Making an appointment at a tattoo shop appears to be a rather basic process in most cases. You walk in, discuss the tattoo design with the artist, get inked, pay, and walk out.
However, in between those significant occasions, you, as a tattoo customer, should be aware of the specific etiquette required of every client in every tattoo studio throughout the world. To have a positive tattooing experience, you must adhere to specific guidelines.
If you are unfamiliar with these guidelines, you have arrived at the correct location. What you should and should not do before, during, and even after your tattoo will be discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. So, without further ado, let’s get this show on the road.
All Tattoo Clients Should Follow These Rules and Recommendations
Before The Tattoo Appointment
- Do your research – Carry out your study and locate a tattoo studio that meets your requirements and tastes. Investigate whether they give a suitable and professional service, and check for public evaluations of the studio to determine its reputation. Inform yourself about the tattoo artists that work at the establishment and the kind of work they perform. Most tattoo shops now have a strong online presence, so check out their social media pages to see pictures and catalogs of their work.
- Know what kind of tattoo you want –You should have a rough idea of what type of tattoo you want before going to your tattoo session.Find some reference photos to bring with you, or submit your ideas to the tattoo artist so that they may be transformed into the final design. Whatever you do, don’t show up empty-handed. In addition, the tattoo artist will be unable to just assume what you would prefer because it will take too much time away from the actual procedure.
- Do not take inspiration from other people’s tattoos – no self-respecting tattoo artist would offer to imitate another tattooist’s work for your tattoo unless you specifically request it. Avoid looking at them to avoid getting too much creative inspiration from other people’s tattoos. Using other people’s artwork and designs is acceptable, but it may result in legal complications for your tattoo artist.
- Choose an available date – When you are scheduling an appointment, make sure you do it on a day when you will be completely functional. No matter how important or urgent the situation is, it is considered impolite to reschedule a tattoo appointment. So make sure you get in touch with the studio to discuss the possibility of a date.
- Do not drink or use any substances – For a few days before the appointment, refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or using any other substances. The use of alcoholic drinks might cause your blood to be thin, resulting in excessive bleeding when tattooing. This will interfere with your tattooist’s job and make the entire situation a disaster.
When looking for a possible tattoo artist to make your mark, remember that tattooists have a variety of styles to choose from. As a result, be sure that the tattooist’s type corresponds to your preferences, or be open to the possibility of making adjustments to your design. Also, have an open mind to design alterations and revisions to the original concept. Certain tattoo artists are intense, and they will work tirelessly to find the most incredible possible rendition of a tattoo design until everyone is happy.
Tattoo Appointment on the Scheduled Day
- It is not permissible to drink on the day of the appointment – just as you are not permitted to drink a few days before, you should not arrive at work drunk. In many places, it is against the law to tattoo an intoxicated client, and many tattooists would refuse to do it even if it were lawful. Being inebriated dilutes your blood, making tattooing difficult due to severe bleeding if you are intoxicated. You may also exhibit inappropriate behavior or move wildly during the tattooing process. In either case, arriving at the studio while intoxicated or under the influence is not recommended.
- Take good care of your hygiene – before your visit, be sure to shower thoroughly. Using a razor, shave the region where the tattoo will be applied. Put on some deodorant because you’ll be spending a lot of time in the recording studio. You don’t want to be soiled and odorous when you’re around your tattooist. It is disrespectful because it demonstrates that you do not value the tattooist’s labor. Furthermore, if you do not shave and clean before your tattoo appointment, the tattooist will be forced to do so in the tattooing area, which can be uncomfortable.
- Have a proper meal and keep yourself hydrated – Consume a nutritious lunch and drink enough fluids before your visit—do not show up hungry. Preparing a healthy, high-energy supper that will keep you satisfied for a few hours is essential. You can also bring food to the studio in case something happens. Also, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water from a bottle. While tattooing, it is essential not to drink excessive amounts of water if you need to use the lavatory during the process.
- Do not arrive with a large group of individuals – bringing a large group of people to an appointment is considered disrespectful by most tattoo artists. To avoid making things unpleasant and challenging for everyone in the already busy class, try to restrict yourself to one or two friends at the least.
- Do not distract the tattoo artist – Once the tattooing has begun, you should remain motionless and avoid causing any distractions to the tattoo artist or other clients. They require complete focus to complete their task, so avoid staring, talking too much, or moving about. In addition, if you’re in discomfort, avoid moving about. If the agony becomes too much to bear, try to remain calm and ask the tattooist for a bit of pause throughout the procedure. Otherwise, if you relocate, you may cause a snag in their job.
Generally speaking, try to do as little as possible throughout the tattooing process. You should refrain from doing anything that might cause your tattooist to become distracted. If you have a low pain threshold or if this is your first time getting tattooed, you should consider utilizing a topical numbing cream, which you will apply before getting inked, to reduce the amount of discomfort you experience. If you’re getting a tattoo near the rib area, you should refrain from moving or speaking throughout the tattooing process.
Also, don’t expect your tattoo artist to do a six-hour tattoo in an hour if you have scheduled a one-hour appointment. Some people want to impose time limits, which is especially common when tattooists operate hourly. If your tattoo takes many hours to complete, you will need to give your tattooist enough time to complete it.
As a result, refrain from adding additional strain to the tattoo artist’s workload by being impatient or pressuring them to work quicker. The appointment should be canceled if you are unable to make the payment.
After The Tattoo Is Done
- Please remember to tip your tattoo artist – tipping is suggested and required in the tattoo community. When calculating the whole cost of the tattoo, every tattoo customer is expected to tip the tattoo artist between 15 percent and 30 percent. Of course, if you’re pleased with the final result, you’ll include the tattooist’s name on your list. If you are dissatisfied with the entire process, you should speak with the tattooist rather than simply leave a little tip. If there is a possibility that the problem can be solved, you should attempt it first.
- Follow the aftercare instructions: After your tattoo artist has finished wrapping your new tattoo, they will present you with a set of aftercare instructions to take home with you. These instructions are for the following several weeks of the tattoo healing process; they include how to wash the tattoo, keep it covered and clean, and aid in the healing process by hydrating it and allowing it to seal and shut properly. A new tattoo is like an open wound, and it is the tattoo artist’s job to tell you this and make sure you do what they say.
Also Read:
- Tattoo Pain Management: Techniques for Making Tattoos More Comfortable
- Is Getting a Tattoo on Your Neck a Bad Idea?
- Are There Certain Times Of The Year That Are Ideal For Getting Tattooed?
During the healing process, your tattoo’s original sheen and brilliance will be diminished. You may notice that some tattoo sections require touch-up work. This is a very common and widespread practice.
You can discuss the possibility of getting some touch-ups done with your tattoo artist. Do not be aggressive; it does not necessarily imply that the tattooist did a poor job. Occasionally, the tattoo’s healing process might cause it to seem different when compared to the original ink. As previously said, this is entirely normal and anticipated.
Concluding Remarks
Having a positive attitude is critical to having a positive tattooing experience. It makes it simpler for your tattooist to perform their best work, and it makes it easier for you to get through the procedure as quickly and comfortably as possible. Tattoo etiquette, which involves complete focus and collaboration on the tattooist’s part, is something you are jeopardizing by not adhering to it.
It’s essential to communicate with your tattooist before and during the process if there is anything about the procedure you are uncomfortable with, such as the amount of discomfort you will experience or the posture in which you will be sitting. Instead of creating a spectacle or making a big deal about something that annoys you, speak out about it instead of remaining silent.
It is better to give than to receive!
