FAQ: Tattoos for Men

Tattoos have been around for a long time, and become increasingly popular each year that goes by. If you are interested in getting a tattoo or want to get a bigger or unique tattoo here are the answers to many questions that men have, before getting tattooed.

Does it hurt?

Yes, a tattoo hurts. Pain tolerance varies depending totally on the person getting the tattoo. You won't ever really know what a tattoo feels like until you get one yourself. The pain is also different depending on the part of the body you are getting the tattoo.

What looks best?

What looks best is always something that you put thought into. A bunch of flash can look good, but if it looks like you just picked random generic tattoos and through them on your body, it can look bad. Most people know what they would like far in advance of actually getting it done, especially with back pieces. If a tattoo tells a story and illustrates your personality it always looks good on you.

Are names tacky?

Most people think that names are tacky. If you can say that no matter what, you want that name plastered on your body for the rest of your life, then it may still be tacky, but you should go for it. Tattoos are about you and what you want your body to say to the world, more than they are about what other people think.

Are my kids names or is my own name tacky?

Some actually look good, and celebrate who you are and the love you have for your children. Make sure you get a great artist that is willing to spend a lot of time in the details of the names.

What are the most popular tattoos for men?

The most popular tattoos for men tend to be pin-up girls and dragons. I've seen a lot of men get tribal tattoos on their arms and shoulders these days as well.

How much does a tattoo cost?

The cost of your tattoo will depend on several things. Where you live will determine an hourly shop rate and they will almost always have a minimum. Once you know the hourly rate, then it depends on how fast the artist is. Some artists will give you a quote and some won't. If you get a quote and artist will usually stick to the price even if it takes longer than he/she thought. The other part of determining price will be the size of your tattoo. If the tattoo is really small, then you will pay the minimum shop rate. If you want a full back piece, you will have it done in sessions, and the artist will have a hard time telling you how many it will take.

How much time does a tattoo take?

Time is just like price, but usually a very experienced artist can give you a good estimate. Shading, color and placement have a lot to do with the time it takes. You also have to consider how much you hold still into the equation. Don't try to get an artist that is super fast, because the work will almost never be great.

Example: I got a medium sized tattoo, with lots of shading and color. I didn't move at all until the last hour and then the pain was so bad I was moving involuntarily. This tattoo took three and a half hours, we took one 10 minute break. The tattoo should have costed $420 (hourly rate) in Seattle, but I had a quote for $300 (nice guy). I left a $40 tip.

What kind of tattoos do women find attractive on a man?

The most attractive tattoo on a man is one they put though into or that means a lot to the man. Women love to look at a man's tattoo, but most of them are attracted to the story behind it, just as much. The bloody, freaky, monster-type tattoos are not that attractive to women. If you have another woman's name on your body, and she was your wife or girl friend, you may want to think about covering it up (it's a huge turn off).