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Original poster

Getting a tattoo

8 replies

SponsoredFred · 15/09/2018 03:50

I am having a tattoo. I know where i want it. I have ideas for 5 different elements that i would like included and i really like 3 different styles. I dont know how to bring it all together. Can i go to a tattoo artist at this stage or do i need to have a clearer idea first? I have got lots of pictures of ideas for styles and colours...can they use this to create a design? Or will they hate me??

OP posts:

SummersB · 15/09/2018 04:52

Ime if it’s a really good artist they will probably like the opportunity to draw up a design for you, but you will most likely have to pay a deposit before they start getting creative. Both my DH and myself have done similar (I am finally getting mine done in a couple of weeks yay) and both tattoo artists have said that they were enjoying the opportunity to get creative and not be restricted by pre-drawn designs.
I should add that both artists were really really good and we both paid, or in my case will be paying a fair bit for the tattoo, and in my case I had to wait nearly 4 months for my appointments because they are so busy.
Good luck!

Original poster

SponsoredFred · 15/09/2018 08:22

Thank you summer..thats encouraging! How much of an idea did you have when you first went to them?

OP posts:

merlotmummy14 · 15/09/2018 08:40

I previously worked in a tattoo shop and tattoo artists would love you for this! The clues in the name - tattoo ARTists. They much prefer being able to design something with a customer to come up with something they will really love rather than copying another artists work straight off Google. Having an idea of styles is also a great thing, show pictures to the receptionist or whoever and they will know who is best at that kind of style tattoos. Don't be afraid to give feedback etc if you're not sure on a line here or a font there. They will also be able to tell you how it will look on different parts of your body (e.g. if it will fade, if it will warp if you gain or lose weight). Good luck!!

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SummersB · 15/09/2018 09:24

I had a few different images of the subject and style I wanted and knew where on my body I wanted it. Left those with her and went back a few weeks later to view her ideas. I liked a lot about her design but mentioned a couple of things that I wanted her to add/alter and she was very happy to do so. Ultimately I’m going to trust her with whatever she comes up with though - she is an amazing artist and I like everything I have seen of hers.
I think it’s crucial that you choose the right artist for you though. My tattoo is going to be really big and it was important to me to find somebody whose style I liked and who I would have a good rapport with, so I took my time to find the right person.

Original poster

SponsoredFred · 15/09/2018 09:40

What happens though if you go back to look at their design and you dont like anything about it at all/its all wrong??

OP posts:

SummersB · 15/09/2018 15:37

Well if it’s totally not what you wanted or envisaged you would just have to say so. They will want you to be happy with the tattoo so you need to be honest.
A friend of mine went to a tattoo studio recently with a vague idea in her head of a really small tattoo. What I’m trying to say is it wasn’t a big money spinner or even particularly challenging for the artist, it was literally a tiny design. She had several meetings with the artist where he kept saying to her that what she was envisioning wouldn’t work for numerous reasons and coming up with suggestions of how to do it differently. In the end she decided not to get it done at this moment in time because they couldn’t agree on an alternative design. There were no hard feelings in either side, they both just acknowledged that for a number of reasons he wasn’t able to give her the design she had in her head.
I am quite flexible with the images themselves, as in I know the type of flowers I want but don’t have specific images or a design I want her to copy. I’m just after a certain style so if my artist gets that right I leave her free reign with the actual design. We discussed more or less where exactly I want the images and I have given her some examples, the rest is up to her.

JacquesHammer · 15/09/2018 16:22

A decent tattooist shouldn’t spring the design on you the day you’ve booked to have your tattoo. You should be always given time to really check you’re happy with it/make changes etc

BearSoFair · 15/09/2018 16:57

Most artists love having a bit of freedom to create a design rather than getting an exact picture. DH is very tattooed and there have been a few times he's had to ask the artist to tweak bits from their initial drawing, for good artists it really won't be an issue, they understand that they're creating something for you and are happy to make changes until you're really happy with the final design. Of course sometimes they might feel that certain parts of a design you have in mind might not work but they'll always explain exactly why they feel something should be done differently.

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