By now, we’ve been in the tattoo business at BlackBear Ink long enough to know that getting a tattoo will always be a little nerve-wracking (but exciting!) for most people.
And it doesn’t matter whether this is tattoo number 34 or your very first one: both the client and the artist want the experience to be as smooth, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
So, do you know what you should (and definitely shouldn’t) do before and during your tattoo appointment?
We’ve put together the most important do’s and don’ts for you. This way, you’ll know how to prepare for your appointment and, just as importantly, what to avoid.
Being well prepared helps you get the most out of your tattoo experience. It also means there are fewer surprises for both you and your artist. Everyone’s happy!
Here’s our handy overview to make sure you’re fully prepared before going under the needle:
Make sure you eat a proper meal before heading to your appointment. You’ll be nice and full and have plenty of energy for the session. A meal with a good amount of protein is always a great idea.
We carefully schedule our sessions based on how long the artist expects your tattoo to take. Running late can have an impact on the appointments that come after yours, so please give yourself enough time to get there.
Our confirmation emails will let you know whether you can pay by card with your artist, so check this beforehand.
Everyone has different tastes! Before booking an appointment, take a good look at your artist’s work. This way, you can make sure you’re applying to an artist whose tattoo style matches what you’re looking for.
Do you get cold easily or have a long session ahead of you? Bring some extra clothes! Your body temperature can fluctuate quite a bit while getting tattooed. And if you’re still feeling chilly, we’ve got blankets at the shop too. We got you!
Getting a tattoo on your leg? Maybe leave the skinny jeans or leggings at home. Tight clothing can make it much more difficult for your artist to tattoo the area, and it can also feel very uncomfortable against your fresh tattoo.
We want you to have the best tattoo experience possible, so don’t be afraid to speak up.
Some artists love having a conversation while they work, while others prefer to fully concentrate on their tattooing. Just ask what they prefer. Having a chat can definitely help you relax, but it’s also important to respect moments of silence so your artist can focus.
Not sure how to do this properly, or worried you’ll accidentally irritate the skin? Leave it to your artist. That way, you know the area will be properly prepared and your appointment can go ahead as planned.
Take a good shower before your appointment so it’s pleasant for your artist to work with you. You’re going to be in each other’s personal space for quite a while, after all!
So yes, that glass of wine will have to wait. Alcohol can leave you feeling less fit and can affect bleeding during your session. And trust us: making things harder for your artist (and making them nervous about all the extra blood) is not the vibe.
You shouldn’t ask an artist to copy another person’s tattoo or design one-to-one. Good artists will never simply recreate someone else’s work. Of course, you can bring reference images and examples! Just make sure to explain what you specifically like about them.
Seriously, not a great plan. Getting something permanently tattooed on your body while under the influence? Hard pass.
We completely understand that getting tattooed can be nerve-wracking, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with bringing someone along for moral support. However, they may need to wait in the waiting area.
Also keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion about what looks good. This can get confusing or make decision-making more difficult. Make sure you have a good idea of what you want, and let your artist help you make the final choices.
Our waiting area is cozy, but bringing a whole army of friends and family can make it very cozy. It’s not exactly the place for a family day out. Plus, it can be a long and rather boring day for anyone who’s just there to wait.
Artists like to take their time with every appointment. Want to know how to stress out a tattoo artist? Schedule a bunch of other appointments right after your tattoo session. Working under a lot of time pressure isn’t fun for anyone, so give yourself and your artist some breathing room.
Always discuss this with your artist before applying any numbing cream.
The sun is not your tattoo’s best friend. Especially when your tattoo is fresh. Our advice? Keep applying SPF 50 to your precious new piece. During the first hours and days, you should avoid that big, beautiful laser beam in the sky altogether. Want to know more about tattoos and the sun? Check out our post: Protect Your Tattoo in the Sun.
Our artists create designs specifically for you, and that’s a big part of the preparation process. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough time to create a completely different design at the last minute when your artist has already spent a lot of time working on the original.
Unfortunately, it still happens: someone simply doesn’t show up for their appointment. And honestly, that’s not a very respectful way to treat your artist’s time.Our artists are self-employed. No client means no income for that day, which is pretty rough when time has already been reserved especially for you.
Having second thoughts about getting a tattoo? Just give us a call or send us an email. We’ll be happy to reschedule your appointment for another time.
Too much caffeine can make you feel more restless and anxious. You might even start shaking, which isn’t exactly ideal when someone is trying to tattoo you!