So, you're ready to get a tattoo?

So you've decided you want to get a tattoo. You're at least 18 years old and you're ready to start letting your body express your personality! What do you do next?

Step 1: Artist consultation

You have a couple of options at this point. If you have picked out the EXACT image that you want then that's what you want to start with. Browse the artists on here that are located near you and find an artist whose work resembles the image you have in mind. Maybe you want a tiger and John Smith does tigers regularly and you like the way they look. That's a great place to start. Make an appointment for a consultation with the artist. If you don't have an exact image in mind, find an artist whose style reflects yours. For instance I love FLOWERS! And I wanted an artist that can put them together in a way that it looks beautiful so finding an artist that can tattoo beautiful flowers is important. Then you make an appointment and go to the shop and they can help you brainstorm what will best fit your needs. During this consultation you'll also usually come to a price understanding. What this means is that the artist will be able to give you an estimate for the cost of the work based on what you're wanting. The final price is usually determined after the drawing is done.

Step 2: drawing

How long this step really varies from piece to piece and artist to artist. Some can draw something up for you in a matter of minutes and some really have to take the time to work it out in their heads. Neither of these styles is better or worse, it's just a part of the creative process. Some artists will have you wait while they draw it up and then do the tattoo immediately. Some will have you come back later that same day so they have some time to work on it without feeling rushed. Others still will have you come back next week so they will schedule a separate appointment for you to get the work done. Again, none of these means one artist is better than another, it's just that designing a tattoo is a creative process and every person has their own way of doing it. Once the final drawing is agreed upon by you and the artist a final price will be determined. Keep in mind tattooing is an industry where tips are expected for good quality work. So make sure when agreeing to pay a certain price that you have the financial means to cover an additional 20% of that price for a tip.

Step 3: the stencil

Once the drawing is finalized and you and the artist are both ready for the work to begin the artist will take a stencil of the drawing and apply it to your skin in the area you want to get tattooed. They will then get a mirror or take you to a mirror to see if the placement is what you want. Make sure you like the angle, make sure you like the size and make sure that the size is a good fit for the place the tattoo is going. Don't be afraid to ask them to move it or change the size if you don't like it.

A good artist will give you suggestions on size and placement to make sure the tattoo is exactly what you want. I always make it a point to ask for the artists feedback on my design ideas. Some tattoo's I've changed due to their feedback and some I haven't because I had an idea of EXACTLY what I wanted. Just remember the artist is the expert who you came to in order to make your tattoo come to life and that the tattoo you'll be wearing is representative of the artist. Artists want you to be happy with their work so that you'll refer people. They also want you to be happy because when they put a tattoo on you, they are representing themselves as well.

Step 4: INK!

Now is the moment you've been waiting for. The artist positioned you in their chair in some manner that makes the part of your body that you're about to get tattooed exposed, shaved (if necessary) and steady. They've gotten out all the various ink colors they are going to need for your design. They've put on gloves and gotten out clean needles (make sure you watch for this!) and everything has been cleaned and is ready to go! Artists usually start with the outline of your tattoo especially if it is a design requiring a black outline. If you don't want an outline style or you want the outline in a different color, that's something you need to be sure and address with the artist when you begin your consultation.

The amount of time that the outline is going to take depends largely on how big the design is and how detailed. If it has a lot of intricate details then it's going to take a while. You can usually estimate how long it's going to take by the price you agreed upon. You should expect to pay $100 an hour, or so for ink depending on the shop.

As the artist begins the tattoo you'll feel stinging and vibration. It can be uncomfortable at first but I find after a little while the area begins to go numb. If you are very pain sensitive you may want to apply a numbing agent prior to the needle touching the area. Getting a tattoo isn't something I would call painful, if it hurt REALLY bad not as many people would have them right? I would compare it to getting your hair pulled during sex, slightly uncomfortable but exhilarating at the same time!

You can expect that the artist will be doing small amounts of ink and then wiping the area that is being tattooed to wipe away the excess ink and blood. You will bleed a little bit, but not too much. This is why they strongly advise against getting a tattoo if you have any alcohol in your system. Alcohol thins your blood and causes problems with infections, excessive bleeding and healing times. Most shops won't tattoo you if you smell like alcohol. This is for your safety. Remember these are professional artists!

Depending on the time the piece is going to take you may expect to take a break go to the bathroom, stretch your legs, smoke a cigarette, make a quick phone call or any combination there in. Tattoo shops get a lot of walk-in traffic so be patient if your artist needs to talk to a walk-in customer.