Finding the right tattoo artist can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. One thing you must do is ask the artist the right questions. The answers they provide will help you decide if they’re the right fit for your tattoo. Explore seven important questions to ask your tattoo artist in the blog below.
What Is Your Experience?
Before you book an appointment with a tattoo artist, you need to know their experience. Experience says a lot about an artist. It provides insight into how long they’ve been tattooing and their knowledge regarding particular tattoo designs.
Are you looking for an artist who has experience with realistic tattoos? How long has the artist been tattooing? Do you want someone who has skills with traditional American tattoos? Ensure you ask the artist about their experience with your desired style. If not, you could end up with a subpar tattoo or worse. This question will help you determine if they’re the right fit for you.
How Much Do You Charge?
It’s important to ask about the price of the piece before you book the appointment. This question can influence whether you choose a particular tattoo design or not. You may have an idea for a large, grand tattoo but not the budget, which will help you make that decision.
How will the artist determine the price? Many artists calculate pricing based on the tattoo’s detail, size, location, and color. All these factors influence how many sessions and hours a tattoo will take. Some artists charge hourly rates. Other tattoo artists have a minimum fee. They’ll charge for the piece once you confirm the design and location.
Ensure you’re also asking about payment. What type of payment will the artist or studio accept? Do they require a deposit when you book the appointment, and then you’ll pay the balance at the session? It’s all up to the shop’s policy and local regulations. It’s best to have everything figured out before the appointment. Don’t forget to ask about their cancellation policy and to bring a tip.
Can I See Your Portfolio?
A portfolio is a display of the tattoo artist’s work. Many artists have online portfolios you can browse from the comfort of your own home. Look at the various designs they’ve created. Ensure that nothing looks too similar to another artist’s work. If you begin to notice pieces that look too comparable to another artist’s, this is a red flag. It means they’re not creating unique pieces for clients. Copying another artist is a big no-no in the tattoo world. Each tattoo should be different.
What Ideas Do You Have?
Looking through the artist’s portfolio provides insight into their work, but you need to work with them to create the perfect piece for you. Bring photos of what you’d like, and then let them work their magic.
Work with the artist to create the perfect piece for you. Have a handful of tattoos ready to show them as inspiration, and they’ll customize a tattoo unique to you. You may want something around two inches, but they might know the piece will look better closer to five. Ask them if they need anything else from you while they come up with the design.
You can also ask them to bring a concept to life. Maybe you’re looking to create something you’ve never seen before. They’ll ask you questions about shading, color, size, and style. Discuss what designs the artist prefers and excels at creating. You’ll know if this is the artist for you based on the tattoo they create for you.
Before leaving the consultation, you should be happy with the design. Be open and honest about how you feel about the piece. The right artist will continue making adjustments and providing advice until everyone is happy with the tattoo.
How Long Will the Piece Take?
Size and style will greatly impact how long the tattoo will take. The artist should provide an estimate regarding the time. Will it take more than one session? Is the appointment going to take a few hours or all day? You don’t want to plan your day around the session and find out it will take longer than expected. Or worse, you might find out the tattoo will take a few appointments, and you weren’t planning on that. Asking about the length of the session will help you plan out the rest of your day.
What Is Your Artistic Process?
Understanding the artist’s process is essential. You’ll gain insight into how they like to work. If you’re looking for a tattoo cover-up, let the artist know what they’re working with. Ask what the artist believes your options are. Tattoo cover-ups are typically longer appointments, and the new tattoo will be bigger than the original. It will likely be bolder and maybe more colorful than the initial piece.
Ask if the artist will make a stencil of your tattoo design and transfer it onto your skin with washable ink, or whether they prefer to stencil only the main part and freehand the details. This process depends on the artist. Each of them has a procedure that works for them.
How Hygienic Are They? What Are Their Aftercare Tips?
Ensure you ask a few questions about aftercare and hygiene before you book an appointment. Read online reviews and check for red flags regarding the artist or shop.
Cleanliness should be a high priority for you. Someone is going to be continuously poking your skin with a needle. Ask how the artist sterilizes the equipment between uses. The artist and shop should use fresh gloves and a new needle with every client. The artist shouldn’t have any issues explaining their setup to ease your mind. If you have allergies, ask them about ink ingredients. Since tattoo ink isn’t regulated, they might not have straightforward answers.
Aftercare is another important point of discussion. Ensure you have all the products you’ll need ready to go after the appointment.
These seven questions to ask your tattoo artist will help you find the perfect artist for the job. You can avoid a bad-looking or misspelled piece by covering all your bases. Contact the artist immediately to address your concerns if anything looks suspicious after the session.
If you’re looking for a reputable tattoo studio in NYC, choose InkNation Studio. We have incredible artists waiting to make your tattoo dreams come true. Book now to work with the best tattoo artists in New York City.
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