There are two ways to find the right artist. You must first decide what you want: the style, the location, what you are willing to pay and how far you are willing to travel. Then, you need to find who you would like to do it: someone whose work you trust 100%.
But there are multiple options on both sides, so where to start? With so many styles and great artists, it’s hard to know where to start when searching for the right one for you tattoo shop.
You can sit down with your chosen tattoo artist, and for a long time you’ll likely argue about everything from what your favorite cookie is to what your lifelong dreams are. So yes, who and what you choose is an important decision and not one that should be taken lightly.
We caught up with some tattoo artists to shed some light on where to start and conduct your search. Read on for their tips.
1. Discover your style
There are many styles of tattoos: traditional, neo-traditional, blackwork, realism, watercolor, fine line… the list goes on, and knowing what you’re looking for is a good starting point.
The artist will differ depending on the type of tattoo or experience you want. If you want to just pick a design from a book and have something made on the spot, then a walk-in shop may be the way to go. But, if you’re looking for a more creative and unique design, then it’s worth doing a little more research into what you want and who you want to do it.
If you are looking for a custom piece, you will have to fully trust the artist’s style. You’ll be approaching them to ask for a piece of their work, so you won’t want to ask them for anything different than that, or go through several rounds of amendments on the same design (they definitely won’t).
2. Research
You’re probably familiar with Instagram, the only social media platform for tattooing! Start searching there. After all, tattoo artists tend to use Instagram as their portfolio nowadays, as it is the easiest and fastest way to show off their work and what they are capable of.
You’ll quickly get an idea of an artist’s style from their social media and know if it’s what you’re looking for or not. Once you know what style you like, you can use specific hashtags to find more artists. For example, search #traditionaltattoos and #traditionalartists for more traditional styles (think Sailor Jerry), #blackwork and #dotwork for blackwork and geometric artists, and #neotraditionaltattoo for more current and bold tattoo trends. You will also be able to see their followers, and trusted and well-established tattoo artists tend to have a high number.
3. Get in touch
Once you’ve found an artist you like, get in touch. Most will indicate how they prefer to be contacted on their Instagram page (and it’s usually by email). Or do they have a website you can check out? Is there any detailed information about your preferred contact methods?
Don’t be afraid to talk to other tattoo artists too. Send them an email with as much information as possible, but try not to start with “How much will XYZ cost?”, as asking about price up front can sometimes put artists off.
Start by explaining what you want and give as much detail as possible. He talks about the size, style, and part of the body you would like to get the tattoo on. When the artist responds, you’ll have a good idea if they’re right for you. They will either love your idea and build on it or they will be completely honest and say they don’t think it’s their thing.
Please note that tattoo artists are very busy and it may take a while to respond to emails. So, give them a break if they’re slow to respond!
There is also the old face-to-face method. If they are local, come in and say hello. It’s understandable that a first-time client may be a little more nervous than someone more experienced, so getting to know the tattoo artist can relax those first-time nerves.
4. Question
Word of mouth is another great marketing tool. Ask your friends (those who are familiar with the industry) if they can recommend anyone, specifically anyone who does the style of tattoo you want. Think about what is important to you when you find an artist and see what others say about them. What’s important to you can be anything from how good the artist is to how patient he is. If this is your first tattoo, you may want someone who makes you feel at ease.
We spoke to Anna from Leeds, UK, who said she found it difficult to know what to look for when she first started getting tattoos, but she also said that over time, the process started to become a lot easier and more fun. “For me it is important to find an artist who has a unique style, someone who really loves what he does and wants to be creative. However, it’s also important to have a good experience with that person, so I like to feel like I’m going to get along well with the tattoo artist.
I tend to ask a lot and I love when tattoo artists recommend other tattoo artists. It’s really helpful and gives you confidence knowing that other artists respect them.”
5. Take your time
Finally…. Do not rush. Enjoy the experience of finding the right tattoo artist and make sure you are completely happy with whoever you choose.
Keep in mind that many of the best tattoo artists will be booked a few months in advance or may not have appointments available at the time of your consultation.