Finding a good tattoo artist isn’t something you wanna half-ass. This is ink going on you forever, right?
Screw it up with some hack, and you’re stuck with a blurry mess or worse.
A solid artist makes it worth the cash and the sting. So yeah, it takes some legwork, but it beats regretting it later.
Start With Word of Mouth
Easiest way to kick this off? Ask people you know.
Friends, coworkers, that dude at the gym with a sick sleeve – anyone with ink they’re proud of.
They’ll usually spill who did it and if they’d go back. People love bragging about good work.
Just make sure their taste lines up with yours. A buddy’s dope tribal guy might not nail the watercolor vibe you want.
Check the Gram
Social media’s gold for this. Instagram’s where artists show off.
Search hashtags like #tattooartist or #yourcitytattoos, see who pops up.
Scroll their feed. Look at the lines, the colors, how it heals. Fresh tattoos are one thing, but healed ones tell you if they’ve got staying power.
Follow a few, get a feel for their style. It’s like stalking, but for a good cause.
Google’s Your Friend
Don’t sleep on a basic search. “Tattoo artists near me” or “best tattoo shops in [your town]” works.
You’ll get shop sites, reviews, maybe some artist bios.
Dig into the reviews hard though. One-star rants might be BS, but if there’s a pattern – bad vibes, sloppy work – steer clear.
Five stars with pics? That’s a green light to check out.
Hit Up Shop Websites
Once you’ve got some names, peek at their websites.
Good shops list their artists, usually with portfolios.
See who’s doing what you like – black and gray, realism, funky cartoon stuff.
Some even post rates or booking info. Helps you narrow it down before you step in.
Visit the Shop
Nothing beats seeing it live. Walk into a few spots.
Clean? Smell weird? Artists chilling or sketching?
Vibe matters. A grimy place with rude staff’s a nope, even if the work’s decent.
Chat with whoever’s there. Ask about their process, who’s free. You’ll feel it if it’s right.
Portfolio’s Everything
The work’s what counts. Look at their stuff – online, in the shop, wherever.
Sharp lines? Colors pop? Details hold up?
Bring your idea and see if their style fits. A badass skull guy might suck at soft florals.
Healed pics are key too. Fresh ink hides flaws, but a year-old tat shows the truth.
Talk Style Match
Every artist’s got their thing. Some crush bold outlines, others fade into shading like pros.
You want someone who gets your vision.
Love minimal stuff? Don’t pick the heavy realism dude. Into bright colors? Skip the blackwork specialist.
Flip through their art, ask what they love doing. If it clicks, you’re golden.
Experience Counts (Sorta)
Years in the game can mean skill, but not always.
A 20-year vet might be a legend or just coasting.
Newbies can be hungry and sharp, but risky if they’re still shaky.
Check their work more than their resume. A rookie with a killer portfolio beats a lazy old-timer any day.
Ask About the Process
Good artists talk you through it. How they sketch, how long, what’s the setup.
Hit them with questions: “How do you handle custom stuff?” “What ink you use?”
If they dodge or act annoyed, that’s a flag.
Pros explain without making you feel dumb. Shows they care.
Cleanliness Is Non-Negotiable
This ain’t optional. Needles, gloves, sterile gear – it’s gotta be spotless.
Walk in and watch. They wrapping stuff? Got an autoclave humming?
Ask about their health standards. A legit artist won’t blink, they’ll show off their setup.
Dirty shop’s a hard pass, no matter how good the art.
Read the Room
How they treat you matters. Friendly? Patient?
Some artists act like you’re lucky they’re even talking to you. Screw that.
You’re paying, it’s your skin. A good one listens, tosses ideas, doesn’t rush you out.
Bad attitude’s a sign they might half-ass the job too.
Price vs Quality
Cheap’s tempting, but risky. 50 bucks sounds sweet til you’re fixing a jacked-up tattoo later.
Good artists charge what they’re worth – 100, 150 an hour, sometimes more.
Doesn’t mean blow your rent, just don’t skimp so hard you regret it.
Ask upfront what they run. No surprises that way.
Look at Reviews
Yelp, Google, whatever – reviews spill the tea.
Happy clients rave about clean lines, chill vibes. Pissed ones call out fades, infections, attitude.
Sift through the noise. One cranky review’s whatever, but a dozen saying “sloppy” or “rude”? Run.
Pics with reviews are clutch too, proof in the pudding.
Drop In for a Consult
Most spots do free consults. Use it.
Bring your idea, see what they say. Do they sketch something quick? Get your vibe?
It’s a test run. If they’re off or pushy, you’re not locked in.
Good ones make you feel stoked, not pressured.
Trust Your Gut
Sometimes it’s just a feeling. Artist A’s portfolio slaps, but B’s energy clicks better.
Go with what sits right. You’re stuck with the tat, not them, but they’re the one making it happen.
If you’re vibing and their work’s solid, that’s the sweet spot.
Local vs Travel
Stick close or chase a name? Local’s easy – pop in, book, done.
But if someone two hours away’s killing your dream style, might be worth the drive.
Big cities got more options, small towns might limit you.
Weigh the hassle. A road trip for a legend beats settling for meh nearby.
Ask the Right Questions
Hit them with specifics. “How long you think this’ll take?” “Can you tweak this part?”
See how they roll. Confident answers, not vague shrugs.
“What’s your fave thing to tattoo?” tells you if they’re into your idea.
Pros light up talking shop, hacks just grunt.
Check Availability
Good ones book out. Weeks, months even.
Sign of demand, but can suck if you’re impatient.
Ask when they’re free, how to lock it in. Some take deposits, heads-up on that.
If they’re wide open, might mean no one’s biting – red flag.
How People Find ‘Em
Folks do it all ways. Some stalk Insta til they’re obsessed, others walk into the nearest shop blind.
Buddy of mine asked his barber, scored a gem. Another guy Googled til he hit gold.
Mix it up – ask, scroll, visit. Cast a wide net, then reel in the keeper.
Don’t Rush It
Take your time. Rushing lands you with the first dude who’s free, not the right one.
Weeks of hunting beats years of “damn, should’ve waited.”
It’s your first or your tenth, doesn’t matter – good art’s worth the wait.
You’ll Know When You Find Them
So how do you land the one? Dig through portfolios, talk to people, scope shops.
It’s work, but when you see their stuff and feel the vibe, it clicks.
Clean, skilled, gets you – that’s the trifecta.
Nail this, and your tattoo’s set to slay, not slay you. Go hunt.
