Why I don’t send tattoo designs before hand
As a tattoo artist, one of the most common questions I get is, “Can you send me the design ahead of time?” It’s a totally understandable request. Tattoos are permanent, deeply personal, and it makes sense that someone would want to see their design before it’s on their skin forever. But over the years, I’ve learned that sending out designs beforehand doesn’t actually make the process smoother. It often creates more confusion, pressure, and anxiety, both for me and the client.
Tattooing is a collaborative process, and I’ve found that the best conversations. The clearest, most aligned decisions, always happen in person. Trying to communicate small details, make changes, or explain visual ideas over text or email just doesn’t work well. Something gets lost in translation. What feels simple in a message often becomes complicated when it's time to draw or explain it. And when we’re face to face, I can read body language, hear tone, and have a real-time conversation that helps guide the design exactly where it needs to go.
There’s also the reality that when a client gets a design early and starts showing it to friends and family, the whole thing can get derailed. Everyone has opinions. People mean well,but too many voices can cloud a person’s confidence in what they originally wanted. Suddenly they’re questioning everything, not because they don’t like the design, but because their best friend said it could be “more bold” or their sister suggested a different style. I’ve seen beautiful, meaningful designs become unrecognizable just because someone wanted to please everyone. It’s a case of too many cooks in the kitchen, and it takes the focus off the client’s vision and onto what others think. I want your tattoo to reflect you, not what your group chat thinks looks cool.
Another part of this is that sending out designs in advance gives me anxiety. When I send something and get silence in return, my brain spirals. Did they hate it? Are they ghosting? Should I redo everything? Even if the client is just busy or waiting until the appointment to discuss it, the unknown eats away at me. Creating art for someone’s body is a vulnerable process, and I want it to feel grounded, not full of second guessing or energetic distance. When we handle everything in person, we skip that awkward limbo and move straight into connection and collaboration. You get to see the art, share your thoughts, and make changes right then and there. You’re never stuck with something you don’t love. There’s always room to tweak, adjust, and fine tune together.
This method might feel a little different, especially if you’ve worked with other artists who send designs early, but I promise it comes from a place of care. It’s not about control, it’s about creating a space where both of us can show up fully, creatively, and confidently. I want you to feel seen, heard, and excited about your tattoo. And I want to feel like I can bring my best work forward without spinning out in anxiety or watering down your design to please a panel of outside voices.
I get that trust is a big part of this. And if you’re coming to me, I hope it’s because you trust my style, my process, and my heart in this work. You’re never walking in blind. You’re walking in to collaborate to create something meaningful and beautiful, together. And that’s the part I love most.
