Why Are Tattoo Artists So Rude?

Julia
11.10.2022
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Conclusion – It could be that the tattoo artist that you go to see is having a bad day or has been treated badly by another customer. There could be lots of reasons why they seem to be being rude towards you. However, it could just be their way and they don’t mean anything by the abrupt way they speak to people.

Do tattoo artists get annoyed?

Talking Too Much About Price – While it’s fine to talk about the cost of your tattoo, artists can get annoyed when their clients try to haggle for a better price, or say that they plan to go somewhere cheaper. Not only can this be insulting to the artist, but “most ‘cheap’ tattoos reflect their price,” Palomino says.

Are tattoos disrespectful?

What Constitutes an Offensive or Appropriative Tattoo? –

Tattoos that promote racism, hate, and warfare are considered offensive and illegal in some states and countries.
Tattoos that promote crime, and crime-related activities either offensive or even illegal too.
Tattoos that spark controversy and offend minorities or people of color are considered offensive.
Any tattoo that is deemed sexual in nature or shows sensitive/private parts of the body is generally unacceptable and offensive.
Tattoos that showcase extremist symbols associated with politics, warfare, and slavery are considered offensive.
Tattoos that showcase other cultures’ and religions’ deities and gods are considered offensive, disrespectful and appropriative.
Tattoos that show other culture’s and traditions’ symbols and markings are considered offensive and appropriative.

Do tattoo artists like to talk?

Why Are Tattooers So Mean?

Let the artist take lead on the design Most tattoo artists are in fact artists. They want to tattoo you with their own art. This isn’t just a creative preference. Tattooers generally have perfected a certain style (or styles). Their best designs and their best execution will be in this style(s). They want to be confident and and proud of your tattoo.

Don’t send them a picture of another artist’s work and say “I want this tattoo”.
Don’t be surprised if the artist does not want to tattoo in a style that is not their own.
Do share reference images for the subject matter you like.
Do share reference images from the artist’s own portfolio and say “I like the style you used here. “

Be as specific as you need to be. Not more or less. Artists love it when you give them creative freedom but don’t do it unless you really do want them to make all creative decisions. If you have something specific in mind, tell them.

Don’t tell the artist “you have complete freedom” and then come to the shop and make a lot of corrections.
Do tell the artist any specifics you have in mind before they work on the design!

New tattoos are always a better option than “adding on” to, or modifying an existing tattoos. Most artists would rather not work with another artist’s tattoo. It adds constraints to their design potential and it forces them to either: (a) Vandalize an existing, nice tattoo or (b) Have their work seen alongside an existing ugly tattoo. Either way, this won’t be a portfolio piece and won’t get the best work from the artist.

That’s not possible if you give excessive direction or if you force the artist outside of their core styles;
Also, remember that good artists won’t copy another artist’s design so don’t ask;
Consider: do you really need your existing tattoo to keep growing and becoming more and more of a Frankenstein’s Monster? Or can you offer new real estate to each artist? Cover-ups are a different story;

If you need a cover-up, you need a coverup. Not all artists are technically capable of good cover-ups and not all artists like to do them because of the additional constraint but it’s always worth asking.

Don’t think of your tattoo as a house you are continually remodelling.
Do think of tattoos more like paintings you are commissioning. Give the artist a clean canvas.
Do consider going back to the same artist for modifying or touching up an existing tattoo.

Don’t design by committee There’s nothing worse than customers who bring an opinionated friend or loved one to “help” them with design decisions. You hired the artist to help you with design. Adding a third party can complicate the already-delicate balance of artist/client in the design process. The more opinions you solicit, the harder and more confusing the process will be. Only you know what you want and the artist can help you.

Don’t bring a friend or spouse to speak for you.
Don’t text photos of the design to friends asking for their opinion.
Do tell your opinionated friends to quiet down if they become too involved in your tattoo design process.

Limit your party to yourself + 1 max Speaking of bringing others with you… consider visiting the shop alone for your appointment. Most shops are limited in their space and cannot accommodate your friends. Not only that, your friends might think it sounds fun to be at the shop while you get tattooed, but it’s not. Your friends will be bored.

Don’t bring extra people with you to be tattooed without asking the shop first. Most shops don’t want your friends sleeping in the waiting area while you get tattooed.
Do limit your party to just you or one other if you must and encourage your friends to go do something while you get tattooed so they don’t sleep in the waiting area.

