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?

It’s completely normal. They will print of the design for you (if you are happy with it) then it will be traced onto your body so you can see if you like the placement of the tattoo, the look of it actually on your body etc.

Its actually very unusual for a tattoo artist to draw up a design for you to see before the day. She was going over and above just by offering.

Generally speaking all drawing and tweaks happen on the day.

My brother is a tattoo artist and I can say hand on heart this is normal practice. They want to protect their work. There's no guarantee you won't take the artwork and have it done somewhere else. He's had that a couple of times where they've been sent the design and then not turned up for the tattoo. You're paying for their time in designing the tattoo too, not just the work on the day.

Thanks for all your messages. Wasn’t sure what was normal and I didn’t ask her to sketch a deign beforehand, she just said she would send me it week before to see if I would like any changed and that was it. I can understand why some artists wouldn’t, makes sense. Bit nervous and wouldn’t mind seeing it tonight just to calm my nerves a bit but I will go tomorrow and hope for the best!

You'll be fine OP, enjoy!

Where are you getting the tattoo? Mine is on my upper thigh and is the biggest one I've had so far. A bit stingy just now as it was done about 9 hours ago (took just over 2 hours)

Pretty normal, I didn't see mine until the day

Mine was also a very rough sketch!
Here is the drawing, and the tattoo

I've never seen any of my tattoos before the day! The last 2 were done by the same guy. I tell him what I'm after, send him some examples from Pinterest and he draws it up. I see them on the day. Never been disappointed yet! Having another with him next week and won't see that till the day either.

I think it's to stop you printing out their design and taking them elsewhere for someone else to do.

I've never had a design beforehand. I've always given an idea with what I want. Booked in. Gone away then come back for my appointment and tweaked it on the spot what I didn't like.

If you don't like it, don't have it. Don't feel pressured it's going on to your skin after all!

I do love having tattoos done. The feeling is really nice IMO .

@PawsQueen

Mine was also a very rough sketch! Here is the drawing, and the tattoo

Pretty tattoo. Is that on arm or a leg?

I always see my design on the day (after a discussion with the artist about what I want), and any tweaks are then also, should they be required.

I can't wait to book for another piece but I'm running out of spare skin!

I’m heavily tattooed. It’s pretty standard behaviour, particularly with popular tattooists, they don’t tend to engage much with clients in the run up to the appointment. Most of the tweaking etc is done on the day. I wouldn’t worry.

@KeepYellowBoxClear

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.

This^

@PixieDust28 thigh. I have a similar one on the other thigh

How did it go op?

I'm always interested to hear how people got on with their first tattoo.

I have work by two different artists. The first sends me her design before the appointment, but I’ve been going to her for years and know her really well. The other showed me her design at the appointment and we tweaked it before she stated, but it is a very simple design.

It may just depend on the artist and your relationship with them.

I didn’t see the design until I turned up to have it done, I thought that was normal.