Getting a tattoo is both a nerve-wracking and exhilarating experience. But before you get inked, you probably have a dozen questions about body art on your mind. What tattoo should I get? How do I come up with tattoo ideas? How do I choose a tattoo? Remember, it’s important to answer these questions before you commit to permanently etching a work of art onto the canvas of your skin.
Getting a tattoo is a personal choice and requires time, research, and dedication. So, before you embark on the tattoo journey, you need to be absolutely certain that it is worth the pain, time, and stress. So, scroll down to the article below for important tips and advice to keep in mind before you begin your tattoo journey!
Which tattoo should you get?
Make sure the design you choose is something you love or that makes you happy. That said, life is unpredictable and ever-changing, so what is precious today may not be important in a few years.
Erin, an artist and blogger, shared her experience getting a tattoo. She said, “I got my first tattoo the summer I turned 18. I knew I wanted a tattoo of a cross when I got older. I wanted the cross to be a reminder of my faith and I have my favorite scripture above the cross that I refer to when I’m going through a tough time (i).”
Therefore, always choose designs that will stand the test of time. Make sure the design is worth it before you commit to it.
The wrong decision can hurt you and prove to be a costly affair. That is why it is important to take your time and think before getting tattooed. Read more in the next section.
Think before you use ink
Whether you want minimalist tattoos, tribal tattoos, or zodiac tattoos that reflect your personality traits, it’s important to understand the intention or motivation behind it. Whether it’s to commemorate a special event, person, or milestone in your life, let your reasoning be the guide.
Ask yourself why you want it. Since these tattoos will be a part of your body forever, you should spend some time deciding what you want to get etched on your skin. You can start by visualizing the theme or elements you want in your tattoo to get the perfect design. Remember, the goal is for you to be happy with the ink job. So, avoid rushing into it.
Quick tip
Keep a notebook, Google Doc, or Pinterest board of tattoo design ideas that caught your eye. You can show this to your tattoo artist to help finalize your ink.
Once you have a general idea of the tattoo shapes and designs you want in your body art, it is important to contact a tattoo artist for advice. Scroll down to the next section to learn more.
Consult a tattoo artist
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Once you’ve decided on the perfect tattoo style, do some research and take the time to find an artist to work with. Start by checking out Instagram pages or visiting the nearest tattoo shops in your area before settling on one. Check out their portfolio and see if their aesthetic and design sensibility align with yours. Once you’ve decided on the tattoo artist, talk to them and tell them what you have in mind. Ask for advice on placement and sizing. While you can take the tattoo artist’s suggestion into consideration, remember that it’s ultimately your tattoo.
How visible you want your tattoo to be plays a role in determining its placement. Check out the next section for more information.
Determine the placement of the tattoo
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Where you choose to get a tattoo can make a big difference! If you want it to be visible to others, choose areas of your body such as your arms, fingers, chest, legs, or back. Areas such as your wrist, collarbone, or the back of your neck are great places for tattoos that you don’t want others to see.
Also consider your pain threshold. If you have a low threshold, choose areas such as the calves, lower back, forearms, abdomen and outer thighs, as these areas have thicker skin and fat layers compared to other areas.
Getting a tattoo is a life-changing decision. Find out in the next section if it’s really right for you.
Is a tattoo really good for you?
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Before you choose a beautiful tattoo design, you should think about why you are getting it in the first place. Is it for aesthetic reasons or does it have a personal meaning? For example, many people get a tattoo to show their devotion and love for their loved one. However, there are also disadvantages to it. If the relationship doesn’t last, it can be heartbreaking to have a tattoo that reminds you of that past relationship. Remember that you are the one who will have to live with that tattoo design in the end, so choose wisely.
Pro tip
Avoid tattooing over moles or birthmarks. Covering them with tattoos can prevent you from seeing any color or size changes that could indicate melasma or another type of skin cancer.
If you need inspiration for a simple tattoo, mythical creatures, ancient patterns, minimalist designs, geometric shapes or animal body decorations, check out the next section for more information.
Gather some inspiration for ideas
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Getting a tattoo is a big step, so make sure you do it right. Here are some tips on how to choose a meaningful tattoo.
You can select the lyrics of your favorite song, a line from your favorite book, or a quote from an influential person you really admire. You can get your partner, child, or parent’s signature tattooed on your skin. It’s a powerful reminder of your loved one and makes for a unique design. Collect and read the cards you’ve received from your friends, family, or loved ones. Look for words or phrases that evoke emotions and bring a flood of memories to your mind. Think of inspiring words or good advice you’ve received from your coworkers, friends, teachers, spouse, or loved ones that gave you the courage, grace, and strength to overcome difficult times. Get inspiration from tattoo magazines and tattoo artist sketchbooks for ideas for beautiful tattoo designs. Don’t get tattoos with common designs tattooed on your skin, because they’re already overdone!
So if you want a unique tattoo, scroll down for the unexpected places to find tattoo ideas.
Look for ideas in unexpected places
If you want to stray from popular tattoo styles and want your tattoo to be unique, take inspiration from your all-time favorite movies. These are the best places to find a theme, quote, or symbol that is tattoo-worthy and visually distinctive. So if you go this non-traditional route, provide a high-quality photo of the tattoo design or share small details with your tattoo artist to give them a clear idea of exactly what you’re looking for.
Once you’ve done your research and talked to your tattoo artist, spend some time visualizing the design and how it will look on you. By doing this, you can get the tattoo of your dreams!
There are tons of cool tattoos in different shapes and sizes to choose from. But you should focus on finding tattoo designs that resonate with your personality or have personal meaning to you. So take your time deciding on the size, color, placement, meaning, style, and artist you want. But if you’re still afraid to take the plunge, look for small tattoo designs like star tattoos or your favorite flower design. However, if you want something unique, search through your favorite movies for quotes and symbols to get the ink of your choice!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I wish I had known before getting a tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can be painful and uncomfortable, so consider your pain threshold, skin type, psychological factors, size, complexity, and location of the design before getting a tattoo.
Do tattoos look strange at first?
Tattoos look bright and vibrant right after the inking process is complete. However, it may become blotchy, cloudy or even faded during the healing process. But remember, it is normal and will disappear once the healing period is complete.
Key Points
Be clear about why you’re getting it, whether it’s for aesthetic reasons or to commemorate a special person. Do your research and consult a tattoo artist whose work you admire and discuss every little detail, from the design to the size of the tattoo. If you want to show off your tattoos, get them on your chest, legs, or arms. However, if you want to hide a tattoo, opt for less visible areas like your neck, collarbone, or wrist. Choose a tattoo design that you can hold on to for the rest of your life, one that has personal meaning and remains relevant as you grow as a person.
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Finding unique tattoo ideas is no easy task and requires careful research and time. Watch this video to learn how to get tattoo designs that are unique to you.
Personal experience: Source
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Rodrigo Casco is an Argentinian tattoo artist. He has 21 years of experience in tattoo design. He has tattooed by hand and has made his own tattoo machines. He has won several awards and has been in first place at national and international tattoo conventions, is a judge at events and also gives many seminars.
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