The Tattoo Experience Matters Just as Much as the Tattoo Itself

When people think about getting a tattoo, most of their attention goes to the finished piece. They think about the design, the placement, the colors, and how it's going to look on their body. And while all of those things are important, there's something I think gets overlooked far too often. The experience of actually getting the tattoo. I've been tattooing for over 20 years, and one thing I've come to understand is that people don't just remember the tattoo they got. They remember how they felt while getting it. They remember whether they were comfortable, whether they felt heard, and whether they felt like they could speak up. They remember if the artist was patient with them or if they felt rushed into making decisions. And sometimes those memories stick around just as long as the tattoo itself. I think as tattoo artists, it's easy to forget what it's like to be on the other side of the needle. We spend so much time in tattoo shops that the environment becomes completely normal to us. But for someone walking into a shop, especially for the first time, it can be intimidating. Imagine walking into a place where nobody greets you. The music is loud, everyone seems busy, and you're not really sure where you're supposed to go or who you're supposed to talk to. Now imagine trying to tell someone in that environment that you don't like where they placed your stencil. A lot of people won't say anything. They don't want to be difficult. They don't want to annoy the artist. They don't want to feel like they're wasting someone's time. So they stay quiet. And that's a pretty big problem when we're talking about something that's going to be on your body for the rest of your life. One of the things I tell my clients is that I'd rather move your stencil ten times than have you spend the next ten years wishing you'd spoken up. I mean that. If something doesn't feel right, I want to know. If you want to change something about the design, I want you to tell me. If you need a break, I want you to feel comfortable asking for one. I don't expect my clients to know everything about tattoos. That's my job. Your job is to communicate what you want, and my job is to help you make decisions that you're going to be happy with. I think a good tattoo experience should feel like a collaboration. You're trusting someone with your body, and that trust should be treated with respect. Another thing I think is incredibly important is knowing what to expect before your appointment. You should have an idea of what your tattoo is going to cost, how long it's going to take, and what the process looks like. I personally like doing consultations before appointments because it gives us time to talk through everything. We can discuss your ideas, placement, expectations, and whether what you're wanting is actually going to work as a tattoo. It also gives you an opportunity to get to know me before committing to spending hours together. I prefer working with day rates because I don't want either of us feeling like we're racing against the clock. I want to be able to take my time, pay attention to the details, and make sure we're creating the best tattoo possible. I also only schedule one client a day. That's something I've become more intentional about over the years. I don't want to be thinking about the next person walking through the door while I'm working on you. I want to be present for the person sitting in my chair. Of course the quality of the tattoo matters. I'm an artist, and I care deeply about the work I put out into the world. But I don't think great artwork excuses a bad experience. You can get a beautiful tattoo from someone who makes you feel uncomfortable, dismisses your concerns, or treats you like you're an inconvenience. And every time you look at that tattoo, you might remember how you felt that day. On the other hand, imagine leaving an appointment feeling excited, confident, and genuinely happy with the entire experience. You felt comfortable asking questions. You knew what was happening. You had a say in the process. You weren't made to feel silly for being nervous or needing a break. And you walked away with a piece of art you love. That's what I want for my clients. I think the tattoo industry has changed a lot over the years, and in many ways, for the better. People have more options now. They can research artists, look through portfolios, read reviews, and find someone whose work and personality feel like a good fit. And I think that's a wonderful thing. You shouldn't have to settle for an uncomfortable experience just because someone is a talented artist. You deserve both. You deserve someone who takes their work seriously and treats you like a person, not just another appointment on the calendar. At the end of the day, my goal isn't just to give you a tattoo that you'll love looking at. I want you to look back on the day you got it and love that memory too. Because the tattoo might be the thing you take home, but the experience is part of what stays with you.