Let the artist concentrate while you get tattooed Even the most experienced artists need to limit stressors during their tattooing. Tattooing requires intense concentration. Some artists love to gab while tattooing but others prefer to be quiet. Let the artist take the lead or ask them what they prefer.

Do bring a book to read or movie to watch provided you can do it without moving.
Do let your artist take the lead on whether or not to talk.
Don’t stare at the tattoo while your artist is working. This is stressful.
Don’t talk too much unless your artit is the chatty one.

Sit still! For obvious reasons, you never want to move while there is a tattoo needle inking your skin. If you might have trouble with pain, consider a numbing cream in advance of getting tattooed (ask your artist first). If you’re jumpy, you’re wasting tattooing time and risking mistakes. Generally though, you’re stressing out the artist which can mean not getting their best work.

Don’t move unexpectedly.
Don’t talk if you’re getting your ribs tattooed.
Do let the artist know if you need to move or stretch.
Do let the artist know If you think the furniture can be adjusted to be more comfortable.
Do consider topical numbing cream in advance of your tattoo if you’re worried about tolerating the pain (ask the artist first though)

Tipping It is customary to tip tattoo artists just like (in the US) it is customary to tip restaurant wait staff. Because it’s customary, not tipping is seen as a sign of being dissatisfied with your tattoo.

Do expect to tip when budgeting for your tattoo.
Do tip the artist directly and in cash.
Do tip big (e. 20%+) if you love your tattoo.
Do talk to your artist whenever you feel something isn’t being handled well (consultation, design, etc). A small tip (or no tip) shouldn’t be the only sign that you are dissatisfied.

Aftercare There are many different aftercare procedures out there. Always follow the artist’s own aftercare instructions because you and the artist are both responsible for the quality of your tattoo.

Do make sure to get precise instructions for aftercare from your artist.
Do feel OK to ask questions during the healing process if something seems wrong.
Do a little research about healing tattoos to know what’s normal. Scabbing is normal. Ink on the bandage is normal. Looking faded in the first couple of weeks is normal.

Touch-ups Most tattoos will not need touching up — at least for many years. However, sometimes ink does fall out or fade. This can happen for many reasons. The artist’s tattoo technique matters but it’s just half the story. Healing/fading is also affected by aftercare, your biology, the placement on the body (bendy parts like wrists, elbows, fingers, etc will fade more and faster).

Do wait 30 days before even considering a touch-up. Tattoos can look less-than-perfect while healing and need 30 days to be completely healed.
Do take good care of your tattoo following artist instructions and avoiding any strong sun exposure, rubbing, or soaking of the tattoo area while it’s healing.
Don’t expect the tattoo ink to look as vibrant as it did the day of your tattoo. Tattoo ink sits under the top layer of skin so, once healed, you’ll be looking at the ink through the top layer of skin.
Don’t be confrontational with the artist about your touch-up. Your artist cares as much as you do about the tattoo looking great so there’s no reason to take an aggressive posture if you have concerns about your tattoo.

You might be interested: How Much Is A Shoulder Tattoo?

What are the negatives of tattoos?

What do tattoo artists hate the most?

What should I not tell my tattoo artist?

What country are tattoos illegal?

Iran – It is illegal in Islamic countries, like Iran, to get a tattoo. Under the claim that ‘tattooing is a health risk’ and ‘forbidden by God’, people who get a tattoo in Iran are at risk of being arrested, fined heavily, or even retained in prison. It is even a common practice to ‘parade’ the arrested people through the city, in public, so that the community can shame the person for having a tattoo. Other Islamic countries with the same or similar tattoo prohibition are ;

Saudi Arabia – tattoos are illegal due to Sharia Law (foreigners with tattoos must cover them and they should remain covered until the person leaves the country)
Afghanistan – tattoos are illegal and banned due to Sharia Law
United Arab Emirates – it is illegal to get tattooed by a tattoo artist; tattoos are considered a form of self-injury, which is forbidden in Islam , but tourists and foreigners don’t have to cover them unless they’re offensive. In such a case, people can be banned from UAE for life.
Malaysia – tattoos showing religious quotes (like quotes from the Quran), or illustrations of god or the prophet Muhammad, are strictly forbidden, illegal and punishable
Yemen – tattoos aren’t strictly forbidden, but a person with a tattoo can be subjected to the Islam Sharia Law

When it comes to these countries, foreigners, and tourists who have tattoo must cover them in public at all times, otherwise, could face fine or punishment in form of being banned from the country, especially if the tattoo is offensive to the local people and religion in any way.

