Finding the best place for your first tattoo is one of the most important decisions to make (besides the design, of course) but do you know where on your body the ink should go? Should you pick an obvious spot, or go for somewhere more hidden?

Don’t forget to factor in the pain as well!

To help you decide where your first tattoo will look best, we’ve created this short guide. Oh, and if you’re feeling a little bit too nervous, check out our section on temporary tattoos below. They’re a great way to test out the ink without the permanence.

First Tattoo – 3 Things You Should Know

Before you get a tattoo, there are some things you should know.

Be Open Minded

You might have been planning your first tattoo for decades, with hundreds of sketches and mood boards. But you need to have an open mind. Your tattoo artist will have advice for you, and you might even find that your tattoo placement is completely wrong for your tattoo design.

If this happens, don’t panic. Listen to your tattoo artist and check out temporary tattoos (we have a section on this below). The ink you leave with might not be what you thought it would be – but it will certainly be better.

It Always Hurts

While it is true that some tattoo placements hurt more than others, you can’t escape the pain. Tattoos will hurt, but you will get accustomed to it. Some people find that the adrenaline that’s released when the needle hits your skin to give you a kind of high!

After the initial sting, it’s more like a sandpaper/sunburn with too much friction type feeling. If you just cannot handle pain at all, then tattoos might not be right for you. If you’re worried, ask for a very small tattoo first, like a freckle on your arm, so you can understand what to expect.

You Need to Prepare

There is a list of things you should do (and not do) before you get a tattoo. It’s unwise to just go to a tattoo parlor for a walk-in session for your first tatt. Instead, make an appointment with your chosen tattoo artist before you get inked. They will tell you what you need to do.