Questions to ask tattoo artist?

Question

with all the information and stuff i have found online, I am getting ready to look around at some tattoo shops that have some good reviews around where i live, i made a little sheet of questions i should need to remember to ask the tattoo artist, is it good? anything else you suggest i ask? thanks for your help :)

1. How long have you been in business/ How long have you been tattooing?
2. Do you guarantee your work?
3. How many tattoos have you done similar to the one I am asking for?
4. Can I see samples of your work or do you have references?
5. How long do you think the tattoo will take to be completed/ How many sessions will it take?
6. How do you sterilize your needles/ do you use new needles for each tattoo?
7. What ointment do you suggest I use on my healing tattoo?
8. I’ve used Lubriderm daily moisture Normal to Dry skin Fragrance Free to keep my skin moisturized before my tattoo, should I keep using it to keep my tattoo moisturized after I get it done?
9. Do you require a small, non-refundable deposit when making an appointment, and does that go towards the cost of the tattoo or not?
10. Do you prefer cash? Do you take checks? Do you accept credit cards?

Answer 1

These are all excellent, but you're going to want to ask this-



Is this tattoo style (black and white, colour, vintage, etc.) a strength of yours? If not, who's got stronger skills in this particular style from this shop? For example- Kat Von D is known for her incredible black and white portraits, while her friend Nikko Hurtado is HIGHLY skilled at his colour work. She is skilled in black and white; he is skilled in colour work.



Also- ask about what brand of inks they primarily use, and look up user reviews online. I got a bad infection on my half-sleeve because the ink my artist used gave me an allergic reaction to anything with red in it- red, orange, purple, pink. Certain colours are made with metals...be sure you don't have metal allergies, or you could have QUITE an experience.



Good luck.

Answer 2

Lots of questions there ain't it?

some artists may actually laugh at this - just telling you how it is.

You can see the artists work by asking to see his portfolio - this will answer a few questions.

By law they need to use new needles for every client - in most countries.

Question 7 n 8 cancel each other out tbh - lubriderm and aquaphor are highly recommended aftercare.

Most only take cash (alot have cash machines in shop) and some take cards but never known any to take cheques (I assume this is checks)

Ask questions 1 - look at the portfolio, feel free to ask about aftercare but many will tell you when your finishing up, pretty much all artists take a deposit (roughly 10%) and this always goes towards the final bill for the tattoo, when you show a pic or have them make a design they will always give you an estimate but cant always say how long it will def take - its an estimate and can always take longer or shorter to do and cost less or more

Answer 3

Why do you do this crap?