Thinking About Getting Your First Tattoo But Don't Know Where To Start?

 Thinking About Getting Your First Tattoo But Don't Know Where To Start? 

Here are some tips from the pros!

Deciding to get your first tattoo is a big decision and one that many people struggle with. People are torn between what they should get and where to place it. Should it be something memorable or fun? Should it be small and sort of hidden or loud and proud? Should it be bright with color or black and grey? 

We work with a wide variety of people and we hear their comments about this. We have talked with people that regret their choice for their first tattoo and those who have not only loved it, but have gone on to get many, many more. We have learned that most people who end up regretting their first tattoo, do so because they did not take the time to research their artist prior to receiving it. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you avoid that.

The first thing one should be doing is looking into a potential studio's cleaning practices. At Lucky Bamboo Tattoo we have over 15 years in business and 50 years combined experience amongst our artists and we make cleanliness one of our top priorities but, not everyone is us.  The second recommendation we have is to search for an artist with a style and technique that you enjoy and that match the style of art you desire. Every artist has their own unique styles and strengths. Most will display their work for potential customers to view so, take the time to view a few different artists and their styles before deciding on one. Finding an artist with experience is also very important, don't be afraid to ask questions about the artist's history in tattooing. Ask about their apprenticeship experience, how long they have been tattooing,  and if they have any formal art education.  Avoid choosing an artist based solely on price and find one that will give you the end result that you want. Making a mistake on your choice of artist can cost you later if you need your piece repaired or redone by a reputable artist. 

Many people have a strong idea or even a drawing of the piece they want but, keep in mind that most tattoos have to be modified to fit on the body in a way that looks pleasing to the eye. Also, the size of a tattoo matters, especially if you want it very detailed. Occasionally a small piece will need to be modified and made bigger in order to achieve the desired result.  It is a good idea to try not to be too rigid and to allow the artist some freedom. If you are wanting your piece to look a specific way then it is a good idea to bring in a reference photo for your artist to look at.
Often times when people allow their artist some artistic freedom on their piece, they discover that it looks even better than it did before. The size of the tattoo tends not to be as important as placement. It is generally recommended to avoid very visible places on the body when getting a first tattoo such as the hands and neck. It is better to opt for somewhere that can be covered by clothing in the beginning and to save to more visible pieces for a later session. 

Taking all of these into consideration and taking enough time to find the perfect studio and artist will ensure that the fresh tattoo you get will be exactly what you want!

The Do's and Don'ts of Getting a Name Tattooed on Your Body

The Do's and Don'ts of Getting a Name Tattooed on Your Body

People come to us with all sorts of ideas for a tattoo. Some clients come in with an idea for a very meaningful piece that is in memory of someone or something very important to them. Others come in with fun ideas that showcases their personality. Then there are others who desire intense artwork and are more focused on the theme and vivid imagery of their tattoo.  We honestly love doing them all!  

If a client comes in and wants to get a memorial tattoo for a friend or loved on that passed away then that is heartwarming and we love being a part of that. Including another person's name in the tattoo makes sense in this instance. In that situation, it is easy for us to agree and feel good about tattooing a name on someone. Likewise,  if a client wants a portrait of their child or pet tattooed on them, then that also brings us joy. That is one of the many reasons why we're in this business, to help people to create a lasting memory and to use their body as their temple to express themselves any way they wish. The only time we see this become an issue is when people place the name of someone who is not related or passed on, onto their body. Everyone wants to think that the person they are with will always be there or that their best friend is always going to have their back but unfortunately people sometimes change and we cannot change that. It is placing a lot of faith on another person, hoping that they continue to be the person you know and treat you the way you deserve. It is one thing if you get a tattoo that you chose and then decide years later that it's not representative of you anymore. It is an entirely different thing to place that on someone else by putting their name on your body and then hoping for the best. That is why most artists will tell you that they don't like tattooing the name of a girlfriend or boyfriend on someone and some will even refuse. Simply because they have seen so many people regret these decisions later.

Getting a tattoo is in itself, a big decision. It is a permanent addition to your appearance. It is important to ensure that what you are getting is more than just a passing interest. 

The Truth About Blackout Tattoos

The Truth About Blackout Tattoos

The new trend explained

Tattoo trends come and go. We have seen an era when barbed wire wrapped around the arm was the in thing. We have dealt with the fall out of the lower back tattoo trend and there have been many others that have come and gone. Not all trends fade but, some do.

One of the newest trends seems to be black out tattoos. Black out tattoos are a style of tattoo where a portion of the body if fully saturated with black ink or "blacked out".  The origins of this began as a way to cover up art that either looked bad, was not done properly, or represents something that the person is not into or a part of anymore. 

Recently it has become popular as a way to create negative space designs. Negative space tattoos emphasis an image but contrasting it with black ink against the skin. Essentially it is reversing the image, using your skin as the main subject. To create a leaf, for example, the leaf would be outlined but the inside of it would be left free of any ink. Instead, a full layer of ink surrounding the image would be placed, causing the image that is still the color of the client's skin to stand out. 

It is interesting to see this concept that started as the ultimate cover up be molded into something unique. That is something that is constantly happening in the world of tattoos. When an industry is made up of artists and creators it is inevitable that many unique things will come from it but, we will have to see where this trend goes and if it sticks around of fades.