TATTOOSDAY: TATTOO ETIQUETTE – ARTIST EDITION
A while back I wrote an article about tattoo etiquette which highlighted the do’s and don’t’s of interacting with tattooed individuals. You’ve heard from the “tattoo-ee” stand point, but what about the tattoo-er? I asked around to local artists to get the scoop on everything from tipping to hygiene. Here’s what they had to say!
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The number one subject that came up? TIPPING.. or lack thereof!
Don’t stiff your artist. He or she may have charged you $500 for your tattoo session, but they may only end up taking home 50% of that. That’s not including the pigment, needles, and disposables that they pay for out of pocket and just used for YOUR tattoo. They just permanently altered your body and quite possibly your life, so if you’re happy with the work that was done, tip well!
While we’re on the subject of money..
Don’t haggle. It costs what it costs. When you try to barter with an artist, you’re inadvertently telling them their skill and artwork isn’t worth what they’re charging. How would you like to be told that you’re worth less than you think? You can shop around and get a “bargain price” tattoo, but in the long run you’re likely to get a “bargain quality” tattoo. Instead of saving those hard-earned dollars that you so desperately tried to hang onto, you’ll end up shelling out more for cover ups or even laser removal. If you’re not serious about investing in a quality piece of artwork on your body, then you’re probably not ready for a tattoo.
Do ask your artist upfront what their rate is, how much you can expect to pay, and then even save a little bit more than the quoted amount. Your tattoo session may run slightly longer than what you both originally thought, so you can either walk out with unfinished work at the 4 hour mark or spend the extra $150 for that 5th hour and extra attention to detail. If you stay within the projected time, then great! You now have money to tip your artist generously (see above subject) and possibly a bit extra to go towards your next tattoo!
Don’t bring your small children to an appointment. You’re not going to be able to hang onto a squirming toddler while getting tattooed and letting your kid roam free in a tattoo shop is not a practical option either. Tattooing can create a five foot radius of micro spray! Do you really want your kid crawling around on the floor or knocking over a water cup filled with blood and biohazard into their sticky, punch stained mouth? Mmm… Hawaiian Fruit Hepatitis!
Do line up a babysitter for your tattoo session. If something comes up last minute, just give your artist a call and explain the situation. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to move your appointment if it means they won’t have to worry about the liabilities of a small child in their shop.
Don’t dress uncomfortable or inappropriately. I hear most often that ladies are the biggest offenders on this one. You’re getting tattooed, not going out for a night of dancing. Wearing your nicest clothes will not get you through the tattoo any easier and your artist will have to spend extra time taping back your outfit or covering you in dental bibs to avoid ruining your clothing.
Do dress comfortably and accordingly. Be mindful of the tattoo placement and wear something that will allow your artist to work on that area without having you strip down naked! If you know you’re getting your rib cage tattooed, don’t wear a dress. Its common sense and you’ll look like you have none if you show up that way.
Don’t mix booze and tattoos. I’m totally guilty of having a few drinks the night before or even having a beer DURING a tattoo, but anything in excess is probably not a good idea. You wouldn’t drink heavily the night before or morning of running a marathon, so why would you do it before a long tattoo session?
Do get plenty of rest, have something (other than booze) in your stomach, and stay hydrated. Your artist will definitely appreciate you being able to sit through your entire session without fainting or vomiting in their trash can!
Don’t have unrealistic expectations. Asking your artist over and over if the tattoo will get finished that day will get you nowhere. As one artist put it, “..basically asking “Are we there yet?” repeatedly just fosters a feeling of impatience that leads to pressure to cut corners in order to please you.” –tattoo artist of 13 years. And remember: tattoos hurt! Be prepared to experience at least mild pain during your session. If you know that you have a low pain tolerance you might not want to jump into a throat or rib tattoo for your first one. It’s hard for anyone to create something on a moving canvas, so prepare yourself mentally and remember to breathe!
Do ask your artist a projected time frame or the amount of sessions it will take to complete the piece. This is a reasonable question, but needs asked only once. It’s better to have a quality piece of work that may have taken 2-3 sessions than a lackluster tattoo that you were in a rush to finish so you could show it off to your buddies that night.
Don’t ask your artist to commit plagiarism. An artist will typically ask you to bring or send them references for the idea or design you want for your tattoo which is meant for them to ‘refer’ to when creating a custom tattoo for you. Too often I’ve had my fiancé show me artwork that he spent numerous hours on for a client that said no, because they actually wanted a line for line copy of the image they brought in. If you want a cookie cutter tattoo, you should make that known before they invest their time and skills on a piece that you never intended getting in the first place.
Do be clear on the design, concept, and your expectations for the tattoo. Clear communication will result in you getting the tattoo you want and less time wasted for both parties.
The last question I asked was, “What should a client always do before an appointment?”
The answer: Shower! I’d say that one is pretty self-explanatory! ?
In summary, use common sense, good manners, and show respect towards your artist and their profession.
