How do I find a good tattooist?

busiscoming2

I want to have a small tattoo done.

I have ideas about what I'd like but don't have a finished article to show. I've seen the Miami Ink on TV and see them draw designs for people based on an idea, Do all tattooists do this?

How do I find a good tattooist? What should I look for/steer clear of?

go_cat

I would be getting personal recommendations from people who have had them done

BitterAndTwisted

You need personal recommendations. Then ask to see examples of their work. Most decent and experienced tattooists would be happy to show you as many as you like. The vast majority of good tattooists are creative artists, and would be happy to work with you on sketching out designs for you to agree on. Most important: visit their premises and reassure yourself that the standards of hygiene are appropriate. You really, REALLY don't want to contract Hepatitis! Or worse....

FatVonD

Most have online portfolios so you should be able to find someone whose style you like. You will probably then have to pay a small fee up front for the design (mine was £30.)

scooby088

As for hygiene all tattooists have to be registered with the local authority, artist I use destroys the needles after using them on you and changes and cleans everything before every client.

Personal recommendation is the way to go, but if there are a few studio's in your area pop in and ask loads of questions most will work with you for the design you want.

Word of warning they do become addictive.

olibrofiz

i had one done two weeks ago. i chose somewhere well established, looked through their online portfolio & decided on a particular tattooists style. then i looked at images on-line.

i then got in touch with them and showed them a print out of something i liked, they drew something up (which i didn't like), so i went back to them and we talked through the elements i liked. i also asked them about hygene

they came back to me with a lovely design this all took about 4 weeks & the tattoo took an hour

I did have somewhere recommended, but 'the tattoo always gets infected afterwards' didn't sit well with me. Happy to say two weeks on and mine has been absolutely fine

podperson

Agree with personal recommendations if possible. Also ask them about seeing their portfolio, a lot of tattooists are basically artists as well and would be happy help you design something - but like artists they can have very different styles and you want one that suits your own ideas and the design you're after.

FatVonD

Consider too that you may need to travel to get it done, don't be tempted to use a tattooist just because they're on your local high street/the one closest to home.

BitterAndTwisted

scooby088 wrote: »

Word of warning they do become addictive.

Ain't that the truth? I met a couple of female tattoo artists a short while ago and both of them are absolutely covered in them. Nice work but so very much of it.

I also know a Swedish girl who had a full back-piece done. From the nape to the backs of her knees. Back and forth to New York to have it done and it cost an absolute fortune. It's astoundingly beautiful work but she can only see it herself in reverse in the mirror.

Note: Some of the best artists have a waiting-list, so be prepared to be patient for the right one to be available. If they have plenty of appointments open from tomoroow afternoon, ask to see more of their work, and also ask to speak to some of their happy customers.

busiscoming2

Thank you all. I shall take on board your advice.
I hadn't really thought that each artist would have a different style. Something to consider.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Thank you all. I shall take on board your advice.
I hadn't really thought that each artist would have a different style. Something to consider.

If you're at such an early stage of understanding about tattoos, then allow yourself a good year to find out about it first - I don't think anybody should have one done without a good knowledge of the process, the healing/aftercare, everything about it - it's pretty much as permanent as plastic surgery (more so in some respects), so just as you wouldn't rush into a nose job without researching it all thoroughly beforehand, do your research - and be prepared to change your mind, whether to not have it done at all, or whether it's something totally different in the end.


The most important thing is to get a good job done - hygienic, safe, good quality. And then you won't be one of those who complain six months later that they wish they'd never had it done.