What does 3 dots on your hand mean?

By C1 Staff Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. And sometimes, inmates make it easy to know exactly what they’ve been up to through the use of tattoos. Here are 15 tattoos and their secret meanings. Know a different meaning for the tattoos displayed here? Share it in the comments. 1488 (Photo freetattoodesigns. org) This number can be found on white supremacist/Nazi inmates. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion. Fourteen represents fourteen words, which are a quote by Nazi leader David Lane: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children.

Be sure to check out more of our coverage on prison tattoos, including 15 more prison tattoos and their meanings , 12 Russian prison tattoos and their meanings , and a collection of inmate takes on prison ink.

” The 88 is shorthand for the 8 th letter of the alphabet twice, HH, which represents Heil Hitler. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. The Cobweb (Photo Timeless Tattoos Glasglow) Cobwebs typically represent a lengthy term in prison. The symbolism is associated with spiders trapping prey; or criminals trapped behind bars. This tattoo is commonly found on the elbow, signifying sitting around so long with your elbows on the table that a spider made a web on your elbow, though it can also be located on the neck. Teardrop (Photo trendfashion2013) One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop’s meaning varies geographically. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. If the teardrop is just an outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder. It can also mean that one of the inmate’s friends was murdered and that they are seeking revenge.

If you see a multi-colored web, it’s probably not a prison tattoo; tattoo ‘artists’ in jail rarely have access to colored ink. The teardrop has been popularized recently by rappers and other celebrities, but still remains a staple in prisons.

Those who are newbies behind bars with a teardrop tattoo will make a lot of enemies, fast. Five-point crown (Photo Gwan Soon Lee Tattoo) This is the symbol of the Latin Kings gang, which is one of the biggest Hispanic gangs in the U. based out of Chicago. The crown will often be accompanied by the letters ALKN, which stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation. The five points are due to the Latin Kings being an affiliate of the People Nation gang, which is represented by the number five. Latin Kings have a huge presence both in and out of prison, and their roots go back to the 1940s. Three dots (Photo Whiserkino) The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life. ” It’s not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. It can also carry some religious significance, such as representing Christianity’s holy trinity. The three dot tattoo is often created using a stick-and-poke method, requiring very rudimentary tools. Five dots (Photo My Sarisari Store) These dots differ greatly from the previous tattoo – five dots represents time done in prison. Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. This tattoo can be found internationally, among both American and European inmates. The dots are typically found on an inmate’s hand, between the thumb and forefinger. The clock with no hands (Photo Tattoo Me Pink) This tattoo is, fairly obviously, representative of ‘doing time’ and doing a lot of it. Those serving a longer sentence might get this tattoo done on their wrist, with watch straps and all, much like a real watch. The clock face itself can come in a few forms, such as the face of a wall clock or a grandfather clock. Not all clock tattoos are tied to prison; generally just the ones lacking hands. Aryan Brotherhood (Photo Media Lib) This prison gang has a variety of tattoos to look out for, ranging from ‘AB’ to Nazi symbols like a swastika or SS bolts. The Brotherhood makes up 1 percent of the inmate population, but are responsible for 20 percent of murders inside of U. prisons, so identifying these tattoos are extremely beneficial. The tattoos can also be referred to as Alice Baker, the One-Two, or The Brand. Norte ñ o (Photo Know Gangs) Norteño tattoos represent the Nuestra Familia gang, which is associated with Hispanic gangs in Northern California. Their tattoos include the word Norteño, Nuestra Familia, a sombrero symbol, the letter N or the number 14, symbolizing the 14 th letter of the alphabet (yup – the letter N). The Norteños are rivals of the Suerños, Hispanic gangs based out of Southern California.

Other details of the crown, such as the colors of the jewels in the points, can have a whole other level of hidden meanings. Five dots on other parts of the body can have different meanings, such as an association with the People Nation gang.

