Getting a tattoo is very exciting. But, at the same time, it is also very stressful. If you really want to get a tattoo, you should know that it involves a long preparation process. And, do not forget that a tattoo is for life and that it is better to think things through and not be impulsive to avoid problems in the future (although, if it does come to it, tattoo removal is a thing).
Taking the time to choose the perfect design is essential. This article will help you understand how to decide on a tattoo.
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10 Tips to Help Decide on a Tattoo
The more you plan the design that will accompany you throughout your life, the more attractive and unique it will be.
Do you want to get a quick tattoo that you will regret in 6 months or a quality tattoo for the rest of your life? So that you avoid having problems in the future, we have compiled 10 tips that will help you decide on the design you want.
Stuck thinking to yourself, “what tattoo should I get”? These tips should help you understand how to choose a tattoo and how to get ideas for a new tattoo.
1. Avoid Hasty Decisions
Body art is something very significant, so do not rush with tattoos. When you come up with an idea, think about it for a week. Then, after a week, think about it for another week. If you wait just a week, you might find that within that week, you start to feel like you don’t want that tattoo anymore. That’s ok. If you don’t want that tattoo (or any tattoo), no one’s going to give you a hard time.
Another reason for taking it slow are the costs associated. Getting a tattoo can be very expensive. Not sure what to expect? Have a read of our article here which covers what pricing you can expect for your first tattoo.
2. Think & Design
This is the only thing you can do before getting tattooed. Don’t think that there isn’t anything to think about. If you start doing it, you will realize that there is a lot to think about. Good ideas come from thinking, so try to get into a creative thinking process.
Think of the best color, what you want the chosen tattoo to symbolize, and the area of the body. Compare and see other people with that same design. For example, Instagram and Pinterest are great tools for this.
If you have a creative side (or feel like picking it up for this), the next tip will be for you.
3. Try Drawing It
It is one of the most important steps to visualize your idea for the first time. Try to draw what you think, this will help you share the design you have in mind with everyone else. If you do not know how to draw, you will have to ask a tattoo artist for help to draw what you have in your mind.
Otherwise, you can reach out to freelancers for assistance with your designs. You can always try and find an artist to work with on Fiverr who can bring your design to life. Fiverr is a platform freelancers use to offer their services. (Use this link to get 10% off your first order).
4. Find A Good Tattoo Artist
Now you must find a good tattoo artist in your city. You can search the internet or even ask your friends. Since you’re not in a rush, go and consult with the artists and talk to them about the idea. Make them understand what you want to do and listen to what they say. Often times it’s as easy as reaching out via email.
One important thing to remember is that not all tattoo artists have the same level of skill, let alone tattoo in the same style as each other. If you find that your tattoo has fine lines, you’ll want to find a tattoo artist that specializes in fine line tattooing. Or, if you’re wanting to get a portrait tattooed on you, find an artist that specializes in realism tattoos. After you establish a dialogue with your artist, you two will be able to have a discussion about getting the tattoo done.
5. Think About Placement
Whether a design looks good or bad depends a lot on the area to be tattooed. If you still don’t know where you want to have it, check with the tattoo artist. They will help you and give the appropriate suggestions. Also, ask about the most painful areas to prepare, as the spot that you were initially thinking could be one of the most painful spots to be tattooed.
If you work in a professional environment, you might want to consider getting the tattoo in a more discreet location (for instance, a part of your body that isn’t shown when covered in work attire).
6. Request A Tattoo Catalog
Once you’ve shared your ideas with a tattoo artist, ask for tattoo catalogs that will give you more design ideas. Ask them to show you some of her previous tattoos to ensure they’re experienced. A tattoo suggestion from your artist is also really good, as they can design something in their unique style that no one else would have. If you have a look at your artist’s portfolio, you can also get a feel for their style of tattooing. You can even use it as inspiration for tattoos.
7. Research Your Design
The Internet is a great medium for research. Use it to research your design, you can even search for interesting ideas sitting in your home or office. And above all, look for the hidden meaning that the tattoo you have chosen may have.
To ensure that you’re not marking yourself with a symbol that you don’t align with unintentionally, it’s good practice to look your design up online to see if there are any similarities with existing symbols. The last thing you want is to be left with a tattoo that has a completely different meaning to what you were intending.
8. Try A Temporary Tattoo
Henna temporary tattoos are a new trend that lets you know what your design will look like. There are certain limitations such as that you cannot do it with colors, but you will know a little what it is to carry a tattoo. Clarify it with your tattoo artist if you have any questions. Also, it may be that during these days you realize that you do not want to have a tattoo in that area of the body since sometimes tattoos can get boring. The great thing about it is that you can test the placement of your tattoo without having to commit.
9. Think Forward.
Pay attention to what you feel and want; everything can change at the last moment, so think about it in case you have any questions or problems. The important thing is to be 100% convinced that it is the design you want. Fast forward to 5 years from now and think to yourself – “do I want this tattoo on my body?“. While the answer can still be unclear, it’s worth pondering the thought in-case you have any last-minute changes in mindset.
10. Go In With Confidence.
Once you’ve taken the time to carefully think about the tattoo and tattoo design, the last step is to actually go through with it.
You can only do so much thinking, and if you’ve done enough, then it’s time to call the tattoo artist you’ve finally chosen and make an appointment. Go into the entire process with a positive mindset.
Prepare yourself with a tattoo lotion and tattoo soap for once the tattoo is on.
Very carefully. Think about what the design will look like, where it will be placed, how big it will be, and what it means to you. All you need to do is get an idea, then work on it. Then, think about if it’s something you really want.
After thinking everything through carefully, book your appointment and go get it!
This one is a little harder to answer. For a new tattoo, though, perhaps you should think for a few months at least. The thought of getting a new tattoo is super exciting, to the point where you just want to book your appointment and go. But, making spur-of-the-moment decisions can come back to bite you.
Look at reviews for the tattoo studio you’re going to. Not just on their website, but also on Google, Facebook, and any other website where you can see reviews that you know are from customers. Also, look at portfolios. This way, you can get an understanding of the style your tattoo artist can do.
