Tattoo Guides & Glossary
Plain-English answers to the questions that come up before, during, and after getting a tattoo. 30 explainers, written for people considering work for the first time and people who've been collecting for years.
Pricing
How Much Does a Tattoo Cost?
How Much Does a Tattoo Cost? The short answer: tattoo prices vary widely, but you can generally expe...
How Tattoo Deposits Work and Whether They Go Toward the Total
What Is a Tattoo Deposit? A tattoo deposit is a payment you make upfront to secure a spot on an arti...
How Much Should You Tip Your Tattoo Artist?
How Much Should You Tip Your Tattoo Artist? The straightforward answer is you should tip your tattoo...
Tattoo Pricing By Style: What Drives the Cost
Why Tattoo Style Impacts Price The cost of a tattoo varies a lot depending on the style because each...
Preparation
How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo
Pre-Appointment Routine The key to a smooth tattoo experience starts well before you sit in the chai...
What to Wear to a Tattoo Appointment
General Tips for Choosing Tattoo Appointment Clothing The most important thing when picking what to...
Questions to Ask in a Tattoo Consultation
What Tattoo Style Suits Me and the Artist? Start by asking the artist what styles they specialize in...
Tattoo Pain Chart by Placement
How Pain Varies by Tattoo Placement Tattoo pain depends a lot on where you get inked.
How Long Does a Tattoo Take?
How Long Does a Tattoo Session Usually Take? The length of a tattoo session depends mostly on the si...
Aftercare
Tattoo Aftercare: The Basics
Initial Cleaning and Bandaging Right after your tattoo session, your artist will usually cover the f...
The Stages of Tattoo Healing
Week 1: The Initial Healing Phase Right after you get your tattoo, the skin is essentially an open w...
When Can You Shower, Swim, and Work Out After a Tattoo?
When Can You Shower After Getting a Tattoo? You can shower pretty much right away after your tattoo...
When and Why Tattoos Need Touch-Ups
How Often Tattoos Need Touch-Ups Tattoos don’t always look exactly as you expect once they’re healed...
Styles Explained
What Is Irezumi? Japanese Traditional Tattoo Explained
What Is Irezumi? Irezumi is the traditional style of Japanese tattooing, known for its large-scale,...
What Is American Traditional Tattoo Style?
What Defines American Traditional Tattoo Style? American Traditional tattoo style is known for its b...
What Is Fine Line Tattooing?
What Is Fine Line Tattooing? Fine line tattooing is a style that uses a single needle or a very smal...
What Is Blackwork Tattooing?
What Is Blackwork Tattooing? Blackwork tattooing is a style defined by its exclusive use of solid bl...
What Is Microrealism Tattooing?
What Is Microrealism Tattooing? Microrealism tattooing is a style focused on creating tiny, photorea...
Realism vs Illustrative Tattooing: What's the Difference?
What Is Realism Tattooing? Realism tattoos aim to replicate photographs or real-life subjects as clo...
Black & Grey vs Blackwork: What's the Difference?
What’s the Main Difference Between Black & Grey and Blackwork? Black & Grey and Blackwork tattoos bo...
Choosing
How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist
Look for Consistency in Style The first step when choosing a tattoo artist is to focus on their styl...
How to Read a Tattoo Portfolio
Spotting Consistency Across a Portfolio The first thing you want to check when looking at a tattoo p...
What Makes a Good Tattoo Design?
Composition: Why It Matters A good tattoo design starts with solid composition. This means the eleme...
How to Pick the Right Tattoo Style for Your Idea
Match Your Tattoo Style to Your Subject The first thing to consider when picking a tattoo style is h...
Big Work
How to Plan a Tattoo Sleeve
Understanding Multi-Session Planning Planning a tattoo sleeve means committing to multiple sessions...
Half Sleeve vs Full Sleeve: How to Decide
Scope: What You’re Getting Inked A half sleeve usually covers the upper arm from the shoulder down t...
How Long Does a Full Sleeve Take to Complete?
How Long Does a Full Sleeve Take to Complete? A full sleeve tattoo usually takes between 15 and 30 h...