Tattoo artists are artists- let them do their job.

Whenever someone comes in with a paper folded piece of notebook paper and starts off with "I have a friend/artist who drew this" or "I paid an artist to draw this for me" every tattoo artist in the world momentarily rolls their eyes and prepares for the worst. Not to say it doesn't work out sometimes, but more often, it doesn’t.

Much like many of my artist friends who do not tattoo, before I started tattooing, I was asked regularly to design tattoos for friends or even people willing to pay. I now have a very specific policy on this, and it's a policy shared by many tattoo artists, and this is how it was explained to me before I was a tattoo artist. I have a firm belief that if your tattoo artist cannot draw you the design that you want, you need to find a different tattoo artist. So, heres 3 reasons why it makes no sense to pay or request someone else draw the design and then take it to a tattoo artist:

• First, a tattoo artist is taught from the beginning to draw in a way that is tattooable. If the drawing is not tattooable, they will have to redraw it anyways. Sometimes, (shocker!!) the artwork you want is not as good as you think it is. I have seen many drawings come in where the artist did not take the time to make sure every line was perfect or even, or symmetrical if need be. It's great that you enjoy your friend's artwork, but these things are all very important! Or its a beautiful drawing that simply doesn't translate well to the tattooing process whether it be too small and detailed, or laking the lines and contrast necessary for an well-aging tattoo. 

• Second, tattoo artists general specialize in one or more styles that they are comfortable with or knowledgeable about. Their strengths are usually fairly clear in their portfolio or reputation. Taking them a design drawn by someone else doesn't make a lot of sense because it is often something that is not within their realm of style, and if it is, they can just draw it for you in the first place. Instead focus on finding a tattoo artist whose work you like, and works comfortably in the style you want, instead of trying to force a round peg into a square hole.

• Third, your tattoo artist is a professional artist (another shocker, right??). Part of the cost of a tattoo is the drawing and expertise. If you are paying for a drawing from someone else, you are paying extra. Most of the time people are erroneously thinking they are saving money by doing it that way, or making it easier on your tattoo artist. But most of the time, they are taking that tattoo design to someone who has either less experience or expertise in that area (or is just cheaper), and they often do a horrible job at reproducing it. 

This goes for both the non-tattoo artist who is constantly asked to design tattoos for people, as well as the people who request them. So if you are an artist, it's not that I don't think you should draw tattoo designs if they are requested of you, we all have to make a living here. However, you may be doing a disservice to your clients when they find out it needs to be redrawn anyways. It's more that people should just spend the time to look for a tattoo artist who can do it instead, cause that's quite literally their job. Sometimes, you even need to travel or wait for the right one.*Another important note, finding a random artwork on the internet can sometimes be even worse. That goes for everything above, plus the original artist needs to give their permission before using it, because if you don't, that is stealing! If you admire a particular artists work, sometimes it can be worked out, and sometimes, you'll just have to buy a print and frame it instead.

It's kind of like going to a restaurant and bringing your own recipe and insisting they cook it that way. If you bring a filet mignon recipe to McDonald's, they won't be able to make it, and if you want a burger (or even a flavorful Indian curry) at a fancy French restaurant, they'll be offended that you don't want to choose from their array of fancy menu items. But either way they're going to look at you sideways and wonder why you're wasting your time paying someone to compile you a recipe when they already have a menu made by paid chefs. Ya know?

10 STEPS TO AVOID ENDING UP WITH A TATTOO YOU HATE

By Bridget Punsalang 

Me working on my client Sydney

Needlewurks Tattoo and Body Piercing
Saratoga Springs, NY
www.bridgetpunsalang.com

All day long, I hear people talk about the tattoos they regret or are not happy about. I cover them, I fix them, and sometimes, there is nothing that can be done about them. Educate yourself so you never have to end up in that situation in the first place! Ultimately, YOU are responsible for what you put on your body, so make it an informed decision! Here are some tips for making sure you won't end up with a tattoo you despise or regret:

1. RESEARCH YOUR ARTIST!!! 
I can not stress this point enough!! The market is currently saturated with artists of all varieties and skill levels. There’s a lot of people to pick from out there. Look around. Choose wisely.

In this day and age, everyone is online, whether it be a searchable website or social media outlet. A good artist should have a wide range of photos in their portfolio. Or at least an album of portfolios in their shop. I would never get a tattoo from an artist who can’t show me dozens of tattoos they did.

-Look for consistency. 
You want to see that they do a good job on pretty much everything they do. If half of the pictures are really bad and half of the pictures are spectacular, you should be wary.

-Be cautious with recommendations from friends.  
I constantly see people suggesting their horrible scratcher friends that they swear by and think are sooooo gifted. However, don't be afraid to ask your friends who have great work who they go to. Then go back to the beginning of this section, and start by looking at their portfolio.

-AN ARTIST THAT WORKS SOLEY IN HOUSES IS A HUGE RED FLAG! BEWARE!

-Look for an artist that does the style of work you're looking for.

If you want someone to do a portrait, look specifically for portraits in their portfolios (with the original photo reference). If you see your artist has a portfolio full of nothing but old school traditional, there’s probably a good chance they don’t do portraits (and vice versa). 

For example, my portfolio is full of colorful pretty things and patterns (left photo below). I’m not the kind of artist you would go to for a black and grey zombie Batman. That would be a job for Matt Mrowka (right photo below).

Tattoo by Bridget Punsalang

Tattoo by Matt Mrowka

2. REPEAT AFTER ME - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN EMERGENCY TATTOO!

A good artist may not be able to get you in quickly (although, a last minute opening is not necessarily an indicator of a bad one either). Sometimes they are either booked for weeks or months at a time or even have a waiting list or temporarily closed books. It's your body, and you want the best, because you are going to have to stare at it for the rest of your life. What’s a few weeks or months in the grand scheme of things?

