranging from how detailed your design is, through to where you place it on your body.
Don’t be afraid to get advice from your tattoo artist on this one.
5| Before getting a tattoo, can I add to this later?
Some designs look great on their own, but some are perfect to have additional work added to them later down the road.
If you think you may want to get more tattoos later on, ask your tattoo artist where the best place is to get your design.
Plan your sleeve or other big piece before getting a tattoo so you can successfully add to it later.
6| Have you done anything like this before?
Working with a tattoo artist who not only understands what you want but also has experience with the style you are chasing will make your tattoo a lot easier.
Don’t be afraid to ask this question and get their advice about how they can help you.
Check out their portfolio too, you may find something that inspires you.
7| Should I get this as a tattoo?
At the end of the day it is up to you if you want to get your design or not.
But keep in mind Q2 above - what you see in a magazine isn’t always going to translate well as a tattoo.
8| Is there any reason why I shouldn’t get this tattoo?
This is a good question to ask a tattoo artist to get their thoughts from a technical perspective.
Get a better idea of how the lines will come out and what the final design will look like once it is healed.
Your artist can give you suggestions on making your tattoo work for your body.
9| Are you happy to do this design?
The majority of tattoo artists are more than happy to work on most designs, but it is always good to check how they feel about doing the work.
After all, every tattoo they do showcases their work as an artist.
10| Will I regret getting this design later?
It is a very valid question to ask, but ultimately the choice is yours.
Before getting a tattoo, ask yourself: Will I regret this?
A good tattoo artist will be able to give you an idea of how your design may look as you age, and can also advise on trends.
Many tattoo ideas have gone out of fashion over the years.
Do you love your tattoo enough to ride out the fads?
The great thing about openly speaking with your tattoo artist before getting a tattoo is that you are both equally committed to getting the best outcome.
If you need some inspiration for your design, have a look at the gallery of great work some our artists have done.
Preparation is key before getting a tattoo.
If you’re wondering what could possibly go wrong if you don’t ask any questions, have a quick look at this series of epic fails.
Now you know the right questions, it's time to ask our tattoo artists and get some answers.
Additional Reading:
Unleash Your Inner Artist by Designing Your Next Tattoo
The Art of the Sleeve: A Step by Step Guide
