Tattoo Advice

I'm aware that we have a number of members here with tattoos, I'd appreciate some advice for a tattoo newbie.

I've been entertaining the idea of a tattoo for many, many years though it's only until relatively recently that I've settled on an actual idea/theme for one, and one particular very recent event has reinforced this idea. I know that I want one and I'm set on the theme, I have ideas around the visual/design side though I really need someone to interpret it for me.

So, how does this work? I'm presuming that any decent artist would be willing to work with me in getting the visuals done, would I just contact my favoured tattooist and book a design slot? Would I be expected to pay for the time spent on this? I'm presuming so. What processes have you gone through to choose your artist? Anything else I need to keep in mind?

It's going to happen, I'm sure of that, I'd just like to know a few ins and outs from those that already have them before I make first contact.

I used a place locally, had a good reputation and some well known famous types had travelled from other parts of the country to have work done there.

I came up with the basic idea, and the style I wanted and they designed them from there. Emailed me images, and refined from there.

Cost was £70 per hour in the chair (from memory!).

Really happy with both, I think you’ve got to be happy with the design and the person you speak to!


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Your assumptions are spot on.

I'd expect any decent artist would want to make you feel comfortable. They should want to spend time with you getting to know what you want.

Start off with any local recommendations, if you have friends or family who have tattoos. Then book an appointment to come and discuss your design/thoughts; you could turn up unannounced, but if they're in the middle of a 5 hour session they may not welcome the interruption; this could put you both on the wrong start or what should be a mutual respect and desire to work together.

What I would say is trust your gut. Try a few local artists, and go with the one that showed the most interest and you feel has a good grasp of your thoughts.

Oh, and don't be afraid to say no to their design if you find e like it. They may have spent hours on it, but you have it for life.

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Most decent tattoo studios have different levels of artists from trainee to senior. If the design is simple, maybe a trainee is good enough, but I’m yet to trust one.

Spend time looking on line at tattoo artists' designs and reviews. There are many different styles of tattoo art, and each artist has particular areas of expertise. A bit like a takeaway that offers Indian, Chinese, kebabs, pizzas etc, a jack of all tattoos is an expert in none. So decide the style you like (maybe grey work or colours, traditional, etc etc) and seek out a highly regarded artist in that style.
An approximate rule of thumb - the better artists usually can't offer you chair time for a number of weeks or possibly months, and be a little more wary of those who can take you tomorrow.

Also, be warned, tattoos can be more-ish for many!

Great point above about choosing the style you want and an artist that specialises in that style. You have to be 100% comfortable with them and their design for you and even if you think you know exactly what you want they will have input on how it will actually work on your body. I’ve always gone to the same artist who specialises in black/grey and it is a 3 month wait to get an appointment.
Once you start it is difficult to stop and now my arms, back, chest, sternum and ribs are covered.:icon_biggrin: All the same theme and all mean something to me.

My advice would be to steer clear from red ink, I’ve had a terrible allergic response to it and previous red ink that was never a issue is now a issue

Don't bother, what was once the 'sign' of a misspent youth, prison/ criminal fraternity, or sailing to foreign climes... Getting ink done has become so widely adopted by the masses and commercialised it's uncool as fcuk now you see it on every man, woman and their dog...Go un inked you'll be practically unique, a TRUE individual...for less money than a tat you can EVEN get a T shirt, long or short sleeved, printed with whatever designs you want...just another perspective.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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Originally Posted by Passenger

Don't bother, what was once the 'sign' of a misspent youth, prison/ criminal fraternity, or sailing to foreign climes... Getting ink done has become so widely adopted by the masses and commercialised it's uncool as fcuk now you see it on every man, woman and their dog...Go un inked you'll be practically unique, a TRUE individual...for less money than a tat you can EVEN get a T shirt, long or short sleeved, printed with whatever designs you want...just another perspective.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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With you all the way, what was was once seen as the sign of a rebel, is now the sign of ''a dedicated follower of fashion'', buy some shirts that you can change whatever your mood dictates.

