Crucial Keys to Finding A Good Tattoo Artist

Looking back it’s always easy to say what you would have done differently. When it comes to getting a tattoo and tattoo aftercare it’s no different. I always want to be prepared for what I am getting myself into and when it comes to my first tattoo I really had no clue.

If you’re like me, you didn’t have any siblings or family members that were getting tattoos and you didn’t have any answers when it came to getting the best quality tattoo.

I did what I could to ensure that I was getting a high quality tattoo from a reputable artist to ensure the best and safest tattoo healing process but I didn’t know what I didn’t know. It’s important to know how to find a good tattoo artist and that all begins with…

Research, Research, Research

When you want a tattoo you probably act on impulse. I can’t express enough how important it is to research your artist and to never jump right into a session thorough due diligence.

• Do not get a “garage” tattoo (done by your buddies at a party).
• Do not get a tattoo in a small town from a local shop that doesn’t have a well established reputation from people with good tattoos.
• Do not go to an artist that doesn’t tattoo the style that you would like.
• Listen to your gut – you’d be surprised what your intuition knows that your brain doesn’t process.

Here are a few things I do when it comes to finding a good tattoo artist that will exceed my expectations.

Disclaimer: I am not looking for the best priced tattoo artists, I don’t believe in finding the cheapest tattoos for the sake of getting a tattoo. If you are shopping tattoo artist’s on price I suggest you find another blog or wait until you have enough money for a good tattoo artist. 

Research Tips:

1. Get on Instagram, it’s the #1 photo sharing social media platform in the world and it is the go to place for tattoo artists to share their artwork, here you can find ideas, find artists, and create opportunities to get high quality tattoos inked on your skin
2. A couple of my favorite accounts are: @ricardo__avila, @carlgracetattoos, @niki23gtr
3. Use your own social media, ask your facebook, instagram, and snapchat friends who the best local tattoo artist’s are. Most people will spout shitty artist’s without knowing they suck but you can find some gold there.
4. Ask people that you see with amazing tattoos, if you’re shy or uncomfortable with going up to someone that you don’t know simply compliment them on their tattoo and ask them where they got it done.
5. Scout around, go into shops and describe to the artist what you are wanting to get done. Some artist’s hate to do certain tattoos and other’s you wont vibe with, its important to spend some time scouting different shops to see which one you believe you mesh with the best.
6. Don’t rush it, take the time finding what your gut feels best with and go at your own pace. For most tattoo artist’s giving someone a tattoo is a normal process and the speed in which they go is normal for them. You might want to go slower, simply explain that it’s your first time and get all your questions answered up front, its not their first rodeo with someone who is new to getting tattoos.
7. Ensure the environment is clean. This is possibly the most overlooked and most important aspect to finding a quality tattoo shop. You MUST ensure that the equipment and process the artist is using is sterile and clean.

If you notice your tattoo may be getting infected contact your doctor ASAP.

Here is a phenomenal article from Harvard.edu that goes into detail on thinking before you act when it comes to tattoos and infections, check it out here.

What this really comes down to is ensuring that you can find a good tattoo artist in your area and vet them to ensure that your tattoo and the healing process come full circle and you end up with the best possible ink on your skin.

Take care and do your due diligence!