How to Choose a Tattoo Artist

Before searching for an artist; search yourself: What do you want to get? How big do you want it? What part of the body do you want it on? Will I want this while I'm playing with the grandkids? You are gonna have this tat until you're pushing up daisies or pay someone to burn it off in an expensive and painful procedure, so think about it. If you don't have an actual copy of the image you want, find one. If you can't find one, at least have a good description written down to give to the artist. The artist should be willing to go over your ideas with you. Listen to some of their ideas. They know what works, plus if they are excited about the piece it will likely turn out even better.

Who does your buddies work?:

If your friends have some ink done, ask them about it. Does it look good with smooth, solid lines. Are they happy with the work? How was the overall experience? Was the artist a pushy jerk or super chill and patient. Your friends usually don't intentionally steer you wrong, but if they suggest their pal Vinny who's slinging ink out of his garage, you should seek other opinions.

Be prepared to drop some cheddar:

I got my first tattoo at 17 years old. No reputable artist would touch me for another year, but I found a guy that would do it. And he did it for the bargain price 40 bucks. The design was a little more asymmetrical than I liked, The lines were crooked. The black ink faded to blue-green in a couple of weeks. The sweet deal I got from this guy and his homemade tattoo gun cost me hundreds to repair. I'm lucky it didn't cost thousands in medical bills. Be ready to drop a couple hundred bones. Cheap is seldom a bargain when it comes to tattoos.

Check out their other work:

Most shops display the portfolios of their artists, so check them out. Which one has a style that most represents you and what you want. If they display mostly Old School sailor tats maybe they aren't the right one to deliver that Japanese style koi or vise versa. If it is a portrait you want make sure they have a couple displayed next to the reference photos they used. That way when you show grandma her picture she doesn't ask why you've got Winston Churchill in a wig etched in to your forearm.

The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask:

Ask questions. What that thing for? Whats this doo-dad? If you have questions and concerns the artist will respect that and try to put you at ease. If they are annoyed by to many questions, well maybe that is a sign to look elsewhere. Here are some good questions to ask:

How many years have you been tattooing?

What sterilization process is used for there gun/needles/tables?

Can I see your autoclave and sterilization certification?

Keep you eyes peeled and trust your gut:

Does the shop look clean? Does it smell clean? Is there pets roaming around? Are people eating/smoking in the work space? Is the artist wearing gloves? Do tubes, needles, wipes, and ink cups end up in bio-hazard/sharps containers? Is the staff friendly? Feel free to trust your gut. If you've got a bad feeling, shop around a little more. Why rush into something that lasts forever.