Tips for Getting Your Next Tattoo

 Getting a tattoo is not a common experience for most people.  You walk into a studio wanting a tattoo, there's art an the walls, tattooed people behind the counter, and no clear instructions on how to proceed.  Professional tattooers will happily walk you through the process, answer your questions, and make the experience a positive one for you.  However, with a little forethought and planning, you can make that experience a great one.

1. Know what you want (at least in general).

 Walking into a tattoo studio just to get a tattoo is rarely a good idea and leads more often to tattoo regret, especially since those that do are often looking for what they can get within their budget rather than a great tattoo.  Have a tattoo concept in mind before you go to a studio.  Know where you want it on your body.  Bring reference material to help your tattooer understand what you want, as well as offer some inspiration for your tattoo design.

2. Do some research.

 Once you have your tattoo concept and know where you want it on your body, it is time to start looking for a tattooer and tattoo studio.  Talk to a few studios in your area and find out about their rates to establish an average price per hour.  Keep in mind that some tattooers price their work by the piece, but most have a general hourly rate they can offer as a guide.  Knowing the local average tells you what you would pay for an average tattoo... And, no one should want an average tattoo!  This will help you gauge your price when you find a tattooer and shop that suits your needs.  Keep in mind that good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good.  Check online reviews, ask others about their tattoos and their experiences with local studios, and get a feel for what to expect as you shop.

 3. Select a tattooer based on their style.

 Every tattooer develops a particular style that they specialize in, a style that will be apparent in their tattoo portfolio.  A tattooer may be willing to work outside their style, but you may be happier with a tattooer who works in the style you want (as well as get a better price getting a tattoo in the style the tattooer is familiar with). Look for a style that you find aesthetically pleasing, one that you would like your concept translated into.  Be open to your tattooers ideas and suggestions.  As a tattoo-professional, they will have an understanding of tattoo design and placement on your body that will provide a more pleasing result.  Tattooers are artists, and always tend to work better when unfettered.

4. Express all your concerns about the tattoo while it is being designed.

 Tattoos should be a unique expression of your concept by your tattooer.  While you should listen to their suggestions about your tattoo, you should also be confident in discussing what it is you want. Don't settle for a design that you think is "alright", point out the areas you have concern about!  Once you are in the tattoo chair and the needle is in your skin, it is typically too late to bring-up concerns about the design.  Ultimately, it is your tattoo, and if you and your tattooer cannot agree on a design that excites you, you may want look for a different tattooer.

5. A tattoo is an investment.

 Be prepared to pay for the work you want.  If you find a tattooer and a studio you like, then accept the price-point being quoted.  Knowing the average price in your area, you should be prepared to pay an additional 50-100% of that rate, based on the quality of work you seek.  Haggling for a better price is a delicate matter, as trying to low-ball your tattooer or bringing-up the prices offered at other shops almost always leads to a negative situation.  If the price is more than you can afford, tell your tattooer and see what they may be able to do for you.  Your tattooer may be willing to work in sessions, allowing you to pay for the work in installments, or may be willing to come down on their initial quote slightly. Ultimately. however, a good tattoo in the style you like is worth the price your tattooer quotes.

6. Plan ahead for your tattoo appointment.

 Usually, you are welcome to bring a friend, but don't bring your whole crew.  If you have children, make arrangements for childcare. Don't bring your kids to the studio, even if you have a friend to watch them for you (your kids will want your attention).  Plan to allow for as much time as necessary for your tattooer.  A good rule of thumb is to double whatever your tattooer estimated time is (if your tattooer says the tattoo will take two hours, be prepared to spend four).  Have a snack an hour or two prior to your appointment, but bring yourself something to drink during your session.  Let your friends and family know you are getting a tattoo and not to call you on your cellphone unless it is an emergency.

7. Practice some basic etiquette.  

 Arrive for your appointment at least 15 minutes in advance, and be prepared to wait while the tattooer's station is set for your tattoo (calling your tattooer in advance to tell him or her you are on your way can help reduce the wait).  Arrive sober to your appointment.  Do your tattooer a favor and also make certain your have showered recently and brushed your teeth.  They try to smell good for you, do the same for them. Plan on not eating while you are at the studio, or if it is going to be a long session on eating during a meal-break.  Try to keep your breaks to no more than once every hour or two.

