Tattoo Do's & Don'ts
Tattoo Dos and Don’ts Before Your Appointment
How to arrive prepared, comfortable and ready for your tattoo
A great tattoo appointment doesn’t begin when you sit in the chair; it begins in the preparation that lets your artist work safely and comfortably to get you the tattoo of their dreams. The right preparation also makes the experience much more enjoyable, as a few missteps can turn a great experience into a stressful one.
We asked our artists for their most useful, and sometimes not so nice, advice for our clients to prepare themselves for their tattoo appointment.
Do Eat Before Your Appointment
If you are getting a larger tattoo that may take a few hours to complete, or even a smaller tattoo, please make sure to eat a decent meal beforehand.
Tattooing can be physically taxing on the body, and an empty stomach can leave you feeling lightheaded, shaky, or even sick. It’s best to eat something substantial and familiar that will give you nutrients and energy, rather than show up at the shop with a full espresso in your stomach. It’s especially good to bring a snack with you if you have a long appointment, and ask the artist for a break if you feel the need for a pause.
It’s also important to stay hydrated; while it won’t completely take the edge off the pain, you will feel much more prepared for the tattoo if you drink water before your appointment. However, do not go out and have a few drinks, or use recreational drugs beforehand, as this can interfere with the tattoo process, and put unnecessary strain on your body.
Do Shower and Arrive Clean
Please shower and arrive clean for your tattoo appointment, as tattooing requires a very close working relationship with the skin, and it can be unpleasant for the artist to work with dirty, sweaty skin.
The best thing to do is make sure that your skin is clean, shaved (if applicable), and free from oils, glitter, heavy creams, lotions, and perfumes unless asked specifically by your artist.
While it’s good to shower, and even use antiperspirant, do not scrub your skin raw beforehand, do not intentionally sunburn, and do not shave off any excess hair right before your appointment. If the skin on your tattoo is broken, infected, rashy, or peeling, please contact the studio.
Do Wear the Right Clothing
When choosing your outfit for the tattoo appointment, it’s a good idea to choose something that will make it easy for the artist to work, and something you don’t mind getting dirty.
Depending on where you want the tattoo, you may need to be wearing:
• A tank top or sleeveless shirt/open shoulders for back of the arm or shoulder tattoos
• Shorts or loose pants for leg tattoos
• Something you can easily take off for back tattoos
• Something you discuss beforehand for chest, sternum, or rib tattoos
Do not assume that your artist can tattoo over your clothing, as they cannot. If you are unsure about what to wear, ask before your appointment, rather than finding out on the day itself.
Do Allow Enough Time
Big tattoos take a long time. A big tattoo that can span multiple sessions, like a detailed back tattoo or a realism piece, will need adequate time to be completed. An artists’ pace is very important to the tattoo process, as rushing can have negative consequences for the final result of the tattoo. Even a small tattoo needs additional time to be considered for the design, stencil placement, breaks, and set up. As such, it’s best not to book a large tattoo before work, on a plane trip, or right before a wedding, as rushing your artist can greatly impact their ability to produce their best work.
If you have a hard deadline for a tattoo, make sure to inform the artist beforehand. Your artist is the best judge of how much time they need for their tattoos, but they can’t fit a multi-hour tattoo session into a lunch break.
Do Tell your Artist About Skin and Health Concerns
Before your tattoo, make sure to tell your artist about anything that could interfere with your appointment or aftercare, from skin problems to medication to history of keloids/scars.
While your skin may react differently to the tattoo, the FDA has information on what to do if you experience irritation, allergic reactions, infection, and other issues with your tattoo. The FDA recommends that you seek professional medical advice if a rash or redness appears, or if you experience a fever or other adverse side effects. Additionally, the FDA recommends being extra careful if you are prone to keloids, as keloid scarring appears to be more likely to occur after a tattoo. [Think Before You Ink Tattoo Safety]
Your artist can not give you medical advice or prescribe medication, so if you are unsure whether getting a tattoo is a good idea for you, please ask your doctor beforehand.
