A tattoo is a form of skin injury. High-quality ink, hygienic practices, aftercare, and good advice are what set reputable tattoo studios apart. But how do you find a tattoo artist who meets all your standards? It’s simple: ask around and check them out!
A matter of the tattoo studio's reputation
The profession of tattoo artist is not regulated by law, at least not in Germany. There is no formal training program or degree program. Most tattoo artists learn their craft from colleagues. They see themselves as artists who learn by observing and working closely with experienced practitioners. So you don’t need to ask about diplomas, master craftsman’s certificates, academic degrees, or completed vocational training. Not even a high school diploma is required. However, many tattoo studios now offer courses that span weekends or even longer periods. Certificates of attendance and completion for such courses are certainly available.
Who knows?
Certificates of completion aren’t enough to truly evaluate a tattoo artist or tattoo studio. You’ll get a better sense of things by asking around among your friends and acquaintances. There are sure to be a few people who’d be happy to tell you about their experiences with their tattoo artist. A good tattoo studio has a reputation that precedes it. It’s well-known among tattoo enthusiasts, mentioned in relevant magazines, and represented at conventions and exhibitions. Good work—clean and aesthetically executed—gets around!
Just stop by the tattoo studio
Once you’ve gotten excited about the idea and found a tattoo studio that seems trustworthy, take a look around. There’s usually a waiting area with magazines lying around. This is where you’ll get your first impression: How are you greeted? Are you welcomed as a potential customer? Or are you simply left in a corner with a stack of catalogs? What’s the atmosphere like? Do they ask about your preferences, your concerns, or possible designs? And what does the studio look like?
In many cases, the walls are adorned not only with certificates from past courses and training sessions, but also with photos of the best work. Do you like the style of the tattoos? Some studios specialize in a particular style, while others see themselves more as a kind of agency that connects a wide variety of freelance tattoo artists with their clients.
References, Exhibitions, Social Media
References include everything a tattoo studio has to show for itself. This ranges from thank-you notes from more or less prominent clients to awards the studio has won for artistic achievements or other accomplishments. Caution: Online customer reviews aren’t enough! It’s not always easy to tell what’s fake and what’s real. This applies both to reviews on Google and to the so-called testimonials that studios might post on their own websites.
Attend tattoo conventions
As mentioned earlier, tattoo conventions—such as Tattoocon —are essentially trade shows or expos for tattoo artists, their clients, and anyone else interested in the field. In addition to smaller local events, there are large international trade shows and conventions that attract tens of thousands of visitors. For tattoo studios, these events serve as a promotional platform, while also providing opportunities to gain inspiration and network within the industry. No tattoo studio can be represented at every tattoo convention—but regular participation in at least a few events is always a good sign.
Art is meant to be exhibited!
Even over twenty years ago, it was common for tattoo studios to photograph their best work and display the photos in their shop windows. That’s still the case today. But it’s not enough. Artists now also compete with one another online. That’s why both individual tattoo artists and studios maintain their own social media channels. It doesn’t have to be a live session on YouTube—an aesthetically curated Instagram feed says a lot, too. Just ask—you’re sure to get a card at the studio listing all their social media channels!
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Pay attention to hygiene at the tattoo studio!
If you’re already at the studio, feel free to take a closer look around. Maybe you can even ask to see the rooms where the tattoos are done. But even the reception area will give you a good sense of the atmosphere. After all, it’s not certain you’ll even be allowed in! Many studios still have an old-school vibe. Tattoo photos hang on the walls, you can just walk right in, and rock music or something heavier blares through the rooms. A coffee machine is probably gurgling and hissing away somewhere, and chances are there are other tattooed people there. That’s inviting.
Modern studios have a clean look
Another type of tattoo studio that has recently emerged, on the other hand, is absolutely stylish and clean. You can’t even walk through the door without an appointment. The studios are minimalist in design, looking almost impersonal, and you can forget about rock music and the smell of coffee here. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing! Because what really matters is how clean the studio is. The music has little to do with that. A tattoo studio where you can’t just walk in has fewer walk-ins and is therefore easier to keep clean. The catch is that you won’t know this unless you make an appointment.
Key points
Ideally, the treatment rooms should be separate from the entrance area. If you’re lucky enough to get a chance to look at such a room, keep the following in mind:
- Tattoo artists wear disposable gloves while working.
- Needles must be packaged in sterile packaging and may only be left lying around in that packaging.
- The loungers must be disinfected regularly.
- Machines and equipment are hygienically packaged in plastic.
- Animals and visitors are not allowed in the treatment rooms, at least not while treatment is in progress.
- Ideally, face masks should be worn while working (thanks to COVID-19).
Whether only one person is being tattooed in a room at a time or whether there are several treatment chairs or tables in the same room is, however, a matter of personal preference and has nothing to do with hygiene.
Professional services: counseling, education, follow-up care
Tattoo artists are indeed artists. But simply getting the tattoo inked isn’t enough. Before you book an appointment to get your tattoo, you’ll get to know the artist. Ask to see their work and have everything explained to you in detail. A detailed discussion of your desired design should go without saying. Part of the consultation also involves being informed about potential risks. You’ll be told how to care for the tattoo before and after the procedure, and what to keep in mind regarding sleep, alcohol consumption, exercise, and swimming.
Reach out and talk to someone!
A reputable tattoo artist will explain everything you need to know about aftercare. They’ll cover tattoo care just as thoroughly as they’ll discuss the pain associated with getting a tattoo. Professional tattoo artists won’t get impatient; instead, they’ll be happy to answer your questions in detail. Or they might even explain everything to you before you even ask.
Don’t be shy about asking questions. The day-to-day work of a tattoo artist isn’t just about inking tattoos. Other tasks make up the vast majority of the job. Cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment is just as much a part of it as constantly sketching and discarding designs in collaboration with clients. And the conversations are just as important. Because every tattoo is an injury. The ink is injected under the skin with needles—that requires skill, experience, and concentration. Concentration is also required on your part, because you have to endure pain and keep still. That’s not possible without trust. And that trust is built through the conversations beforehand.
Minimize risks through proper follow-up care
The skin where the tattoo is applied is punctured. The needle injects the ink under the skin. That’s why a tattoo may bleed. If the tattoo studio maintains proper hygiene, your skin will be disinfected and you won’t get an infection. Nevertheless, the skin in that area will remain irritated for a while and may even become inflamed. The ink pigments are foreign substances that your body will try to get rid of, at least in part. That’s why it’s normal for the tattoo to bleed during the healing process, so you might see ink on any bandage that’s been applied. Your tattoo artist will explain all of this to you. If you’re unsure or have questions, just contact your tattoo artist!
When it comes to tattoos, aftercare means helping the wound heal faster. You keep the wound clean and the new skin supple so that the tissue doesn’t scar. Scarring can ruin the tattoo’s appearance. A good tattoo studio will check the tattoo after a few days and again after a few weeks. Sometimes the pigments shift under the skin during the healing process. In that case, touch-ups can be done. This is included in the cost of the tattoo and shouldn’t have to be explained only upon request!
Bottom line: Careful preparation is everything!
Getting a tattoo is a decision that will last a lifetime. Take your time—don’t make it on a whim. And above all, don’t just focus on the price. Make sure the studio takes good care of you and provides comprehensive support. References, a business license, and other formalities can help you evaluate the studio.