Getting a tattoo isn’t like getting a new hoodie. You don’t take it back if you don’t like it. You don’t always get a do-over if things go wrong. So it makes sense that picking your tattoo artist is a huge decision and one that needs to be carefully considered so you can get the body art you’ve been coveting and you avoid turning your body into some type of permanent disaster zone.
Here’s how to avoid the “what have I done” moment that choosing the wrong tattoo artist can have.
Go for Someone Who Already Does Your Style
Every artist has their thing. Fine line, bold traditional. Blackwork. Portraits that actually look like the person they’re supposed to be. You want someone who is already great at what you want — not someone promising to “give it a go.”
Start saving screenshots of tattoos you actually love — not the ones influencers convince people are “trendy”. Then match those styles to artists in your local area. If their portfolio looks nothing like what you want? Move on. Don’t convince yourself they’ll magically switch styles for you. The end result won’t be what you want or expect, but you’ll most definitely have to live with.
Check How Tattoos Look Post-Healing
Fresh ink lies. It’s shiny, colours pop — everyone looks like a 10. Healed tattoos tell the truth.
Scroll their page until you see healed work:
- Are the lines still lines?
- Has the shading stuck around?
- Is the design still holding together?
A good tattoo artist can show you pieces weeks or months down the line. If everything online is brand new and heavily filtered… you’re not seeing the full story.
The Studio Should Be Clean
Hygiene isn’t an optional decor. A proper tattoo studio should look like nobody even thinks about cutting corners.
- Fresh needles unwrapped in front of you
- Gloves — changed when they touch anything non-sterile
- Clear surfaces, wipe clean chairs
- No mystery stains or “well tidy later” piles in the corner.
If your brain is whispering “this looks a bit off”… that’s your sign to walk out.
Notice How They Talk to You
This person will be inches from your face while stabbing your skin. You want someone who
- Actually listens
- Doesn’t roll their eyes at your ideas
- Gives advice without bulldozing you
- Tells you honestly what will and won’t age well
If you feel like a nuisance now, imagine how they’ll be halfway through a three-hour session on your back.
Don’t Trust Cheap Tattoos
There’s a “good deal,” and then there’s poor quality hidden behind a low price.
Equipment skills hygiene — that’s what you’re paying for. If someone’s quoting you a price that massively undercuts most others or seems too good to be true, there’s usually a reason, which could be quality. The last thing you want is to spend just as much, if not more, down the line to fix mistakes.
Pay for the artist you admire and whose work you trust, even if it means waiting a bit longer to afford their prices — it’ll be worth it.
