Tattoo Artist Peeves

My company originated from my line of Real Heal Tattoo Aftercare.  In short, when I dove into the world of a tattoo enthusiast, I  had reactions to Aquaphor, Neosporin, and A&D ointment.  My tattoos would scab, I’d often have small, itchy, white bumps; the itching was often unbearable.

As fate would have it, I was simultaneously in school for my Masters in Holistic Wellness, as well as a year-long herbal certification course. One of my courses dealt solely with cancer and prevention and required us to study 5 ingredients known to cause cancer. Mineral oil/petroleum became an ingredient I’d never be able to remain silent about ever again. After understanding the dangers of this ingredient as well as its effect (or lack thereof)on healing open wounds, I set about to create a safer tattoo healing ointment. Real Heal salve was born.

Over the last decade, I’ve spent a good amount of time talking to tattoo artists about their artwork, the healing process, my aftercare, and the tattoo process itself. In honor of these wonderful men and women I’ve worked with, let me be the voice that offers notes on proper tattoo etiquette. Quite frankly, this isn’t always obvious to everyone, and it causes quite a bit of frustration for the artists.

• You cannot swim for two weeks after a tattoo, nor soak it in a bathtub. Salt or chlorine will pull out ink.  Please do not think you’re the exception to the rule — if you want to bathe, leave that body part OUT of the water! (Look at the ingredients in your aftercare, as well. Sea salt is NOT smart to pour in an open wound, especially not a tattoo. This ingredient has no business in aftercare products.)
• Touch ups are not indefinite. Don’t show up 4 years after you’ve had a tattoo and expect the artist to touch it up for free. They can and will fade. Pay them for their time.
• Do not bring your toddler or dog with you to a tattoo shop and allow them to run around unsupervised. No matter how clean a shop is, there is ALWAYS a danger for a wide range of diseases…the least of which are HIV and Hepatitis. Your artist has to take courses on biohazardous materials, gets their license renewed every couple of years, and wants to stay free of diseases and liabilities. A tattoo shop is not a playground. Your child and dog are distractions for the artists who are working – artists are not your baby/dog sitter. It takes mere seconds for your infant or dog to reach into a garbage can and stick themselves with a dirty needle. It is NOT the artist’s job to “learn to deal with children,” as an artist was once told. You are not privileged. No one under 18 should be in a tattoo shop, period (if the shop does piercings, 16 is the minimum age and they must be accompanied by an adult)!
• Do not ask for a binding quote, especially without meeting with your artist. When all you’ve done is text the artist that you “want a rose tattoo,” how do you expect them to price that for you? Send a pic. Set up a consultation. They can probably give you an estimate, once they know the size, the location of the tattoo, whether it’s colour or black and grey, and a few other factors they’ll need to discuss with you. Remember that tattoo quotes are an estimate and can change slightly, due to multiple factors.
• Don’t ask for a sketch to be sent to you. You don’t ask for sketches from a museum, so don’t ask your artist for one, either. Ever. Many artists have sent sketches in good faith, only to watch their client walk into another shop and get that piece low-balled by an unethical artist.
• Don’t settle for low-ball tattoo prices. While I’m on the topic, you always get what you pay for. The tattoo industry is no different. Reputable shops have a higher hourly rate and minimum-priced tattoo rate (usually $50-60). There’s a reason for that. If you ask for a price and decide on a decidedly cheaper shop, you may risk a greater chance for infection, inexperienced tattoo artists, inferior tattoo supplies, or an artist who doesn’t give a sh*t about you. This isn’t fast food – it’s permanent ink.
• Don’t ask prices without even looking at the artist’s portfolio. We all know you’re cheap now and won’t fully value the artist’s integrity and creativity. Ask the shop minimum if you wish and browse through the portfolios to see who’s artwork resonates with you. Do not waste the time of an artist, by just price-gauging. This isn’t k-mart. There are no blue light specials when you want a high-quality artist.
• Don’t just “yeah yeah” your artist when they ask if you know how to heal it. This is their reputation on the line—they care how you heal because it’s a reflection of their craft. Even if you know the proper aftercare, discuss it with them, just to make sure. The industry changes fast and they are frequently tested, recertified, and are up-to-date with the proper process of healing. They are often aware of what works best for their clients. NEVER disregard their instructions and do what your friends say to do, then expect them to fix your hard-healed ink.
• Don’t think you can just pick up tattooing in your spare time. Proper tattooing is more than just being an artist, wanting to make extra money, or thinking you can be a rock star. There are years of apprenticing involved, training with different art mediums, business experience, not to mention people skills. Tattooing is ANYTHING but easy money. You are never going to be the next Ink Master. (PS if you think that show is a real picture of the tattoo industry, stop reading this and crawl back under a rock. That’s not how tattooing works. I’ve known artists who were on the show, as well as those who’ve auditioned. There’s a lot of clever editing going on, as well as behind-the-scenes marketing tactics.)
• Do not feel the need to constantly talk during your session. Your artist is not your therapist, nor your best friend. We all understand you’re in pain and that’s often how people cope. Totally cool to vent. Just don’t expect advice from a complete stranger, if you spill your life story in the first sitting. A good number of artists are quite introverted and get into a “zone” when they’re working. Please don’t distract them.
• Tip you artist! It doesn’t always have to be money—if you see a cute gift idea when you’re out that your artist would appreciate, feel free to tip that way. Good artists can be a wealth of info and friendship, though it’s not their job…please treat them with respect!
• Be respectful of their workspace. Don’t sit on their stool if they get up (that extra chair in the room is for you…use that chair only!). Don’t play around with your friend who’s getting tattooed. Don’t touch the artist’s belongings or equipment (besides being rude, this is unsanitary and potentially dangerous). Don’t bring 5 friends with you—this isn’t the time for a reunion! Don’t hover over the artist; you’re not VanGogh, watching the technique of one of his students.
• Do not act like you know more than they do about color, size, placement, ideas. They’re the expert. This isn’t Burger King, it’s art. You can’t always have it 100% your way. It’s OK to ask questions if you don’t think something will work—but do not be a jackass about your idea and unwilling to budge on the design. If you don’t trust their trained opinion, you should reconsider having them put something permanent on your body.

While this isn’t a complete list, it’s the most common complaints I’ve heard from artists. Just as most people don’t understand your job, you don’t understand theirs. If you have any questions you’d like to ask or anything you want to add, feel free to contact me! If I can’t answer it, one of my lovely artist friends will!

In gratitude of your support, use coupon code gratitude20 for 20% off your first purchase.