How to prepare for your custom tattoo
When looking for inspiration for your next tattoo, you are likely to find plenty of AI created designs. AI can quickly showcase a client's idea as a tattoo design. Allowing for easy manipulation to change the composition, subject matter, or refine certain details, helping figure out exactly what is desired. While it looks appealing to have a highly detailed tattoo, it is important to consider how that level of detail or overly refined quality will translate into a tattoo. Without the artist's collaboration and input, clients may not understand why AI generated designs are unrealistic about what is safely and effectively tattooable. This is where an artist’s expertise and experience is the most useful tool in creating a design that will last.
These are our best recommendations for preparing for your next custom tattoo:
research YOUR TATTOO
Research common tattoo styles to find a style that can further inspire your tattoo. Common styles include:
Blackwork
Fineline
Realism
Traditional
Illustrative
Tribal
Neo traditional
There are many different tattoo styles to explore. They can be uniquely modified to each artist's signature style. Learning which tattoo style(s) you like can make looking for an artist whose work connects with you much easier. Use search engines and social media to find artists who specialize in a certain tattoo style or subject matter. Word of mouth from friends and family can also be a helpful tool to find an artist whose work you may like.
If you have an idea of what you want, but are unsure of who you would like to work with, it’s best to contact a studio with your idea and ask for suggestions of artists at that studio who would best compliment the idea.
SOurce for REFERENCE images
Before reaching out to an artist to schedule an appointment, find several reference images to share with them. This can include photos of tattoos, drawings, pictures, or a hand drawn draft. No matter your drawing skills. This will help translate the custom concept you have in your head to the artist.
Looking on Pinterest, Google Images, social media, or through books can be an easy way to find inspiration. Sharing pieces from an artist’s portfolio is also a helpful way to communicate your idea. There’s no need to have a fully fleshed out idea. Finding examples will help better shape your concept and help your artist feel confident in designing a tattoo tailored specifically to you.
Collaborate with An artist
When in doubt, work with your artist. Schedule a consultation and talk through your ideas in person. Provide them with as much information as possible about what you would like. Ask questions about the process when you’re feeling unsure. Take time to think about what edits you want in the design and feel confident sharing feedback about what you want to change.
In collaboration with you, the artist makes edits and shares recommendations, while taking in your feedback on how you would like it to look. Your artist will consider what you want and how the tattoo will best fit the area on your body, the size, and how their style will work best for you.
For example - tattoos on fingers, wrists, or ribs, may need to be simplified or scaled back. AI designs may make designs in these areas look appealing with the level of intricacies, but an experienced artist will understand that tattooing overly detailed designs in those areas are likely to heal poorly and blend together.
Be open to an artist recommendations
If you have chosen a certain tattoo artist, you are doing so because of the skills that they possess and not just their ability to copy and paste a design. A skilled tattoo artist will take an idea and completely transform it into their own. They will be able to take your references as inspiration, while creating something new. If they rearrange the layout, or add more contrast in the shading, they aren't trying to ignore what you want, but to create the best version of your tattoo. Without this practiced experience, a well designed image won’t translate into a well done tattoo.
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Each client’s skin is different and will process ink differently. Each design is handled differently to translate a unique concept into a custom tattoo. A tattoo artist is trained to understand body anatomy, which techniques work best, and how to make the best tattooing experience for their clients. This is what makes the tattoo process special: clients collaborating with artists who know how to find a blend between unique, detail oriented work and a tattoo that heals just as nicely for each client.
At Ultrashade Tattoos, our artists specialize in a variety of styles including fine line, black and grey realism, microrealism, illustrative, ornamental, and custom tattoo work. When you are inspired to book your next tattoo appointment, fill out our ‘Request Form’ to submit a booking request with an artist at our studio!
