How To Decide What Tattoo To Get?
Be Patient – Rawpixel / Getty Images Ultimately, gradually and thoughtfully are the best ways to proceed with your body art. Once you have a plan for your tattoo in a style you like, you can then scope out inspiration for design ideas that will have more significance and meaning later.
“You should also take the time to read up on different styles of tattoo designs,” Forte says. “During the process you’ll find some you like and come up with a solid game plan on what design(s) would be perfect for you.
” Don’t be in a hurry to commit to a design, especially if you want a tattoo with meaning. Remember, this is permanent (unless you undergo painful tattoo removal )..
Contents
- 1 How do you think your tattoo is meaningful?
- 2 When should you not get a tattoo?
- 3 What should you not do after a tattoo?
- 4 Where should I get my first tattoo?
- 5 What tattoo means keep going?
- 6 Is it better to eat before getting a tattoo?
- 7 Can I get a tattoo on my period?
How do you get a tattoo when you don’t know what you want?
Flash Tattoos – If you’re stuck and want something generic, a flash tattoo might be the best choice. These are pre-made tattoos ready to be tattooed in the same day. Flash tattoos can offer you designs organized by themes. For example, if you want a tattoo that involved cats, you can go to your local parlor and ask to see a flash sheet with different cat designs. 
This can help inspire you and give you more ideas. If you have a theme in mind, seeing several examples can help you narrow down what you want. Flash tattoos can provide you with a general template, and you can add onto it if you wish. Talk with your tattoo artist about ways you can customize it to your specific needs. 
Go to the local parlor shop and flip through the flash tattoo books; you’ll find something that’ll catch your eye. You can also use this as inspiration to create something special and unique through a custom tattoo.
What are 3 things you should consider before getting a tattoo?
How do you think your tattoo is meaningful?
Consider What’s Meaningful to You – Once you know where you want to get your tattoo, it’s time to think about the visual elements you want involved. Christine V. suggests you keep in mind “what… you actually want in your tattoo, what personal meaning will it carry?” She advises against getting too literal with your design if, at all possible, “Sometimes it is good to consider more metaphorical symbolism, and not just go with a literal theme or idea.
Being a bit more subtle and symbolic will yield a more personal and unique tattoo”. Christine D. , another artist at CTD, believes that if you’re looking into getting a custom design, you already have some kind of inspiration in mind – even if you don’t consciously know it yet, “…it is pretty rare for someone to simply get a custom tattoo designed ‘just because’… There is always a trigger for the desire [to get] a tattoo”.
She goes on to explain: When someone seeks an unique design, made just for them, it is a sign that there is something very special that they feel connected to, and that they need to make it a visible part of themselves, but…the person [doesn’t always have] a clear picture of what they want, sometimes what they have is just a feeling.
And how to put a feeling into paper? Which is where working with an artist comes into play. “A tattoo is always more than a piece of artwork, it is an inspiration”, says Christine D. , so she encourages potential clients to think about what inspires them, whether it be music, art, someone special in your life, or a symbol to represent your own personality and experience.
Jen also recommends you think about what’s meaningful to you, because tattoos are “such a personal form of self-expression”, you could take inspiration from: one of your favorite places, animals, flowers, people you want to celebrate or remember, significant moments in your life, hobbies or media you enjoy, your heritage, mythology that resonates with you, or any symbolism that you feel connected to.
If you can’t decide on just one theme, don’t worry, Jen says, “tattoos… don’t necessarily need to have one driving theme in order to be a beautiful piece of art. If you are having trouble focusing on one theme, you can always incorporate several themes and elements into your tattoo”.
There a few different techniques that an artist could use to do this, like, “we can use filler elements (like clouds, waves, flowers, etc. ) to tie all the elements together into a cohesive whole, or just draw everything in a specific tattoo style which will unite all the disparate elements”.
Tattooist and CTD artist Andy W. echoes the idea of going with something personal, “so that it will mean something for the rest of your life”. He would not, however, advise going with a spouse’s name, “Personally, I think a partner’s name is a bit risky, as anything could happen”.
But that person can be inspiration for a symbol that represents your relationship , and make for a unique and lasting tattoo. There’s a ton of room for creativity and expression through art when you’re coming up with a tattoo design idea, but choosing something that is meaningful to you personally increases the chances that you’ll be happy with the tattoo in the long-term, as opposed to getting a trendy, ‘current’ design done..
