Lucky
Deciding to get a tattoo is a big decision. You’ll most likely have the ink for life unless you want to get it covered up or want to contact a tattoo removal service should you not be happy with it, like https://lexingtonps.com/tattoo-removal/. But before thinking about aftercare or removing a tattoo, you want to think long and hard about what kind of tattoo is right for you. Everyone is different and everyone’s skin texture and shade can be a little different. Think about what would suit you best.
We can’t emphasize enough that you should be taking care of your tattoo before it even goes on you. Make sure that you have a trusted tattoo artist to tattoo you, a reference for what you want done, a sanitary environment, and aren’t afraid to speak up about what you want. Tattoo artists can be intimidating, but they’re actually going to be happier with the tattoo if you are — you’re like a walking billboard for their art after all. Don’t be afraid of standing your ground.
The artist and the art are of the utmost importance. Don’t sacrifice either. If you find that you can’t afford the artist or the piece you want, then be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your tattoo idea won’t become any less relevant if it’s something you really want. Most people recommend thinking about a tattoo you want for at least a year before you get inked.
While the more impulsive among us might just spring at a fated encounter (and nothing wrong with that as long as it’s safe), you’re better off taking your time and getting a piece you think is right for you. Now all you have to do is figure out what that is. And find the right artist to do it.
What Kind of Ink Would be Best?
Are you more of a “go big or go home” kind of person? Are you looking for someone to do an entire sleeve and want it to be perfect? Then absolutely do your research about what that would entail. The bigger the art, the more complex the process will be. With especially large, detailed, and colorful pieces, you’ll likely need to visit your artist multiple times over multiple sessions to get it right. And you won’t want to skimp on the process. The more effort your artist puts in, and the more dedicated they are to executing your vision, the happier you will be about the tattoo in the years to come.
The Art Itself
The most important aspect you need to think about is the actual image or script you want and how you want it executed. You should have at least a general idea of what you want before you get started. This will make the whole process easier for both you and your artist.
Some people find (especially if they themselves are artists) that the best way that they can execute or consider a tattoo is by drawing it themselves first. This also can be deeply meaningful. If you’re not an artist yourself, then have a friend or a trusted confidant draw it out. It’s much better than just doing a Google image search. Once you test out what you want, it will be easier to give an example to your tattoo artist so they can either put their own spin on it or draw it verbatim.
Once you have an outline or actual hardcopy example of what you want tattooed, it will be much easier for you to think about where you want to put this on your body and how you want it to look. Once you start imagining, you can further decide if this tattoo is really something you want forever. If it is, then you’re on the right path to getting a beautiful and meaningful tattoo.
While it doesn’t have to be deeply meaningful for you, you do need to think about how long this image will be on your body. If it’s something you’re not that connected to or serious about, then you probably shouldn’t get that rubber duck picture, even for the laugh.
Do it for the Laugh
Speaking of laughs, some people find it hilarious to get tattoos that are actually hilarious. If that’s you — go for it. No one really gets to judge your tattoo but yourself. If it’s something that you think goes well with your personality, or you will get a kick out of looking at for the rest of your days, then do it! Just please make sure that there aren’t any spelling or linguistic errors in your tattoo — that’s not funny for anyone.
Placement
If you’re thinking that you want something a little more minimal, that’s fine too. There are plenty of artists out there that specialize in minimal or micro tattoos. Just be forewarned that this is a pretty popular trend in tattooing nowadays and you’ll want to get the best artist for the job. You’ll also want to think about the ideal placement on your body.
Are you more interested in a hidden tattoo rather than one on your wrist, forearm, or even your neck, that will be there for everyone to see? Just as you’ll have to think deeply about what image or script you want on you, so you will have to think about where you want that piece on your body. Experiment with stencils to figure out where you think it could go.
This is also something you can discuss with your tattoo artist once you find one. They generally have great ideas when it comes to placement and what can work with the natural movement of your body. Also, be forewarned that different placements can determine different results in the upkeep of a tattoo. For example, leg tattoos are generally great in that they aren’t seen much except if you live in an especially hot climate or it’s a sunny season. The same goes for tattoos that are on the lower half of the body. Placements on the inside of the lip, the inside of the fingers, the palms of the hands, or even the armpit could face some wear and tear.
Make sure you’re thinking responsibly about the aftercare of your tattoo. It’s not just that you’ll get your tattoo done and never have to worry or take care of it again. You’ll have to ensure that you wear sunscreen (especially for visible color tattoos) and that you take good care of it immediately after the tattoo is finished. But that’s something your artist can tell you all about.
Finding Your Artist
That said, before you get into the tattoo shops, you will want to research the artist that will be best for the particular design you’re interested in. You’ll also want to make sure that they’re an artist you can afford and can actually see within the time frame that you’re thinking of. However, don’t just run to any artist that will take you. That’s a recipe for disaster. We can’t stress enough that you do your research on this.
One of the best ways to find an artist that’s right with you is through word of mouth. If you don’t have someone close to you that’s inked and has an excellent recommendation, then you can always start asking people who have tattoos you really like, especially if it’s a style you’re also interested in getting. As long as you’re not intrusive, people are usually very friendly about where they got tattoos done and the artists they used, so don’t be scared to ask!
If no one close to you has a trusted artist or you are indeed too scared to ask people you see with dope ink, then the internet is your next best friend. Searching social media is a great way to find artists that are tattooing in the style that you desire, but can also be helpful in matching you with an artist that’s nearby.
If you’re not on social media or you aren’t finding it helpful in your search, then a good old Google search might do the trick. The best way to do this is through searching for tattoo shops near you that have high reviews. Once you’ve narrowed that down, then you can search within the shop whose skills most closely align with the idea for your ink. Each shop will have a list of artists and samples of their work.
If you’re totally anti-internet, then try walking around the city that you live in to find a place. This is a good way to go into a place, meet an artist, and see if you both vibe. This can be even better than an internet search actually because you can discuss exactly what you want, see the flash of the artist (which is a term that described small pieces of work that are the artist’s specialty), and get a better idea of what you really want to be inked.
Good luck!
