What I Wish Every First Time Tattoo Client Knew
If you've never been tattooed before, the idea of making that first appointment can feel a little intimidating. You might have several questions. Will it hurt? What if I change my mind? How do I know what size it should be? What if I don't know exactly what I want yet?
As a tattoo artist, I've worked with people who have been getting tattooed for decades and people who have never sat in a tattoo chair before. I've learned that a lot of the anxiety surrounding a first tattoo comes from simply not knowing what to expect. If you're thinking about getting your first tattoo, here are some things I'd want you to know.
Tattoo by Neon
You don't have to have everything figured out. One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that you need to walk into your consultation appointment knowing exactly what your tattoo needs to look like. You don't! It's completely okay to have an idea without knowing exactly how to turn that idea into a tattoo. That's part of my job.
You know you want a raven but don’t know what pose would work best. Or you have ideas about a collection of flowers you love but have no clue how to arrange them. You gathered a few reference images that you like for completely different reasons. Bring those things with you or email them to me. Book an in person consultation appointment if it is easier than corresponding over email. We can talk through them and figure out what makes sense for your tattoo, your placement, and your body.
Reference images are helpful. Please don't feel like you're offending your tattoo artist by bringing reference images. I actually love seeing them! Reference images help me understand what you're drawn to. Maybe you love the way one flower is shaped, the composition of another tattoo, and the shading in a third image. Those references give me a better understanding of your taste. That doesn't mean we're going to copy someone else's tattoo. My job is to take the things you love and create something that works specifically for you.
Tattoo by Neon
Trust your artist when it comes to size and placement. Sometimes the size you originally have in mind isn't the size that will work best for the tattoo. This is especially important with detailed tattoos. A design can look beautiful on a screen or piece of paper, but tattoos have to live on a three dimensional, moving body. Details need enough room to breathe, and certain areas of the body can change how a design looks.
My recommendation could be to make something larger than you originally imagined. That's not me trying to make your tattoo bigger just for the sake of making it bigger. It's because I want the tattoo to age well and still look beautiful years from now.
You are allowed to be nervous. I've tattooed plenty of people who were nervous before their appointment. That's completely normal. You don't have to pretend you're fearless. You don't have to apologize for being nervous. You definitely don't need to feel embarrassed if you're anxious about the pain.
Everyone handles getting tattooed differently. Part of creating a good experience is making you feel comfortable enough to communicate with me. If you need a break, need to change positions, or need to ask a question, just tell me. I'd rather you speak up than sit quietly feeling uncomfortable. Tattoos hurt differently for everyone, and sometimes the position hurts more than the tattoo does! Sit for what you can sit for. Forcing yourself to power through the tattoo when you are feeling shaky and antsy is never a good thing. You can always book a second appointment to finish your piece.
The tattoo doesn't have to be perfect. This might be one of the hardest things for people to understand. A tattoo is art, but it's also being created on a living, breathing human body. Skin isn't paper. People move. Bodies have curves and texture. Everyone's skin is different. Tattoos heal and settle. They age with you.
The goal isn't to create something that looks like it was printed onto your skin. The goal is to create something beautiful that belongs there. Sometimes the little things that make a tattoo unique are the things that make it feel alive. I will quote one of my favorite artists, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy accidents.”- Bob Ross.
Tattoo by Neon
Your tattoo isn't finished when you leave the studio. The healing process is part of the process. Your tattoo may look different from the moment you leave the studio to the way it looks a few weeks later. It can be red, swollen, dry, flaky, itchy, or look a little dull while it's healing. Don't panic! Follow your aftercare instructions, be patient, and give your skin time to do what it needs to do. A good tattoo needs good care.
Communication makes everything better. If something is bothering you, ask. If you aren't sure about something, ask. If you don't understand why I'm recommending a particular size or placement, ask. If you have changed your mind about an idea before your appointment, tell me.
There is no prize for being the easiest client in the world if you're quietly unhappy with your tattoo! Tattooing is a collaborative process. I bring my experience and artistic perspective, and you bring your ideas, your story, and the body that the artwork will live on. The better we communicate, the better we can create something together.
Give yourself time. You don't have to rush into getting tattooed. Sometimes the best tattoos are the ones that you've thought about for a while. Let yourself sit with an idea. Think about why you want it. Think about where you want it. Think about whether it still feels like something you'll love years from now.
Tattoo by Neon
When you're ready, find an artist whose work you genuinely love. Don't choose an artist solely because they are close by or because they are the cheapest option. Look at their healed work. Look at their portfolio. Make sure their style and approach are a good match for what you want. A tattoo is something you carry with you. It deserves a little thought.
After all these years of tattooing, I still think one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching someone go from being nervous about an idea to seeing it become part of them. Your first tattoo doesn't have to be a perfect experience. It just needs to be yours.
Love,
Neon
The Neon Lady