8. Be prepared to tip.

 While tipping your tattooer is not necessary, it is greatly appreciated.  10-20% is a fair tip.

9. Pay attention to the after-care instructions.

 The vast majority of problems with a tattoo are the result of the customer not taking care of it while it heals.  Listen to the instructions given by your tattooer.  Do some research about tattoo care prior to your appointment, and ask any questions you may have about what you need to do.  Put clean sheets on your bed before going to sleep.  You've spent some serious money on your art, do what you can to protect it.

10. Celebrate your tattoo and tattooer.

 Your solicitation of a tattooer for a tattoo is a compliment. Your tipping the tattooer after the tattoo is appreciated.  Celebrating your tattoo and your tattooer takes it to a whole new level. Grab a stack of business cards from your tattooer and the tattoo studio on the way out the door, and pass them our to your friends.  Tell people on social media about your experience, befriend your tattooer, like their tattoo pages, and post your tattoo.  Your advertising their work will mean the world to them.

Jason Sorrell is a writer, tattoo artist, satirist, artist, and generally nice guy living in Austin, TX.  He loves answering questions about tattoos.  Shoot him an email at https://www.facebook.com/tattoonerdz/

Tattoo Drawing Fees, Deposits, and Tips

 Just when you thought calculating the price of a tattoo was confusing enough...

 As an artist, I prefer to work in a custom art studio vs a flash art studio (often referred to unflatteringly as a "street shop").  These shops cater to two different kinds of tattoo clients.  The flash art studio caters to people who are looking for a tattoo that they have seen their friends get.  They want a tattoo for the sake of having a tattoo, and prefer to pick a design from a selection of pre-drawn designs (tattoo flash).  They expect to walk out with a new tattoo the same day they walked into the shop, and are often getting tattooed on a whim.  

 The custom art studio usually doesn't feature tattoo flash on its walls, or if it does the art is decorative or examples of the artists own designs.  Since most people get their first tattoo from a flash shop, this can be a little confusing initially.  People would often walk into the studios I have worked at and asked to see our "books".  We would think they mean out portfolios but they quickly indicate that they are looking for designs.  In custom art studios, the artists create your design specifically for you.  The client walks out of the shop with a unique piece of art.  Often, the tattoos carry a significant meaning to the client, or the client is a collector that wants a unique tattoo and likes the style of the artist they have chosen.

 You can get a custom tattoo at a flash art studio, and you can get a flash design tattooed at a custom studio.  The difference between shops really is just a matter of who they are catering to generally, a difference of business philosophy.

 A custom art studio will often try to create a design for a client on-the-spot, if not the same day.  Some designs, however, require more time to create, and the artist may ask for a deposit or drawing fee to be paid in advance.  This is another point that has befuddled some of the folks that have walked into shops I have worked at; that they would need to pay a small amount in advance of actually getting the tattoo.

 The terms "deposit" and "drawing fee" are often used interchangeabley, which can again lend to some confusion.  A deposit is often associated with the appointment itself, putting money down to hold your spot on the up-coming calendar.  A drawing fee is associated with the effort of creating a design, ensuring that the artist is paid for the effort of drawing even if the client does not get the tattoo.  The problem is that the artists themselves are often unclear on what they are having the client pay for with the fee.  I have seen other artists who's clients expected a drawing in advance of their tattoo appointment, only to have the artist explain that the money merely held their place in line, and other clients left wondering when they were going to get the tattoo since the artist took their money without setting an appointment.

 When paying a fee in advance of a tattoo, whether it is called a drawing fee or a deposit, it behooves you as the client to ask some questions and set some expectations:

 Is the fee included as part of the price of the tattoo?  More often than not, this is the case with most tattoo artists.  If they could draw your design on-the-spot, they would not charge you extra for the drawing, so it makes sense that the fee would come-off the price of your tattoo if you get it from that artist.

 What dates should be set?  If you can, you want to set an appointment for your tattoo.  However, this may not be possible with your schedule and the artist may not be certain when your design will be ready.  If you cannot set a date for the tattoo appointment, set a date to check the progress of the design.

