9 Tips to Help Choose a Tattoo Artist for Your Best Ink Ever

Ask for Recommendations

Friends and loved ones with pieces you admire are the perfect place to start when searching for an artist. You'll want to know who the artist was, what they charged, and how your person's experience was. And because these are people you know, it's unlikely they'll be bothered by your questions.

Additionally, it can be helpful to ask when they got the piece. The artist may have moved on, how much the piece has or hasn't faded may have to do with the quality of the art, and the pricing given to you could be outdated.

Research Online and Social Media

Shop websites and social media profiles provide an in-depth look at their artists' work. "This is major, especially nowadays where everything is just a click away," says Titus. "Finding the right artist for you and spending a little time researching to better know what you want (or at least get a general sense) is very important."

Mitchell adds that, along with websites and social accounts, Google reviews can also be quite useful.

Review Portfolios

You might love a shop or an artist, but the work they've done before is key to ensuring that the work you want will be a fit. Spend some time looking through various portfolios to see which feels like the best fit for you. "Consider following that potential artist on social media and see how they work, their lifestyle, interests, and just overall vibe," Wedderburn recommends.

And don't feel limited to artists in your area. If you find an artist you love, but they're out of town or halfway around the world, "don't be discouraged. A lot of tattoo artists travel around the country and the world," says Wedderburn. "Maybe that artist will come to your city. By following them on Instagram, you will usually see if they are coming to a city near you."

While reviewing portfolios, pay attention to the details. "You also want to make sure their line work is clean with no blowouts (fuzzy lines), they can pack in solid color, and they're able to create smooth blends," says Mitchell.

Consider Specialties

No matter what style of tattoo you're looking for, there are bound to be artists who specialize in it—and style is vital to ensuring your work is well executed, as you don't want to request that an artist do work outside their scope. "If you want the best possible outcome for your tattoo, find an artist that specializes in that specific style that you're looking for," says Mitchell. "If they specialize in a style, that means they have put in years and years perfecting that style. More importantly, it means they have fun and enjoy working in that style as well. If the artist is having a good time, you will too."

That said, some artists can do custom work outside their usual domain. "Any good artist [can] make something custom for you," asserts Titus. "If you're getting tattooed by somebody reputable, they should definitely be able to create custom art and not be a copy machine."

Visit Tattoo Shops

Nothing beats an in-person visit to a tattoo shop to ensure you want to spend time there. "The last thing you want is to be trapped in a place or around people you don't feel comfortable with," says Mitchell. "Schedule a consultation. Then you get to visit the shop, see how they run things in person, and get a vibe from the staff and the artist."

Titus agrees. "Visiting a shop may help you find a place you're comfortable with and where you want to be; Having a great atmosphere and a place that you know you're comfortable is very important," he says. "I feel like within the first five minutes, you [can] definitely decide if the place is right for you."

Schedule Consultations

While once you had to take this step in person, it's often done virtually now. "Usually every artist has their requirements, including filling out a form online," says Wedderburn. Discussing your potential art with the artist will give you the best chance of getting exactly what you want. "A tattoo will always be a collaboration between you and your artist, and it's important that you and the artist communicate until you're both on the same page with the design," says Mitchell. "This may take some extra time up front but will help guarantee that you end up with a design you're stoked about."

Check Hygiene Practices

Tattoos are risky business for your body in the best circumstances, so the last thing you want is a shop that doesn't have perfect practices. Love tells us that a shop's hygiene is paramount; many factors go into the tattoo healing process, and you can lower your risk of complications by avoiding dirty shops. "Anyone... respectable in the industry [who] takes their craft seriously should be practicing great hygiene," says Titus, who notes that "when you walk into a shop, you'll know right away if it's clean or dirty."

Wedderburn says the basics of good hygiene include protective barriers on all working surfaces (including armrests, tattoo chairs, beds, and working trays) and brand-new needles, cartridges, and gloves.

Consider Pricing

Tattoos don't come cheap, and they shouldn't. You're paying someone to make permanent changes to your flesh, so you want them to [have experience] and work in a reputable shop. "Not all tattoos that cost a million dollars are going to be great, but you definitely want to find somebody that has a fixed hourly rate or a flat day rate," suggests Titus.

"Tattoos are expensive, so save up your money and get something amazing that you can wear on your body forever," recommends Mitchell. If the timing isn't right for you, consider pausing your plans. "If you're serious about getting this work done but not financially ready yet, it's always worth waiting for," Wedderburn says. Not choosing the right artist will cost you more later: "I personally [have] had people getting the tattoo for cheaper somewhere else and then asking me to cover it up," she notes.

Trust Your Instincts

Gut instincts are rarely wrong, and only you know what's best for you and your body. If something feels off to you at any point in the process, you can simply thank the artist for their time and move on. Before putting down any money for a deposit (which is a standard requirement when you're asking an artist to draw up work for you), check in with yourself to confirm that everything feels copacetic.