Getting Inked.

[RC]

Ok, so for ages (over a year) i've been wanting to get a tattoo, but i've never really done any research about getting one. I've been sticking with the same idea of what i want to get done and that's never really changed - so i'm pretty happy it's not a fad, it's not something that i'll get bored of...but i'm more concerned about the process.
Now there are plenty of tattooists around Cardiff (as there are everywhere) but a load of them look dodgy. I was hoping some fellow members could give me a heads up - maybe givem the 101 on tattooing.

- who's had one done,
- what did they have done,
- where on their body is it
- was it a disaster, if so why
- was it great, also if so why.
- what does one look out for in a good tattooist/parlour?
- does that tattooist need a finished sketch or does he need a vague sketch of what you want and then he can improve on it from there?

I'm really looking for someone to tell me everything a newbie should need to know about getting a tattoo done, because i want it to look good, i want it to be right coz it may be with me for quite a while.

 

[rugby_roots]

My advice is don't get a tattoo, Tattoo's come with packs or curses.

 

[jeffb]

Go for it. I have got 3 tatoos. 1 on my left leg, 1 on my left arm and one on my right shoulder. My designs are all what i wanted. The one on my leg is of a Maasai warrior from Kenya, the one on my arm is a map of Africa and on my shoulder is a Chameleon.



Jeff

 

[Juggernaut]

I think the basic thing for you to look out for is a clean tat shop who uses clean new needles. Secondly, ask around town which artist has got a good rep.

Make sure you have a clear idea on what tat you want, the exact colour and spot to have it. If you ant it to be seen, then have it somewhere visible like on your forearms, ankles, etc..

Talk to the artist (if you do manage to find one) about your design and ask him/her if it's possible they do a sketch on paper before it's applied on you.



I have the words "ETERNAL" in old English font tattoed across my upper back...

something like this.

 

[fcukernaut]

If one were to get a tattoo on their cock would it have to be erect or no?

 

[DC]

deffinately

along with that you could probably get a tattoo above your ass that says entrance only with an arrow pointing down

 

[Brodizzle]

My only advice is not to get drunk one night and get something stupid, one of my mates got the Olympic motto written in latin across his back, what a tool....

 

[Laetca]

I believe most tattoo artists don't need a sketch, but if it's something you designed yourself, it might help to take it along when you get it done, it beats just explaining what you want.
They will probably help you improve it, since they know how certain things look on parts of your body and such, never underestimate the power of experience.

Other than that, make sure to see if they're wearing gloves, disinfect their materials, have an overall clean appearance (a tatoo parlour that hasn't been sweeped in ages is usually not the best place to get body art done)

If you don't know which one to go to, just walk into a few tattoo shops, tell them you're intrested, but not sure and ask them how the procedure goes with them, you can drop in random questions you come up with them, you're a potential customer to them, so they'll giev you all the info you want.

A friend is designing me a tattoo, but I won't get it inked as deep into my skin as tattoos are usually done, I'm going to try and find a place that puts temporary tattoos. I don't want to remember twenty years from now when my skin has gone wrinkly and flabby my bright idea to get a tattoo when I was in my twenties.
Does anyone know anything more about temporary tattoos? I'm having a hard time finding a profesional looking place that gets them done, all I find is places where they inject semi permanent make up. And I'm not that creepy.

 

[RoyalBlueStuey]

Have a definite idea of what you want, get is sketched...the poor tattooist can't guarantee he/she will do exactly what you want otherwise. Go somewhere you've had recomended don't just take a leap of faith.

I got my Everton badge ages ago....it's ace. Money really well spent.

 

[O'Rothlain]

deffinately
I have a tattoo above my ass that says entrance only with an arrow pointing down [/b]

Please tell me you you meant to say "exit only"

 

[DC]

nah thats the tattoo for fcukernaut to go along with his cock one

 

[Caledfwlch]

WELCOME TO PORNOSLAVIA, WHERE EVERY EXIT IS ALSO AN ENTRANCE!



GIGGIDY GIGGIDY!





OOOOOH YEA!

If one were to get a tattoo on their cock would it have to be erect or no? [/b]

what're you going to ink on it?



"Peter O'Toole" ?

 

[Laetca]

Not sure about this, but wouldn't it be hard to keep it erect while a bearded sweaty bloke covered in tattoos with arteries full of cholesterol is injecting ink into it? Of all places where such a thing would hurt, wouldn't that be like THE most painful place?
Sorry for mentioning the cliche type of tattoo artist, it just helps me make my point better

Perhaps if that is exactly the thing to get you going...

 

[RC]

Cheers guys, there have been some really helpful tips here.
If you've got any more pointers please feel free to point them out.

I was talking to a mate of mine, he's got a few tattoos done and he said his general rule of thumb is that if there's a waiting list then you can trust the place. I've no idea about that - can anyone back up his claims?

 

[RC]

I have the words "ETERNAL" in old English font tattoed across my upper back...

something like this.

[/b]

I presume that's not a real tattoo, that's picture has just been edited on your computer, yeah?
What font was that written in?
It looks really good.

 

[stevemagoo]

I have 5 tats on my arms and back - Some, i designed myself, the older ones were ones i picked out when i got there. Make sure that they're something that you really want though, as 10 years later, i look at my earlier ones and wish i had chosen something else. All places are like a bloody doctors surgeries now so it's just the research into the places that you have to do.i always find the photobook that they have in the place the best indicator, polaroids of fresh tats as they've just been finished. Don't judge an artist by his own tats by the way....as they've usually been done by his more talented mates, or by the really skilled blokes at the major conventions...

 

[Laetca]

Cheers guys, there have been some really helpful tips here.
If you've got any more pointers please feel free to point them out.

I was talking to a mate of mine, he's got a few tattoos done and he said his general rule of thumb is that if there's a waiting list then you can trust the place. I've no idea about that - can anyone back up his claims?
[/b]

That rule of thumb applies to any place. Moved out, living in a new city, looking for the best baker? Walk around on a sunday morning, see where the line is longest.
In general, if people are going to make the effort of being bored and standing in line, then whatever it is they're waiting for must be worth it.

 

[Lankan]

Hi I've got two tattoos (on either side of my calves), n they went real great. I too spent over a year mulling bout whether to get one or not so it's great you've got that aspect of it sorted out.



I always describe the feeling of actually getting tattooed as being the same as someone drawing over you with a mechanical pencil, with the lead removed. Sure it hurts, but its a bearable pain.



Neway regarding what to look out for in a good parlour n stuff you can check out this webbie:



http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattoo101/a/tatbegguide.htm



I found it quite useful (although personally I used http://www.bmezine.com and http://www.bodymod.org as resources when I was scouring for info). The link off About.com have some other articles too regarding the actual process, n the science behind tattooing etc..



Basically you should not feel pressured to get a tattoo or any variation of the original tattoo you had in mind by the folks at the studio, unless of course it is valid advice in terms of the long term viability of the tattoo (whether for e.g. it suits ur pigment etc.). Most importantly wherever you get a tattoo make sure it has an Autoclave, cause thats what sterilizes the equipment. Parlous should be willing to show you their autoclaves and give you a rundown of their safety procedures...if they aren't then it isn't worth it.



Regardin the sketchin, usually artists can draw up a stencil from a vague sketch or an idea itself (given you discuss it together), but if your sure about what you want then a finished sketch would make things all the more smoother. Be sure to ask the artists opinion 'bout the piece...regarding the placement, size, detail etc.



Hope it helps!

 

[Caledfwlch]

omg finally ryan! yuo've started posting!

 

[wigan_rlfc]

I've got the name of a Welsh railway station tattooed on my knob.......























Rhyl