What kind of things are you interested in? How do you think those things will be best portrayed as a tattoo or tattoos? Does your potential future field of work generally welcome or frown upon visible tattoos? Are you planning on gaining or losing much weight in the future? Do you have an idea of what you want your tattoo to look like? Many reputable artists don't like when you come in and don't know, it shows that you're really too unsure about a tattoo to put one on you. They want you to be happy with the product. Shop around and ask to see portfolios of artists. Pick one with a style you like. Make sure you choose an artist that does high quality portraits if you want a portrait (I know you don't, just an example.) If you have any aversion to needles or pain, make sure you discuss this with your artist. Make sure you've had something to eat before you go in and get your work done. Don't bring all your friends to watch unless the artist or owner specifically says it's fine. I'm sure you'd much rather have the artist be able to concentrate and provide a high quality product than have all your friends crowd around and watch how it's done. They'll see the end result either way. Don't be a dick. Tip your artist well. They're doing permanent work on your body. Start small. You can always add something later. It also gives you an idea of how things are going to feel and how to take care of a smaller area before you get something large done. If you like the work, you're also building a relationship with the artist. The more they know about you and the more friendly you are with one another, the better. Don't get the name of a significant other. You never know when something might happen and you break up, but you're still stuck with their name on your body. Be sure of what you want. Be really sure of what you want. Good luck!
Thank you! You make a good point about styles. I'd never think about it on my own, but it's important as hell. I guess I had the idea that tattoo artists just do whatever the customer tells them to. Do people really do that? Why would they want to turn it into a show (unless that's exactly the plan, and that I understand... somewhat)? What's that about? I thought I'm already paying him or her hefty for the work they do. I'm not familiar with tipping at all, for we don't have such a culture here - or I'm just an ignorant fellow. Should I tip as I pay? Any specifics, outside of the general "treat people like you'd want to be treated yourself"?Don't bring all your friends to watch
Tip your artist well
Don't be a dick.
Yes, some people in America think that all their friends need to come see them get tattooed. Some people live in their own special bubble. From your earlier post I assume you're in Russia. I'm across the pond, so if tipping isn't a cultural thing for you, you'd have to go in and speak with an artist or someone else that knows more about that in your area. Here, we still pay a pretty high price and tips aren't required, but if you feel that the artist did a particularly good job, something extra can go a long way to fostering a positive relationship as a client. I personally don't like tipping culture, but it is what it is and I'd rather dislike it on my own time and not be an asshole to the person receiving the tip. Basically, just like you said, be a decent human being. You're going to potentially spend a lot of time with this person. It's going to be much more pleasant if both of you are amicable. If you need a break, take a break. Your artist is probably going to do the same, because their hand is going to get tired. Try not to disrupt them too much, if possible. You don't want to have to take a 5 minute break every 10 minutes. Some additional tips Bring in a basic sketch or even a printed out picture of what you want. Allow the artist to recreate or stylize the picture and look over it with you. Some people charge for the pictures and some don't. It's typically considered good etiquette, at least over here, to offer them some sort of compensation for their time and work, even if you don't end up getting body work done by them. Artists typically have to rent space in the shop owner's building and pay a % of what they make on the tattoo, as well as buy their own supplies. This is why we end up tipping, because that money goes straight to the artist and the shop owner doesn't get a cut. If you get work done by the owner himself, just ask if he accepts tips or not. Again, not applicable if that's not in your culture. If you make an appointment, stick to it. Cancelling really hurts the artist because they typically rent the space for the day to do work and have to pay the owner even if the client doesn't show.
You aren't paying him, you're paying the shop. As a tattoo artist a pretty standard is 50% do the shop to keep. You pay what you think the artist is worth plus the job. Depending on The size of the piece, every time you sit down to work on it. So if it's a $150 piece, probably tip $20-50, on a $3000 piece, tip a few hundred. That artist put a lot of wok into putting something permanent on your body. It isn't easy to do well either, it's a skill, and the machine sake a toll on your hand every time you do a tattoo.What's that about? I thought I'm already paying him or her hefty for the work they do. I'm not familiar with tipping at all, for we don't have such a culture here - or I'm just an ignorant fellow. Should I tip as I pay?
That's as much as TheVenerableCain told in the comment somewhere around yours. You're certain that tips are very important, while I don't find it so - it's a cultural difference, I suppose. I'm not saying I shouldn't pay any extra for good work of any person, it's just that tipping sounds off to me. Odd, the idea of giving extra money for a job, no matter how good, when there's already a set price. There must be some other way to thank them and compensate for their time that I can't think of.
I guess that as a tattoo artist, I have a different point of view. I charged $150 an hour for black and grey, and $200/h for color. I was the cheapest artist in my shop. But of that $150 I only got $75, and as a tattoo artist, you only get paid the hours you are actually tattooing. Which means if I worked a 12 hour day and only did an hour of actual tattooing, I made $75 for 12 hours. Which isn't very good at all. I also ended up damaging the tendons in my hand because the vibrating, 1lb machine, isn't good for your hands, apparently. I guess I was also just raised where you tip when you get good service/work because you appreciate the person that did that service for you. Because it is you giving money directly to them, not the business they work for. I totally get the cultural difference on tipping though, I'm just trying to portray the other point of view.
I see, and I appreciate that. I must let you know that, as an artist bringing people joy, you're doing a great work. Tattoos are a magical way of expressing oneself, and people who can do it deserve praise. Since I am to try stuff out and you're the person I'm supposed to be asking, tell me: if I were to dedicate a day of my life to help you with anything in the shop - bringing the instrument, making a run for water or food, holding the stuff you need to hold so that you'd make a good picture etc. - would you appreciate it more than a 25% tip?
I don't really do them anymore except maybe 2-3 a year for friends due to my hands being damaged by the machines, I get maybe 6-8 hours a sitting before my hand can't really do it anymore and cramps out. This is actually generally what the apprentices are around for, lol. That is their way of paying for the skill training. Some assholes are actually charging people money to apprentice these days, it's pretty silly. But I would also say no, because the stuff you're helping out with is nice, but I can't pay my rent with it. You can't replace money with not money, the gesture is nice, but I mean, would you try to pay your lawyer by offering to file his paperwork?if I were to dedicate a day of my life to help you with anything in the shop - bringing the instrument, making a run for water or food, holding the stuff you need to hold so that you'd make a good picture etc. - would you appreciate it more than a 25%