Tattoo Forum with Gallery: ask your tattoo questions, upload your own tattoo pictures or rate and comment other member’s tattoos!

kes · Tattoo lover Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

I have never gotten a tattoo before, but I have been considering it since I was 17. A couple of weeks ago I turned 18 (which is the legal age you can get one in Canada without parental permission) so suddenly all my musings became a lot more "real". However I am one of those people who likes to know a lot about what I am getting into, so I have spent a lot of time lurking around forums and speaking to various people who have tattoos and reading as much as I can find about it. My main concern is finding the best artist for me, everyone I have spoken to says their artist is "the best" so I don't necessarily trust that. What I was wondering is: what kind of questions should I ask an artist before I decide to use them? The tattoo I am considering would be small and behind my ear, if this helps narrow your suggestions. Thank you.

reddoo · Tattoo lover Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 9

My 2 cents...I recommend looking at the artist's portfolio, asking about his or her experience, talk to their clients if you can - whoever is getting inked when you visit should work...

Educate yourself and get to know the procedure of tattoing so you know that you're working with a professional.

I'm sure others with also have some helpful advice. Good luck!

John Olexa · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

Artist: Ask

How long have you been in business
What are your qualifications ( how did you learn)
Do you guarantee your work.
Can I see samples of your work or do you have references (portfolio)

For your protection Ask: Do you,

Thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial solution immediately before and after each tattoo application?
Wear latex gloves during the tattooing procedure?
Use single service materials and equipment (i.e., each needle and tube set is individually packaged, dated and sealed, and autoclave sterilized), and set up and open them in front of the client?
Use sterile disposable needles?
Have an FDA-regulated autoclave on site?
Sanitize your work space with an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)-approved viricidal disinfectant, preferably one that kills tuberculosis, before and after each client?
Thoroughly rinse tube/needle set from tattoo machine using an ultrasonic tank before discarding?
Properly dispose of contaminated materials?

krayzie2001 · Tattoo lover Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 17

When i was getting my tats i went to a couple of shops and looked at the portfolios of the artists. I also talked with them to see if their style matched my own and how long they had been tattooing and how they got into it. And from the answers i got from them and the other people in the shop i decided on which artist i wanted and spoke directly with them again to let them know what i wanted and to set up an appointment. That is how i decided on an artist. But one of the most important things in choosing an artist and shop is to find one that you are comfortable with and in. I hope it helps and if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me