r/tattooing

Hey there! Title says it all ☺️. Was okayed by my neurologist, she just said go somewhere reputable (😂) I have focal seizures and so far after brain surgery I usually only have them after extreme unexpected stress - I would be expecting this so I don’t necessarily think this counts? Was wondering if anyone had gotten tattoos after being diagnosed?

I know in theory I could take rescue meds prior - but a big tattoo no no is they will absolutely not tattoo you under the influence. This of course could be considered different if I spoke to the artist about it maybe? (which I would of course) but I had always been interested in getting one even before being diagnosed 13 years ago, now after 3 brain surgeries I am the most stable I have been.

Thanks everyone 🫶

So im worried that my tattoo is too expensive. Its a 4 inch spider lily on my hip. Okay. Well the artist is charging 225 for it. Which I thought was an okay price because every where else I had checked was up to 400 dollars. But my mom is freaking out and saying its too much. But the artist is really skilled in the style I want.

So isnt better to over pay for something but like it or to go the cheaper way but hate it? Cause i feel like its the first. Ny appointment is literally tomorrow.

I am getting a bit self conscious/not sure if I like how I’ve gone different styles with my legs/arms.

I’m curious what the community thinks.

Left Arm:
- micro realism/fine line
- two large pieces + 2 smaller pieces
- few appointments on the calendar to fill out more

Right arm:
- empty
- plan to fill out with fine line/MR patch sleeve or maybe do a full sleeve. Haven’t decided

Left leg:
- few small black & white traditional pieces, may color them in
- plan to fill out with same color scheme traditional

Right leg:
- almost full
- patchy sleeve - some big pieces, some smaller pieces
- traditional style, but not traditional coloring. I’ve called it “trippy traditional” from how it looks, but there’s probably a better name for it

I have used a bunch of different artists as I’ve moved around a lot

I’m working with a more regular artist now for my legs and I’m going to finalize some filler on my right leg and then get the same artist to do my whole left leg in classic traditional color.

I’m thinking about doing micro realism/fine line on both of my arms and try to have my lower extremities all traditional, while my upper extremities will be FL/MR

Would this look stupid? I’m getting self conscious and now I don’t think adding traditional to my arms would look good with my fine line/micro realism but would love some thoughts/input/constructive criticism

I love both styles, and I’ve thought it would be fun to wear sleeves and shorts to show off my traditional and vice versa with pants and short sleeves to show my newer styles but when wearing shorts and short sleeves, I almost feel stupid with my pieces contrasting each other. I almost feel even more stupid for letting this self consciousness impact me enough to post this too lmfao

Would love some feedback! Thanks folks

Tattooers/shop owners — how are things actually looking for you right now? Curious what other tattooers and shop owners are seeing lately, especially in the PNW, but interested in hearing from everywhere.
Not looking for the usual “tattooing is dead” vs. “I’m booked six months out” debate. More interested in what’s actually happening day to day.

Are you seeing:
Less/more walk-in traffic than a few years ago?
Clients booking less frequently?
More price-conscious clients?
More last-minute bookings and fewer long-term appointments?
Artists staying at shops longer, or more people moving toward private studios?
Shops having a harder time finding and keeping motivated tattooers?

And for the shops/artists that are doing well right now, what do you think is actually working?
Google? Instagram? Repeat clientele? Walk-ins? Events? Location? Reputation? Just years of building a client base?

I’ve been tattooing long enough to know the business constantly changes, but it feels like the way people find and choose tattooers is shifting again. Curious what everyone else is seeing from behind the counter and what you think the next year or two will look like.

Looking for recommendations or anyone who does tattoos in exchange for merchandise? If anyone knows anyone and can possibly include some
Pics of the art work that would be great!