What Should I expect when I Go To Get My First Tattoo?

Question

How much will it be,how bad does it hurt,things like that.

Answer 1

generally the price of a tattoo is based on how large the design is and how many colors it has. most places have a minimum, usually around $50 and in my experience you tip the tattoo artist afterwards.
as for the pain factor, again it depends. usually the more fatty the area the less pain. boney areas like the foot and ankle will hurt more. the one on my foot hurt pretty bad! also keep in mind that they can take a long time to complete depending on the detail. count on feeling exhausted afterwards, once your adrenaline wears off and you body untenses from the pain.
but my best advise is to make sure you get something meaningful and as minimally tacky as possible. remember you'll have this when your 80, so do you really want the tazmanian devil in a hula skirt on you forever? i can't tell you how often i'm out and about and see horrible permanant life decisions on someones calf!
wow, sorry that was so long, but . . . good luck! tattoos are awesome and watch out b/c they are addictive, despite the pain!

Answer 2

The price is going to vary depending on where you live, the size and design of the tattoo you have done, and the popularity of the artist carrying out the work (as an artist who's in demand can command higher fees for their time). Most places will have a minimum fee, andthen a pricing structure based around an hourly rate. Generally flash (the tattoo designs up on the walls in tattoo studios) are priced already, and they'll be able to quote you a price if you want a small-meduim piece based on a design you've brought with you. Larger work is more often priced by the hour (as it's more difficult for the artist to work out in advance how much time it will take them to do the work).

In terms 'how much it hurts', that also depends on a variety of factors - your personal pain threshold, and where you decide to place the tattoo. It's uncomfortable to get tattooed - and it can be very uncomfortable, depending on whereabouts you place your tattoo. Generally, bony areas are worse than fleshy places, and tender skin is worse than tougher skin. Having said that, I wouldn't let fear of temporary discomfort put me off getting a tattoo (which, after all, will be permanent) in the location I wanted it. The sensation is often described as a hot scratching feeling, a bit like a cat scratch, and most people find that it's nowhere near as bad as they anticipated, and they deal with it fine.

Hope this helps - have fun getting tattooed!

Answer 3

Price & such is something you'll have to talk to your artist about. Roughly speaking I've found that artists seem to do about 12 square inches (note: not a square foot) per hour, so multiply their price by the area/12" of the tat to find this out. Typical prices are $100/hour for good artists, and generally 1 hour minimum charge for work done.

It does hurt, but varies depending on location and your tolerance. Fleshy places tend to hurt less, and bony more, but if you're thin that might be harder to determine. I'm a redhead and supposed to have a low tolerance, but my current work isn't bothering me that much. Some parts near the mid-lower back are a little tricky, as is the spine, but then the arm is like "that's it?"

Also, after 5-15 minutes the endorphins kick in and the volume of the pain is turned down a lot. The endorphins also contribute to a slightly drunk effect after the tat is done, which might make driving interesting.

Make sure you eat as normal beforehand, avoid things like aspirin & such as they thin the blood and make bleeding more of an issue. I'd also avoid alcohol and caffeine, but that's personal preference.

Depending on where you get the tattoo, the bandage on it afterwards might make driving tricky. Having someone along, or picking you up afterwards, is good for moral support as well as helping with driving.

Answer 4

Well price will definitely vary depending on what you get, how big, the amount of detail, all that. Shop minimum at most parlors is $50-$60, so you'll spend at least that much for a small tattoo with little detail. My first one was $60, it's a small, green peace sign on my left hip.

As far as pain goes, that depends on where you get it and your pain tolerance. I have a relatively high tolerance for pain, so it didn't hurt me too much. The part that was worst was when it was near my bone, but it's nothing unbearable. It's mostly just annoying.

So there's my two cents worth. I'm getting my next tattoo tomorrow, yay! Just make sure wherever you go is sanitary, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Make sure they have an autoclave and use new needles, ink, and gloves! I hope you have fun with your first tattoo!

Answer 5

By looking at these answers I think you can see that pain varies depending on the person and their tolerance. It also depends on the place, boney parts will hurt more, fleshy parts less.
I got mine 5 years ago and from what I remember (on my lower back) it felt more like an annoying itch after the initial pain, once you get used to it its not so much painful as annoying.
It depends on the tat and the detailing, time it takes for them to determine the price. Generally they start at $50.
I suggest you go into the parlor before, show them what you want and where, ask for prices, make sure you feel comfortable with the artist and make sure they're sanitary. Any reputable place will take extra care to show you their sanitary procedures, cleaning and using a fresh needle, if you have any doubt... run.

Answer 6

the cost depends on what you want, where you want it, and how big your tattoo is. how bad it hurts depends on your pain tolerance. fatty places hurt less. my upper back felt like a cat scratching, then it got really annoying. i heard the "tramp stamp" or a tattoo on any boney places hurt. afterwards your newly tattoo-ed area will feel kind of like it`s burning (well mine did) i took care of it the way the my tattoo artist told me to, and 1 year later to this day i`m doing great with my tattoo !

Answer 7

it depends on how big and how detailed your design is as to how much it will cost and obviously where you get it done

it wont hurt aywhere near like you would expect its like 1 tenth the pain of a bee sting thats the best way i can think of describing the pain
its not bad at all really

Answer 8

It depends on who you go to for the cost but mine first tattoo was WOW..THere was pain but it was more burning than anything..like it felt like someone was pinching me..take a pain killer before you go...thats what I did with my other four tattoos...

Answer 9

It is a very annoying pain. Where you get it will determine the level of pain. Fatty places like your butt hurt less. The tramp stamp on your lower back will hurt the most.

Answer 10

no no no... its not painful AT ALL! it feels like a cat consistantly scratching you. and plus it depends on where u get it at.