Take some time to think about your tattoo as well. If in 2 or 3 weeks, the idea is no longer as appealing to you, you can take that waiting period as a blessing in disguise. 

Do you really love him/her after just 3 months of dating? Do you need a name on you to prove that?

What will your job think about that neck tattoo of a bare-chested demon woman?

Is it a good idea to get a hand tattoo fresh out of high school?

These are all important questions to be contemplated while waiting patiently for your appointment.

3. DON’T PRICE SHOP

Be prepared to spend some money. There is an old saying that a good tattoo is not cheap and a cheap tattoo is not good. Never shop around based on price because you're not going to like where it lands you. Remember section 1? We are choosing the artist based on artwork. Artwork that will go on you permanently. All budgets aside, price should never be your primary deciding factor. If you can't afford it, please refer back to #2 on this list.

And never ever haggle or try to get the price lower. We lose all respect for you at this point, because you clearly don’t respect us or our livelihood.

4. GO TO THE SHOP AND MEET THE ARTIST/S AND STAFF

Get a feel for their demeanor and appearance. Are they friendly and informative? Ask the style the artist prefers to work in, and ask to be referred to examples of it, if it interests you. Ask if there are ways your idea can be improved, and be open to suggestions.

Don't be opposed to being suggested to another artist who may do that style

better (and then research them as well!!)

That being said, when researching, you should always also be looking at cleanliness. Read through their policies, look at their pictures, don't be afraid to ask questions that may potentially impact your health or safety. 

A good clean artist will answer any of your questions regarding cleanliness.

5. BEWARE OF INTERNET TRENDS!

Bring lots of references, sketches, doodles, or lists of ideas and elements you would like in your tattoo. The clearer your idea is, the more likely your artist will understand exactly how you want your tattoo to look. 

But be warned! The Internet is chock full of lies! Most of the time, that Pinterest picture you are seeing is freshly tattooed, which doesn’t necessarily mean it will look good years later. Teensy tiny lettering, sides of fingers, and white tattoos all look great in that perfectly edited viral photo, not so much years, or sometimes just months, later.

Don’t expect an artist to copy a tattoo you found online. Be original. Someone else took the time to conceptualize that tattoo, respect that and think of your own idea. 

If an artist meeting all the above criteria says a tattoo is not a good idea, don’t continue searching for someone who will do it. Finding someone who will do it doesn't make it suddenly become a good idea, it just means the artist cares more about your money than your body. 

That being said:

6. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE NOT A TATTOO ARTIST

Just because you watch Ink Master and Tattoo Nightmares religiously does not mean you know anything about tattooing techniques and the various realms of possibilities. Mentioning that you do, while quoting information from the shows, makes you look even less credible. Don’t tell use how to do our jobs, if you’ve already gotten to number 6 on this list, it should already be pretty clear to you that we know what we are doing. 

Trust that your artist knows the best techniques, color combinations, etc, to make your tattoo perfect. Base this trust on sections 1-5 and it should be easy. 

7. SPEAK UP!

If you are not happy with your design, don’t be afraid to say something BEFORE it goes on you. You should never feel pressured to get a tattoo you are lukewarm about. Redraws are a whole lot easier than coverups.

If you are not comfortable, don't be afraid to walk away before you even start.

Read and reread quotes.

Check grammar, spelling, dates, etc. 

Look at it on paper, not only in the mirror.

Make sure you are 100% happy with placement before you start. 

Stencils aren't permanent, they can be moved, tattoos, not so much.

Artists are human too, mistakes can happen to the best of us.

This tattoo took me around 15 hours total

8. UNDERSTAND REALISTIC TIME FRAMES.

A sleeve does not happen overnight. The artwork for it does not either. One of the common questions I hear is “how much for a sleeve?” without any explanation of subject matter, style, color, etc. Expect multiple sittings and no solid quote or promised end date for anything extensive. It's not a race.

Understand that even though you think you can sit for 12 hours straight, your tattoo artist will disagree, and more than likely, so will your body. 

9. PREPARE YOUR BODY

Now that you have found the perfect artist to meet your tattooing needs, you will need to provide them with a well prepared and healthy body to work on.

I cannot stress enough the importance of making sure your body is in tip-top shape before you plan to get tattooed. Be well rested, eat a good meal, be hydrated. If you are on medications, or have any chronic or acute conditions, talk to your doctor first. All of these factors can shape your experience, your comfort level, your stamina, your eventual healing, and therefore the quality of the tattoo you are getting. Hours of pain and persistent skin irritating can cause cause a lot of stress on the body. You should always make sure you are at 100% before you start!!

Be sober! Bad decisions come from not having a clear head, and the thinned blood of a drunk or hungover person can lead to patchy colors and rough healing. 

And for God's sake, sit still, focus on breathing steadily, and stop giggling with the friends you brought with you.
Needles + moving target = messy lines.

10. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS YOUR ARTIST GIVES YOU

Yes, you know that person that you picked based on sections 1-5 and now trust completely to give you a good tattoo? They know better than the internet, your best buddy, or that guy at work about how to heal your tattoo. Follow your aftercare instructions exactly. I have seen perfectly good tattoos walk out of shops and come back needing a good touch up because it was not properly cared for during healing. 

And yes, we can tell.

Bridget Punsalang

Needlewurks Tattoo Saratoga Springs, NY

www.bridgetpunsalang.com

new website!

www.bridgetpunsalang.com