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StudentPermalink Reply by Kiersten Siler on August 1, 2012 at 8:14am

this is a common question i get a lot personally because i've been apprenticing as a tattoo artist for a couple months now. i personally have two tattoos (one that spans both of my feet, and the other run down my rib cage).

all the advice you're getting is great.. like everyone has been saying.. think about it.. really think about it because tattoos are forever. i didn't think about my first one (rib cage) for long.. it was an impluse.. well getting it was.. i want the quote for three year and now i'm going through the process of getting it covered because the placement is all wrong and it looks really bad.. but when i first got it was i like "yeah tattoo awesome". (RULE NUMBER 1 think think think)

the issue i had there is my artist just slapped it on me and didn't give it much thought (RULE NUMBER 2 get an artist how cares and has good client reviews). i would have liked my rib cage up more and shadowed behind.. but it's whatever now i just got to looks forward to the new cover up piece. 

The next bit of advice it really look at there work, see if the lines are clean and is it the style you are looking for (RULE NUMBER THREE clean art, clean store). in todays world artist can be more nitchy due to the over whelming about of tattoo artist out there. For example i pride myself on my script work it is my favorite thing to do.. where as if you want me to do a realistic piece.. i'm not the best choice. also make sure the shop you're looking at is clean and up to standards.. do they clean there equipment and station after every client.. ect.

Lastly you get what you pay for (RULE NUMBER FOUR cheap tattoos equal cheap work... most of the time) Most of the time you are paying for what you will be getting. so don't be surprised if something that you think will be 50 is more like 100. from what i've found some people are cutting corner to save money and still charge more as well. most shop has a shop minimum so that way the artist can pay for their space and eat, just so you are aware ask about that when you go looking for a place.

also tattoos hurt, no matter how you slice it.. some people's pain tolerance is higher then others so be ready for that.. it also gets really annoying after sometime.. i know my cover up piece is going to take three hours and i can barely sit for one.. so focus on something that's not the pain. i am also afraid of needle, inform you artist of this.. or any health problems.. like blood sugar issues or shakes.

hope that was helpful 

<3 K

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