A tattoo is much more than just another body adornment. Unlike jewelry and clothing, a tattoo is a permanent expression of your individuality and your style. Choosing the right tattoo is essential, since you will be living with that decision for the rest of your life. The process of having a bad tattoo removed is very time consuming, and very expensive. It is much better to shop around carefully and choose the best tattoo artist the first time around.

The choice of a tattoo artist should not be a spontaneous one, and it certainly should not be influenced by alcohol. The image of the drunken sailor stumbling into the tattoo parlor is a clich?, but there is truth in every clich?. Spontaneous spur of the moment decisions are rarely good ones, and with something as permanent as a tattoo, it is important to use lots of care and planning.

Probably the best way to choose a reputable and talented tattoo artist is to ask around. The most valuable advertising any tattoo artist can get is the word of mouth variety, and the best tattoo artists are widely known and respected in their communities. If you know someone who has a tattoo you admire, do not be afraid to ask for the name of the artist. Likewise, if you know someone with a bad tattoo, you may want to ask who did it as well (just don’t tell the person why you are asking).

Hopefully step number one will have yielded you some great results, and the names of a couple of potential tattoo artists. If so, be sure to visit their shops and evaluate their talent for yourself. If you did not get any names, you may have to resort to the telephone book to find some tattoo artists in your area. Start by visiting those shops and evaluating the level of cleanliness and professionalism. While a tattoo parlor is not likely to resemble a doctor’s office, it should be neat and tidy.

It is also a good idea to have a look at the tattoo artist’s portfolio. Tattoo artists are understandably proud of their work, and they are anxious to show it off. All experienced tattoo artists keep a detailed portfolio of work they have done, and it is important for all prospective customers to review this portfolio and gauge the talent of the artist.

Reviewing the portfolio of the tattoo artist is even more important if you plan to have a custom tattoo done, one that requires good freehand skills on the part of the artist. Not all tattoo artists are equally skillful at doing freehand work, and it is important to be sure the artist you choose is up to the task.

It is also very important to assess the safety and cleanliness of any tattoo parlor you visit. Safety and sterilization techniques are very important when it comes to tattoos, as bad hygiene can spread blood borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis. It is absolutely vital that the tattoo artist uses only disposable needles, and that all the tattoo equipment is sterilized after every tattoo.

Looking around the studio can tell you a lot about the hygiene of the tattoo artist and the tattoo studio alike. While the studio need not be pristine, it should not appear dirty or unkempt. Likewise, the tattoo artist himself should present a neat and clean appearance. The bottom line is this - if you are uneasy about the tattoo artist or tattoo studio, or if you are unsure of the hygiene practiced there, find another studio.

tips how to choose a tattoo artist