If you're one of the millions of people wanting to "get inked" this year, using caution when deciding on who will create your tattoo is highly advisable.
The cleanliness of the shop is of utmost importance.
There must be a very hygienic quality to the shop as well as the artists.
Once you have found the shop that meets your criteria, there are some things to ask your potential tattoo artist to guarantee you'll love your tattoo for years to come.
1.
What is their favorite style of tattoo? Ask to see their portfolio (not just the posters on the wall).
You want what you are looking to get done to mesh with the work they've done in the past and prefer doing, be it tribal, wildlife, portraits, etc.
2.
How long has the shop been here? Learn about the stability of the business.
Longevity of the shop indicates responsible practices and happy clients.
3.
How long has the artist been at the shop? Again, just like the longevity of the shop, the stability of the tattoo artist is to be considered as well.
If the artist has only been at this shop for what you determine to be a short time, ask where they were before here.
4.
How long has the artist been tattooing? The artist may answer this question when answering #3, but it's comforting to know a little bit about their background and they shouldn't mind answering any of your questions, especially if this is your first tattoo.
They should want you to feel as reassured and comfortable as possible.
5.
Do they do custom work? This question will give you an idea of how good an artist they really are.
Anyone can copy from a stencil, but those with a real talent prefer to freehand some of the work and it comes through in the final result.
Don't be intimidated when shopping for your tattoo artist and don't be rushed.
If they're truly professional, they will have no problem answering your questions and showing you the shop and their work.
Remember, this will be on you forever and it's up to you before it's put there to select the artist that's right for you.
If you are happy with your new tattoo and plan to get others, you now have an artist that you know and want to work with.