Guide To Getting A Good
Tattoo
The Law - Finding
The Right Tattooist -
Finding Designs - Keeping
Tattooist Happy - Before You
Get Your Tattoo - During
Tattoo - After
Tattoo - Tattoo
Faux Pas - Tattoo
Urban Legends
The Law
Prohibition of
tattooing of minors: It shall be
an offence to tattoo a person under the age of eighteen
except when the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly
qualified medical practitioner or by a person working under his direction, but
it shall be a defence for a person charged to show that at the time the tattoo
was performed he had reasonable cause to believe that the person tattooed was of
or over the age of eighteen and did in fact so believe.
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 CHAPTER 30 Part
VIII Section 15: Tattooing,
ear-piercing and electrolysis.(1) A person shall
not in any area in which this section is in force
carry on the business—(a)of
tattooing;(b)of ear-piercing;
or(c)of electrolysis, unless he is registered by
the local authority for the area
under this section.(2)A person shall only carry on a business mentioned in
subsection (1) above in any area in
which this section is in force in premises registered under this section for the
carrying on of that business; but a person who carries on the business of
tattooing, ear-piercing or electrolysis and is registered under this section as
carrying on that business does not contravene this subsection merely because he
sometimes visits people at their request to tattoo them or, as the case may be,
to pierce their ears or give them electrolysis.(3)Subject to section 16(8)(b)
below, on application for registration under this section a local authority
shall register the applicant and the premises where he desires to carry on his
business and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of registration.(4)An
application for registration under this section shall be accompanied by such
particulars as the local authority may reasonably require.(5)The particulars
that the local authority may require include, without prejudice to the
generality of subsection (4) above,—(a)particulars as to the premises where the
applicant desires to carry on his business; and(b)particulars of any conviction
of the applicant under section 16 below,but do not include information about
individual people whom the applicant has tattooed or given electrolysis or whose
ears he has pierced.(6)A local authority may charge such reasonable fees as they
may determine for registration under this section.(7)A
local authority may
make byelaws for the purposes
of securing—(a)the cleanliness of premises
registered under this section and fittings in such premises;(b)the
cleanliness of persons so registered and
persons assisting persons so
registered in the business in respect of which they are registered;(c)the
cleansing and, so far as is appropriate, the
sterilisation of instruments, materials and equipment used
in connection with a business in respect of which a person is registered under
this section.(8)Nothing in this section shall extend to the carrying on of a
business such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above by or under the
supervision of a person who is registered as a medical practitioner or to
premises on which any such business is carried on by or under the supervision of
such a person.
Going to someone who is not registered with their local health
authority is running the risk of serious damage to your health and your skin. It
is often the case that unregistered people do not have access to the correct
sterilisation equipment. Registered tattooists will have their licences
available for viewing on request (or displayed in the studio). Just because
someone works in a Tattoo Studio does not mean they are registered.
Finding
The Right Tattooist
You
should research your choice of Tattooist carefully. Check out as many Tattooists
as possible, don't just go for the first one you see. A Professional Tattooist
will work from a health registered, purpose built studio (not a kitchen at home)
with a clearly displayed portfolio of their work. A registered studio will
display their licence on the wall (often in the actual studio as opposed to the
waiting room), few Tattooists will mind you wanting to see it or asking some
basic questions about the sterility of the studio. Nearly all Tattoo Studios
have websites now, which helps with getting a feel for how professional a studio
is.
Finding
Designs
Most studios carry a large range of pre-designed Flash (Tattoo design sheets)
although not all studios will copy from it, some studios use it as a guide to
what can be done. To get the best design possible it helps if you research the
possibilities before you approach a Tattooist with your idea. Use the internet
(or library) and do as much research as time allows. A good starting point is a
search engine (such as Google Images) or you can use the handy links on our
Links Page. Take in anything you find that helps you explain your idea
clearly and concisely. A word of caution: Although photos of actual tattoos may
help you lay out your idea to a Tattooist, be wary of any Tattooist that intends
to just copy straight from a photo of an existing tattoo (see
Tattoo Faux Pas). It's also worth
mentioning good quality printouts, a bad pixelated picture isn't going to help
if the detail is important, and keep a note of the name of any fonts you print
out! There’s no such thing as bringing too much information and anything that
isn’t useful will be handed back.
