How to Find a Tattoo Artist

You deserve to work with someone who is talented, detailed, and reputable when you're paying for something as permanent as a tattoo. But how do you find a tattoo artist who will do a great job and avoid the ones who won't? Don't worry—this article will walk you through where to look and what to look for so you can be confident you're working with a tattoo artist that's really right for you.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Finding Tattoo Artists

  1. Ask friends and relatives with tattoos for the name of the artist who did the art you particularly enjoy, or for recommendations in general. Even complete strangers are often happy to talk about their ink. [1]
  2. Visit local tattoo parlors to check out catalogs of their artists' previous work. You can often find their portfolios online as well, curated on blogs or Instagram accounts dedicated to a particular type of tattoo work. [2]
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  3. The best tattoo artists generally attend these conventions. You can have work done here, or just use the opportunity to browse. [3]
  4. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. A cheap artist is almost always a bad one. [4]
    • In the United States, you can expect a decent artist to charge between $50 and $300 per hour, depending on skill level.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Vetting the Artist

  1. Search for the artist's name online, as well as the name of the tattoo parlor she works at. Avoid the place if you find reviews or reports of infections or sub-par health and safety practices. [5]
    • Don't believe the parlor's personal website when it comes to customer testimony.
  2. The artist you feel most comfortable with generally gives you the best result. Make sure he pays attention and understands what you're going for. He should also be experienced with the style of tattoo you're paying him to do. Many artists specialize either in color or line work, and may have further specialization within those categories. [6]
  3. Always ask to see a blood-borne pathogen course certificate, [7] as well as some sort of license. Check the expiration dates to make sure they're still valid.
    • These are usually displayed in the artist's work area.
  4. The following practices provide the highest assurance that the parlor knows what it's doing. Quality artists should never act rude or insulted if you ask them to do the following:
    • The artist should show you the date on the package containing the needles, and open it in front of you. [8] (Even reusable needles are kept in a pouch during the autoclave sterilization process.)
    • Reusable needles and grips should be fresh from the autoclave, which should be visible on request.
    • The shop and artists should be free of dirt and obvious sanitation issues.
  5. If anything makes you feel uneasy or unsure, leave the parlor. "It's probably nothing" could lead to a nasty skin infection, or even a blood-borne illness such as hepatitis or HIV.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I find the best tattoo artist in my area?
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime.
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Expert Answer
    First, do a basic online search to figure out who's operating in your area. Then, browse through the portfolios you find online to take a look at their work. Find an artist whose work you absolutely love and then go and meet with them in person. There are so many resources out there that you should have no problem finding plenty of reputable artists to work with.
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  • Question
    What should I look for in a good tattoo artist?
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime.
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Expert Answer
    Look for clean linework and solid shading. When you're looking through an artist's portfolio, look for cleanliness and versatility in the linework. You also want to check for smooth gradient shading. However, if they can master different line weights, they should easily be able to use color and shading, because linework is generally the most difficult part of a tattoo.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I choose a tattoo shop?
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime.
    Grant Lubbock
    Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink
    Expert Answer
    Before you get a tattoo, go online and read reviews about the shop. However, you should also be willing to stop into the shop so you can get a feel for how safe and clean it is. Check whether they're practicing proper cross-contamination techniques, like avoiding eating food in the area where they're tattooing.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-find-a-good-tattoo-artist/
      2. ↑ Grant Lubbock. Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.worldtattooevents.com
      4. ↑ https://www.kqed.org/arts/128526/11-steps-to-getting-a-tattoo-you-wont-regret-for-the-rest-of-your-life
      5. ↑ Grant Lubbock. Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
      6. ↑ Grant Lubbock. Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.cprcertified.com/blog/why-tattoo-artists-need-bloodborne-pathogen-certification
      8. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/how-to-find-a-good-tattoo-artist/

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