My Daily Tattoo

Choosing A Tattoo Shop You Are Comfortable With

Posted by admin

When you are ready to get your tattoo, shop around and find a place where you feel comfortable.

A good tattoo shop realizes that its clients may be a little nervous, especially if the tattoo is their first. If a tattoo artist tries to intimidate you or to force you into a decision you are not comfortable with, keep moving. Plenty of great tattoo shops believe in customer satisfaction. Your tattoo is permanent, so take the time to make sure that you are really getting what you want.

The best way to find good tattoo shops is by word of mouth recommendations. Check internet forums, go to trade shows and ask your friends. Find out where other people are going to get great service. You want to talk to these customers and find out for yourself.

If you do find a great tattoo shop, spread the word. The artist will appreciate the acknowledgment and the business that you bring his or her way. You are helping to build the community by personally recommending an artist you know personally does quality work.

When checking out a place to get your tattoo, pay attention to the lighting in the studio. At the best tattoo parlors your tattoo will be done in natural light so you can judge how it will normally appear. If it is done under fluorescent lighting be careful. Fluorescent lighting will heighten the effect of yellow and greens inks while graying the blues and reds.

For your health and safety, make sure your tattoo parlor will sterilize their packaged needles and tubes in an autoclave (a device for sterilizing the tools and equipment) before use. Any equipment they use on a customer, including inks, gloves, razors, ink cups, and ointments, should be discarded after use and the artist should wipe down the work area with a chemical agent that destroys any germs or viruses. Anything which is exposed to human blood should either be disposed of or processed through the autoclave.

A good tattoo shop will always have tattoo flash or books of their work available. In addition to looking through their portfolio of tattoos, each tattoo artist should display the paperwork identifying their state license. Good tattoo shops, which are proud of their business’ quality, will gladly have all of the certificates on display, which address things like cleanliness and their policy on new needles. Some will post copies of the artist’s hepatitis immunization records.

Stand around and watch them work for a while. Make sure that all tattoo ink, needles, and ointments are stored separately and that they are always new. A good shop will be happy to make you feel safe and comfortable. After all, a good shop wants you to come back again and again, and to recommend their services to your friends.