How to choose a Tattoo

Tattoos have been a part of history since somewhere around 10,700 to 9,400 B.C. This was known as the Neolithic Age. Today, people are still looking for ways to express themselves through the work of body art.

Choosing a tattoo is not an easy task, especially since it will most likely be on your body forever. Yes, technology today has allowed us to remove tattoos, but it is much more painful than getting a tattoo.

If you're on the fence as to whether or not this is a good idea, we've put together some helpful tips on how to choose a tattoo. The information below will give the opportunity to make a more informed decision.

#1 The Cost

Before you even think about the design or style, it's important to understand how much is going to be spent on the tattoo. Tattoo artists normally charge by the hour as opposed to the tattoo. If you want something small, then it's going to be a lot less than a tattoo down the side of your leg.

While the hourly rate will vary from one city to another, the average is some around $50 to $100 an hour. Customized tattoos can be as much as $300 to $500 an hour depending on the city you are getting the tattoo.

However, it is possible to come across a tattoo parlor that doesn't charge the hour. You can definitely go this route, but it could wind up being more expensive than getting a tattoo on an hourly rate.

In order to stay within your budget, it's a good idea to choose a design first and show it to the tattoo artist. They will be able to give you an expert opinion on how long it will take. It's also possible they will be able to give you a fixed price for the project.

Either way, you have to know how much the tattoo costs, because it's going to dictate the type of tattoo you choose. Plus, you don't want to get caught up spending more than you initially planned.

#2 The Colors

Even if you've never purchased a tattoo before, you probably know that the colors will affect the overall cost. Tattoos with black ink "only" are a lot less than a tattoo with several vibrant colors. However, most people believe this is due to the different colors being more expensive. It's an easy assessment to make, but this is entirely false.

The reason more colors will end up costing you more money is because it's a more detailed process. The tattoo artist will have to spend more time on your work of art, so it will cost more money if you're dealing with an hourly rate. Some people opt to keep things simple so they can keep the costs lower.

#3 Designs

Another thing to consider when choosing a tattoo is the type of design you want on your body. This is really a no-brainer when you think about it. Getting a generic butterfly tattoo on your ankle is going to be much less than a detailed Spartan Warrior based off the movie "300."

If you are looking for a custom design, the tattoo artist will spend an ample amount of time making a draft of your tattoo image (if you don't have one already). These typically cost a lot more money, so make sure you consider this before making a decision. For instance, an image of your son or daughter is a lot more difficult than a couple words down your arm.

#4 What can you live with?

When learning how to choose a tattoo, you have to spend some time focusing on what you can live with the rest of your life. Do you really want to get a tattoo of your girlfriend's name when you might not be together 2 months from now? Is it a good idea to get a tattoo of your favorite NFL team if you switch teams sometime down the road?

Those are important questions to consider, but it's not the only thing to think about when looking for a tattoo. Remember; this is probably something you are going to have for the rest of your life.

#5 Consider where it will be placed

Knowing where you will be putting the tattoo can also have an impact on your decision. A great example of this is someone that cannot have any tattoos showing during work. Sometimes it can be difficult to cover tattoos up, especially if you have them on your arms or legs. During the warmer part of the year, you don't want to have to wear long sleeve shirts when its 90 degrees.

Another thing to think about is how your body will age. As time goes on, the majority of us gain weight, get wrinkles, and just sag a bit. The shape and size of your tattoo will change in certain areas of your body. This means you have to think about the size as well. Otherwise your tattoo could end up looking horrible 20 years from now.

Conclusion

Learning how to choose a tattoo is all about understanding everything involved. The more knowledge you have about tattoos, tattoo artists, designs, colors, and prices; the easier it will be to make a decision. We also recommend choosing a reputable artist. If you have questions, they will be able to give you all the necessary information to make an informed choice.

We know you probably want to get something exotic that will turn heads, but sometimes it's not the best thing to do. You have to look at all the areas of choosing a tattoo, especially when it comes to the cost. If you can afford to do anything, then the sky's the limit. Then again; if you're working under a few constraints, it's a good idea to make an educated decision on your next tattoo.