subject: What To Find Out Concerning The Tattoo Process [print this page] Getting a tattoo is a big decision, considering it's a permanent addition or modification to your body. That means that before you take the leap, you should do all of your due diligence and find out everything you can. You should talk to your tattoo artist and the staff at the shop and have all of your concerns heard and voiced. Find out about your artist, his background and style, his experience and how he will be able to make your design come to life.
You also want to look into the background of the entire shop. Try to find out how many years they have been business, and try to get a sense for their customer base and whether or not they are known for quality and service. Quick online checks can help to provide a lot of this information these days, and you can also look into the Better Business Bureau if they are a member of that organization.
When talking to your tattoo artist, you definitely want to know about how much experience he has, and what kinds of qualifications that he has. You want to know about the styles and looks he prefers to work with, and you should see pictures of some of his previous work. You also want to make sure that he's safe and works with a clean and healthy environment.
Another factor to consider is whether or not the shop or artist guarantees their work. Hopefully nothing happens that affects the quality of the final design that you're getting, but if it does, you want to be sure that it gets fixed, and that you don't have to pay any money to get it fixed either. Reputable tattoo shops should ensure this.
Tattoos can definitely get expensive, and it's easy for these costs to pile up before you realize how expensive it really has gotten. The bigger the tattoo, and the more colors and intricate designs that it has, the more expensive it is going to be. You want to have a total, final cost upfront, so you know what to expect and so you know there won't be any surprises.
You should also find out some information about infection and how you could deal with post-tattoo issues. Friendly tattoo parlors will be more than happy to talk to you about how you can treat your tattoo, prevent and stop an infection, and more. They should also assure you that they do everything they can in terms of cleanliness and the environment to prevent these issues before they arise as well.
Having a fear of needles is a very real and serious concern for many of us, and this obviously makes getting a tattoo very difficult. If you find yourself in this position, talk to your artist about it. While you can't escape using a needle for a tattoo, you may be able to alter your positioning or other factors to help ease the experience for you. The more comfortable you are, the easier it will be for everyone involved.
As the saying goes, there are no dumb questions, and this is certainly true for getting a tattoo. Ask all of your questions upfront, and talk to your artist and the shop as much as possible. Get a good feel for what they are all about, and make sure that all of your concerns have been answered and dealt with. When you can do all of this, then you're ready to get your tattoo, so sit back and enjoy!
