Eight Things Tattoo Artists Love
At the end of the day, everybody wants to be treated with the basic degree of common courtesy and respect -- including tattoo artists. When you think about it, it's very easy to treat your tattoo artist right by simply remembering the Golden Rule. If this rule, for some reason, slips your mind, consider these eight things tattoo artists love before getting your next piece of ink, for doing so will make for a better experience for everyone. 1. Knowing Your Budget Inquiring about the estimated price of a tattoo design is very appropriate and expected. However, tattoo artists love it when clients walk into their shops with a clear idea about what they are willing to spend. Tattoos are works of art, and good art can oftentimes be expensive. So keep in mind that big, colorful and intricate designs tend to be the most costly. 2. Being Cooperative While Filling Out Paperwork Unnecessary remarks about protocol are unfortunately things tattoo artists have to deal with on a regular basis. We all have different protocols to abide by at our jobs, that's just the way of things. At tattoo shops, clients must show their IDs when filling out paperwork because it's the law. That means, even if you're 45, you'll need to show your ID. This being the case, full cooperation at the tattoo shop is definitely among the things tattoo artists love. Remember to not get frustrated or make any snobby remarks about something that has to be done. 3. Showing Up to Your Appointment on Time It's not a good idea to stand anybody up, but standing your tattoo artist up or arriving late to your appointment is a sure-fire way of showing him or her a high degree of disrespect. Therefore, arriving to your appointment on time is near the top of the list of things tattoo artists love. Remember that an artist's time is just as important as yours. They alter their days to fit clients in, so be sure to have the courtest to show up on time, or, at the very least, give a few hours' notice if you have to cancel. 4. Not Complaining About a Quoted Price If you disagree with a quote for a tattoo design, be sure to keep it to yourself or be open to changing the design to fit your price range. Like we mentioned earlier, tattoos are pieces of art, and art can be expensive, expecially if the designs are carefully crafted and complex. Clients who refrain from complaining about and harshly negotiating the quoted price of a tattoo designs are among the things tattoo artists love. Remember that they are professionals who deserve to be compensated for their time and skills. 5. Arriving to Your Appoint Sober If you're one who requires liquid courage or some other controlled substance to muster up a backbone, perhaps you should rethink your decision to get a tattoo. Besides being very annoying, showing up drunk or high to your tattoo appointment is dangerous. Alcohol and other substances thin the blood, which means you'll bleed more during your session. So, for everybody's benefit, be sure to arrive at your tattoo appoinment nice and sober. 6. Bringing a Friend Who Can Wait Tattoo artists expect people to bring a friend or two to their tattoo appointments. However, if you want to bring your whole squad of friends with you to your appointment, rethink your decisions. All the talking and huddling around the workspace will distract your artist. If you do decide to bring a friend with you to your appointment, be sure they know that they will be sitting and waiting for quite sometime. Tattoo artists love it when the people clients bring with them can occupy themselves and refrain from distracting behavior. 7. Saying No to Smoke Breaks If you're a smoker, it's best practice to light up prior to coming in for your appointment. Pausing your session for a smoke here and a smoke there is definitely not among the things tattoo artists love. Artists get into "the zone" while they are working, and asking for smoke breaks -- especially during a session for a small tattoo -- takes them out of it. 8. Tipping Clients who are willing to tip top the list of things tattoo artist love. Contrary to popular belief, artists do not receive the full amount clients pay fo their tattoos. If your artist is lucky, he or she will receive about half of what you pay. The rest goes toward the tattoo shop's operating expenses and supplies. The tipping standard is 18 to 20 percent of the total cost of your tattoo. So if that sounds a little steep, consider saving a little more money before you come in for your appointment.
If you only want to spend, say, $100 or a tad more on a tattoo, expect to get one that is relatively small in size. If you want something big and stellar, you'll need to spend a little more. If you just want to get a general idea about pricing, tattoo artists love to hear people say things like, "Hi, I have an idea about a tattoo, and I was wondering if I could speak with you to get an idea about how much it will cost."
