Thinking about getting a tattoo from a guest tattoo artist? There are a few things you should know about first: The influence of art around the world varies from place to place. Artists are exposed to sights, sounds and textures that are singular to their environments. This has created a rich talent pool of travelling Tattoo Artists from around the world. It’s also the reason why there are so many different styles of tattooing. Whenever a tattoo artist spends time in a certain location, the other artists at that location get to learn from them. Guest or featured tattoo artists tour the globe sharing their perspective of the world through their craft can be a great experience for any person interested in getting a tattoo. You can meet travelling tattoo artists at conventions or at local shops that are hosting them during their visit. If you’re an avid tattoo collector then it’s a potential opportunity to meet an artist you’ve always admired. Especially if you had plans on visiting their shop one day but couldn’t make the trip to their home base. If you’re considering getting work done with a guest tattoo artist, we recommend learning as much as you can about the artist before hand:

• Google the artist name and learn about the artist’s popularity and reputation.
• Research their style, work and portfolio. A travelling artist is usually going to want to work on their trademark style.
• Look at reviews and experiences from other people that have been tattooed by the guest artist, especially while they’re on tour. Sometimes the experience with a tattoo artists can be different then when they’re home. They’re going to be in a new shop, with an new environment and new tools and that can affect their work.
• Make sure to know what their rates are so there are no surprises after the work is finished and it’s time to pay.
• Try and figure out how long they will be at a location for. It will usually be short, so that means a smaller amount of time to discuss your design and get it tattooed.

You should also think about how long the artist is going to be in town for. If it’s only a week, then they probably won’t have time for a larger tattoo. Be sure to call ahead to figure this out so that you know what kind of piece to ask for because in general, the entire tattooing process is expedited when working with a guest artist. A good artist will ask a lot of questions about what sort of tattoo and style you have in mind. They keep their area clean and genuinely care about the people they work on. In order to have a positive result, be sure to put a lot of careful thought into the tattoo you want. Tattoos are permanent and no matter who’s working on the tattoo it’s important that the decision to get a tattoo isn’t done on impulse. You should not feel pressured by how long an artist is in town for. Don’t compromise on what you want to fit the artist's schedule. If you need more time than is available, it may be better to choose a permanent tattoo artist instead. Let us know if you have any questions! Take a look at some of the artwork Chronic Ink's guest artists have done: Sebastian Nowacki (@tattoobylaw). Guest artist starting in March Robert Zyla (@robertzyla). Guest artist with a few spots still left in February.