Questions to Ask Tattoo Artist
Twenty questions for a tattoo consultation, covering the drawing, the price, hygiene, and the first two weeks of healing.
The questions
Open any question for the note
Can I see healed photos of work like this, not just fresh ones?
Why ask it
Fresh tattoos flatter every artist, because the lines are still crisp and the skin is still raised. Healed work at six months or more is where blown lines and patchy shading show up.
How much of this style do you do in a normal month?
Why ask it
A portfolio can be assembled over years. Asking about a month tells you whether this is current work or something they did twice in 2019 and still show because it turned out well.
Will you draw this yourself, or are you working from what I brought?
Why ask it
Reputable shops mostly redraw rather than copy, partly for fit and partly because copying another artist's design is a real problem. An artist happy to trace a photo exactly is a warning.
When would I see the design, and can I ask for changes then?
Why ask it
Practices vary from a week ahead to the morning of the appointment. What matters is knowing whether there is a point where changes are still normal rather than a favor.
How do you want to handle placement and sizing on my body?
Why ask it
Good artists want to see the area and stencil it before starting, because a design that works on paper can sit badly on a curve. Reluctance to trial the placement is a bad sign.
Will this design still read in ten years at this size?
Why ask it
Fine detail and very small lettering spread as skin ages, and experienced artists will tell you which parts will not survive. An artist who says any size is fine is being agreeable, not accurate.
How many sessions will it take, and how long is each one?
Why ask it
Get this before you commit, because large pieces often mean several appointments weeks apart. It also tells you whether you can realistically sit for the length they are proposing.
Do you charge by the hour or by the piece, and what is the deposit?
Why ask it
Hourly pricing puts the risk of a slow day on you; a flat price puts it on them. Neither is wrong, but you want to know which one you are agreeing to before the machine starts.
Is the deposit refundable, and what happens if I need to reschedule?
Why ask it
Deposits are usually non-refundable and that is standard, since drawing time has already been spent. The part worth pinning down is how much notice moves an appointment without losing it.
What do I need to tell you about my health or medication before we start?
Why ask it
Blood thinners, diabetes, skin conditions, pregnancy, and some heart conditions all change the plan. Raising it yourself is faster than waiting for the form, and some artists will ask you to see a doctor first.
Can I see how you sterilize your equipment?
Why ask it
Shops using reusable tubes should be autoclaving them and keeping test records. A clean studio is not the same as documented sterilization, and asking is normal rather than rude.
Are your needles single use, and do you open them in front of me?
Why ask it
Single-use needles opened from sealed packaging at the start of your appointment is the baseline. Watch also for fresh gloves, covered surfaces, and ink poured into single-use caps.
Which inks are you using, and do people ever react to any of them?
Why ask it
Reactions are uncommon but red and some bright pigments are the usual culprits. If you have reacted to a tattoo, a dye, or jewelry before, say so now rather than after.
Should I eat beforehand, and how long should I avoid alcohol?
Why ask it
Expect to be told to eat properly and skip alcohol the night before, since it thins the blood and makes the work harder. An artist with no preparation advice at all has not thought about it.
What happens if I need to stop partway through?
Why ask it
People faint, and long sittings get harder near the end. Knowing in advance that you can call a break, or stop and finish another day, makes it far easier to actually say something.
What aftercare do you want me to follow, and for how long?
Why ask it
Follow your artist's instructions rather than the internet, because they know what they put in your skin. If the advice is only "keep it clean," ask for specifics on washing, products, and timing.
Which bandage or film do you use, and when do I take it off?
Why ask it
Adhesive film is often left on for days while plain wrap comes off in hours, and getting the two confused causes most avoidable healing problems. Ask them to write the timing down.
What does a normal first week look like, and what would mean I should call you?
Why ask it
Redness, peeling, and some weeping are expected. Spreading heat, swelling that worsens after day three, pus, or a fever are not, and those need a doctor rather than the shop.
What is your touch-up policy, and how long do I have?
Why ask it
Many artists offer one free touch-up within a set window, often a few months, and will charge if you ignored aftercare. Get the window and the conditions before you leave.
Is there anything about this design or placement you would push back on?
Why ask it
Save it for last, once they have heard the whole plan. An artist who has no reservations about a first tattoo on a hand, neck, or ribs is either very confident or not paying attention.
Before, During and After the Appointment
Practical guidance for the conversation itself
Choosing the artist
Match the style, not the shop
Artists within one studio often work in very different styles, and the good fine-line artist is rarely the good traditional artist. Book a person, not an address.
Look for healed work in your skin tone
Pigments read differently on different skin, and some colors that look bright in a photo settle almost invisible. Ask specifically for healed photos on skin like yours.
Visit before you book if you can
You are looking for sharps containers, covered equipment, a separate clean area, and a current license or inspection notice if your area requires one. Ten minutes tells you a lot.
Be suspicious of an artist who will do anything
Experienced artists decline work regularly: designs that will not age, placements that will not suit the drawing, sizes that are too small for the detail. Total agreeability is not a service.
The consultation
Bring references for feel, not to be copied
Three or four images that show the mood, weight of line, and level of detail you want will get you further than one tattoo you want reproduced. Say which part of each image matters to you.
Say your budget out loud
Artists can adjust size, detail, and number of sessions to a number. Discovering the gap after the drawing is finished wastes their time and puts you under pressure to agree.
Talk about the next tattoo, if there is one
Placement decisions are much harder to undo than designs. If you expect to add more later, say so now so this piece is positioned to leave room.
Get the practical terms in a message
Price basis, deposit, session count, and reschedule terms are easy to misremember weeks later. A short written summary protects both of you.
The day of the appointment
- Eat a proper meal within a couple of hours of sitting down.
- Skip alcohol the night before and go in rested.
- Wear clothing that gives access to the area and that you do not mind marking.
- Bring a snack, water, and something to occupy you for a long sitting.
- Arrange the rest of the day so you are not going straight to the gym or a pool.
- Ask for the aftercare instructions in writing before you leave.