The unofficial dividing line between the two is in Delano, California. The Norteños identify themselves with red bandanas and mainly get their income from smuggling and distributing cocaine, heroin and meth. La Eme (Photo Police Mag) ‘La Eme,’ or The M, is the symbol of the Mexican Mafia. They are one of the largest and most ruthless prison gangs in the U. They’re allied with the Aryan Brotherhood, and have a common enemy in the Nuestra Familia. La Eme was started not in Mexico, but in Mexican-Americans who were incarcerated in American prisons. MS 13 (Photo Wikimedia) The MS 13, also sometimes seen just as MS or 13, is a symbol of the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador. Typically these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body, but are most often found in highly visible places like the face, hands or neck. LA Mara Salvatrucha was started in the Los Angeles area by El Salvadoran immigrants. There are now MS-13 chapters all over the U. Playing cards (Photo Tattos Time) Playing cards, or suits of the deck in general, usually indicate an inmate who likes to gamble. This applies to gambling games both within prison and without; it can also represent a person who generally views life as a gamble. This tattoo is very popular in Russian prisons, where each deck has its own meaning. A spade represents a thief; clubs symbolize criminals in general.

La Eme is a Sureño gang, belonging to a large affiliation of Hispanic gangs in Southern California;
and even in Canada;
Their industries range from dealing drugs to child prostitution;
Diamonds are reserved for stoolpigeons and informants – if the cards have this deck, then it was likely applied with force;

Hearts imply that someone is looking for a romantic partner in the prison, which may also be forcibly applied. EWMN (Photo Turner) These letters stand for ‘Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty. ‘ Having no particular affiliation with any gang, they simply represent the general disposition of some prison inmates. Typically found on the knuckles, these types of tattoos were popularized in 1955 by Robert Mitchum in ‘The Night of the Hunter. ‘ His sociopathic preacher character had the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ tattooed on the knuckles of each hand, which has brought about other variants such as ‘Rock/Roll’ and ‘Stay/Down. ‘ Cross on the chest (Photo Adimaz) Particularly found in Russian prisons, chest tattoos symbolize a ‘Prince of Thieves. ‘ This is the highest rank a Russian convict can achieve, and are generally worn by higher-ups in the mob. Russian prisons have a unique and intricate history of prison tattoos, each with their own unique meaning. Another example are bells, symbolizing freedom, or a tiger on the chest is symbolic of aggression toward the police. A. (Photo SAS) This acronym is commonly found on the bodies of British prisoners and stands for “All Cops Are Bastards. ” Some claim that A. also stands for “Always Carry A Bible,” but these are widely believed to be people who regret their tattoo decision.

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Why are tattoos illegal in Japan?

Updated 0703 GMT (1503 HKT) October 19, 2017 Tokyo, Japan (CNN) Black is a color you won’t find on the walls of Ron Sugano’s tattoo parlor in the upmarket Meguro district of south-west Tokyo, where quaint geometric houses line quiet streets. Also absent are the laminated pictures of stretched lobe piercings and extreme ink work that are typically flaunted in grungy tattoo parlors around the world. With its wooden Balinese art, Lonely Planet travel guides, and bright natural lighting, Shi Ryu Doh feels more like a spa. In Japan tattoos have long been stigmatized for their association with organized crime gangs, the Yakuza, who pledge their allegiance with full-body markings. Consequently, anyone with ink — regardless of their profession — cannot usually use public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and even some gyms. Sugano’s clean, zen decor is a way of distinguishing his artistic practice, which mainly attracts foreign customers, from establishments that issue the Yakuza’s ink work.

Is it rude to wear headphones during a tattoo?

Conclusion – The tattoo process is a personal thing and what’s acceptable will vary depending on your tattoo artist. Make sure that you speak to them to understand what they expect and what is acceptable during the procedure. You need to be comfortable but so do they.

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.

Is it rude to ask tattoo price?

Many artists find it extremely rude if you try to haggle the price of a tattoo. Though negotiating the price of some goods and services is normal, haggling with your artist over the cost of a tattoo is typically seen as unacceptable and insulting.

Do tattoos shorten your life?

the MPR take: – Having a tattoo may mean an earlier death, says a new report in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology. Investigators compared the deaths of people with and without tattoos and found that people with tattoos appeared to die earlier than people without (mean age of death: tattooed: 39yrs; nontattooed: 53yrs).

What jobs dont allow tattoos?

