What do I need to do first?
you don’t need to have the perfect idea yet
1
While it does all start with a consultation with your artist, that doesn’t mean you have to have everything perfectly figured out before you meet your artist.
In fact the opposite gets way better results.
Your artist is an expert in styles, ideas, art and placement for sure but beyond that they will have access to so much cool stuff that you haven’t even thought of. Making use of their expertise is how greatness happens.
you don’t have to have the perfect reference photo or favorite style
2
Not only does your artist have their own style but they for sure have their favorite subject that they can always make a home run. They will also have plenty of things they are excited to do that they know they can make into the next best tattoo that they have ever done.
have an idea of where and what general size
3
Size and placement is more than just about preference.
Due to the nature of skin and ink experience spreading over time and how it does this differently in different areas most tattooers will consider this to be the baseline concern.
When we recommend something not be done it rarely has to do with our preference for the art aesthetically. With your artists advice you can make tattoos that fit and compliment the body in ways you didn’t imagine as well as them continuing to look sharp for far longer.
wHen we do meet..
4
We will want to talk to you about exploring all of your ideas, hearing any concerns you might have concerning your tattoo and also want to get an idea of who you are and what this tattoo might mean to you.
This will not only help us to make better and more meaningful art for you but we can then also work to make sure you have the best and most comfortable tattoo experience possible.
If we can do this before someone is entirely set on all their ideas then we can bring new details, connections and narratives to a piece that adds much more depth and meaning.
Before you go your artist will explain the process and all the measures we take for your comfort and preferences.
When we have some good starting ideas…
5
We will schedule you either aq follow up on the art or a date to get started on the tattoo. to start doing art your artist will need to have a deposit to compensate them for the time put into research, planning and drawing that can sometimes require multiple drafts. For small work this may not be much but for larger projects it can be a very intensive couple days. for more information see our “PROCESS” section.
we will review art with you befor the tattoo
6
Often this will be the day we have scheduled for your outline. We can review and if you love it as much as we do then we are ready to make it happen then and there. If you are for any reason feeling uncomfortable then we really want you to speak up.
Don’t be worried that its rude or disappointing to us, its not. Your happiness and wellbeing with this is always at the canter of your experience here. This is why we schedule another outline date as a backup. We can often review rough sketches and specific elements with you a few days prior as well.
The difficult nature of the tattoo business these days is the reason for doing it this way.
With art theft, micro managing from other friends or loved ones, getting into anxious loops and second guessing, last minute additions or just plain old having a miscommunication about what you are seeing, sending art digitally can go wrong.
Viewing it in person with your artist there to put everything in context is by far the only way to avoid derailing the process.
your artist will make a plan and an estimate.
7
After knowing exactly what we are doing and where we can only then start to give you an estimate on things like time and cost. these are still quite variable but we will always work to make all the pieces fit your time frame or budget if at all possible. and if something is not in the cost or time frame perimeters you need then we will also have a lot of options to make something that will.
thats it! you are ready!!
When you cover all the steps you guarantee that you will get the absolute best tattoo and tattoo experience possible.