I've read that prior to getting a tattoo, you can test drive your design with an airbrushed version. Anyone?

Question

I am wondering who has done this, how you found the airbrush artist, how long it lasts, how close to your true tattoo design the airbrush can be, and what it costs. Also, was it a step you felt was useful? Thanks so much for any feedback!

I appreciate this feedback. To clarify, I'm not worried in any way about not being ready for a tattoo. I'm a grown adult and this is not an impulse choice. I am simply being thorough in my choice of placement and having patience with it. I have a custom design that I know I love and is extremely personally meaningful. I'm drawn to having it on my wrist and am interested in test-driving the piece to see how it goes in that spot because it is a highly visible area. I haven't found any designs close to what I'm going to get, so even though I love the idea, it would be tough to get a flash piece from Tattoo Johnny that would give me a real sense of what I'm going for. I could find something with the similar size dimensions, though. With an airbrush trial, I can experiment with it before it's inked in skin permanently. I love the idea of working out the kinks and details with a visual practice run before getting it permanently done. :D

Answer 1

I've never done so, but it is a good idea. the airbrush companies like Paasche make special inks for this purpose. The only thing is that an airbrush can't do fine lines like a needle can.

Answer 2

I think the airbrush thing is a good idea. You can tinker with placement, colors, and ease of concealment if you have a job that's going to require that of you. I'm not sure where you're located though so I can't really answer your question. But it's a good thought. I mean it's not like you're punking out on getting the tattoo, you're just making sure it goes right.

Answer 3

Most of us are not set up for this and really are not interested in it. It is too time consuming and the artists barely have time to do their tattooing. Free? Never. This is a business and time is money. Maybe some airbrush mall artists can help with a prelim. I like the art posting for several months idea, personally.

Answer 4

I took the advice of my brother who was doing tats at the time.....take your tattoo design, hang it up somewhere you'll see it everyday and keep it there for at least 4-6 months before you go get it done and if at the end of that time you can still stand to look at it, then go for it.

That's what I did with my first one and it worked out really well. I've taken less time to think about my others, except for my armband which took years to figure out exactly what I wanted. But pick it out, keep it around and look at it alot before you get it to see if you can stand to live with it for the rest of your life. That's my advice.

I've never met anyone that did the airbrush thing but if that's what you want to do, go for it. I stick with the easy and cheap way.

Answer 5

What I would reccomend is go to www.tattoojohnny.com. They have a tattoo test drive kit. Which they give you tattoo test paper, transfer paper and step by step instructions. You can pick a design and transfer it on your skin to see what it would look like. Hope this helps!!!!

Answer 6

some tattoo artists do this as well.. but you can go to the tatto shop and ask them to draw it on you first (this isnt permanent, costs nothing and lasts for a week)

Answer 7

I just draw it with pen. But I suppose that depends on if it's a part of your body you can reach.

Why not get a friend to draw it if you can't reach yourself, instead of spending all that money on it?

Answer 8

some people do airbush tats to last a few months. but if your going to do the airbush thing, you might not really be ready for a real tattoo.