Most people get their first tattoo ‘wrong.’ Not because it looks bad, but because they haven’t learned how to work with an artist yet. I’ve been tattooing since 2013, and I want to help you skip the ‘beginner’ phase and get straight to the magic.
Usually it goes like this. The first tattoo is something small and simple. Pain is a concern, commitment feels scary, so people play it safe. Then, gradually, tattoos get bigger and more complex. Rarely, someone walks in and gets a half sleeve as their very first tattoo. It doesn’t have to be a half sleeve. The real point is getting something more interesting, something that actually lives on the body properly.
After the first small tattoo, people usually move on to bigger pieces. At some point, they discover that tattoos come in different styles. Old school, graphic linework, realism, color realism, watercolor, and many more… Then a realization hits: “Okay, I like this style more than that one.” And that’s when people start sticking to a style.
Next thing you learn that not every artist does every style. Some artists specialize in linework, some in color, some in realism and some don’t touch certain techniques at all. This is when clients start reaching out to specific artists or studios, hoping to find someone who can execute their idea properly.
At this stage, the client usually comes in with a clear idea: the subject, the style, the placement and even reference images (FYI please bring as many references as possible). And that’s totally fine. Most artists accept this kind of approach, unless they’re allergic to money. Most of our clients are exactly like this. They want a specific style and a specific result, and we’re here to help make that happen.
But then there’s the third type of client – the most experienced one. And honestly, this is the type we love working with the most. That doesn’t mean the other clients are bad… It’s just that this approach almost always leads to the best results.
The ideal client experience, in my opinion, looks like this: you explore artists. You find someone whose work you genuinely like. You scroll through their Instagram and think, “Oh yeah, i fucking love their work!” Then you come in with an theme/idea, also maybe a placement, and you say: “I want this here. Do your thing.”
That’s where magic happens.
For example, the tattoo that you see in this post (the frog) was done by me (Alex) and it was exactly this like this: a client reached out, said he wants a specific frog in colour on a thigh and that i can figure out the rest.
Trust is the key. It’s not about the artist doing whatever they want without listening. It’s about understanding that if you chose an artist because you like their work, their vision is exactly why you’re there in the first place. Of course we’ll consult you. Of course we want your feedback. You’re the one wearing this tattoo, and your happiness matters.
But if you like what we do online, chances are we’ll do a good job on your skin. We don’t want anyone walking around with a tattoo they regret. Your tattoo represents you, but it also represents us.
I’ve been tattooing since 2013, and I still notice this pattern. Sometimes a client comes in and starts listing instructions: “I want this, and this, and this, and this.” Sometimes those suggestions are great. Brainstorming can be amazing. But sometimes the client doesn’t see the full picture that we see as professionals. And sometimes it’s hard (or awkward) to explain that without killing the vibe.
This is not a complaint. It’s your tattoo, and it’s going to be on your body for a long time. Wanting it to be perfect is completely natural. Just remember: we want it to be perfect too.
And finally, the highest level of tattoo client evolution: choosing an existing design. You find an artist, see one of their existing designs, and say, “I like this one. Let’s do it on me.”
We love that. Artists usually have designs sitting for a long time, waiting for the right home. When someone finally gives one of those designs a place to live, it’s a great day for everyone.
Trust your artist. Choose wisely. And you’ll end up with a tattoo you won’t regret.
You can checkout the artists that work in our shop HERE and find the one the you vibe with.
We can also help you find the best match, this is a service that we offer.
Just leave your details on our website!