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Originally Posted by Passenger

Don't bother, what was once the 'sign' of a misspent youth, prison/ criminal fraternity, or sailing to foreign climes... Getting ink done has become so widely adopted by the masses and commercialised it's uncool as fcuk now you see it on every man, woman and their dog...Go un inked you'll be practically unique, a TRUE individual...for less money than a tat you can EVEN get a T shirt, long or short sleeved, printed with whatever designs you want...just another perspective.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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My thoughts exactly! I don`t like 'em, never have, but they're almost a 'must have' amongst the younger folks. As for tattoos on women, that's a total turn-off for me, and in 15-20 years time most of them will look horrible. Unlike unwise fashion choices or dodgy hairstyles you're stuck with 'em.

Just one of many things that I don`t understand thesedays.

I've been thinking of getting one.....since 1976.....still thinking about what to get.

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Originally Posted by Passenger

Don't bother, what was once the 'sign' of a misspent youth, prison/ criminal fraternity, or sailing to foreign climes... Getting ink done has become so widely adopted by the masses and commercialised it's uncool as fcuk now you see it on every man, woman and their dog...Go un inked you'll be practically unique, a TRUE individual...for less money than a tat you can EVEN get a T shirt, long or short sleeved, printed with whatever designs you want...just another perspective.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

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I am amazed how often on holiday around the pool that my wife & I seem to be the only ones without, as you say.

I’ve always been intrigued with one, but a passionate fear of any needle puts me off. I’ve gone clammy just typing about needles, it’s that bad!

Covid years were a real hoot for me with added jabs!

Thank you for your responses guys and yes, they're not for everyone :smile-new:

I got on one my plonker years ago..... reads LUDO.......When I get excited it reads LLANDUDNO.......you know the rest.

I'll get me coat !!!

Don't have one and unlikely to get one but my persistent thought if I ever did would be to find the best artist I could afford and stick with them. A low quality tattoo seems a bad idea when you have it for life and there are some fantastic tattoo artists out there.

Just like the comments above, use Instagram and reach out to anyone who's work you connect with. I did the same and was told I needed to wait 12 months for an appointment and travel 4 hours each way to the studio. I did both and am extremely happy with the tattoo and experience. Don't rush it or try to cut corners with more local artists or cheaper ones if they aren't right. Good luck!

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1000 per cent agree

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I have a few.. about to embark on getting one laser removed. I've had the patch test (fecking sore) and the real pain comes later on. As luck would have it, the tat is the biggest one I have, and its on my lower leg, close to shin bone so it's going to hurt.

Nothing sinister or embarrassing, just don't like it anymore and time has not been kind to it.

Removal guys reckons it will take about 6 sessions at 125 quid per session.

My advice now, is chose wisely my friend. Get the best artist you can.

Good luck.

Pick somewhere on your body that is less likely to sag in later life

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Originally Posted by Guz

I have a few.. about to embark on getting one laser removed. I've had the patch test (fecking sore) and the real pain comes later on. As luck would have it, the tat is the biggest one I have, and its on my lower leg, close to shin bone so it's going to hurt.

Nothing sinister or embarrassing, just don't like it anymore and time has not been kind to it.

Removal guys reckons it will take about 6 sessions at 125 quid per session.

My advice now, is chose wisely my friend. Get the best artist you can.

Good luck.

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I know a couple of people who have had them removed. It looks hideous, like their skin has been burnt off - let alone the cost.

Here you can find some inspiration: https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...ghlight=Tattoo

Definitely a fad these days (although I thought I was going to be the only one to dare to stick my head above that parapet!)

Nearly every bloke I know (And many of the women) has at least one, some many, but I've always hated the way they look, personally.

They're definitely about as edgy as Coldplay these days.

Years ago, I lived near a guy who had tattoos over every inch I ever saw exposed (we weren't that close :biggrin:) except his face.

A bloke in our dive club has an evolving shipwreck image covering his back - It actually looks quite artistic, but would look better on a wall, IMO.

In a way I can respect those levels of obsession, but from what I've seen most tend to look rubbish newly done and get worse with age and as others have observed, they're tricky to dispose of.

