Do you have any tips on deciding what tattoo to get?

Question

I plan on getting a tattoo soon (on my forearm, I think) but I'm having trouble deciding what to get. I've already decided not to get any tats of characters from movies, books, etc and I've thrown out the idea of Chinese letters. I think I'm going to try to go for something that describes me, but at this point I'm at a loss for what that would be.

I'm going to continue thinking about what tat would suit me. While I'm at it, can anyone help me out some suggestions on how to figure this out? To all you tattoed guys and girls out there, how did you decide would tat to get?

Answer 1

try somethjing that is orignal, and relates to something important in your life or somebody important....getting an artistic friend to draw some things is not a bad idea either

Answer 2

Well, not to sound mean, but if you are trying to find something that describes you but are lost, maybe you should have some alone time and do a bit of digging inside your brain and heart. I get my ideas from general art, and my heart and emotions. My tattoos could never be meaningless and I could never just put any old image onto my body.

As wise and wise-assed as some people may be here, you know yourself better than anyone else. And some people won't be helpful at all. You can browse the web for pictures to use as inspiration, but it might not be the help you are looking for.

So ask yourself questions, any questions. What is important to me? What drives me? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What represents my journey through life? Don't write the answers, draw them. Take things you see and things you feel and turn them into images you like. And even if you aren't good at drawing a good custom tattoo artist will be able to help you in that department.

All I do know is take your time. You have plenty of time to get the perfect tattoo and there is no need to rush into this type of commitment. Good luck.

Answer 3

The biggest mistake I think you can make with tattoo's is getting something from a book or something unorignal. I agree with you in that a tattoo should represent and describe you. In my opinion, if you don't know what to get as a tattoo then you shoudln't get one at all. So, I'm glad to hear you are taking the time to think about what you want.

When my boyfriend was in the process of designing his tattoo, he also wanted to reprsent himself in an original way. He spent time brainstorming characeristics of himself and visual representations. For example, he is a very loyal individual and very much a team player. However, he is often misjudged by others. He realized that he was very much like a wolf in that sense, and so he incorporated the face of a wolf into his tattoo. I think writing down some of the things about yourself that mean enough to you to have permanently on your body will help. Then, visualize. When it comes to you,then go ahead and get the tattoo. But please please please don't rush to get one.

There is nothing more stupid and unattractive then getting a butterfly, or a fairy from a generic tattoo book. Also, and this is just my opinion, I find tattoos with lots of colour and coloured in don't look as natural and beautiful as those outlined in 1 colour or more simple. They seem more a part of your body than a sticker pasted on.

Answer 4

Most likely he will not be expecting a tip until it is completed. But feel free to tip after each session. I, as a shop owner, do not accept tips personally. But my artists that work out of my shops do indeed accept and actually expect tips. As a shop owner all the money for the tattoo comes to me anyway so I do expect tips. I appreciate it when they are offered but I kindly refuse. Unless it is in the form of beer, bourbon or a nice cigar.

Answer 5

With me, there was just something about me that said so much about who I was on the inside that it should leave a physical mark on the outside. That's why I selected the tattoo I did. WIth all of your questions, I almost think you should have a question mark tattoo. :) I wonder if maybe you're not just wanting to get a tattoo for the sake of having a tattoo, though. My suggestion would be to think about this VERY CAREFULLY. What are your beliefs, hobbies, and interests? I"d research images of those, and maybe ask some local tattoo artists if they can think of anything that would suit those beliefs, hobbies, or interests. If you have trouble thinking of what you want to get, t hen maybe you do not want a tat as much as you think you do.

Answer 6

You really need to do some soul searching and look deep into yourself to see who you really are, because lets face it; a tattoo is a reflection of who we really are.

I am doing some soul searching myself for my 3rd tat and I feel for you, its tough! I like to get something unusual but not freaky. Forget about all the fads like Chinese writing. I think I am going to get a phrase that has deep meaning for me writing in Sanskrit or Egyptian Hieratic (one of the oldest forms of cursive writing in the world). The only problem is that I had to pay to have it translated b/c it is so ancient. But I know that I will not run into JoBlo on the street that has the same thing and maybe nothing like it at all!

This is just my story, but that is part of getting a tattoo. It is not just the action of it but its all about the journey of how you got to that point!

Good Luck!

Answer 7

I posted a similar response to the previous question, so I won't repeat that bit. I will say that I also prefer images - worth a thousand words, and their meaning isn't as locked in stone.

It can take a while to come up with a good idea. You certainly want to be comfortable with whatever you get, but being just comfortable isn't enough imho. The balance between foot dragging and rushing was hard for me to strike and I took a long time to choose. In the end I went for multiple meanings in my work.

Answer 8

One idea is to do a search on the meaning of your name...if it means something that would look cool as an image...that might be a good one...I don't know just a thought. I have two tattoos and I had no idea what I wanted when I went in for both of them. I just figured once I got there, something would stick out to me and it did. I have had them both for almost 10 years and I still love both of them!! Have fun :)

Answer 9

it kindof just came to me! especially my newest one. just think about yourself and what you think of when you think of your personality and life. for the past couple of hours i have been writing down things that i want to get tattooed. specific ideas or just general ones and it is very fun and interesting to see what i have been coming up with. you could also browse thru http://www.ratemyink.com and see if there is anything there that inspires you. not something to copy but just a starting point to finding your own tattoo.

the most important thing you can do is pick a talented artist to do your tattoo. don't just go to the first person who you come to. check out portfolios and make sure the person is good enough to work on you.

Answer 10

I got my tattoo 11 years ago & it's an image I had wanted on my body for 7+ years before I got it. My advice is that if it's not something you've longed to have on you body for years, don't do it yet. I have never regreted my decision, but my friends that have, decided on it too quickly. But, that being said, think of things that are important to you-religion, certian people, values, traditions, images that make you feel closer to god/humanity/nature. good luck

Answer 11

the tats i'm planning to get are all in honor of my children. for my first daughter, who passed away, i'm getting a cherub sleeping on a cloud with her name underneath. for my second daughter, i'm getting a faerie holding a daffodil, because daffodil is my nickname for her, and i've also always loved faeries. i'll be getting something else for my step daughter, but not sure on what yet. moral of the story, the tattoos you put on your body should be a reflection of what's important to you.