With the increase of tattoos in the country, it is safe to say that almost every person has at least one tattoo. The reason for such a spike in tattoo appointments lies in the fact that tattoos aren’t a taboo topic anymore.

Before, body art was generally associated with something of a negative connotation; like biker gangs, mafia, the underground lifestyle, and people with a questionable background. But, times have changed, and we’ve realized that tattoos are just a fun way of expressing oneself. Nothing wrong with that!

However, many people don’t really think of how tattoos work and what the process looks like. Rarely do people research such an important aspect of getting inked; for example, many worry about the pain, but not a lot of people worry about the ink safety or ink allergies.

Therefore, in the following paragraphs, we’ll walk you through the entire tattooing process; from the tattoo appointment to the aftercare routine. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Tattooing Process: How Tattoos Work (9 Steps)

Step 1 – Choosing the Right Tattoo Salon/Tattoo Artist

Before you set a tattoo appointment, you have a lot of homework to do. You cannot just go to any random tattoo studio and get inked (unless you’re looking to get a walk-in tattoo). Instead, you need to find the best of the best and get tattooed by an experienced professional; this way you can avoid a lot of potential tattoo issues in the long run (more on that later). Here’s how to choose the best tattoo salon and tattoo artist;

• Run through all of the tattoo studios in your area; use Google maps to check the salons out, their exact location, and possibly a link to their website or online portfolio. This is a great opportunity to check online reviews and Google starts as well.
• Make sure to check the studio’s portfolio thoroughly; this will help you determine the style of tattoos they offer and see whether that’s something you want to go for.
• Consult with your tattooed friends and check whether they know or recommend a particular tattoo salon/tattoo artist. Ask them about their experience and whether the studio is safe and reputable.
• Once you’ve narrowed down the list of potential studios, give each a call and schedule a consultation. Check the safety and cleanliness of the salon, as well as the tattoo artists that might potentially tattoo you.
• Once you’ve chosen one particular tattoo studio, make sure to schedule an appointment to get inked.

Step 2 – Choosing the Perfect Tattoo Design

You can come to a tattoo appointment with a ready image or idea of what you want to get as a tattoo. On the other hand, you can consult your tattoo artist on the improvement of that idea, or see whether the artist can provide a better, more original design.