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Make sure to scroll down and read our article about choosing a shop!
DCLT Copyright © 2008 Tattoo Salon. All Rights Reserved |
Nate Williams
Mana
We
are looking for a
piercer
Pattie
Owner & Manager
Rambling Reverend
by Rev.
Scott Chapman Sr.
So what do you the client need to know
about our industry?
Lets start off with how to choose a design.
This is where you should do a lot of
homework and take plenty of time to think this out.
Try browsing through magazines for design ideas, try
the internet, and looking at others that have tattoos. Ask lots of questions.
When you find something that catches your eye print
it out and hang it up in a place where you can see it every day.
The reason I say every single day is because that is
what you will see every single day on your body, and if it gets boring or
irritating then you do not want it! Even when you have the design picked out
that you think you might want, you should continue looking through tattoo
magazines, the internet, and anywhere else you think you might get new ideas for
your particular design. Remember that when you see something that you like, it
is possible to alter the design to make it your own.
It is my personal opinion that you try to stick to
things that are symbolic to you, and that the meaning is something that is on a
deep level.
The tattoos that people get for symbolic reasons tend to be
the ones that they love even 30 years later.
I am not saying that I do not have tattoos that are
not symbolic, I do have them, and I still love them.
However, for someone that is getting their first
tattoo I recommend a lot of thought about the design.
My last tattoo was a design that I had hanging up
over my tattoo booth for four years.
I loved it all that time and love it even more that
I have the design tattooed on me.
Next lets go over how to choose a shop and an artist.
The reason that I mention shop first is
because that is where the tattoo will take place.
The shop should look and smell clean.
It should not smell like weed, mold, garbage, or be
dirty with ink spots all over the floor, and equipment.
The shop should be organized.
It should by law have a separate sink from the
bathroom.
It should have a clean sink for tattoo cleaning purposes
and a sink in the bathroom.
All areas need to be spotless.
There should by law be an autoclave that has been
certified for that month.
There should be proper chemicals for cleaning the
tattooing surfaces, booths, front desk, floors, etc.
The artist should know about the sterilization
process and should be American Red Cross certified in Blood Bourne Pathogens.
If you start cutting corners you are setting
yourself up for a very bad situation.
You might end up getting a great piece of art, but
you might pick up TB, Hepatitis, staph, MRSA, or something else.
Make sure that the needles are one time use and are
taken from a sterilized package, the grips and tubes must come from a sterilized
package, and the inks should be one time use as well. The machines, clip cords,
and squeeze bottles should be bagged.
The surfaces should be covered in a protective layer
of plastic.
If any of this is not in place...LEAVE!
You cannot replace your health at any price.
Lets talk about your artist.
You should have a portfolio that you can
view of your artists work.
Are they nice to you, are they patient, are they
concerned about your art and what you want are important things to ask yourself.
Are they knowledgeable about sterilization? Do they
have good customer service?
How many years of experience do they have?
These are all questions that should be asked.
If they do not want to answer them...Leave!
This is a permanent decision and you are the one
living with it.
Last but not least
How much will it cost? Most tattoo shops have a minimum of $50 to $80 and charge anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour. Do not depend on cost to make your decision. Great tattoos are not cheap and cheap tattoos are not good. If a shop is cutting costs it usually shows up in the sterilization supplies and in other critical areas where the cost is high for the shop. Many shops will quote you by the piece, but some are timed and charged by the hour. You need to ask at the beginning of the process. Will it hurt? Yes a little. It really depends on your frame of mind. I always say that if you don't mind it doesn't matter. Some areas are definitely more sensitive than others. It does not feel like getting a shot or getting blood drawn because the tattoo is placed on the surface of the skin. It feels more like a cat scratch or sun burn. It is irritating, but well worth the process. A note of warning: It is very addicting. After the tattoo is done it will take 5 to 14 days to heal. This is varied from person to person and what part of the body is trying to heal. Also healing can heavily depend on how well you take care of the tattoo, and how well you listen to your artist who should give you detailed aftercare instructions. If you can follow instructions then you will be just fine. Listen to your artist. If you don't remember what your artist said, Call them and ask! The only stupid questions are the ones you failed to ask.