What is a good first tattoo?
While upper arms, forearms, thighs, and calves are all great locations, Brodsky says elbow and knee tattooing can be ‘kind of spicy, but it’s still doable. ‘ Tattoos on the torso hurt worse, she explains, because the skin is softer and lighter.
How do you see if a tattoo looks good on you?
One way to really test out a look on your body is to book an appointment with the tattoo artist you are considering for a trial tattoo. It may cost you if you are spending a significant amount of time, so check with your artist of choice how they would like to proceed.
Will I regret getting a tattoo?
It’s not unusual for a person to change their mind after getting a tattoo. In fact, one survey says 75 percent of their 600 respondents admitted to regretting at least one of their tattoos. But the good news is there are things you can do before and after getting a tattoo to lower your chances of regret.
When should you not get a tattoo?
Blood Disorders – 
There are several different types of blood related disorders or conditions. Some of them cause excessive bleeding or issues with clotting, which is not ideal for tattooing. Those with blood disorders may be turned away by shops due to the risks and issues posed by being tattooed. Blood disorders could lessen the artists visibility, extra wiping could cause the stencil to come off early compromising the design, and even dilute or push out some of the tattoo ink.
What should you not do after a tattoo?
Where should I get my first tattoo?
What tattoo spots hurt most?
What tattoo represents strength?
Lotus/Floral Tattoo Design – As mentioned earlier, the lotus flower is an ultimate symbol of personal emotional, and physical strength. The lotus design is suitable for both men and women and represents power, strength, endurance, and one’s ability to overcome life’s struggles.
- The design is incredibly beautiful, and the tattoo can be either small or big, simple or intricate;
- Some people tend to chose wonderful color schemes for their lotus tattoo, while others go with a more minimalistic approach;
Either way, you cannot go wrong with a lotus design.
- Tattoo highlights – just like with any design, the lotus tattoo can be either less or more expensive depending on the size, intricacy of the design, and the choice of color. Smaller designs can cost you up to $800 , while larger lotus tattoos with intricate design can cost up to $2,500.
- Best body placement – forearm, wrist, ankle, foot, middle of the chest, side of the neck, the bottom of the neck, lower back, shoulder area, etc.
Other Design Recommendations .
What tattoo means keep going?
Tattoos are forever and that’s exactly why most people think about the exact tattoo they want much before actually getting it inked. The reason for it is quite simple: we all want a meaningful tattoo. If you fall into the category of people who’ve been thinking about getting something meaningful inked, we say you go for designs that will serve as a reminder of motivation on a daily basis. 
sophieetc 2. The semicolon tattoo is now a symbol for mental health awareness. In literary terms is represents a pause. The semicolon tattoo represents the fact that you could have chosen to end things but you treated the phase of struggle as a pause and, not the end. 
pinterest 3. An ampersand tattoo means that anything happening in your life won’t last forever. There will always be an ‘and’ that will change how your life looks. 
pinterest 4. A wave represents the highs and lows of your life. If you think life is too low, it will remind you that there will be a high as well. 
pinterest 5. This is a viking symbol called ‘inguz’ which means where there’s a will, there’s a way. It will, hopefully, help you keep your will intact. 
pinterest 6. A lotus, which grows in muddy water, maintains its purity. It still grows out beautiful. It’s a reminder to keep fighting your personal battles and emerging out of them beautifully. 
pinterest 7. A design that represents change, this minimalist triangle will remind you that tough times don’t always last. 
pinterest 8. Words can serve as a good reminder and that’s why this ‘hustle’ tattoo will keep you going. 
pinterest 9. If you’re looking at a more elaborate design, your favourite motivational quote as a tattoo could be a wonderful idea. 
pinterest 10. An anchor will keep you grounded when you think you’re losing all control. 
pinterest 11. A yin and yang tattoo represents the fact that there is always something good in something bad. Hopefully, it will help you find the silver lining in the situations you face in life. 
pinterest.
What is the least painful tattoo spot?
Least painful to tattoo – The least painful places to get a tattoo are areas of your body with fewer nerve endings. Think outer shoulder, calf, buttocks, and outer arm. While people generally focus on the location on the body, Stanley Kovak , a cosmetic physician, theorizes that pain is more about size.
What’s the most common first tattoo?
When it comes to getting a first tattoo, there are good placement choices and ones that most artists would discourage (or outright) refuse for a client. For example, most tattoo artists give a first timer a design on their hand, neck or face—because these locations are extremely visible and they want people to understand the consequences that these types of tattoos can have on a person’s life.