Do Stay Still During Stencil Placement
The stencil is the guideline for where your tattoo goes. It’s very important to STAY STILL during stencil application and checking. Because of the delicate nature of the stencil, even slight movement can cause the stencil to slide, or worse, move completely out of place. This is especially true for areas that are bent or flexed when moved. You will have the opportunity to look at the stencil to see if you are happy with the placement before the tattoo begins, and it is important to use that time wisely. It is much easier to adjust a stencil than it is to adjust a tattoo.
Do Not Fidget or Move Abruptly
As your artist is working, be mindful of sudden or large movements. This could cause both physical damage to the tattoo, or damage the artist’s work. It is much better to ask for a break or pause in the tattoo if you need to move, rather than move suddenly. You are encouraged to ask for breaks, especially if you feel uncomfortable or need to go to the restroom. It is good to say a phrase along the lines of “Can we pause for a second?” rather than “I need to go now.” Your artist can then stop, secure the area, and allow you to take a break. It is normal for people to need to sneeze, cough, or go to the bathroom; it is best to let them know before you try to wiggle out of your shirt.
Do Not Keep Getting Up to Check the Tattoo
It is normal and expected that you want to see the tattoo as it goes on, but it can be disruptive to your artist’s process when you stand up or turn around constantly to check the tattoo. It is best to ask your artist when they think it is a good time to look at your tattoo, rather than getting up multiple times throughout the session.
If you need to ask, ask your artist if they think there is a good point to look at the tattoo, and ask them to assist you in checking it. If you have concerns about the progress of the tattoo, ask your artist if they think there is a good time to make any adjustments.
Do Not Compare Your Artist to Your Friend’s Price
Each tattoo is unique and comes with its own price based on the skill of the artist, the design, placement, amount of detail, and time put into the tattoo, as well as the overhead of the shop itself. It is not fair or helpful to compare your artist to another artist’s price, especially if you have already booked an appointment with Urban’s Edge Tattoo. It is best to avoid comparing artists by price, as this can lead to tension between artists and clients.
If you have a friend who does tattoos for a cheaper price, you are welcome to book with them. If you want a tattoo from Us, trust the consultation and ask the artist any questions about their price. It is okay to have a budget in mind, but a conversation regarding what that budget can accommodate is a much more productive conversation than trying to negotiate.
Do Respect Your Appointment Time
If you have an appointment, please make sure to arrive on time. Your appointment is reserved for you, and your artist may have gotten off work early, blocked off other appointments, or even turned down other clients to ensure they had enough time for you.
If you can not make it, please let the studio know as soon as you can. Same day cancellations and rescheduling can be especially damaging to a small shop. If you have an emergency, we understand. We ask that you do not reschedule appointments due to forgetfulness or overscheduling, as both of these are very avoidable.
Please make sure to read the policies regarding deposits and cancellations before booking any appointment, as we ask you to respect them. These policies are in place to protect you and your artist, rather than being unfair rules.
Do Ask Questions Beforehand
Your consultation is the perfect time to ask your artist any questions regarding the tattoo, such as the design, size, placement, style, budget, timing, or anything else. You do not have to assume you know everything. A good artist would rather answer your questions than find out you didn’t understand anything after they started tattooing.
Some questions you might ask are:
• Will the design be custom or pulled from flash?
• Will the tattoo need multiple sessions?
• What are the clothing requirements for the tattoo?
• How much downtime/lifestyle changes will I need to make?
• How can I access aftercare information for the tattoo?
• How will breaks be handled throughout the tattoo?
Once the tattoo begins, it is best to ask questions and make requests only when the artist can stop working on the tattoo (due to breaks or other reasons). Conversation is always nice, but constant movement and questions interrupt the tattoo process, which is a very delicate procedure. Do not ask for design changes on the spot, unless you’re sure you want the change.
The Bottom Line
The best tattoo clients are prepared, clean, respectful, honest, and communicative. They eat beforehand, shower, wear the right clothing, leave enough time for the tattoo, and inform their artist of any skin conditions or other issues they may have. They know to stay still when they are supposed to, and ask their artist about anything they don’t understand. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your artist will always want the best for you; you just need to let them know what the best looks like for you.