How To Get Tattooed

article by Isreal Caine

Remington Tattoo

San Diego, California

So… You want to get tattooed. Great! This can be a rewarding and life-enriching experience... IF done right. Knowing HOW to get tattooed is key to being happy with this decision. I hope in the following paragraphs to help you, as a potential client, learn the skills necessary to get a good tattoo… one you can live with.

People get tattooed for a number of reasons… some good, some not so good. Tattoos can be a scrapbook of a person's life. They tell us about the wearer's loves, hates, hopes, fears, accomplishments, and regrets. They can be purely decorative. They can tell where a person is from or where they want to be. . It may be done as a way of being "different" or "rebellious", or fitting into a larger group identity..

Ideally, they are applied in an attractive way, by a skilled and knowledgeable artist, fitting the body and personality of the wearer, with an enduring personal significance and a timeless style that will not go out with the current trend. Tattoos of this type are seldom regretted and can be empowering points of pride for their owners. I don't know one person with a good quality, appropriately sized, and personally significant tattoo they wish they hadn't gotten.

For many, however, this is an impulsive act, one eventually regretted for that very reason. Often, not much thought is put into the design's significance or its overall effect on one's self-image. Too many times, tattoos are gotten because they are fashionable. The problem is, fashions change, and unlike other fashion accessories, you have to keep your tattoo.

This is why it's important to know HOW to get tattooed. For many, this is a daunting and confusing endeavor, especially the first time. After all, it's permanent. This idea alone can be nerve-racking enough. Most people never do anything permanent. Half of marriages nowadays are far less than that, and the idea of committing to an aesthetic seems far tougher than committing to a soul mate.

The first step is to know yourself. What are you into? What do you hold dear? What do you desire? What do you believe? What types of imagery do you find pleasing, and what part of your body would you like to accentuate with a tattoo? These are good places to start.

Placement, scale, and flow, are paramount in importance. The best tattoos, in my opinion, should look like clothing or jewelry from a respectable viewing distance. A prime example is traditional Japanese tattooing. Another would be Pacific islander. Traditional American tattoos can be more “badgy”, like the insignias on a uniform or the sponsor stickers on a race car, which can also be super cool. Optimally, though, they should all read well from across the street. If so, they’re more likely to age well. Overly detailed, small, isolated tattoos look like melanomas or hairy moles…and only get worse with time. These should be avoided.

Then you need to decide on the imagery. Good design reference can be found anywhere; the internet, library, magazines, comic books, greeting cards, even wallpaper. This part is subjective. Look for TYPES of imagery you like, not necessarily specific tattoo designs. A good tattooist can then help you develop a basic idea into a beautiful finished piece, but he or she needs direction from you.

Next you need to find that artist… the one who can do the mental math for you, adding up your expectations and ideas to give you exactly what you never knew you always wanted. Word of mouth is invaluable. If you see a tattoo you like on someone, ask who did it. Do an internet search to find out about local tattooists. Once you've found a few prospects and located their studios, take some time to visit them and view their studios and portfolios.

The portfolio is key. How artists present their work speaks volumes about them professionally. Look for HEALED pictures of quality work in a style that speaks to you. Look for consistent line work, smooth shading, and solid color. A tattooist will most often put their favorite work in their portfolio so you can see what they prefer to do or specialize in. Do not bypass this step. If you neglect to look at a portfolio, you deserve what you get. If you ask and they say "Portfolio?"… run like hell!

So there you are. You've brainstormed for weeks, gone into all the local tattoo shops, perused portfolios, chosen the "perfect" artist, AND decided on a design (WHEW!). Now you're ready to sign the waiver form and have your skin art dreams come true...right?

Not just yet, there, Turbo!

One very important part of the overall picture should be looked at before you should have ANY kind of invasive procedure done. It's always a good idea to look at the practices of your chosen artist to make sure that this isn't a decision you'll regret. If you'd be so kind as to read on, I'll tell you what you should know and look for to insure you're getting a safe tattoo.

First of all, let's discuss the risks inherent to this kind of procedure. Like any other activity that involves needles and blood, there is always the possibility of transmitting disease if proper standards are not met. Blood borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis are of greatest popular concern, with many people believing their biggest risk is "getting AIDS". In fact, HIV is hardly a concern in tattooing, mostly because of the sheer volume of blood that has to be transmitted to infect someone with the virus. HIV is also relatively weak and survives for only short time when exposed to the environment. Hepatitis, a desease that attacks the liver, is of a lot more concern, being a much heartier pathogen that requires a much smaller amount of body fluid transfer. There are many other diseases out there that you can receive through contact with infected body fluids, such as tuberculosis. That's not all, though. We also have to take into account the plethora of different bacterial and fungal infections that that are just waiting for the opportunity to fester inside your brand new tattoo. So be careful...the hide you save could be your own.

