get an idea of the cost before taking it on.”
Your Tattoo Appointment
Be On Time, and Give It Time
On the day of your tattoo appointment, make certain you arrive on time. Often however, just like when you visit a doctor’s office, sometimes appointments run over their planned time. Because of this, it’s best to choose a day off from work or school when you won’t feel pressured to be done by a certain time. Be patient; tattooing is an artistic process, and it is better to have an artist who goes over a bit to ensure their work is top quality, than to have one who rushes a design just to meet a time limit.
Fill Your Tank and Hydrate!
Be sure to eat beforehand and drink lots of water, as low blood sugar and dehydration can swiftly turn into a bigger problem when your body is put under the stress of getting inked.
Avoid Alcohol
Avoid consuming any drugs or drinking alcohol before your tattoo appointment; most artists will refuse to work on you if you’re under the influence, for your safety as much as theirs (and in some places sobriety is a legal requirement).
Keep It Clean
And lastly, for the love of humanity, take care of your hygiene before entering the studio. Your artist is going to be up close and personal with your body for (potentially) several hours; the least you can do is be freshly showered and groomed.
How to Dress for Your Tattoo Appointment
This one’s pretty simple. Just wear (clean!) comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and remember that your artist needs to have easy access to the area that’s being worked on. Use common sense; if you’re getting work done on your foot, wear flip flops instead of sneakers. If you’re getting a calf piece, shorts are a better idea than jeans. You get the idea.
If you’re a woman and you’re having work done anywhere around your chest or back, a good tip is to wear a bikini top under your shirt; untying a string is a lot easier than struggling with a bra, and it you’re more modest it won’t feel quite so much like getting naked (a good artist will always have a privacy screen or single room available for you, by the way).
Soft fabrics are advised; though your new tattoo will be wrapped after it’s finished, you don’t want any rough clothing causing friction. In this case, soft, breathable cotton is your friend.
Don’t Forget Your ID
You will also need a photo ID with your birth date; you will not get your tattoo without one. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport are all good options.
Do You Tip Tattoo Artists?
The answer is YES, absolutely tip your tattoo artist. It is so, so important to remember to work in a tip when you are planning the budget for your tattoo. Not only does tipping create a positive relationship with your artist (vitally important if you ever want them to work with you again), but it shows appreciation for the hard work. And again, this is very likely how your artist makes their living; tips are an important part of their income. They do not make an hourly wage like other professions; instead, they receive a percentage of the money you pay for your ink.
If you’re wondering how much should you tip a tattoo artist, 15-20% is generally the accepted tattoo tip percentage. 10% at a minimum.
If you can’t afford that much, it is best to either scale back the tattoo, or wait until you’ve saved up enough to cover both the tattoo cost and tip. This is an expected part of the tattooing process.
Some Tattoo Tipping Etiquette:
A note on how to tip your tattoo artist; Wait until your artist has taken their gloves off and cleaned up a bit before handing them cash. A good rule of thumb is to wait to tip until you settle up at the front desk.
What Else Should I Know About My Tattoo Appointment?
Don’t Bring Your Crew
Don’t bring a lot of people in with you to get inked. The artist will be under enough pressure to make you happy without having to deal with an entire group of friends distracting them. Large crowds will be disruptive to any other artists/clients in the studio as well.
Bringing in a ton of friends is definitely not recommended. We actually set a one-person rule in our shop so people are only allowed to bring one friend along for their appointment.
No Kids or Pets Allowed During Your Tattoo Session
It is pretty much always a bad idea to bring children into a tattoo parlour. Not only do many parlours post artwork, etc. that is not necessarily kid-friendly, but having little ones running around/getting restless or impatient while you get inked is hugely distracting and inconsiderate to all artists in the studio.
Communication is Key
Communicate with your artist. During the actual process of getting inked, if at any point you feel nauseous, dizzy, faint, or have any other odd reactions, you need to let the artist know. Everyone has a different threshold for the amount of pain and stress their body can take; your artist won’t know this automatically. If you need a break or need to stop altogether, speak up. Trying to “tough it out” might end badly and create a negative experience for both you and your artist.
Inform Your Artist
Along those lines, also be certain to inform your artist about any pre-existing conditions you have that may cause complications during your tattoo. Pregnancy, diabetes, certain types of medication, etc, may prevent you from being cleared to get a tattoo. In any case, it is best to let your artist know so they can advise you accordingly. In some cases you might need approval from your physician before getting tattooed.
Be Respectful
Don’t be offended if your artist isn’t super chatty when they are working on you. Some artists like to talk; others don’t. If your artist is the quiet type, respect that and let them concentrate on their work.
