The big thing I say is that when you meet the tattoo artist, point to the area that you want inked, and see if they touch you. If they touch you that is what you want - you want to feel what their touch is like. Is the pressure heavy, light, is it within your comfort zone? A light, smooth touch is what I always look for, and a steady hand. Also, do they appear focused when you speak to them, do you feel comfortable in their presence, etc. Of course you need to know all the cleanliness things that are always on about in the recommendations for tattoos etc, but the other important factor is your rapport with the artist. This is a surgical procedure as well as an artistic one. Also, ask around those that you know have tattoos, where did they go, what sort of price range, how old is the tattoo and how well has it stayed etc. In some places tattoos are vastly cheaper (like Austin, Texas) but have more expensive piercings, and vice versa. My piercer Nate though, he adores me. "No one ever wants the fun stuff anymore, they all want dermals and shit, and then they don't take care of them, and it's always in the same damn places. Ugh." And I'm all "Can you pierce my neck? On the side, right here *points near but not ON large vein*" Nate: "OMFG YES NO ONE WANTS THOSE ANYMORE AND I LOVE DOIN' THOSE! :manly squeegiggle:" Basically I allow him to be creative and he's kinda funny. He can be hungover as shit, and shakin' from passin' the alcohol from the night before, but the SECOND he puts those gloves on he is steady, gentle, and kinda... he breathes with you. I've known him a few years so I know all this about him, but most ppl don't notice when he's still hung over etc. By and large I would say stay away from someone who is still feelin' the effects, but he's a special case. OH! And the other thing - go when they open on a weekend after havin' scheduled your appointment. I like Sundays personally. And make sure you have several talks with the artist over the work, to make sure it is as much to your liking as you can get it. This stuff is pretty much permanent.
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My piercer Nate though, he adores me. "No one ever wants the fun stuff anymore, they all want dermals and shit, and then they don't take care of them, and it's always in the same damn places. Ugh."
And I'm all "Can you pierce my neck? On the side, right here *points near but not ON large vein*"
Nate: "OMFG YES NO ONE WANTS THOSE ANYMORE AND I LOVE DOIN' THOSE! :manly squeegiggle:"
Basically I allow him to be creative and he's kinda funny. He can be hungover as shit, and shakin' from passin' the alcohol from the night before, but the SECOND he puts those gloves on he is steady, gentle, and kinda... he breathes with you. I've known him a few years so I know all this about him, but most ppl don't notice when he's still hung over etc. By and large I would say stay away from someone who is still feelin' the effects, but he's a special case.
OH! And the other thing - go when they open on a weekend after havin' scheduled your appointment. I like Sundays personally. And make sure you have several talks with the artist over the work, to make sure it is as much to your liking as you can get it. This stuff is pretty much permanent.