07/20/2024
8️⃣prepare your body
Getting tattooed is taxing on the body and dehydration, hunger or lack of sleep can lead to uncomfortable moments in the chair. You want to be fully hydrated (bring a bottle of water!) and rested with some high-energy food in your belly for the best possible experience.
9️⃣ Please, no time constraints.
How long a tattoo takes depends on so many factors outside of the artists control, and while they can usually give you a ballpark estimate, they don’t know minute-for-minute how long your piece will take. Getting a tattoo is a permanent commitment, and they take the time they take to make, so if you have a plane to catch and want a tattoo that may take several hours, it’s best to reschedule. Your artist wants to give you the best possible piece and you don’t want to leave the studio with a rushed tattoo.
🔟 Hold still.
Unless you’re in the market for a squiggly, uneven tattoo – you’ll have to practice some stillness in the chair. We know it’s painful. Deep breaths tend to help with pain threshold, so breathe, breathe, breathe, and give your artist a heads up if you need to move or change positions. When your tattoo artist is working, you want to stay as still and quiet as possible. Tattooing takes a lot of concentration, and you don’t want to risk distracting your artist. If you go alone, bring along a book to read or a movie to watch while your artist works.
Follow your artist’s lead on how much to talk during the tattooing process. If they’re chatty, holding a conversation with them is fine, but if they’re quiet, let them concentrate. Also try not to stare at the tattoo while they work; this can be stressful and distract them from what they’re doing.
*️⃣11: Deposit Etiquette:
Most tattoo studios require a non-refundable deposit to secure your appointment. Be prepared to pay this fee, and understand that it not only confirms your booking but also compensates the artist for any time invested in preparing your design.