A tattoo is a collaboration between the artist and the client, and the best tattoos are made when there’s open communication, education, and trust. When designing your unique new piece, artists are tasked with creating appealing, visual representations of sometimes abstract things, like memories, feelings, and relationships—all the while working on skin, which can be a tricky medium.
Skin stretches, has texture, and changes drastically over decades. An artist is constantly thinking about how to make your design last on your skin, since crisp lines will inevitably settle, blur, and fade.
With clear expectations and education from your artist about what is achievable and realistic, your artist will create a stunning piece that will hold up and look beautiful at every stage of your life.
Your tattoo is yours, period. And you shouldn’t be afraid to be clear with your artist when there are design elements that you can’t live without, or a size and placement that you want! Trust us: we want this experience to be welcoming and special, and we want you to tell us if something doesn’t feel true to your hopes or needs.
Here are some tips on how to communicate with your artist, and how to understand why they may make certain suggestions during the process. Remember: ultimately, this is your tattoo—artists are simply making suggestions based on their knowledge of their craft, and what they’ve experienced ages the best. We want you to continue to love your tattoo for years to come after you exit the studio!
Tattoo by Logan Square Tattoo artist Gifford @futureteller
Placement
We can place your stencil as many times as you want. You’re not wasting our time or being a burden, we promise!
Are there any special considerations for placement? Do you want it to peek out when you wear t-shirts? Or do you want it to be easily coverable with clothes for any reason? Let us know!
If you’re open to having the tattoo on different places on your body, let us know! Your artist can tell you what the best fit for your anatomy is. Maybe a tattoo you originally thought of for your forearm might also look gorgeous on your leg following the contours of your calf.
Two examples of how an alternate placement on the body fits the anatomy differently. Artists' mockup vs the tattoo they did. By Logan Square Tattoo artists Cori @cori.tattoos (left) and Dima @asphalt_ttt (right).
Don’t change the location of your tattoo just because people online said that spot hurts like crazy. Pain is temporary and your tattoo is forever. Get it where you want it!
Be prepared to get touchups if you’re 100% set on getting a tricky placement that falls out—fingers, hands, palms, elbows, knees, and feet are all places that are more likely to experience fallout.
Size
If your artist has suggestions about the size of your tattoo, hear them out! If the design is too small, the elements might be overcrowded and will risk aging poorly, especially things that need to be recognizable like text or a portrait. If size is non-negotiable for you, that’s 100% okay! Your artist will likely need to simplify the elements in the design so that it reads better, but they’ll still make sure you love it.
Your artist isn’t trying to “upsell you” when they suggest a bigger size! 95% of the tattoos you see online are all fresh, same-day photos. Healed tattoos inevitably settle into the skin, blurring those ultra-crisp lines as your skin ages. Your artist is taking all of that into account when they’re suggesting sizing up!
Two examples showing how lettering spreads in the skin over time. Fonts whose spacing is close together risk illegibility over time. (Left photo by Reddit user u/Extra-Requirement979; right photo courtesy of Dan K.) Not done by Logan Square Tattoo.
Two excellent examples of how ink successfully settles in portrait tattoos. Although there are typical signs of aging, these are both still recognizable as Dolly Parton and Stone Cold Steve Austin. (Left photo by artist Kelly McLean @kelly_deano; right by artist Tuan Le @artbytuanle. Not done by Logan Square Tattoo.)
Design
Tattooers are always thrilled when your tattoos carry personal meaning. But things can get overcrowded if a client wants, say, 6 major design elements in a palm-sized tattoo. We may not be able to make 12 birth flowers + your childhood home + song lyrics + a panther’s head + your dad’s football jersey + your 3 cats’ paw prints all fit into a small space. We’re looking for legibility and what will heal best.
Two examples of how several elements can be combined and composed successfully in one tattoo without risking legibility and overcrowding. By Logan Square Tattoo artist Pablo @mire.tattoo
If you still want to commemorate all those important elements but they won’t fit, you can always get a second tattoo! Sometimes it helps to step back and take the pressure off of one tattoo carrying all those meanings.
Artists won’t copy your reference exactly, unless it’s necessary to the design, like a loved one’s signature or a photorealistic tattoo. But if your reference photo is a tattoo off Pinterest, an artist won’t tattoo the exact same thing. Your tattoo is unique to you—size, shape, everything—and that’s special!
Tattoos showing the difference between the tattooer's interpretation of a reference photo sourced online (left) vs a photorealistic tattoo that closely resembles the dog owner's reference photo (right). By Logan Square Tattoo artists Ella @ella.tatt (left) and Matias @mat.tattss (right).
Experience
Always request a break when you need one! Your artist will check in with you periodically to make sure you’re still feeling good, but please let us know if you need to pause for any reason!
If you’re experiencing sensory overload, please advocate for your needs! Simply saying “I’m going to put my headphones on now” or “Can we stop so I can grab my fidget toy from my bag?” is always okay and encouraged!
A tattooer’s goal is to make you feel heard, seen, and pleased with your tattoo on Day 1 and Day 10,000. Come to your tattoo appointment with openness and always speak up to let us know what’s important to you when we’re making your tattoo!