Do tattoos show up on xrays?

Several health risks associated with tattoos can be avoided or reduced by sharing this guide with patients. Several health risks associated with tattoos can be avoided or reduced by sharing this guide with patients. What Is a Tattoo? Tattooing is a form of body art created by injecting ink into the skin.

About 21% of adults have tattoos. They are especially popular among young adults. Approximately 36% of those who are 18 to 25 years of age have tattoos. 1 Tattoos are created with a machine that acts like a sewing machine.

It pierces 1 or more needles into the skin repeatedly. People generally experience mild to moderate pain. 2 Tattoo inks vary in color, with red, green, and yellow being the most popular (Figure 1). What Are the Risks in Getting Tattoos? The tattoo site can become infected.

This happens when bacteria contaminate the ink. Red rashes, swelling, and pain are symptoms of an infection. An infection generally occurs 2 or 3 weeks after you get your tattoo. Antibiotics kill most infections, but some tattoo infections don’t respond to antibiotics.

If the tattoo artist is using needles that have been used on other people, these needles can infect others with diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. Even with sterile needles, a tattoo site can become infected. Some people are allergic to the ink but don’t know it until they get a tattoo.

An allergic reaction can occur immediately. In some cases, the reaction occurs several months or years later. Skin bumps, rashes, and itching are signs of an allergic reaction. Medication is necessary if the reaction is severe.

Tattoos can also worsen some skin conditions. Tattoos may result in scar tissue. Small knots or bumps may form around the tattoo. These bumps occur because the body is attempting to remove a foreign substance (ink). It’s possible that the ink may travel into your body.

It is unknown if this will cause future problems;
4 Should you get a tattoo, follow the guidelines in the sidebar;
After getting a tattoo, remove the bandage after 24 hours;
Keep the area clean;
Apply a moisturizer several times a day for the first few days;

Avoid direct sunlight on a new tattoo. Tattoos eventually fade. Sunlight is the main cause of fading. Some inks, like yellow, fade faster than dark inks. If you lose or gain weight, the tattoo may look distorted. 4 Up to 50% of people with tattoos wish they’d never gotten tattooed.

5 In most cases, these are people in their 40s who got tattooed as young adults;
Removing a tattoo is a slow and expensive process;
Most insurance plans don’t cover tattoo removal;
Tattoo removal should only be done by a dermatologist (a skin doctor);

Most tattoos are removed with a laser machine. The machine sends concentrated light bursts into the tattoo. These bursts feel like tiny drops of hot grease falling on the skin. Laser breaks up the ink that the body then removes. Different lasers may be used for different colors.

Green, red, and yellow are the most difficult inks to remove;
Newer tattoos are also more difficult to remove compared with older tattoos;
Most tattoos require 6 to 10 laser sessions;
6 The result may not be perfect, and some scarring may occur;

Dermabrasion is another method for tattoo removal. It’s like “sanding” the layer of skin that has the ink. Tattoos can also be removed by cutting away the skin that has the tattoo. The remaining skin is then stitched together. Can an X-Ray Affect My Tattoo? A regular x-ray will not damage your tattoo.

A type of imaging called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) heats up some of the components of tattoo ink. This may result in a skin burn. Burning can be prevented. A cold, wet cloth may be placed over the tattoo before the MRI is performed.

It is possible for the tattoo to affect the MRI image. 7 Final Thought Think carefully before getting a tattoo. Never get a tattoo if you are drinking or doing drugs. What seemed like a good idea the night before may be regretted in the morning. Dr. Zanni is a psychologist and health systems consultant based in Alexandria, Virginia.

References 1. American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologist warns consumers about complications linked to newer tattoo inks. www. aad. org/stories-and-news/news-releases/dermatologist-warns-consumers-about-complications-linked-to-newer-tattoo-inks-.

Accessed March 26, 2013. Mayo Clinic Staff. Tattoos: understand the risks and precautions. www. mayoclinic. com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020. Accessed March 26, 2013. Frankin-Barbajosa. Tattoo: pigments and imagination. Natl Geogr Mag. http://ngm. nationalgeographic.

com/ngm/0412/online_extra;
html;
Accessed April 19, 2013;
US Food and Drug Administration;
Think before you ink: are tattoos safe? www;
fda;
gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048919;
htm;
Accessed March 26, 2013;
Urdang M, Mallek JT, Mallon WK;

Tattoos and piercings: a review for the emergency physician. West J Emerg Med. 2011;12:393-398. Dallas ME. Want to get rid of that tattoo? you’re not alone. http://consumer. healthday. com/health-technology-information-18/lasers-and-laser-surgery-news-439/want-to-get-rid-of-that-old-tattoo-you-re-not-alone-673069.

