This page will offer some advice on getting tattooed. Whether your looking to get you first or you fiftieth tattoo, there will be something here for you. So here we go- Step 1: Finding what you want. The first step in getting a tattoo is figuring out WHAT it is that you want permanently etched on your body. This will be the most difficult part and it is one that will be completely up to you. Ask yourself a couple questions. Why do I want a tattoo? Is it simply to express something about yourself? Is it to remember an occasion or a person? Is it to show your dedication to something or someone? Names What ever you do, do NOT get the name of you girl/boy friend or husband/wife. No matter how you feel about that person, you have to be realistic about the fact that some things are not guaranteed to be permanent, except your tattoo! If your thinking "I can always get it covered up", then just get the panther or rose you were going to get to cover it instead. Why waste your money? Take your time There is no need to rush. I get people in the shop all the time that have no idea what they want when they come in the door, and 15 minutes later, they have managed to pick out something they want on their body for the rest of their lives. You are NOT shopping for a new pair of shoes! Take your time and look around. Anything is possible Most, but not all tattoo shops have "flash", or designs on the walls to give you ideas, but this is not what you are stuck with. If the artist in the shop tells you that what they have is what you get, LEAVE! The tattoo artist should be willing and able to help you come up with something unique. This does not mean that you HAVE to get something custom. If you find something on the wall, there is nothing wrong with that. But a custom design will be something that only you have. And if you don't see anything on the walls (some shops keep their flash in books), that is not your only option. Most tattoo artists can work from just about anything. I have had people bring me everything from coffee mugs to jewelry to t-shirts. I even had someone bring me a sock monkey. I took a picture of it, and then drew the design from that. The possibilities are endless. Although your artist can help you out with the design aspect of the tattoo, most artists will be hesitant (or outright refuse) to pick it for you. It is not our job to make that decision for you, just to help you bring your idea to life. Step 2: Finding an Artist and shop This one can be tough, depending on where you live, and it is a VERY important choice to make. First of all, do NOT assume that because the person has a storefront shop, that they know what they are doing! Do NOT let your friends tattoo you, unless they are a profesional! It doesn't matter how good of a "deal" they will give you.This is NOT a game. This is not something that is OK to do in your kitchen or garage. You MUST go to a professional shop. Cheap tattoos are NEVER good. Check out the Wall of Shame section for proof of that. Besides the quality issue, there is the issue of your health. Tattooing is invasive. It breaks the skin and can transmit disease if it is not done properly. Go in, look around, and ASK QUESTIONS. Look at portfolios. Get to know the artist BEFORE you decide to get the tattoo there. Most states now regulate Tattooing through their local Health Departments. Call your local Health Department and ask if your state does have regulations and licensing. Also ask if the shop you plan to visit is in good standing with them. Watch them do a couple of tattoos. And watch with a critical eye. They should change EVERYTHING between tattoos. They should wash their hands before every tattoo. They should clean their counters, machines, cords, etc., after every tattoo. Make sure the needles and tubes they use come out of sterile bags. The shop should be a comfortably cool place. The CDC recommends 68 degrees to keep down bacterial and fungal growth. If the shop is hot and musty, do not get tattooed there. Ask to see their autoclave and ask them how they use it. Ask to see the most recent spore test results. If they do not want to answer your questions, LEAVE! As important as cleanliness is, the quality of the work is just as important. When your looking at their portfolios, look for the quality of the work. A good tattoo should be easy to read. It should have good, solid, clean, line work. The lines should not be fuzzy or erratic. The color in color tattoos should be solid and bright. In black and grey tattoos, the grey should be smooth and have a good amount of contrast. They should not be flat or choppy looking. The placement of a tattoo is as important as anything else. Tattoos should fit the shape of the body. Armbands do not go on the lower back or on the top of the shoulder. Lower back tattoos should be either round or V shaped. If the tattoo is something like a dragon or a butterfly, it should be facing forward. All in all, the tattoos should look good. There is no such thing as 'credentials' in tattooing. There is not legitimate school for this. Tattooing is usually taught by a long apprenticeship, although not always. Ask around. Ask people where they got theirs. Even if they have bad tattoos, ask them where they got it so you can check that shop off your list. In some cases you may have to travel. I have people drive hundreds of miles to see me, because there is no one close to them they want to get tattooed by. Step 3: Getting tattooed Now that you have found the perfect design and the right artist for the job, what's next? Set up a day and time that will be good for you. Some tattooers require an appointment, but not all. Make sure you will have plenty of time. This is not usually something you will want to do on your lunch break, or an hour before you have to pick up the kids from school, because once you start, you don't want to rush it. Make sure that you have eaten. It's always best to have something on your stomach. It will make things much worse on you if you go in hungry and end up uncomfortable through the whole thing. You want to be able to stay relaxed. Relax. Take a few deep breaths. If this is your first, or if you are just generally nervous, that's fine. But don't get yourself all worked up for nothing. Anxiety will make things much worse. This is something you want, remember? There is some pain involved in this process. But how much you go through depends almost totally on you. If you stay relaxed and calm, you will do fine. Learn how to control your breathing, and don't let your mind wander. Once the tattoo is over, it's your turn. Don't just jump out of the chair and bolt for the door. Stop and listen to the tattooer. Any reputable tattooer will give you both verbal and written instructions on how to take care of your tattoo. That after care instruction is just as important as everything you have done up until now to ensure your tattoo turns out the way you want it. So listen up, and do as you are told. All joking aside, a tattoo can very easily be destroyed if it is not taken care of properly. And there is also the very real risk to your health via infection if you do not take the precautions given to you by your tattooer. I will not go into specifics on how to take care of your tattoo here. If you get tattooed by me, I will tell you all that you need to know about it, when you get it. There are many different ways to heal your tattoo, and your tattooer will determine the best way to heal the tattoo they have given you. Do NOT listen to your friends! No matter how many tattoos they have. Step 4: Enjoy it! Step 5: Plan your next tattoo. ON another note: This site contains NO information on how to DO tattoos. If you truly want to learn how to make tattooing your life, go to a tattooer you respect and talk to them. No web site on earth can teach you how to tattoo. No self respecting tattooer will tell you anything about their craft as it pertains to technical aspects of it, unless you are their apprentice. So don't even ask. Tattooing is not a hobby or side job or something you do for fun on your friends in your kitchen. At the least, you'll end up scarring someone. At the worst, you will be responsible for someone, (maybe even yourself), contracting a life threatening disease. This is not a game.
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