Looking to book your first tattoo?

New to getting tattoos? Here is everything you need to know about how to book a tattoo. What to expect from getting a tattoo and how to look after your new tattoo.

Booking your tattoo - 
Booking a tattoo is different for every artist and every studio you go to, but there are some core principles that are pretty much the same across the board. I want to talk about how you should go about booking your tattoo and how we personally run things here at The Barracks Tattoo Studio.

First things first and it comes before you even start to think about booking your tattoo and it is one of the most important and that is RESEARCH. Research what you like, what styles you like, whether you want to get colour, whether you want to just get a black and grey shaded tattoo or whether you want to get just simple line work. 

Once you’ve decided on your preferred style the next thing is to find an artist. The one closest to where you live might not be your best option! Look at an artist's work, be willing to travel for good work, be willing to wait for good work. Do not go to the closest, the cheapest and please whatever you do do not go to the guy who tattoos out of his kitchen for a fraction of the price of a tattoo done in a shop.

We live in the era of information. Check reviews. Speak to people who have been tattooed there if you can and if you are happy with all of your research then you’re finally ready to contact the artist.

Contact your artist in their desired way. Some artists accept messages on Instagram and Facebook. Some would rather you emailed them. Respect the way they work and follow the guidelines (usually in their bio or on their website) to see how you should be contacting them. In your message to them include any reference images of other artists work or examples of work from the artists portfolio to give them an idea of what you want. 

Include what area you’re getting tattooed, it's important for the artist to know whether you want the tattoo on your thigh or your throat because that may affect the size/shape of the tattoo. Also if you already have tattoos around the area you want your new tattoo it might be worth getting some pictures of the area you want the tattoo to go in so the artist can design your new tattoo around your older pieces.

From this point the balls in the artists court and you need to follow what they ask of you. You’ll probably need to pay a deposit so keep that in mind when contacting your artist and don’t be the person who says “put it in the diary and i’ll send it to you on payday”. The way we personally work and the way most tattoo artists work is that until you pay a deposit your desired date and time are not yet booked in, we deal with multiple enquiries daily and will often work on a first come first serve basis, so have your deposit ready if you’re serious about getting tattooed.

Getting your tattoo - 

Now you’ve done your research and booked in it’s time to finally go through with getting this tattoo. Arriving on time for your tattoo or even being 5-10 minutes early is never a bad thing, this is your allocated appointment and if we have multiple tattoos in that day set-backs are not an option, in some cases typically if your half an hour or more late you may be asked to reschedule and make another appointment and pay another deposit.

Now comes the much anticipated tattoo process -

When you arrive we will make you a drink, get you to fill in a form and finalise the size and placement of your tattoo. First of all the stencil will be applied to wherever you’re having the tattoo which we will let dry for a bit while we finish setting up. Then it's tattoo time. If you need breaks, ask your artist for a break. If you have booked in for a large tattoo then it might be the case that you need to “tap out” if you can't take the pain anymore and that's fine too. Just keep your artist informed and they will accommodate your needs.

How to look after a fresh tattoo - 

Now every tattooed person you ever speak to will give you a different spin on how to look after your freshly done/healing tattoo and they will all recommend different products which work for them. With this in mind I think you’re always best to listen to the artist that has done your tattoo and see what they suggest. That said there are some universal bits of advice that you should adhere to for the first 10-14 days and they are; No hot tubs, no swimming, no sun beds, no fake tan, treat your tattoo like an open wound and keep it clean, no soaking it in water (including baths), no heavy exercising, no picking or scratching.

Your tattoo may scab, that's fine. Some ink may look like it's coming out in the shower, that's normal don’t worry if your tattoo does need a touch up through no fault of your own then your artist should be able to give it a touch up once its fully healed. At The Barracks Tattoo Studio we recommended using Tiger Spit Balm which we sell in our shop. It contains CBD which is great for inflammation especially in the areas which are more prone to swelling like hands.

Last but not least I just want to say if you are in doubt at any point of the process on anything then contact your artist. Tattoo artists have all been in the situation of getting their first tattoo at some point so there is no such thing as a stupid question.