However, if you’re in the majority and don’t plan on getting a job stopper for your first tattoo, it’s time to discuss some of the best and most common placements for a first tattoo. Whether you’re selecting the placement for a tattoo because of the design, the pain or the ability to cover it up—we’ve narrowed down our top 9 tattoo locations for first timers.
Take a look at the gallery below to see where we’d recommend you get a first tattoo and let us know where you got your first tattoo in the comments section on Facebook. 
Hip The hip is a great place to put a first tattoo because it’s very easily hidden. Under most circumstances, besides the beach, a hip tattoo will not be seen in people. Therefore, it’s a safe way to wade into collecting tattoos. 
Forearm The forearm is an excellent place for a first tattoo because it’s a clean canvas for the artist and one of the least painful spots on the body for a client. Whether you go big or go small, that’s up to you but there’s no going wrong with a tasteful forearm tattoo. 
Thigh Over the past few years, thigh tattoos have become increasingly popular among first timers. It’s a large, open space that can be easily hidden—and I personally can attest to the thigh being a prime location for a first tattoo. 
Wrist While wrist tattoos are among the most visible tattoos a person can get, if done well, there’s really no harm with a classy and well-done tattoo on the wrist. 
Ankle Ankle tattoos are perhaps the most popular designs for first times and based on the many tasteful and subtle examples out there—we can tell why many tattoo virgins go for the ankle. 
Inner Bicep Inner bicep tattoos are awesome because they still allow for the edge of having an arm tattoo, however, they allow the wearer to slide under the radar as a tattooed person. 
Outer Bicep But if you’re committed to being a tattoo collector and want to make a bold statement with your first tattoo—why not give an outer bicep tattoo a shot? This tattoo can still easily be hidden under clothes, but it’s still totally badass. 
Shoulder Blade Want a tattoo that even you can’t see? Well, a shoulder blade piece may be for you. Shoulder tattoos are extremely elegant and you’ll surprise everyone with your well hidden ink. 
Calf Lastly, calf tattoos are a great choice for first time tattoo clients because they can be effortlessly disguised under pants. If you’re someone who frequently wears pants to work but prefers to show off your legs on the weekend—you’ll love having a tattoo on your calf..
Is it better to eat before getting a tattoo?
The bottom line – Tattoo artists recommend you eat one to two hours before your appointment and a meal full of protein and vegetables is a good choice. Beyond the nutritional benefits, it’s unlikely that a healthy meal will overstuff you to the point of nausea — a bonus if you’re especially squeamish around needles.
- If you’re planning on packing snacks, check with your artist on whether food is allowed and what to bring;
- Peanut butter cups won’t be a smart move if your artist is deathly allergic and a bag full of fast-food is just plain aggressive;
And that’s no way to start a session, is it?! If you liked our story Here’s What to Eat Before Getting a Tattoo, Plus Foods to Avoid, make sure to check out the 13 Important Things to Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo ..
Can I get a tattoo on my period?
This is my first tattoo – will it hurt? – Firstly please DO NOT listen to the experiences of friends. Mean friends often unfairly wind customers up! Tattoos do hurt, but every individual’s experience is different. Pain tolerances vary from person to person, different parts of the body hurt more than others, and the same spot on one person can hurt whist another person would barely mind.
It’s OK to be nervous, but most customers often comment it wasn’t as bad as they thought! Tattooing is certainly not an unbearable sensation, especially for short sessions, and it is, for the most part, more of a mild to moderate annoyance than outright agony! As mentioned above, being well-fed and well-rested will minimise discomfort, and for longer sessions of over an hour or so, you might also find a mild anti-inflammatory pain reliever like Ibuprofen or a Paracetamol helps.
We’re a very quick and efficient tattooists, so whilst quality comes first, we are also mindful of how quickly we’re working. We work fast to keep pain to a minimum. (Please note with females, it needs to be mentioned that getting tattooed whilst on your period will make the body more receptive to pain, so take that into account whilst booking where possible).
What do u need to get a tattoo at 18?
Other Countries –
- Austria, Germany, and Denmark also have an age minimum of 18, but with some exceptions.
- Countries like Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Hungary have no age restrictions
- Spain allows minors as young as 14 to be tattooed with parent consent.
- France has an age minimum of 16.
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Where do tattoos hurt the least?