Still, it's your skin, do what you like and others have given decent advice if you do go ahead.

M

PS We had an annoying bloke at work years ago who had some Thai or similar script up his calves, which he told everyone said something profound. A Thai girl joined our company and told him they read Asshole (or similar) - I'm doubtful they did, but his face was a picture when she told him :biggrin:

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Originally Posted by Neil.C

I know a couple of people who have had them removed. It looks hideous, like their skin has been burnt off - let alone the cost.

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Thanks Neil, I'm in two minds about just going straight to a cover up. Have spoke to tattoo artist and cover up is possible. But it's a dilemma, frying pan into the fire ??

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Originally Posted by snowman

PS We had an annoying bloke at work years ago who had some Thai or similar script up his calves, which he told everyone said something profound. A Thai girl joined our company and told him they read Asshole (or similar) - I'm doubtful they did, but his face was a picture when she told him :biggrin:

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I has a friend in University whose family were from Iran. When his parents were away he decided to get a tattoo in Farsi, but he didn't understand the script. He picked a random item in the house and hoped it said Persian or Made in Iran or similar and brought it to the tattoo parlour. He hid the tattoo from his patent for months and eventually confessed. The were in tears of laughter because he had inscribed 'freezer bag' on his arm.

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Originally Posted by reggie747

I got on one my plonker years ago..... reads LUDO.......When I get excited it reads LLANDUDNO.......you know the rest.

I'll get me coat !!!

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I thought that old joke was it reads ‘Wendy’ and when I you get the stiffy on it reads ‘Welcome to Barbados have a nice day’

It’s too hot for a coat, so I’ll streak through Birkenhead market

I considered this one:

https://preview.redd.it/bert-grimm-b...=webp&30412cc7
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...SizeRender.jpg



...but settled on this one:

https://i.imgur.com/bR3dWMw.jpg



I had it done five years ago, and now the ink has bled outwards...not very sharp anymore.

Holy thread resurrection! Thought I'd post a quick update.

After my OP I started to have a look around for artists and, long story short, ended up booking a 2 day back-to-back session with Jastein Abellana, a resident artist at NoireInk in Shoreditch. I had my consultation early September and the work below was last week. It's healing extremely well and I'm beyond over the moon with it, nearly 16h in total chair time was very much worth it.

TZ, may I present to you Zeus and his second wife, Themis. I've a suspicion this won't be the last of it, either :-) The second 'photo is just after completion. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2086e512de.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cc50b19f0c.jpg

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By any measure this ^^^^^^^^^ is clearly the work of a talented artist. I can imagine how pleased you are with the transition from day one to completion.

That is an absolutely fantastic piece of artwork.

I was amazed from the initial arm-drawings to the finished result. You must be delighted with how it has finished.

Awesome CardShark!

Not for me, although I have to admit some fit females with 'whale tails' do appeal...................

But:

I knew a fella offshore who had silver marks on his neck - asked him about it and got told he had tattoos of his ex-wife's name removed as his current girlfriend didn't like them........ He reckoned there would be no marks remaining after the next treatment.


First met him a few years previously - when I was in what you might call 'banter'


He was from Belfast, very muscular, and challenged me in broad Belfast accent with: "Here! I've killed men before!"


I felt brave and ventured: "You must have bored them to death then!"


When I related the interaction with one of the bosses 10 minutes later - I got told that "Pistol Pete" (as he was affectionately known) probably HAD killed people !


Turns out that Pete had actually spent time in SAN QUENTIN for armed robbery !!!


So glad I got on with him !!!


Anyway - slightly tattoo related but a decent tale, although better told personally with some beers involved.

Is it me? The outline in the first pic is on the right arm. The finished tattoo is on the left arm.

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Originally Posted by Enoch

Is it me? The outline in the first pic is on the right arm. The finished tattoo is on the left arm.

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The first 'photo is the reflection in a mirror, the second was taken from straight on - the tattoo is on my left arm.

Appreciate the comments guys, and yes he is a talented artist alright :applause: