A tattoo is a design, a phrase, or just a word that you placed on your skin intentionally. Now, getting a tattoo is a very personal and intimate choice for everyone. It is a way of expressing themselves to the world for many. For some, it is also a way to accept their body, cover up old scars, and just get comfortable with their identity.
With a lot of stigma around getting a tattoo and not a lot of information out there about the process, reliably getting a tattoo can become difficult. Every decision from start to end has to be perfect.
And you start by choosing the right tattoo artist. Should you choose a nearby artist or go with the one where your friend got one? Well, unfortunately, it is not that simple. You have to consider many factors and it can be a hard decision to make.
We are here to help you get a rough framework on how to choose the right tattoo shop and best tattoo artist for you. Let’s begin, shall we? Check Devilz Tattooz for best tattoo artist in world.
Research
Now that you know you want a tattoo, the next step would be to start your research. The research should primarily focus on choosing a tattoo artist. A quick search on any social media platform or even search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing will give you a list of tattoo artists near you. You can also find reviews, ratings, and testimonials from their previous customers on these platforms.
A step ahead would be checking their individual social media pages and possibly contact their previous customers. A random pick can help you gauge how the artist has fared across their customers. Both good and bad reviews are worth checking out. You will learn whom to avoid and what to look for in other artists.
If you finalize on a tattoo shop, go further and check each of their artists. It is the artist who will be designing your tattoo. So get to know everything you can about them: their qualifications, experience, design styles, and customer feedback too.
Check before you ink
You must thoroughly investigate the tattoo artist’s art as well. Most tattoo artists and tattoo shops display their art quite prominently in parlors and social media. Take a look at their previous work. See if the work looks professional, are the strokes well done, and if the designs excite you. The designs and the art of the artist should excite you and make you want to get inked.
Getting a tattoo is quite a painful process so be very sure about the design and the artist’s style. The more you feel confident and excited, the better outcome will be. For the right tattoo experience, your artist should vibe with you in terms of style and design.
Hygiene is everything
Getting tattooed is injecting ink under your skin to create the design you want. Sounds painful? Well, it is. But while the pain will go away, infection from the wrong equipment, un-sterilized tools, and unhygienic conditions can be quite disastrous. Tattoo shops should display their certifications from the health department.
Before you choose the artist, visit their parlor without notice. Check the bathrooms, their workstations, and the overall upkeep of the parlor. Check if the tattoo artist wears gloves, follows hygiene, and uses individual tools for each customer. This should give you a clear idea of how the hygienic the parlor is. Even if the artist is good but the parlor isn’t kept well, choosing them can be quite deadly.
Expertise
The right tattoo artist should be an expert in the style of tattoo you have chosen for yourself. Each tattoo is different and the complication level also differs based on where you are going to get the tattoo done. Talk to your artist about his experience on that particular kind of tattoo design and if they have done a tattoo on that particular area. Tattoos on knees, elbows, and other sensitive areas are quite tricky. If you can, you should look for an artist who has previous experience in your kind of tattoo design and location. This would make you confident when you get your tattoo and reduce the risk of a bad outcome. Tattoos on forearm is the example of better area where it pains less.
Location
The location of the tattoo artist’s studio or shop plays a great role in choosing the tattoo artist. The tattoo artist must be close enough to travel easily and in a crowded busy area. This will help your commute after getting your tattoo. If you go for a complicated design, you will need multiple visits. Choosing a tattoo artist who lives nearby will work best in that case. It will save you a lot of hassles and complications later on.
Budget
Finally, but also quite importantly the tattoo artist must fit into your budget. At the same time, you should also ensure that an artist who is willing to work for less does not compromise on design, hygiene, or work ethic. It has to be a fine balance between the cost and the benefits. Don’t spend too much for a fancy artist and do not compromise on the important things too. It is a one-time experience and should not be risked.
Final thoughts…
Whenever you decide to get a tattoo, think carefully and steadily about it. It is an almost irreversible process and needs a lot of careful decision making to be successful. Don’t rush into the process. Research about the different kinds of tattoos, tattoo artists, expenses, and all other risks associated before deciding. If you have any doubts at all, consult with experts or people who have gotten tattoos before. Go into it with a clear and open mind.
Happy tattooing!
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