Getting the perfect tattoo is simple – provided you find the perfect artist to translate your vision or desire with ink. Without the right artist, you are essentially risking your tattoo experience. Only good tattoo artists will work with precision, an artistic vision, and with proper safety protocols in place.
Consider these tips to find a good tattoo artist in your city.
Conduct Online Searches
Online searches can help to find local tattoo artists. It is one of the best ways to find one in your city. For instance, if you need a tattoo artist in Raleigh, you can use keywords such as tattoo artists Raleigh to find some good names. Use similar keywords to collect a few names in order to check the websites of the artists.
Check Portfolios and Profiles
Professional tattoo artists maintain a proper website where they display samples of their work for the benefit of their prospective clients. Whether tattoo artists have their shops or work in a tattoo parlor with several others, you will be able to check their work and profile on their professional websites.
Check the work of the artists in your list from the online search results. Checking the portfolios of the artists can also help you decide on a tattoo style if you are unsure about it. You may even find something better than your original idea.
There are different types of tattoo styles and traditions. So, it can be helpful to look at the artists’ work beforehand. It can also help to clear away any confusion from your mind about the kind of tattoo you want.
When looking at the artists’ profiles, check their work experience, booking policies, and available schedule.
The experience of the artist matters depending on the quality of the work you want. Tattooing is an art, and it can take years to perfect certain tattoo styles. Some good tattoo artists with less experience can also possess tremendous skills for certain styles of tattoos. So, it is important to check the profiles of the artists properly.
Choose one or two artists to meet based on their work and initiate contact.
Meet the Artists
It is important to meet the artists before you schedule a tattooing session with them. Professional artists are likely to offer free consultations before their prospective clients may want to book a session with them.
These consultations are ideal for prospective clients to discuss their ideas with an artist. You may know that you want a bird tattoo but may be unsure which one and in what style. You may want a tattoo to represent your triumph over an illness or a major challenge in life. But you may be unsure what it can be in the form of a tattoo. A good tattoo artist can help you arrive at a decision during the consulting session.
You can also ask any queries about the tattooing process, the quality of the ink, and the time required for completing the artwork.
Assess the Information
Collecting all this information at the same time can be overwhelming. Even if not, it is important to process it all and make the right assessment about your decision to work with an artist.
Take a few days to analyze the portfolios you have seen and what works for you. If needed, go ahead and check the portfolio of the artists once more. If an artist’s suggestions during the consultation don’t feel right to you, you don’t have to go through with it.
Feel free to call or email the artist (as per their contact policy) to clear away any doubts about the proposed artwork. If you have changed your mind about the artwork, be sure to discuss it with the artist.
Take your time to assess the information you have collected before making your decision about the artist.
Finalize the Artist
Once you have identified the right artist for you based on your research and one-on-one discussions, it is time to finalize him or her for your tattoo. Good tattoo artists are very much in demand. So, you may want to book the next available session with them without delay.