TATTOO ARTISTS: Who's right for you?

Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal and lifelong commitment, so it's crucial to find the right tattoo artist who can bring your vision to life. Tattoo artists vary in skill, style, and professionalism, so choosing the perfect one for your tattoo is essential. The industry is so saturated with artists and shops these days, it's difficult to know where is the best shop for you.

In this blog, we'll discuss the positive aspects and negative pitfalls to watch out for when selecting a tattoo artist, so you can be more confident in your decision when you finally make it.

The Positives: What to Look For

Talent and Style Compatibility:

The first thing you should look for is a tattoo artist whose style aligns with your vision of what you'd love. A lot of artists these days have their unique style they prefer to tattoo, from traditional and black-and-grey to watercolour or realism. There are the occasional artists who can do a range of styles to a high standard, but they're few and far between, so how do you know you're choosing an artist who can tattoo exactly the style you want?

The best way...

Review their portfolios to see if they can execute the kind of tattoo you have in mind. If they don't have work in there that matches what you want, ask for evidence of them doing this work previously, so you know they're capable. As hard as it is to hear, a lot of artists will be happy to say, 'Yeah, I can do that', to get you in their chair and take your money, then do a sub-standard piece on you because they aren't great at your chosen style. Make sure they know what they're doing, because it's on you forever.

Experience:

Experience is crucial. Seek an artist with several years of experience under their belt in the style you want. Experienced artists not only produce high-quality work but also offer valuable advice on design and aftercare.

Hygiene and Cleanliness:

A clean and sterile environment is non-negotiable. Ensure that the studio adheres to strict hygiene standards, uses disposable needles and gloves, and follows safety regulations. This helps prevent infections and complications. I'm growing tired of seeing studios in nearby posting photo's of them working with their furniture unwrapped and poor hygiene standards being adhered to. Ask for high standards from your artist, you deserve them.

Positive Reviews and Recommendations:

Online reviews and recommendations from friends or family can be your best resources, but they may not know all of the studios and artists in your area, so will give advice, but not always the best advice for you personally. I'm regularly tagged in posts on Facebook with people saying, 'Anyone know a good artist in Hartlepool'? and the truth is, most of the people in these posts never ask, 'What is it you want?' to suggest the right artist, they just tag their mate or artist who did their work. If no one asks what you want, how do they recommend an artist to suit you? Any good studio will have a great online presence, including FB, Insta and a website, all up to date and with a range of work on there. Take your time to do some research and you'll find someone great. Read reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google, or specialized tattoo forums to gauge an artist's reputation.

Communication and Listening Skills:

A good tattoo artist should be a good communicator. They should listen to your ideas, provide suggestions, and work with you to create the perfect design. A professional artist values your input and respects your choices, but offers their very best guidance to make sure you're getting something original and meaningful to you. This is a sign they genuinely care about what's going on your skin.

Licensing and Certification:

Always check if the artist is licensed and certified. Licensing ensures that they follow local regulations, further guaranteeing a safe and reliable experience. Home scratchers are a nightmare. They're people who either can't get into shops, or don't see the need to adhere to the safety and cleanliness guidelines. Both are reasons to avoid them like the plague... another is... they're more likely to give you the plague. In my early years tattooing, I had a local charity ask me to design artwork for them as they were promoting a campaign to raise awareness of dirty home scratchers. The reason? Cases of AIDS in the town had gone up over 2500%, mainly due to these dirty tattoo artists. I've heard serious horror stories about reusing needles, reusing ink, pouring used ink back into ink bottles, cleaning used needles in pans of hot water and using a hypersonic cleaner as a means of sterilising (which is isn't). All of these stories mean people have been put in serious harms way by unethical artists who genuinely don't give a shit about your health or skin. So... avoid at all costs.

Price Transparency:

A reputable artist will provide clear pricing upfront. Beware of artists who try to upsell or don't give you a straightforward estimate.

The Negatives: What to Avoid

Inadequate Portfolio:

If an artist's portfolio is limited or doesn't showcase quality work, proceed with caution. What's quality work? Well, in the industry we look for smooth, solid linework, smooth shading with no 'scratchiness' and solidly packed colour work with smooth blends. If you see that, it's a good sign. Artists who can perform all of these skills will be capable of a range of styles of tattooing. Lack of a diverse and impressive portfolio may indicate a lack of experience or skill.

Poor Communication:

An artist who doesn't listen to your ideas, doesn't respond to your queries, or appears uninterested is a red flag. Communication is key in ensuring your vision is accurately translated into ink. Sometimes artists can get snowed under with work, or they only reply on set days due to workload, so be patient, but if you're getting absolutely nothing back, that's not great. I'd recommend checking on an artists Insta, FB or website for their booking rules... lots have them and they'll help you to understand how the artist works and what to expect.

Unsanitary Conditions:

An unclean or disorganized studio is a serious concern. Tattoos require a sterile environment to prevent infections, so never compromise on cleanliness. When tattooing an artist covers their equipment to prevent cross infection. This will include all surfaces and equipment they expect to be touched by either themselves or you. So, covered beds, armrests, tattoo stations, machines, etc. are standard for any artist... anyone failing to cover their equipment and prepare it for the most effective method to reduce any risk to you isn't looking out for your best interests. Make sure you see a well covered tattoo area prior to being tattooed.

Unrealistic Promises:

Beware of artists who make unrealistic promises about what can be achieved with a tattoo. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Tattooing has its limitations. If you're being told by an artist they can do a world class backpiece in a day... maybe they're worth skipping. If you're unsure about something you're being told, maybe check with another artist. We're told to ask for a second opinion from doctors, be willing to ask for one from artists too.

Lack of Licensing:

Always check the artist's licensing and certification. Avoid artists who operate in an unlicensed or unregulated setting, also known as 'scratchers'.

Unrealistically Low Prices:

While budget is a consideration, overly low prices may indicate subpar quality or even unlicensed practices. A quality tattoo is an investment, and it's worth paying a little more for an experienced artist.

Rushing the Process:

Tattooing is an art that requires time and patience. Right now, I see a lot of artists promoting doing full leg sleeves in 8 - 10 hours and backpieces in 14-20 hours. That's rushing. Also known as, not doing their best work. If Michelangelo had said, 'Yeah, Pope Julius, I can probably bang this out in a fortnight,' the Pope would have been disbelieving and the chapel would have looked like shit compared to how it does when time was taken on it. Great work takes time, so being sold on time isn't always in your best interests.

Conclusion

Choosing a tattoo artist is a decision that requires careful consideration. By focusing on the positive aspects like talent, experience, and communication skills while avoiding the negative aspects like poor hygiene or unrealistic promises, you can ensure that your tattoo experience is safe, enjoyable, and results in a piece of art that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Remember, your tattoo is a permanent work of art, so take the time to find the right artist to bring your vision to life. The industry is a minefield right now and your skin is for life, i'm hoping you find an artist who takes it as seriously as you do.