Also, remember that good artists won't copy another artist's design so don't ask. Don't send them a picture of another artist's work and say “I want this tattoo”. Don't be surprised if the artist does not want to tattoo in a style that is not their own. Do share reference images for the subject matter you like.
Copyright law specifies written permission is required. If you've got that, you are fine. If they're any good, sure. The only thing that might pose a problem is the art might not be suited for a tattoo, as the ink tends to set differently on the skin and overlapping images might smear together.
When a client selects the design they want tattooed, the artist will trace the image onto transfer paper (thin paper with an additional carbon sheet attached) or use a pen with stencil fluid on tracing paper.
They don't want to copy someone else's work. Artists want to create something unique, something which has their signature on it. While it's fine to get ideas from pictures of other tattoos, talk to your artist about what their ideas are for creating it.
Some people think mimicking is the greatest form of flattery but putting it bluntly, it's disrespectful to the original tattoo owner, original tattoo artist and the artist you ask to copy it. In fact, it's one of the most despised requests tattoo artists get.
It is rude to the artist you are asking, as well as the artist whose work is being plagiarized. If you must have a specific tattoo you've seen somewhere else, find a tattoo artist who did the original work and ask him or her to give you the same tattoo.
"Some will repeat designs and others won't. Some clients really don't want to share their tattoo with someone else." You can always drop a message to ask the tattoo artist – "and you're under no obligation to book after asking a few questions."
“Some tip less, and some are very generous." For instance, you might wonder how much to tip for a $500 tattoo. In this case, tipping anywhere from $75 to $125 would be appropriate. If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill.
Reference photos are always welcome! Reference photos could be to show size, placement on the body, tattoo style, etc. We appreciate work done by other artists; however, we WILL NOT copy someones artwork especially without the original artist's consent.
Artists are usually more than happy to work with your ideas, planning them out in a way that will work beautifully on your skin, but they need material to work with. Bring a photo reference. You don't need an absolutely exact image, but let's say you want a rose tattoo for example...
Seeing the original artist who created your tattoo is considered the best policy – some artists are not okay with touching up work done by someone else. However, there's always the chance that your original artist may not be available.
Yes. It's perfectly ok. You are the customer and the artist will work with you to give you the tattoo you want. Personally, I'm rubbish at drawing so I'm happy for my artist to take my scribbles as a guide and come up with something fantastic.
Most tattoo artists are happy to complete the work of another artist as they want to see the final results and to make you happy. However, there are some tattoo artists who won't finish the work as they find it disrespectful.
A tattoo artist may refuse to do a tattoo if the design is racist, sexist, homophobic, or promotes hate speech. In such cases, tattoo artists may refuse to do the tattoo as it goes against their personal beliefs, and they don't want to promote offensive or discriminatory designs.
Tattooing requires intense concentration. Some artists love to gab while tattooing but others prefer to be quiet. Let the artist take the lead or ask them what they prefer.
"During the tattoo process, just stay still," said Cuda Vendetta, tattoo artist at Big Joe and Sons Tattoo. "Stop checking your phone and if you have a friend with you, don't talk with your hands."
By copying another tattoo, it's not only seen as rude, but it could be violating copyright laws. If you take someone else's work and get paid for it without crediting the original artist, you are breaking the copyright law.
Some artists choose to only do flash or their stylized flash in order to save time. They might be working other projects or jobs and not have time to do custom tattoos but still want to keep tattooing.
Every tattoo artist's favorite customer is their most loyal patron. Time and time again this person has come back to them, trusting their creative eye to decorate their body permanently. Also, it doesn't hurt that loyal customers are practically walking billboards for their shop.
Style of the tattoo – sometimes as artists we get asked to design something that may not necessarily fit our preferred style; and while were happy to do it for you, it may not be something we'd wish to advertise that we do. Thinking of our social media in terms of an advert for our services.
Some tattoos are simply too small
Over time, ink tends to bleed, or expand, which can cause small tattoos to become blurry and lose detail.
If you don't like your tattoo, communicate that with your artist or the shop. As long as you're nice and respectful, any good shop should work with you to find a solution that'll make both parties happy.