Tattoo tomorrow, haven’t been sent a design as yet AIBU?

[Tinkyroo]

I’m booked in for my first tattoo tomorrow. Total novice so no idea what’s the norm or not.
The tattooist is very well known, her work is great, we had good contact over Instagram and I sent her my ideas etc.
She said she would send me her design the week before so I can make any tweaks, I haven’t received this as yet and its tomorrow.
I messaged her yesterday asking if she had a chance to draw up a design yet and read it and didn’t reply.
What’s the usual process here? I’d rather see the design before hand if possible to have time to consider it as don’t want to feel pressured on the spot to agree it or make chances.
I’m also doubting if I should even turn up tomorrow as she hasn’t confirmed it or anything?

I find it very strange you're going for a tattoo and don't even know what you want. Why are you having one?

I'd message again. Very odd if she said she would and hasn't

@FuckyouCovid21

I find it very strange you're going for a tattoo and don't even know what you want. Why are you having one?

Did you read the OP at all. She said she send the idea of what she wanted to the tattooist, and the tattooist is drawing the design.

I do know what I want. I sent ideas through and there’s also writing in it so she was going to sketch it up so I could see it? Surely that’s normal?

@FuckyouCovid21

I find it very strange you're going for a tattoo and don't even know what you want. Why are you having one?

🙄

I got a tattoo today and hadn't seen the design beforehand but I had specified what I wanted. She tweaked it while I was there and would have changed sizes if I wanted. I was a bit worried tbh but it turned out ok

The last few tattoos I've had I hadn't seen a design until I got there on the day. Then we made any changes when I got there.

You'll probably spend the 1st 30 mins or so talking about the design and the positioning.

It’s fairly common. A lot of tattooists are reluctant to share designs with people before the appointment. There’s a huge risk that you take the design to someone else to copy and they lose out.

Don't go, OP, even if you hear from her between now and then. Find someone else. It's not only one issue (her failing to send you the design a week in advance as agreed), it's two. You haven't got enough time to OK the design even if she sends it to you tonight, you'll need more time to consider it and any changes you want to make. You can't change it afterwards!

I've had 4 drawn for me by different tattooists and never got the design before the day. It's annoying if you want to make changes but don't feel pressured to go ahead if it's not right.

When you go she’ll show you and allow you to tweak. It’s likely the drawing will be digital so she can make changes really quickly and easily and she can change the size etc. I agree that it’s a bit rubbish she hasn’t confirmed anything though but if she’s as popular as you say she’s probably bombarded with emails and messages so it could be a genuine mistake.

It’s normal. I have rarely seen a tattoo design in advance and then only for artists I have been to before so they trust I won’t just take the design to someone cheaper. You will still have a chance to ask for changes at the appointment or not have it done of course. A lot of artist also don’t draw until the day/night before if they are very busy.

I got my first one half drawn the night before the appt, but he's a good friend who I went to because he's also got a background in fine art and I LOVE his portfolio work. It's amazing.

A good artist will have something lovely for you - go along, decide what you think when you see it. If you don't like it, she'll no doubt edit it there and then - all artists do.

I have a couple of tattoos and I saw mine in the shop the day before and discussed any changes / size that I wanted but the last one I had was 20 mumble years ago so before facebook / twitter / instgram were around .
In your case I would contact the artist again and ask for the drawing to be sent , it is all to easy to be in the shop and have the design shown to you and you not feeling up to saying you want changes to be made / not happy with the whole thing as you may feel under pressure to agree esp as his is your 1st one so dont feel you can 'challenge' the artist

Ah tbh I did not think about the OP been able to take the image to someone cheaper /
@Tinkyroo could you offer say half the payment up front so your artist knows you will turn up and not scarper elsewhere

I got my design at half 10 the night before my app when I had mine done 2 weeks ago. We tweaked it a couple of times too

YABU, this is normal for all of the reasons stated above.

Don't worry this is normal. The tattooist wants to protect their work. They will have a draft to show you when you arrive and can then tweak any final change on computer / by hand and will show you it in the position before getting the needle out.

Go for your appointment and enjoy

My tattoo artist (also well known, big Insta following, award winning etc) draws hers freehand on you before inking. You can see placement, size etc and have a chat about it before she starts - you just tell her what sort of ideas you have before the appointment so she mentally plans it ahead of time.

It is normal I'm afraid. My partner tattoos as well as having several artists work for us. They're usually tattooing until between 6 and 8pm, they then have to get home, eat, family time etc. Then they get chance to do the design.

Unfortunately it's just usually not possible to do everyones designs weeks or so in advance without giving up on the ability to eat or sleep.

My partner finished his dinner 20 minutes ago and will now spend the next couple of hours drawing tomorrow's design.

This is pretty much normal. Lots of tattoo designers do this to protect their work, if not you could take their design somewhere else.
If you feel pressured tomorrow just leave, but I'm sure she will be happy to make any alterations or tweaks you want. The first 30 minutes or so is usually spent discussing the design placement etc.

Yep I didn't read the post properly, apologies

My tattooist doesn’t share the design until the day, it’s quite common, I think she’s been stung before of spending time drawing and then someone else using the design. If I remember correctly she has something about designs on her website and Instagram, about not sharing due to the above issue.

I normally send what I want or a couple of ideas and she incorporates them and I see them on the day and make changes.