Getting tattooed is a highly personal experience so it’s important to find the right artist for your needs. Ultimately, the quality of your tattoo rests on the quality of artist that you find.
These days, tattoo artists are more professional and highly trained than ever, but there are still plenty of unskilled and unscrupulous cowboys plying their trade. So to make sure that you’ve found a top quality professional, consider these points;
a) Experience
When you approach a new artist, find out how many years of experience they have. If possible, avoid someone who is new to the game. Ask them what type of style they specialise in, and make sure that they have relevant experience with the type of style that you’ve chosen.
b) Professionalism
Are they a member of a professional body for tattooists in the country?
What qualifications do they possess? What health standards does their studio meet?
c) Portfolio
Ask to see their previous work. All reputable artists will have a portfolio of their work. Alarm bells should start to ring in your head if they don’t have a portfolio or seem evasive when you ask them...