Why do tattoo artists close their books?

Sometimes it can be frustrating when you’ve got that perfect idea for your next tattoo and the artist you want to work with has closed their books for a while. The reason artists have to do that is to get caught up on their workload and stay focused on the clients that they’ve booked appointments for currently.

It’s not uncommon for tattooers to do multiple consultations per day, meaning that each day they are filling slots on multiple days;
This becomes an exponential endeavor and can easily become overwhelming;

Having a long waiting period between the first meet-n-greet and the actual session can also produce frustrations. If you’re on the books for 6-9 months after your consultation how many times are you going to overthink the idea? By the time your session date comes around you might have to have another consult to refresh both your memory and your artist’s.

Although it may be annoying not getting in right when you want, it is way more beneficial to not have a huge gap between the actual tattoo session and that awesome initial meeting when you were super excited and really clicked with your tattooer and your idea.

#ashevilletattooartist #thistleandpearltattoo #artnouveautattoo #besttattooshop #BBJune #booksclosed.

How long should you wait to hear back from a tattoo artist?

Before I started getting tattooed on a regular basis, I had no idea how the whole process worked. I followed a lot of tattoo artists on Instagram, but assumed that booking a tattoo appointment would be a lot like booking in to get my hair done or my teeth cleaned—you call the shop, request a day, and you’re in.

It turns out, it’s not that simple. While, yes, there are plenty of tattoo shops that offer walk-in availability for flash tattoos or small designs, booking a larger, custom tattoos—especially with a popular artist—takes a lot of patience, flexibility, and a little bit of luck.

Here are some things you should know before trying to book a tattoo appointment with your favorite artist All artists have different booking procedures. Almost every artist I’ve worked with has a different tattoo booking procedure. Some require you to fill out a form on a shop or personal website, others book through Facebook or Instagram messaging, and some use tattoo-booking apps for scheduling.

The majority of artists I’ve worked with book through email. They ask clients to send them booking requests via email, usually with specific criteria that a potential client needs to fill out. Read up on your artist’s booking procedures and make sure you follow all instructions and requirements.

If you do not include all the necessary information in the initial booking request, your request will likely get passed over and you won’t get an appointment. Keep in mind that every tattoo artist is essentially operating their own business. While some shops coordinate bookings through shop administrators and front-desk staff, the majority of tattoo artists either handle their own bookings or work with an assistant to coordinate appointments. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash You may need to wait for your tattoo appointment. If you’re looking to get a sleeve started or bang out a big thigh piece tomorrow, all I can say is good luck and Godspeed. While all artists operate on different timelines for booking, most will book appointments a few months—or even a year—in advance.

This means, if you really want a tattoo from a particular artist, you could be waiting anywhere from 3-12 months (or even longer) before getting it done;
Additionally, some popular artists have waiting lists, so even if you put in a booking request, you may not get an appointment;

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Instead, your name could be added to a waiting list, and you will be contacted when the artist has availability. The key here is to be patient. If you really love an artist’s work, it’s always worth the wait. Don’t get frustrated and try to book a similar tattoo with a different artist who has more availability.

You might have a slim window to book a tattoo appointment. To keep the administrative processes of booking to a minimum, many tattoo artists will only open their books or schedules for one day or a couple days at a time.

This might happen every month, every couple of months, or only once a year—it depends how far out the artist chooses to book her schedule. You will only have a chance to book an appointment with the artist when her books are open. Any requests that come in while an artist’s books are closed will be ignored. Photo by Renáta-Adrienn on Unsplash If you really want to book a tattoo with an artist whose books are currently closed, follow her on Instagram and change your settings so that you see notifications from that artist. Most artists will post details that explain when their books will open and how you can go about requesting an appointment. Then set your alarm, mark your calendar, or create a notification on your phone—anything you can do to remember to send in your request within the timeline established by the artist.

