The process of getting a tattoo is a little more time-consuming than you might think. How do I know? Well, I happen to be witnessing it all firsthand in the studio while hubby tries not to murder his customers for asking stupid questions. Repeatedly. All the time. As in, every day. Multiple times.
So I thought, a blog entry such as this might even be useful, AND include bitching at the same time. Bi-winning, if you ask me!
So, without further ado, here are the things that pop into my mind:
1. Calling in to get an appointment... for tomorrow.
OK, seriously now. Do you really think you can just call in and assume that people have nothing else to do than accommodate your demand at such short notice? It's downright offending to assume that they are so out of work that they'd book you in for tomorrow. Best ask when would be a good time, and do not be disappointed if they say in a week or two or even a month. Remember, the more booked they are, the better the studio is, and the more skilled the artists working there.
2. Demanding how much something would cost. Over the phone.
Tattoo artists usually charge by the hour, unless you want something really small, in which case you'd probably get a fixed price. Even so, it is quite impossible to tell how much work something would require without knowing what that something would be... So descriptions such as "Well you know, I'd like a scull and some roses and oh, wait, a diamond would look cool too.. or maybe a swallow? About the size of my hand.." do not really give the artist the information required to make a judgement. So get your ass down to that studio and discuss it, if you're serious about it.
3. Speaking of serious: do respect your appointments!
I don't even need to begin to explain how downright rude and disrespectful it is to assume that people are required to wait around for you while you take your time and end up late for your tattoo appointment. In such a case the artist would be absolutely in their right to refuse to take you on. Skipping an appointment altogether would surely mean you instantly turn into persona non grata for that particular studio, so don't even think of coming back.
4. Demanding that you get the first image you saw on Google when looking for tattoo inspiration.
Sure, some studios will do that. But really, do you want to copy an existing tattoo? Do you want to get inked into your skin for all eternity the first image that comes up when you do a Google search for "scull in flames tattoo"? Instead, why don't you try to talk about it with your chosen artist, maybe give them an idea of what you want and let them design it especially for you? Sure, this might make the whole thing more pricey, but having an unique work is what this whole thing is all about. Give the artist space, let them show you how they view things, trasform it through their own unique style. It will be worth every minute of it.
5. Wanting everything done ASAP, without having a clue what you're doing.
Let me tell you something about tattoos. They are forever. So there is hardly a need to hurry, now, is there? Do you really want something done fast just so you can show it off when the hot season starts? Be honest with yourself. Take your time, discuss with your artist, think about it, plan it out. Not only would you save your artist a lot of chagrin, but you'll also be sure about what you're doing. Things done in a hurry usually suck. Patience always pays off. Getting into a tattoo shop and saying something in the lines of, "I don't know what I want, and I want it now!" definitely lets the world (and your artist) know you're a complete idiot.
So I thought, a blog entry such as this might even be useful, AND include bitching at the same time. Bi-winning, if you ask me!
So, without further ado, here are the things that pop into my mind:
1. Calling in to get an appointment... for tomorrow.
OK, seriously now. Do you really think you can just call in and assume that people have nothing else to do than accommodate your demand at such short notice? It's downright offending to assume that they are so out of work that they'd book you in for tomorrow. Best ask when would be a good time, and do not be disappointed if they say in a week or two or even a month. Remember, the more booked they are, the better the studio is, and the more skilled the artists working there.
2. Demanding how much something would cost. Over the phone.
Tattoo artists usually charge by the hour, unless you want something really small, in which case you'd probably get a fixed price. Even so, it is quite impossible to tell how much work something would require without knowing what that something would be... So descriptions such as "Well you know, I'd like a scull and some roses and oh, wait, a diamond would look cool too.. or maybe a swallow? About the size of my hand.." do not really give the artist the information required to make a judgement. So get your ass down to that studio and discuss it, if you're serious about it.
3. Speaking of serious: do respect your appointments!
I don't even need to begin to explain how downright rude and disrespectful it is to assume that people are required to wait around for you while you take your time and end up late for your tattoo appointment. In such a case the artist would be absolutely in their right to refuse to take you on. Skipping an appointment altogether would surely mean you instantly turn into persona non grata for that particular studio, so don't even think of coming back.
4. Demanding that you get the first image you saw on Google when looking for tattoo inspiration.
Sure, some studios will do that. But really, do you want to copy an existing tattoo? Do you want to get inked into your skin for all eternity the first image that comes up when you do a Google search for "scull in flames tattoo"? Instead, why don't you try to talk about it with your chosen artist, maybe give them an idea of what you want and let them design it especially for you? Sure, this might make the whole thing more pricey, but having an unique work is what this whole thing is all about. Give the artist space, let them show you how they view things, trasform it through their own unique style. It will be worth every minute of it.
5. Wanting everything done ASAP, without having a clue what you're doing.
Let me tell you something about tattoos. They are forever. So there is hardly a need to hurry, now, is there? Do you really want something done fast just so you can show it off when the hot season starts? Be honest with yourself. Take your time, discuss with your artist, think about it, plan it out. Not only would you save your artist a lot of chagrin, but you'll also be sure about what you're doing. Things done in a hurry usually suck. Patience always pays off. Getting into a tattoo shop and saying something in the lines of, "I don't know what I want, and I want it now!" definitely lets the world (and your artist) know you're a complete idiot.