How do you politely tell the tattoo artist that you are not happy with your tattoo?

Question

I brought in a certain flower design after about a month of searching millions upon millions of photos for exactly what style of that flower I wanted.I knew what I wanted and where.It all just came down to the style of the flower I liked the most.It's usually a color tattoo but I found one that was black with absolutely amazing gray shading.The shading looked so good it didn't need color.The tattoo would look more subtle and classy.I wanted all the pedals to be exact. Like a stamp nothing realistic.With this tattoo I want the sybolism,with my other floral tattoos I want them to be realistic,beautiful, with color.I knew if I went with the shading the option of color would be out.The artist prefers color, and a more realistic look but she said she could do it. She did the shading totally different and way darker,and the pedals are not exact and precise like I wanted.The only way I feel I can fix it is with color,which I feel will look awful!Black shading with pink?AnyTatArtistsOpinions?

I got the tattoo because I wanted it, I liked it, I researched it, I thought a long time about it, I found the spot I wanted it. It means somethin to me!It isn't something I'm going to regret on my part..but the issue is the tattoo artist said yes they can do something a certain way and then it didn't work out. What can you do if you can't trust a tattoo artist that told you they CAN do it!? Especially with a transfer? It is a very very simple design, it was all about the shading..I think she wasn't in a good mood and it shows in my tattoo. So I would appreciate if you would stop saying that this is a good reason not to get a tattoo.This is, in my opinion, a good reason for tattoo artists to reschedule an appt if they aren't feeling good, or refer me to someone else if they don't have the skills. The question remains as how can I politely say that I don't like it. It is still a nice tattoo, minus one flower, it just isn't what I asked for. who wants black to pink cherry blossoms!

Answer 1

Firstly, stay calm for the time being. Talk with the tatoo artist and ask if how the tatoo will age. She may have made it darker knowing that there is a certain degree of fading over time. There also may be only a certain level of control she has over shading, given the inks and the processes that she is using.

As far as the petals not being precisely the right shape, there isn't much that can be done, but she may be able to put a background color in which hides the imperfections or put in some features to draw eyes away from the imperfections. If you are really lucky, she could put some ink in that "faded" the improper lines.

Don't go rushing off into more ink just yet. Let things settle in for a week or two. If you feel it will look awful putting in color, then you will never accept it properly.

Before you color it, have the artist paint it for you on your skin so that you can see what it will look like. Make sure you get the effect you want, and that the artist understands and can do it for you. A few dollars spent on a temporary drawing can save a lot of heartache in the long run.

Tattoos are something to approach carefully, with a lot of thought. There aren't a lot of "do overs" with them.

Incidentally, there are now supposed to be some tatoo inks which are made to decompose and fade out under some circumstances (the right chemicals, I suppose). These are or were under development for the cases where tatoo removal is desired.

Finally, this tattoo is probably there to stay. Get used to it, and accept it. Unless you are going to invest lots of money into removing it, it is permanent. Even after it has been removed, it will be apparent.

Answer 2

I take it this lady is your usual tattoo artist? Does she just work completely free-hand, not transfers onto your skin first? I know this wouldn't matter for the shading but it would for the shape of the petals. At the end of the day you know yourself that this is a permanant mistake and for all you can be unhappy with it there is no much you can do other than get it covered or 'bodged up'. If it was me i would speak to her and just ask her opinion, ask her does she think she's done a good job and is it like the picture you took in. If she has anything about her then she will offer to correct it for you, but this again is not really what you want. Fraid you are stuck with it unless you have it covered and opt for another tattoo artist to do it for you somewhere else x

Answer 3

I would go back to the place and speak with the manager of the shop. If it is her I would just tell her that you are not happy with what she did and you want her to recommend someone who could fix it. An artist that is capable in black ink work. Look around your area and talk to other artists. I had a tat that was done bad and the guy I go to fixed it up real nice. A skilled artist might be able to fix it for you. But go back to the woman and tell her how you feel. Doesn't matter if your nice...it's your body she screwed up...i would be pissed

Any black ink should be done by a skilled artist and you should ask to see their work before they ever touch you with a needle...hope this helps

Answer 4

If I didn't like it I'd return it for a refund.

Tell her you are disappointed in the way it turned out. I know very little about tatoos, but one thing I would check out before I had it done was the satisfaction guarantee. No guarantee - no business. Maybe it wasn't possible to match the color tones to your skin - I have heard of that happening. Thanks for another good reason not to have a tatoo done.

Answer 5

If she didn't do it as you had asked, go back and tell her to redo it the way you had asked for and at no cost. You are the one that has to look at it, so take whatever action you must to get it corrected. She should have done what you wanted to begin with. This is her fault and she should stand behind her work. Good luck.:)

Answer 6

Tats are permanent as you already know..
theres nothing you can do except make it look worse. You have to ask yourself, "Do I wanna do that?"

Good Luck

Answer 7

I don't know, but maybe find another artist, or just tell her what you want, it is yours.

Answer 8

HAVE THEIR TATTOO REMOVED, then go back to the artist that screwed up and have them do a new one for FREE!

Answer 9

Where the hell were looking? If i was getting something forever I would be watching What the hell they were doing.

Answer 10

slap um