If you don’t get your booking request in while an artist’s books are open, you will have to wait until the next round. You should expect for a delayed response. As previously mentioned, tattoo artists are business owners who have to balance their time between a variety of things.

In addition to spending hours tattooing, their time is devoted to designing custom tattoos and drawing, managing their social media accounts, doing their bookkeeping and finances, purchasing supplies, and attempting to have family and social lives. Reviewing booking requests and responding to emails is a time-consuming process, so you shouldn’t expect to hear back from the artist right away.

Sometimes, it could take weeks or even a month or two for artists to get back to you about scheduling a tattoo appointment. Be patient. Sending multiple emails asking for a status update or reaching out to an artist via Instagram DM will not be appreciated and will continue to slow down the process.

Only resend your request if an artist or a booking assistant instructs you to do so. The artist may choose not to tattoo your design. When books open, sought-after tattoo artists are often inundated with requests for tattoo appointments. Sometimes, they receive hundreds of emails, but only have a limited number of appointment slots to fill.

Artists may decide not to work on a specific tattoo design for multiple reasons;
Maybe it doesn’t mesh well with their particular style;
Maybe your budget doesn’t align with their current rates;
Maybe they’ve tattooed something similar before and don’t want to tattoo it again;

Maybe there are simply other requests that they are more interested in. If your design doesn’t get chosen, don’t lose heart or get angry. Unless you receive a response that says your request is something that the artist has no interest in taking on, you can always resubmit the request at a later time. You will need to pay a deposit. If you and your artist agree on a date for your tattoo appointment, you will need to pay a deposit in order to confirm and lock-in the date. Tattoo deposits are used to encourage clients to show up for their appointments and as a way for tattoo artists to cover their costs if a client cancels.

Deposits are usually a percentage of the estimated rate or a flat fee that is decided by the artist or the shop. Tattoo deposits are forfeited if clients cancel or do not show up for their appointments.

You will not be able to get your tattoo deposit back unless the cancellation is the fault of the artist or the shop. Deposit policies vary, so make sure to ask about your artist’s or studio’s policy before booking a tattoo appointment. You may have to shift your schedule.

If you want a tattoo from a popular artist, your date selection is going to be limited;
In fact, you might not be able to select a date at all;
Let’s put it this way—there are only 52 Saturdays in a year;
While most artists will certainly try to provide a date that works for you, others will provide a couple options and you can either take them or leave them;

This might mean taking off work or adjusting your schedule in order to get in with your artist on a Tuesday at 1 p. Once you have a date, mark it on your calendar and set reminders—especially if it’s a few months out. Many shops and artists will confirm your appointment as it gets closer, but it’s important that you remember when to show up.

Not showing up for a tattoo appointment will cause you to lose your deposit and likely upset your artist, making rescheduling unlikely;
You might not see the tattoo design in advance;
While this isn’t a policy across the board, know that some tattoo artists may not show you the design until the day of your appointment;

Personally, I’ve had over 11 larger tattoos done, and I’ve only seen two of the designs in advance. Many tattoo artists do this to try and minimize major design changes and a lot of back-and-forth nitpicking by clients. Almost all artists will make minimal changes and adjustments to the design on the day of your appointment so that you’re sure to get the piece you want. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash If you are nervous about the possibility of not seeing a tattoo design before your appointment, there are a couple things you can do. First and foremost, be clear about what you want your tattoo to look like when you send in your booking request and provide clear reference images for inspiration. Second, schedule a consultation with your artist in advance. Consultations are a time for tattoo artists to talk to you and get a better understanding for what you want your tattoo to look like.

If you still really want to see the design in advance, ask your artist if it is a possibility. Many artists will accommodate these requests. At the end of the day, it’s important to trust your artist. If you like the artist’s style and the other tattoos she’s done, chances are whatever they put together for you will be even better than you could imagine.

Please note: These observations are based on my own tattoo-booking experiences and are not universal for all artists and studios..

Do tattoo artists like doing small tattoos?

Don’t try to do too much with one tattoo because it may not age well. – Your artist knows best how your tattoo will age. CREATISTA/Shutterstock Your artist will know better than you how the tattoo you want will age over time , so their suggestions are made with that in mind. If they want to make your small tattoo bigger, they think it will age better. If the lettering is too tiny, it could become unreadable.

What tattoos do artists like doing?

Julia