6 Things You Can Do While Booking That Will Make Your Tattoo Artist Love You
Booking a tattoo appointment can look really different based on the tattoo artist you go to. I have seen all sorts of different ways to book an appointment, like: walking in to a shop, making a phone call, sending a DM through social media, texting, emailing, waitlists, and a booking site. Regardless of the way your personal artist schedules tattoos, there is one question I am sure that you want to know: How much is it going to cost?
This is a great question and an important one! In this blog post, we will look at 5 simple things you can do to make answering this question easier for your artist. Not only will these tips make it easier for your artist to give you a quote, it will also make it so much easier for them to design the artwork for your custom piece.
Know what size you want your tattoo to be
Nothing will make your artist love you more than knowing exactly the size of the tattoo you are looking for. You will need to be able to let your artist know in inches or cm/mm. An easy way to accomplish this, is to draw a rough outline on your body using a washable marker. Wash and repeat until it looks right to you, then take a ruler, tape measure, or sewing measure, place it on your body and use the measurements to let your artist know what size you want. You can always adjust it a little the day of the appointment.
Know where you want your tattoo to be
Another crucial aspect of booking your tattoo is knowing exactly where you want it placed on your body. Knowing the location beforehand will save you and your artist valuable time during the consultation process, whether it's your forearm, back, ankle, or anywhere in between. Plus, it will help your artist visualize the design and ensure it fits perfectly on your chosen location.
Know what you can afford
Tattoos are an investment, both in terms of time and money. Before booking your appointment, it's necessary and helpful to clearly understand what you can afford to spend on your tattoo. This includes not only the cost of the tattoo itself but also any additional expenses, such as tips for your artist or aftercare products. By having a budget in mind from the get-go, you'll avoid any awkward conversations or surprises down the line. Feel free to let your artist know up front what your budget is for your tattoo. Most artists are more than happy to work with you to stay within your budget. They can even break a larger tattoo up into multiple sessions to accommodate your budget. Remember that artists spend time thinking, planning, and creating your design; letting your artist know your budget upfront will help them use their time effectively!
Know if you have special needs
Everyone's body and story are unique, and that means that certain individuals may have special needs or considerations when getting a tattoo. Whether you have sensitive skin, allergies, or any medical conditions that may affect the tattooing process, it's crucial to communicate these to your artist before booking your appointment. This way, your artist can take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for you. One example from my experience: I recently worked with a client with a medical issue that required them to take multiple extended breaks throughout our session. If I had known about this client’s special needs before the appointment, I would have booked additional time for our appointment as it did go longer than I had planned. Luckily, I didn’t have another client after that appointment or I wouldn’t have had time to finish the tattoo.
Know you will not get a design/mock-up before your appointment
A common request I receive from my clients is to send them their design prior to their appointment or even booking. Most artists do not offer mock-ups or designs before the appointment; there are a few reasons for this. The first reason is they probably don’t have it ready yet. Tattoo artists prepare anywhere from 2-6 designs (or more) daily; most artists are a couple of days ahead of schedule, not 30 days! The second reason is good designs take time. While your artist may not be actively working on your design, I can say from my experience that many designs are creatively simmering on the back burner of my mind. Like any good meal, it doesn’t get thrown together in 10 minutes; it takes time. Lastly, most artists do not offer designs prior to appointments because they have had designs stolen from them by clients and taken to another artist or tattooer to finish. If you don’t trust your artist to create something you will truly love and feel like you have to see the design before booking, you may want to reconsider booking with them in the first place.
Be Patient
Last but certainly not least, patience is key when booking your tattoo appointment. You may have many questions for your tattoo artist, including how to book, when appointments are available, design questions, placement questions, pricing questions, and more. Know that good tattoos take time, and it's essential to understand that your artist may have a busy schedule or need some time to respond to you properly. So, please resist the urge to rush your artist or message them repeatedly. Please be patient with your tattoo artist, especially when it comes to responding to messages or requests.
