Posted on Feb 07, 2018
Path to Permanence: Your Appointment
If you read our pre-appointment post, you know that you should’ve had a consultation prior to the real deal. After all of that planning, you’re excited to finally be inked and can’t wait to see the result. Here are some things to remember when you’re headed to your session.
Path to Permanence is a series where we go over the birds and the bees for getting your first tattoo. Part 1 covers what to do pre-appointment, Part 2 gives you a run down of the day-of, and Part 3 chats about caring for your new ink.
So, it’s time for your appointment.
If you read our pre-appointment post, you know that you should’ve had a consultation prior to the real deal. After all of that planning, you’re excited to finally be inked and can’t wait to see the result. Here are some things to remember when you’re headed to your session.
Be physically prepared
You’ll want to get a good night’s sleep before your tattoo, especially if it’s your first time and your body is not quite sure what to expect. As tempting as a few drinks could be the night before, don’t take the chances of being hungover. Not only will you feel terrible, but alcohol makes your blood thinner, so you may bleed more when getting inked. If you’re going for a large tattoo or a placement that's known to be painful, make sure to eat beforehand and/or bring some sugary snacks. Bringing a bottle of water or Gatorade is another great way to have some fluids on-hand. Lastly, make sure you’re wearing comfortable clothing. You don’t want to be stuck sitting in the same position with clothing digging into you. Layers are also a good idea. At the start of your tattoo session, your body might react by heating up, but then when it gets used to the feeling it might get cold again. Bring a comfy sweater or long-sleeved shirt can help you be in control despite what your body is going through.
2) Limit who you bring
You might not realize it, but bringing a group of friends can be pretty distracting for the artist working on your tattoo. Tattoo shops aren’t often large, so the physical space that a bunch of additional bodies take up can be pretty annoying for those working. After all, don’t you want the artist at work to be able to have 100% focus on what they are doing? We understand that you might want support or someone to share this exciting experience with, but keep it at a one friend maximum. If you are bringing a friend, remember that it’s your tattoo. Don’t be easily influenced by what they say if they disagree with your ink. Your body, your choice.
3) Look around & Ask questions
As we mentioned in the pre-appointment blog post, there is no such thing as a stupid question. Talking to the tattoo artist about the process shows them that you’re interested and are taking it seriously. Be comfortable with the artist, after all you’re going to be carrying around their work on you for the rest of your life. Feel free to ask particular questions about the sanitary practices of the shop, and make sure everything around you is clean. It’s important that you feel safe in the shop and are confident with the cleanliness of the space. Is their equipment wrapped up and sterile? Or does the place look messy? If you can, pop your head into the bathroom before starting the tattoo. A clean bathroom is a good indicator of a clean shop.
4) Be respectful
Treat the shop like you’re grandma’s house. Be comfortable, but not to the point of disruption. Don’t walk around touching whatever you want or talking way too loud, it’s rude and distracting. Remember that even though this is your moment, there are others working in the space as well.
5) Tipping
Much like any service industry, you can leave a tip to the artist if you’ve had a good experience. In no way are you obligated, but it helps give the artist some love if you’re happy with their work. For a tattoo that would cost around $200, people usually give anywhere from $20 to $50. Just as you would tip 20% in a restaurant if you loved your meal and dining experience, take this thinking to the tattoo shop as well. From some incredible tattooists that we’ve spoken to, only about one third of their clients tip - even if they loved their ink.
If you follow these steps during your appointment, and whatever additional guidance given by your tattoo artist, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the exciting ink experience without fear of regret. Check our follow-up post on what do to post-appointment.