Etiquette Useful In A Tattoo Studio 101

ETIQUETTE IN THE STUDIO IS VERY IMPORTANT

When getting or preparing to get a tattoo, there are many points of etiquette to keep in mind. We’ll break down some of the more important do’s and don’ts for each circumstance.

ETIQUETTE DURING YOUR CONSULTATION

1. Don’t ask your artist to copy another artists work. The artists WANT to be creative and inspired. This is frowned upon in the tattoo world.
2. Don’t bring a bunch of people all throwing ideas at the artists and changing things constantly as it will get confusing. Having someone with you if fine, but not to sound harsh, they need to not interject on you and the artists conversation.
3. Leave the children at home. If you have little kids, they have no place in the tattoo studio during the consult nor the tattooing sessions. Kids are cute and all, but they are a major distraction in a tattoo studio and they shouldn’t be there. If your kid picks up the artist’s very expensive tattoo machine and drops and breaks it, you would be responsible to replace it and compensate them for any time lost tattooing while they wait for a new machine. It’s easier to just find a sitter.
4. If you give an artist artistic freedom to create the art for you, don’t come in on the day of your appointment and try and make a bunch of changes. Often, small changes can be accommodated, but anything big would require the artist to redraw the art, which is a no-go in most cases.
5. Come with some ideas but be open-minded to the artists input.
6. It’s possible the artist may not be interested in doing the piece you are looking to get. This isn’t personal and usually the reasoning is because it’s a style they’re not comfortable doing. The artist will recommend a more appropriate artist for you to work with, however. This is actually a very good thing because you don’t want an artist that is just going to stumble through and hope for the best.

ETIQUETTE DURING YOUR TATTOO SESSION

1. You are welcome to bring company with you, whether for support or to chat to pass the time. Try and limit it to just one other person, however. Too many people may cause the room to feel a little claustrophobic and could be a distraction to the artist. There are exceptions to this, for example, if multiple people came together to each get a tattoo and they are there for the group experience.
2. Be sober. If you come in drunk, the artist will not tattoo you. Not only because it thins your blood and will make healing difficult, but you are also not of sound mind to make a responsible decision. It would be ethically irresponsible for an artist to knowingly tattoo someone that was under the influence.
3. If you artist doesn’t appear to be chatty at some point, don’t force conversation. They might be trying to concentrate and really focus on what they are doing at the moment. Let the artist engage conversation. Most are completely up to chatting, but there may be times they just need to focus.
4. Understand if your artist needs to take a quick break. They are only human and sometimes they need to stop for one reason or another.
5. It’s not a good idea to stare at either the artist or the tattoo while it’s getting done. It can be an extra stressor for your artist.
6. Don’t move around. Sit still. The reason behind this should be obvious. If you don’t want a messed up tattoo, then stay put.
7. Don’t use any type of numbing creams or ointments before you session. You’ll regret it in the end. First, the pain is part of the experience. Second, because of how the skin reacts to numbing agents, after you start healing, your tattoo will very likely end up distorted.
8. Tipping. It’s not required nor expected, but it is common practice. How much is up to you and how much you love the work the artist created for you. Cash is king, btw.

ETIQUETTE FOR AFTER YOUR TATTOO IS DONE

1. Listen to the instructions your artist gives you regarding aftercare and follow them exactly. They are telling you these things for good reason.
2. Ask questions regarding your tattoo healing process directly to your artist. They are happy to answer them. They want your tattoo to heal up well just as much as you do. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
3. If you happen to be one of the rare individuals that has a complication after getting your tattoo, and this is usually due to aftercare procedures not being followed, don’t ask your artist or the studio for any medical advice. We are not allowed to give any. If you are having problems, consult a professional physician.
4. Free touch-ups are not a real thing. Be weary of studios that offer “free touch-ups for life”. For one, a lot of artists are nomadic by nature and move around studios. That “free touch-ups for life” is now void because it was a studio gimmick, not the artists personal policy. It’s simply a trick to try and get you in THEIR studio.
5. Expect the need for touch-ups. Tattoos, especially colorful ones, never stay as vibrant as they were at the beginning. If you want to keep it looking that way, expect to occasionally go get a touch-up. They aren’t free, but worth getting. You want to keep that art looking fresh.
6. If your tattoo isn’t looking exactly how you want, such as color vibrance or lines looking weak, and you are still in the healing process, wait to completely heal before you make any assumptions or come to any conclusions regarding your tattoo. Oftentimes tattoos may appear dull during this time, which is commonly due to the skin peeling/shedding.

Now that you know some of the etiquette in a professional tattoo studio, we hope that this information has be helpful and useful.