Whether you are looking to get your first tattoo or add a new addition to your ink collection, choosing a tattoo artist is a key part of the process. However, with so many talents new and old making their mark in the industry, it can be hard to know who to entrust your tattoo vision to. To aid your decision making we will be running through some top tips to help you choose the right tattoo artist for you.

However, don’t forget that there is no point putting in the hard work choosing a tattoo artist if you’re not going to look after your artwork properly afterwards! Make sure to visit our tattoo aftercare section for all the best products for post-tattoo care.

Choosing a Tattoo Artist

It is easier to narrow down your tattoo artist options when you know what style of tattoo you’re looking to get. Lots of artists will specialise in a certain style or aesthetic so it makes sense to find someone whose work matches the look you’re going for. Plus, it’s important to remember that if it’s a cover-up rather than a new tattoo you’re after, there are artists who also specialise in these as well. They will be able to discuss the best options with you to give your tattoo cover-up its best chance at success.

When you have a list of tattoo artists you may be interested in booking in with, you should then take a good look at their current portfolio. Many artists will display their work on social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, or even have their very own website. Even if the tattoo artist has been recommended to you via word of mouth, it’s still wise to have a good look at their existing work. Look out for signs of a good tattoo artist such as consistently straight lines and effective use of shading. At the end of the day, this tattoo will stay with you forever so it’s better to be picky at this stage rather than regret your decision later down the line.

Choosing a tattoo artist can sometimes be as difficult as deciding on the tattoo design itself. Some other factors to consider include pricing (artists will usually charge different individual rates) as well as location (you may not be willing to travel miles to receive your tattoo). It's also worth taking a look at their studio to check that it is a clean and welcoming environment—you want to make sure that you'd be comfortable getting tattooed there.

Booking a Tattoo

Once you've decided on the tattoo artist, your next step is to get in contact with them to make a booking. It is common for artists to display their preferred method of contact in their social media bios. Some prefer to be contacted via email rather than direct message so make sure to read their booking information carefully to make sure your message doesn't get lost.

When first reaching out, it's likely you will also have to provide a range of other information to keep your booking moving forward. For example, your tattoo's estimated size, the type of design your looking for, its placement and whether it will be coloured or not. Popular tattoo artists can be booked up months in advance so you may need to be patient and respect their level of availability.

Walk-in Tattoos

One way you can remove some of the stress of having to choose the right tattoo artist is to consider getting a walk-in tattoo. Essentially, this means that you turn up to the tattoo studio without an appointment and leave with a tattoo the very same day. In these instances, who does your tattoo all very much depends on which artists in the studio have availability for that day. Lots of tattoo studios will also not offer a walk-in service so you will have to do your research beforehand to double check.

For tattoo shop walk-ins, it is generally only designs that are on the smaller and simpler side that can be offered to the client. However, if a studio does provide walk-in appointments they generally will have a tattoo flash you can look at. These designs are pre-drawn and are convenient to get in one session.

Tattoo flash by Sponsored Artist, Chez (@_chez.tattu)

However, while a walk-in tattoo is more of a spontaneous experience by nature, it is still important to take enough time to think about the type of design you want—don't get a tattoo that you will regret. Plus, just like getting a normal tattoo, make sure you've eaten something decent beforehand and don't have any drugs or alcohol in your system.

How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist

If you're in love with the results of your tattoo and enjoyed your experience at the studio then it should be an easy decision returning to them later down the line. When you've found the right tattoo artist for you then you can continue to build a good relationship and maybe work on new designs in the future. After all, trust is at the basis of a good tattoo.

Most importantly however, don't ignore the aftercare advice your tattoo artist will give you at the end of the session. There is no point doing the research to find the perfect artist and design to only fall at the final hurdle by neglecting the aftercare process. Check out our full range of balms, lotions and soaps in our tattoo aftercare collection. 

← Previous Post Next Post →