Top Tips for Working with Los Angeles Tattoo Artists

A tattoo is a major undertaking, but whether that experience is good or bad really comes down to how well you work with your Los Angeles tattoo artist. What can you do to make the process go smoothly?

Know What You Want

Knowing the design that you want can save your artist a lot of time and trouble. While there are books and catalogs full of design templates at your disposal in most shops, these won't help very much if you want something wholly unique. Most tattoo artists don’t mind designing a piece for you from scratch, but many Los Angeles tattoo artists also have full schedules of eager clients looking to get a piece done. For the sake of both of you, when you to go your tattoo parlor in Los Angeles it’s best that you come in with at least a general idea of what you want. Every little bit can help the process be that much smoother. If every customer came in and had no clue what they want or even no idea where to begin, there’s no way Los Angeles tattoo artists would have time to help everyone. With so many different tattoo styles alone, not to mention the literally endless amount of designs that are possible under the sun, it can be a long and tenuous process to get you the perfect piece. Try to meet them halfway to show them what you had in mind.

Research Your Design Carefully

Getting a tattoo can be a big undertaking. Even if you get a great deal, you could still be looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars to complete the process from start to finish. That’s why you should work diligently to make it worthwhile. People decide to get tattoos for many different reasons, and with those reasons come different designs and aesthetics. For the most part, people want their tattoo to mean something, and the industry has been this way for hundreds of years. Taking the time to find the right design to convey your message will be worth your hard work, and it will help your artist to do their job more easily. Some designs tend to look better on different parts of the body, so look up images of each unique style and find examples of how they look on different parts of the body. This will help eliminate the risk of buyer’s remorse. If you’re going to take the plunge and get that perfect tattoo you’ve always wanted – whether it’s your first one or your 50th – you’re better off putting plenty of thought into it, even if you are working with the best tattoo shops in Los Angeles. You don’t want to keep your tattoo artist guessing.

Share Your Ideas with the Artist

Most artists in Los Angeles and Studio City know what they’re doing, but, ideally, the artist should always know where to start with your tattoo design. By being proactive and bouncing ideas off them, they will be able to tell you what is possible and what may be out of the cards. There are so many different factors that go into getting a tattoo you can be proud of. That’s why you guys need to work together to see the final project through to the end. Chances are if an artist is working in licensed Los Angeles tattoo shops, they have years of experience under their belt. Over the years, they have lived and learned in the industry, and they are able to pass that knowledge on to you. This is all the more reason to be honest and frank with them about your desires. If you don't speak up until the needle hits your skin, they probably aren't going to be very happy with you as a customer.

Prepare Your Skin

If you want a customized tattoo job to turn out perfectly, then you shouldn’t just be walking off the street and straight into the parlor. In order to make the skin more susceptible to retaining the ink for years to come, you need to carefully prep for your piece. This can be done by moisturizing and conditioning the area for several weeks before the actual day of the tattoo process. Make sure you shave the applicable area and stay out of the sun as sunburned areas will not take well to being tattooed. The more you take care of your skin, the better the outcome will be when you finally get the tattoo.

Remain Calm During Your Tattoo Session

If you’re wiggling and squirming in the chair, it is just going to make your tattoo style that much more difficult to complete. Tattoo studios have to deal with this problem enough. If you truly think it’s going to scare you that bad, maybe work on some breathing exercises before you get the work done. Just remember that it’s all going to be okay. Tattoos do hurt a bit, naturally, but it’s nothing that will be unbearable. The more you move, the more likely the artist is to mess up and leave you with a mark that they can’t take back. It’s important to put on a brave face and remember the endgame, a beautiful new piece of artwork!

Follow Your Artist’s Aftercare Instructions

Nobody knows tattoo care better than the people who do it for a living. You’d better believe that their word holds plenty of weight, as they have surely redone countless tattoos after customers refuse to follow their orders properly. They genuinely want to help, even though their work is done. That’s because they know how important and impactful a meaningful tattoo can be if done correctly. If you choose to go out on your own and differ from the tattoo aftercare instructions that were given to you, you’re taking a major risk. After all, why pay all that money only to risk it coming out poorly after the hard part is over? There are a few things to keep in mind: Do not be rough with the tattoo as the ink is still vulnerable to scrapes, sunburns, or fading if mistreated. Following your artist’s aftercare instructions can help build a better relationship with them in the future. Because they are artists, they want to see their art get the best care possible. If they spend hours and hours planning and designing a tattoo, then hours putting it on you, you at least owe it to them to keep it in good shape. If you don’t follow their unique instructions, that could vary depending on the piece, then you could risk fading, discoloration, and infections.