Keeping
A Tattooist Happy
It
should go without saying that for the best results it's important to keep your
Tattooist happy! If you've put in the effort to find the best Tattooist for you
then you should trust their judgement and advice. This means that you
shouldn't argue with the advice or price they give you; you shouldn't let them
push you into something you are not comfortable with but if a Tattooist tells
you that your idea needs to be done bigger then they tend not to be willing to
do it smaller (and so on); discussing other possibilities is acceptable but
trying to argue with their advice will only annoy them! See
Tattoo Faux Pas for more on
"keeping your Tattooist happy".
Before You
Get Your Tattoo
Make sure that you are prepared for the Tattoo session. It sounds simple but
it's amazing how many people forget the basics. If you've made an appointment
and have been given an information leaflet READ IT! Do not consume alcohol the
night before a tattoo. Try and avoid being heavily tanned in the area you want
tattooed; when your tan fades so can your tattoo! Cleanliness is next to
Godliness..... do not turn up covered in dirt or in week old work clothes! It's
a good idea if the clothing you wear allows for easy access to the area you'll
be getting tattooed and you don’t mind getting ink on them (white clothing is a
BAD idea). Make sure you turn up for your appointment early (normally 10-15
minutes is a good time). Take a bottled drink in with you (normally bottled
water is best because it won't explode when you open it!). Declare any medical
problems/ medications BEFORE you sit down to be tattooed. Do not turn up for a
tattoo without having the cash to pay for the tattoo, most studios don't have
card payment facilities and don't rely on someone who's planning to bring you
money whilst you're in the studio.
During
Tattoo
The
most important thing? Don't move without warning the Tattooist! Listen carefully
to what the Tattooist tells you and communicate clearly with them. If you feel
uncomfortable let them know. Most Tattooists have the memory of getting tattooed
themselves and will be sympathetic if you need to adjust your position or want
to take a 5 minute break. Some Tattooists will work in stony silence whilst
others will talk the hind legs off a donkey; if your Tattooist isn't willing to
talk don't try and get a conversation started, if your Tattooist is talking and
you don't feel like talking back let them know (politely if you can!). Turn your
phone off; it’s annoying to stop tattooing for you to answer, it can make you
jump when it rings and you can’t help but move about if you try and text.
After
Tattoo
There is only one piece of advice about how to look after your tattoo after it
has been done: Follow the information that your Tattoo Studio provides,
don't listen to friends advice until the tattoo is fully healed! If you have a
problem with your tattoo let the studio know as soon as possible and arrange to
see them about it..... if you haven't followed the aftercare advice to the
letter be honest about it.
Tattoo
Faux Pas
Certain things will get you into deep water with most Tattooists, some things
will lead to you making yourself or the Tattooist uncomfortable...... there are
even things that may well see you slung out of a studio. Some things are just
common sense; so be aware not to do anything stupid or "against the rules".
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Do not
expect or accept to have a tattoo copied from a photograph of an existing
tattoo. "Ripping off" another Tattooist's work intentionally is one of the
biggest sins a Tattooist can commit against another.
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Do not
try to haggle if you're given a price (or a price range). Don't expect a
Tattooist to be overly happy at you insulting how much their work is worth. You
wouldn't want a Tattooist to cut corners with your tattoo so in return you
shouldn't attempt to drive a bargain with them.
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If
you're told that something needs to be changed in a design then it's generally
for good reason and to your benefit. Putting your point of view across is
acceptable, being argumentative and difficult isn't.
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Generally Tattooists don't double-up as Psychics. You need to explain yourself
clearly during the design process so as not to end up wasting time that could be
better spent actually tattooing! Even the most basic of sketches can illustrate
a point you want to make. If a Tattooist doesn't "read your mind" it's rarely
their fault.
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Most
professional Tattooists run an appointment system. Sometimes it's not possible
to fit you in straight away. Be ready to make an appointment, if need be. Nearly
all studios will require a substantial deposit.
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A friend is generally welcome to come with you but it's up to
the Tattooist if they can sit with you during the tattoo.
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Some Tattooists work differently than others. Insinuating their
way is wrong because you've seen it done differently isn't going to win you any
friends.
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As above: quoting something about a technical aspect you've
heard on a Tattoo TV program won't make you seem clever, you'll look like a fool
if the Tattooist asks you to elaborate on your opinion.
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ALWAYS be on time. Being late will normally lose you your deposit.
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ALWAYS have enough cash before you walk into the studio.
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Asking a Professional Tattooist to sell or get you tattoo
equipment....... Just don't!
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