How to tell if a tattoo artist is good? Do excellent tattoo artists share common qualities that set them apart from the bad ones? This common question bothers people who want to experience having tattooed for the first time.
The question is reasonable and expected in the light of numerous horror stories about botched tattoo jobs posted online. However, there are ways and means to tell great tattoo artists from mediocre tattoo artists.
A tattoo is either a joy or pain forever. This means that getting it right is important. And one of the important things to think about is to know and understand the signs that excellent tattoo artists commonly share.
Practices the right health and safety procedures
Practicing the right health and safety procedures is the top trait commonly seen in top tattoo studios. Safety practices such as wearing disposable gloves, their use of disposable needles, ink caps, syringes, and more are second nature with good tattoo artists. An updated bloodborne pathogen certification is also prominently displayed in their spanking clean station. Showing all these traits assure their clients of their professional dedication to their art.
Refuse to tattoo intoxicated clients
Intoxication can often make people make a lot of bad decisions. One such bad decision is to have a tattoo while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. A good tattoo artist will always refuse to tattoo walk-in clients while stoned or drunk.
The linework is always consistent and solid
While experience and style are traits commonly seen in good tattoo artists, consistent and solid linework is their edge above the rest. An excellent tattoo artist will always show crisp linework regardless of the image and design selected by a client.
Wears disposable gloves during tattooing sessions
Good tattoo artists will never make the mistake of being gloveless during a tattooing session. A tattoo artist that foregoes the wearing of gloves during a session is a huge red flag. It shows that the artist is not taking accountability for the safety of his/her client.
Technically trained and experienced to pack saturated colour into a client’s skin
Being technically trained and experienced in packing saturated colour into a client’s skin is one of the top signs of an exceptional tattoo artist. Tattoos with patchy colours are likely to fade over time. The knowledge, experience, and training of using the proper methods of saturating colours into a client’s skin is the edge good tattoo artists have over their counterparts. The richly packed saturated colours indicate the expertise of a tattoo artist in this particular tattooing style.
Will never copy another work
Inspiration can be used by good tattoo artists but never copy the entire design of another artist. Duplicating the design is a practice that good tattoo artists will never do. While it’s not illegal to copy a tattoo, the ethics involved in this industry demands artists to refrain from plagiarising another artist’s work.
Long experience
Good tattoo artists start as novices in the industry. However, their patience and diligence over the years in learning their craft is the thing that makes them good.
Deciding to have a tattoo is a serious decision. The permanency of a tattoo means that it should be done right by the best tattoo artist.
