How To Make a Tattoo Appointment?

 Making a tattoo appointment may be a bit nerve racking when you aren’t sure how to go about booking one. Knowing how to go about it will make the process a lot easier. Overall, the process of making a tattoo appointment is not intimidating and quite easy.

Tattoo artists want to make the process as easy as possible for you. You will not have to go through much to make an appointment. It can be as simple as emailing a tattoo shop or certain tattoo artist. However, there are things to think about and be prepared for prior to making an appointment.

An important thing to remember is that in this process it is okay to back out of getting the tattoo you decide on after your appointment. You should not feel obligated to get a tattoo that you become unsure about just because you have made the appointment, given a deposit, and gone to see an artist. Remember that tattoos are permanent and you should be certain you want one.

What do you say when making a tattoo appointment?

Before talking to a tattoo artist, you should have a good idea of what you want so that you can let the artist know. You can also show them a photo or something similar to what you want. Then you should start thinking about your budget. Larger and more intricate tattoos will cost more than smaller ones. Reputable tattoo artists may be more expensive as well. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money you should try to pick something less detailed or smaller.

When you start talking with an artist via email, text, phone call, or in person you should introduce yourself then let the artist know what you want. A lot of tattoo artists don’t talk about price until after they have given you the tattoo, but this is something you should mention. Especially if you have a particular budget. You should ask how much will it cost and not mention your budget. If it is above your budget, then ask if they could do it within this price range or possibly change small parts of your tattoo to make it within your budget.

How do you pick the best tattoo artist?

Picking the best tattoo artist for you is going to require you to do some research. Tattoo shops vary depending on where you live. Looking at their websites, Instagram, reviews, or asking a friend would be a good way to decide on an artist.

Checking an artist’s Instagram would allow you to see photos of an artist’s work. The tattoo shop itself may have photos of artist’s work on their own website as well. Reading through reviews is another good way to pick an artist. You’ll be able to see other people’s experiences with a shop or an artist. You should consider how far you are willing to travel to get your tattoo. If they are too far then picking someone closer would be a better option.

Should you know your exact tattoo design when you book your appointment?

You don’t have to know your exact tattoo design when booking an appointment. Most artists have no problem working with you in a pre-appointment consultation to come up with a design you’ll love. You should have a general idea of what you want to get and where on your body you want to get it. This will make it a lot easier on the artist. Most will work with you to come up with a design if you only have an idea of what you want. Having an exact design will make it a lot easier when making an appointment.

When should I make a tattoo appointment?

You should make a tattoo appointment when you are certain you want a tattoo and know you have the money to do so. Deciding to get a tattoo is a big deal because tattoos are permanent. It is best to come up with a design or have a general idea of what you want then to sit on it for a week or two to make sure you really want it. Although, this is just a suggestion. You could very well make an appointment the day you decide you want one. If you have a busy schedule, you should find some days that work with you and let the artist know.

Is it ok to discuss pricing?

Yes, it is completely okay to discuss pricing. Regardless of your relationship with the artist or if you feel awkward you should ask about pricing. At the end of the day, you are a customer who will be paying a good amount of money for something. An artist may take some time to think about the price range but if they have been tattooing for a while, they will definitely have a price or at least an estimate of how much the tattoo will cost.

You should especially ask about pricing if you have a budget. You don’t want to get a tattoo that you don’t have enough money for. The artist can’t take back the time they put into the tattoo or the tattoo itself. If you feel too awkward asking in person, then communicating via email or text would be a good idea. However, it may be more difficult for an artist if you do not have a picture of what you want.

When you discuss pricing, and the artist gives you one should know that you will be spending more than that. After your tattoo appointment you should expect to leave a 15% to 20% tip. So account for that when they give you their price. You should still take into account how the artist treated you and their work. If they mess up or treat you unfairly in any way, then leaving a lower tip would make sense.

Can you haggle on the pricing?

You can try to haggle the price with a tattoo artist. It is unlikely you will be able to get them to reduce the price. Their set price is for their time and artwork. Asking for it to be cheaper may be seen as an insult to them. Almost like saying their time and work is not worth the price they gave you. If the price is too steep for you then finding another artist to do it for your price or changing up the tattoo would be the best options.

Will you have to pay a deposit when making an appointment?

Paying a deposit depends on the artist, shop, and your tattoo. A lot of artists hate no shows or cancelations so they will make you pay a deposit. This is to ensure you are serious about the tattoo and won’t waste their time. It is frowned upon to skip out on an appointment or leave them hanging. If you do go to an artist that requires a deposit, the deposit will likely be part of the cost of the tattoo so you will not be paying more.

If you are asking an artist to get a time-consuming tattoo, they will likely require a deposit. It is best to know that you for sure want a tattoo before making an appointment. Just so you will not be wasting your time and the artist’s time.

Will you have to make multiple appointments?

Depending on what you want, you may have to make multiple tattoo appointments. If you are deciding to get a sleeve or a more intricate, larger tattoo then you will likely have to make multiple appointments.

If you can only go in for a certain amount of time, then you may also need to make multiple appointments. Artist will usually set aside a time to try to finish your tattoo in one appointment.

Do I need to do anything before my appointment?

Before you book your appointment you may need to do a tattoo consultation. Usually, you will only need to do this if you need them to help you come up with a design. You will sit down with the artist and come up with ideas of what you want, and they will draw it out.

You may be able to do this via email or over the phone, but it is best to go to the shop and work with them. It would be the most efficient way to figure out the design you want.