Considering getting a tattoo for the 1st time - Advice/Assistance Needed!?

Question

I have been looking for a tattoo for the last 5years!!

Finally I've seen a design on tattoojohnny.com of a lovely shooting star... my back is the place where im thinking of getting it done!!

QUESTIONS!!!!
On the site, they say that i should pay for the outline/stencil, which is about £6, so that the tattoo artist i use gets the best image of the tattoo i want.... do you think this is necessary??!!
(its a black tattoo)

When going to the shop, which questions should i ask, or what should i look out for?! Ive been looking for years, and seen a really clean new but well established shop. Ive looked at their portfolio, but what am i looking for??!!

Any tips or advice.... xx

TattooJohnny.com is a site with 1000s of designs. I haven't seen any designs in the shop that i want to get the tattoo done from, and found this site that i like the shooting star design - but they charge for the stencil.... hope that makes better sense,

Answer 1

I myself have 5 tattoos and i can say that they do hurt to get put on you, so if you can't stand the site of blood, or if you can't stand the pain i would say don't do it. This is something that is going to stay on you for the rest of your life, so make sure it's what you really want. I would also never get one anywhere where anyone could see them. I work with the public so i don't have them on my hands or arms, only my back and my upper arms. But make sure he is licensed and ask to see some of his work, most artist have books of there work you can look at. good luck.

Answer 2

Just print a pic of the design you want and take it to the tattoo shop. The artist will make a stencil for the design free of charge. The stencil needs to be clean because it's the last thing touching your skin before someone pokes holes in you, so you want it done on the spot.
When you look at someone's portfolio, you're just looking at the style and quality of work. If you like the the style: good. If the tats look clean and crisp: good. Make sure the shop is clean and well lit, and you should be able to talk with the artist until you feel comfortable with the process. Tell them it's your first time and then no question will be dumb. Good luck!

Answer 3

Ive had many tattoo's you want to make sure the tattoo's in the portfolio are clear and unfaded. The colours must be bright and the blacks must be clear black (not a faded dark green)
Also check out if its a clean place and if possible ask people what they are like who have had tattooos there.


The stencil will be needed as this is placed on your body for an acurate tattoo.

Its great you have spent so long looking for a design as this has to be something you really love. Ive had many and love all of mine. All when you have the stencil hold it up to the place you want it as this will save time when in the shop when they ask you where you want it placed.

Its your own body, decorate it how you want it decorated!

Answer 4

when looking on tattoo sites for designs, they all charge for them if u want to print it out perfectly.. any GOOD tattoo artist can take the non perfect copy and get the design. most times it will say "sample" in the middle of the picture. if the tattoo artist cannot do the pic with that, then you know to go to a diff artist!! keep in mind that almost all tattoo artists can free hand pictures almost perfectly, so u know if they cant, i wouldnt trust them. when going to a tattoo shop, i would make sure that it looks clean,they use new needles and you feel comfortable in there. also the best thing, is ask friends who have tattoos .. see where they reccomend. it is something perminant, so u want to make sure you are getting the best person to do the art.
i have many tattoos, and the sholder/back area is the best area to get one, doesnt hurt at all!
good luck!

Answer 5

I think you are wise to be asking such questions.

I had mine done about 7 years ago - I didn't have to pay anything extra for the tracing/stencil but things might have changed since then.
I also didn't think to ask any questions about the shop. I think go with your gut instinct - you say the place looks clean and is well established - this is probably good enough I would think. However, if possible it might be a good idea to find someone who has had a tattoo done there too and see if they can advise you. Good luck, I hope it comes out how you want it!

Answer 6

I had two tattoos done when I was 18 and I loved them at the time but now i'm 35 I really wish I hadn't! My advice is firstly:

Get as tatoo you can live with when you're 70!
Get it done somewhere on your body where you can hide it if need be ( like the base of your spine for eg.)
Check the tattoo parlour is licensed and has a health and safety certificate.
Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have.

Are you sure about this? you can get some really good fake tatoos off the net these days....:)

Answer 7

either buy the stencil, print it, or for a more personal tattoo draw it yourself.
if you have seen a shop that you think is ok, it probably is. go in beforehand and meet the artists, you will get an idea of how friendly they are, and how proffessional. the portfolio shows you how good their work is so its a good idea that you looked at it already.
just make sure they have all the relevent health and safety certificates and that you are comfortable in there.
i have 3 tats, the last one was on my back, and i'm sorry to say, it was agony! i dont know why as my others were fine. but its definately worth it, i love it!
good luck, and enjoy your new tat!

Answer 8

a shootingh star is real nice. If u have a printer, print that pic out and take it to the shop and tell the artist thats what u want. some tattoo places will accept that you brought in ur own tat. my hubby done that, hes an artist. also tell them what colors you want, when u bring in the picture, tell them how big u want it(or u can make the pic the size u want it and print it out that size)i think i would find another tattoo artist from the one u found and go to one that will just do it for you w/ no problem. good luck girl

Answer 9

I have used tattoojohnny.com before to buy a stencil (it was for my mother) only after pouring over dozens and dozens of pages of google images to make sure that I couldn't find it for free! The tattoo artist really appreciated the stencil - he knew exactly what she wanted to get.

I prefer getting things hand drawn - the peony I got on my back last night was a completely custom drawing.

Make sure that you communicate any questions you have to the artist - that's what they are there for, anyway. If they don't want to answer a question, or you just get a bad vibe from them - turn and leave.

Answer 10

No way should you have to pay for a stencil..outline, as for getting a tattoo, you,ve godda be 100% sure its what u want, but if you really do then go for it, i have my 2 childrens names on the back of my shoulder, i love it as they will be with me always & forever even when i,m gone, but no way do you have to pay extra for a stencil, and be very picky where you go for one done, check all tattooists out first, good luck hun xx