 Under what circumstances should there be a refund?  A deposit or drawing fee establishes a contract between you and the artist, and you should both be very clear on the terms.  Normally, if the artist creates a design, your fee is non-refundable.  The artist has met his or her obligation to you for the fee paid.  Even if you do not get the tattoo, or like the design, the artist should still be paid for the effort.  However, what if the artist has not created a design by the date agreed upon?  How long should go by without a drawing before you, the client, should get your money back and seek a new artist?  Asking this question simply puts your artist on notice: you are expecting a drawing for the money you paid.

 Speaking of contract terms...

 Is the studio responsible in any way for the fee?  The answer here is typically 'no'.  The agreement and the money paid is between you and the artist.  Tattoo artists are not tradtional employees of the studios they work for, but are more like independent contractors.  This means that if you pay a drawing fee to an artist and he moves to a new studio prior to completing your design, you have to track that artist down.  The shop is not responsible.

 This is a point that the artist should also clarify with his studio.  If the artist takes a fee and then moves out of state, the client is going to be left feeling cheated and will associate that feeling with the studio as much as with the artist.  If the studio does involve itself in these agreements, will they expect a piece of the fee, or even to hold the fee for the artist until the obligation is met? The studio has a vested interest in ensuring their client's satisfaction.

 How long will the fee be held?  Just as the client should expect that a drawing will be generated in a timely manner, the artist should also expect the process to be completed.  A drawing fee or deposit is typically $50, but the drawing itself may involve several hours worth of work.  The artist normally can expect to be compensated for the effort as a part of the price of the tattoo itself.  What if the client moves out of state, is abducted by aliens, or simply vanishes?  It is in the artists best interest to give a clear deadline by when they tattoo needs to happen.  I usually set this deadline at 90 days, after which the fee is considered forfeit.

 Do you get to keep your drawing if you don't get the tattoo?  Most artists will tell you no.  Again, the client is probably paying $50 for a design an artist is expecting to get paid much more for (through the tattoo).  Artists are also not interested in seeing their designs being used by another artist, especially if that other artists has probably offered to do the work for less and will do a poorer job of it.  If you expect to keep the drawing, your artist will probably ask for an additional payment.

 Answering those questions, and including the answers as a part of your receipt for the deposit, can go a long way in making the artist and the client feel better about the process.

 Since we are on the subject of fees outside the tattoo price, this is a good blog to also mention tips. 

 Tipping is not nearly as involved of a process as the deposit or drawing fee, but clients are often confused about how much to tip or whether they should leave a tip at all.  Unlike the food service industry, a tip in the tattoo industry is truly a gratuity.  While tipping is welcome and encouraged, it should not be expected by the artist.  Getting a tip is an indicator of a happy client, but the lack of a tip should not be considered the indicator of an unhappy client.  The client may be paying all they can afford for the tattoo, or may just not be one who tips.  Happy clients tell there friends and come back for more tattoos, which is far more important than an extra $20 as a tip.

 How much to tip is also purely a matter of what the client is comfortable with.  There is no set percentage that is considered to be "appropriate".  If you as a client feel like giving a tip, tip whatever amount you feel indicates your staisfaction with the tattoo and the artist.  What is not appropriate when tipping is using the promise of a tip in negotiating the price of a tattoo.  

 Think about it this way.  Your an artist who takes pride in their creative skills and talents.  Some one walks into your studio, looks at your portfolio, and says they want a tattoo.  You offer what you feel is a fair price, or quote your standard rate, and the client basically tells you your work is not worth that rate, but if you come down on the price they will leave a good tip.  They are assuming that you need their tip so badly that you are willing to cheat your studio out of their percentage of your original price.  In essence, a client who uses the promise of a tip to get a better price is telling the artist that they have no respect for them or their art.  

 If you need to negotiate the price down, let it be because you really like the artist's work but you can't afford quite as much as they are asking for.  An artist would rather hear that and work with you on a price than a promise that you will share a little change with them for catering to your need to be cheap.

  Jason Sorrell is a writer, tattoo artist, satirist, artist, and generally nice guy living in Austin, TX.  He loves answering questions about tattoos.  Shoot him a message at https://www.facebook.com/tattoonerdz/