| If you want to get the perfect tattoo, choosing | | | | will avoid any nasty surprises or |
| the right artist is just as important as finding the | | | | misunderstandings. 6) Do you guarantee your |
| right design. After all, a poor quality artist will take | | | | work? What happens if you're not happy with the |
| your perfect design and ruin it...permanently. So | | | | completed design? Will they drop the charge, or |
| here's a list of the most important questions to | | | | just reduce it? Do they have a refund policy? |
| ask your tattoo artist. Don't feel bad or awkward | | | | Make sure you find out your artist's guarantee |
| about asking any of these questions. Tattoo | | | | policy before work begins as it will have a bearing |
| artists will have heard them all before and true | | | | on the quality of after sale service that you |
| professionals will be only too happy to give you | | | | receive. 7) How long will the tattoo take? This |
| honest, open answers. 1) How long have you | | | | depends upon the size of your chosen design and |
| been a tattoo artist? This is an important part of | | | | the level of intricacy. Ultra small tattoos may take |
| working out the strength of a tattoo artist's | | | | a matter of minutes to complete, while a full |
| reputation. In general, the longer they've been in | | | | sleeve design may take several hours spread |
| the business, the more experience they'll have | | | | over a number of sessions. But if it's your first |
| and the better their reputation. Artists with a bad | | | | tattoo, it's important to know as much about the |
| reputation don't tend to last that long. 2) What | | | | procedure as possible so that you feel more |
| are your qualifications? As with all professional | | | | relaxed about it. 8) How should I care for my |
| trades it's important that tattoo artists are | | | | tattoo during the healing process? Aftercare is an |
| properly qualified. Tattooing is a precision job that | | | | important part of the overall tattoo process. Poor |
| involves the use of needles, so it's vital that a | | | | aftercare can damage your tattoo design, lead to |
| tattoo artist has been professionally trained and | | | | scarring of your skin and increase the chance of |
| has a thorough knowledge of hygiene procedures. | | | | an infection developing. So all competent artists |
| 3) How many tattoos have you done? This is a | | | | should be able to give you detailed instructions on |
| good indication of an artist's level of skill and | | | | how to care for your tattoo during the healing |
| experience. Tattooing is an art, and the more | | | | process. If they seem more interested in getting |
| designs a person has created, the better they're | | | | the tattoo started, go find another more |
| likely to be. The answer to this question also | | | | responsible tattoo artist. 9) How can I reduce the |
| allows you to work out roughly how busy the | | | | chances of an infection occurring? All tattoo |
| artist has been, which is again closely linked to | | | | artists should be able to give you advice that will |
| their popularity and reputation. 4) Can I see some | | | | help you to keep your tattoo clean and reduce |
| of your previous work? Can you provide | | | | the risk of infection. They'll also be able to advise |
| references? Top quality artists will be able to | | | | you what to do if you think that an infection is |
| provide you with pictures of their work and | | | | developing. 10) Are there any medical conditions |
| references from previous clients that they have | | | | that can prevent a person from getting a tattoo? |
| worked on. But make sure that you see their | | | | Certain medical conditions mean that individuals |
| work once it has healed properly to give you an | | | | should either avoid tattoos completely or take |
| accurate idea of what it looks like. An artist who | | | | certain precautions prior to being tattooed. Your |
| doesn't have a portfolio of their work or appears | | | | tattoo artist should be able to give you general |
| evasive when you ask these questions should be | | | | advice on this matter. However, if you have any |
| avoided at all costs. 5) How much will the work | | | | doubts about the effects of a tattoo upon your |
| cost? Large tattoos that are full of intricate detail | | | | health, please consult a suitably qualified medical |
| can be extremely expensive, often running into | | | | practitioner. |
| thousands of dollars. Even smaller designs can | | | | Gustavo Gomez runs For more information about |
| cost over a hundred dollars. So if you're on a tight | | | | tattoo designs and a wide range of other tattoo |
| budget, make sure that you agree on the full cost | | | | related issues, check out Super Tattoo Designs. |
| of your chosen tattoo before work begins. This | | | | |