The first step in this process is to ask about the studio's universal precautions...a set of practices used with each and every client to prevent infection and disease transmission (hence the term "universal"). Do they use new needles? Do they wear disposable gloves while working? Do they use barrier films to reduce cross-contamination and make cleaning and disinfection easier and more effective? Do they use an acceptable hard surface disinfectant on all their tools and work surfaces in between tattoos after doing away with all disposable items (razor blades, ink, ink cups, Vaseline, plastic barriers, rubber bands, etc)? How do they sterilize their non-disposable equipment? These are the questions that you should have answered BEFORE getting tattooed , as well as any others that come to mind. A true professional will be more than happy to answer these questions for you. Remember, it's YOUR health, and it's your responsibility. Do it for yourself as well as for your friends and loved ones.

Tattoo safety used to be all about the autoclave steam sterilizer, but nowadays, with the advent of membrane isolated cartridge needle systems and disposable grips, many tattoo studios no longer need to use an autoclave if all their equipment is disposable . The way of working has changed for the better and oftentimes, the autoclave is simply not necessary. We almost universally use new needles nowadays, however, if you have an old school artist, they may in fact use reusable steel tubes and grips. This is a personal choice and can in fact be done safely with proper cleaning and autoclave sterilization. An autoclave is a device that uses steam, heat, and pressure to kill all microorganisms and the spores with which they reproduce and is the preferred method of sterilization, especially for equipment that has come into contact with possibly infectious body fluids. If they use an autoclave , it should be spore tested, integrator verified, with records available on site. Chemical and dry heat sterilization are only considered adequate for non-contaminated items (those that have not come into contact with body fluids) or items that cannot be sterilized in an autoclave, but aren't the most effective practices because the steam pressure of an autoclave (what these two methods lack) is what kills reproductive spores and gets into all the little nooks and crannies of the equipment.

Once you’re comfortable that the shop’s practices are safe, now it’s time to contact your chosen artist and get this party started. Most tattooists are independent contractors, meaning they set their own schedules, take their own money, and schedule their own appointments. Every artist will have their own protocol, but generally speaking, it goes like this…

You’ll contact the artist, online or in person at the studio.They’ll want a description of what you want and where, as well as any reference material you may have…photos, drawings,etc. If you have the exact image you want tattooed, that’s fine, but there are things you should know. If it’s a photo of another artist’s work, be prepared to be told they’ll have to change it. It is considered unethical to trace another person’s custom work. If the design is less than optimal,due to level of detail or similar concerns… same deal. Some artists only do a particular kind of work, some are more diverse, but you have chosen this artist, hopefully, because you like their work. I suggest you respect your artist’s experience and take their advice. Do not go to an artist who only does photorealistic work and ask for a traditional piece. Don’t go to an artist who only does Japanese and ask for a portrait. Choose an artist that is good at what you want, and you’ll both be happier for it.

Some artists will have available time for walk-ins, some will require an appointment. The length of time you’ll have to wait will vary depending on how booked out the artist is…the more popular, the longer the line… and how much time the artist needs to prepare the design. If an appointment is necessary, your artist will take a retainer payment (colloquially often referred to as a deposit). This is a non-refundable good faith payment that holds your spot in the schedule, and usually is credited to the final charge for the tattoo.

Prices can vary wildly depending on many factors, among which are how in demand your chosen artist is, and how long the tattoo will take to do. Most of us charge hourly, like any other tradesman. Some will charge a “day rate”. Most will have a minimum charge. Often, they’ll be happy to work with your budget if you discuss it beforehand.

When you are getting tattooed, here are a few suggestions to make the process more pleasant and less frustrating…

Show up on time, clean, well rested, and recently fed.

Bring snacks that will keep your blood sugar at a good level throughout the process.

Communicate clearly with your artist. If you need changes, have concerns, or need to take breaks…USE YOUR WORDS.

Do NOT show up with your skin slathered in numbing cream unless your artist has approved it beforehand. Some artists don’t care, some will send you home.

Sit still and follow your tattooist’s instructions.

After the tattoo is finished, it will be bandaged and you’ll be instructed on how to care for it. Follow your artist’s instructions to insure they’ll guarantee the finished product. Most tattooists will do necessary touch ups on their work as long as you followed their instructions.

There you go!

You’re tattooed.

Welcome to the club. Don’t forget… it’s blood in, blood out.

I hope this has been helpful. If you’d like more information, feel free to contact me in my dm’s, on Instagram @brothercaine, or from my email link at www.remingtontattoo.com. I’ll be happy to schedule an appointment, answer your questions, or even refer you to another tattoo artist if I feel I’m not the right guy for the job.