How do I go about getting THE PERFECT TATTOO?

Even though getting a tattoo is often a fun and exciting prospect, the rule of caveat emptor (“let the buyer beware”) still applies.  You should also keep in mind that you get what you pay for.  So it’s important for you to realize that doing your homework in advance and carefully researching every aspect of the tattoo process before you even select your tattoo design will save you a lot of hassle, headache and disappointment down the road.  A very educated person getting THE PERFECT TATTOO done is usually a very satisfied person.

First Rule of Thumb: Take Your Time And Be Sure.

You’re an impulse buyer who’s dying to get a tattoo, so much so that you hastily pick a design at random, book an appointment with the next available tattoo artist and when it’s all said and done, you’re the owner of a brand new tattoo.  But something’s missing.  Even if the tattoo was done to perfection, is the design really you?  Is it a design that you can stand to look at for the rest of your life?  You’d be surprised how many people regret their first tattoo, but they chalk it up to experience and make better choices for their next design.  That’s an old school of thought.  You don’t have to make that mistake.  Besides, do you really what to spend addition money to cover up a bad tattoo with another design that will need to be bigger and darker than the previous one?  Or worse yet, undergo pricey and painful laser removal surgery?  All this can be avoided by simply taking your time.  Don’t let anyone force you into getting a tattoo.  You do it when you’re emotionally and spiritually ready.  Remember: A tattoo is permanent, so why not get it right the first time?

Second Rule of Thumb: Select THE PERFECT TATTOO.

This is your first step towards getting THE PERFECT TATTOO.  A friendly word of advice: try not to be too heavily influenced by fads or current popular trends.  Each design you get should be able to stand the test of time.  Also, it’s your body so it’s your tattoo.  Only you truly know yourself, so don’t allow friends, family, your significant other or even the tattoo artist influence you into getting a design they want you to get or that they think suits you best.  Never compromise with the art that goes on your body.  You’re the only person who has to be happy with it.  No one else.  One of the benefits of selecting THE PERFECT TATTOO from BullseyeTattoos.com is that there is no pressure.  You can do it from the privacy of your own home without anyone standing over your shoulder, intimidating you.  And once you’ve found that perfect tattoo design, follow our simple checkout instructions and download both the color reference and stencil to your computer and print it out to take to your tattoo artist.

Note: Some sites suggest “taking your tattoo for a test spin” and while that sounds good in theory, it’s just a ploy to get you to spend extra money on tattoo decal paper.  A tattoo decal will look nothing like your actual tattoo as it doesn’t take into account your skin tone and how ink takes to your skin.  So, don’t be fooled by cheap tactics to fleece you of your hard earned money.  Save the money for your actual tattoo.  If you have a little extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, why not tip your tattoo artist for a job well done.

Third Rule of Thumb: Only Use BullseyeTattoos.com High Quality Stencils.

How do you get THE PERFECT TATTOO?  Start out by working with a high quality stencil!  You’d be surprised how many people have no clue that every tattoo design has a matching stencil.  Before the tattoo artist turns on their machine to do the tattoo, a stencil needs to be applied directly to your skin. The tattoo artist will use a tattoo machine called a "liner" to set your stencil permanently into the skin.  Although you may think you don’t need a stencil or figure you can hand trace your own stencil, please be aware that an inferior hand-traced stencil is the highest cause of bad tattoos.  Save yourself the hassle, headache and disappointment and use Bullseye Tattoos PROFESSIONAL ARTIST STENCILS.

Fourth Rule of Thumb: Choose Your Tattoo Artist Wisely.

It is safe to say that a great majority of today's tattoo professionals are far more skilled and highly trained than ever.  But even with the ratio skewed so high in favor of good tattoo artists, if you’re not careful, you could find yourself in the hands of a weaker or even unskilled tattoo artist.  So, how do you make the right choice?  While years of experience tattooing isn’t always the perfect barometer for determining the right tattoo artist, it’s a good starting point.  In addition to experience, you should check your artist’s work for talent.  Any tattoo artist worth their salt will have a portfolio of their work that you can look through (you shouldn’t make a habit of trusting a tattoo artist that can’t show you photos of previous tattoos they’ve done).  What are you looking for?  Crisp and clean black outlines. Smoothly blended colors, designs that contour perfectly with the body.  If you find someone’s work you like, talk to that artist.  They should be open to answering any questions you might have and discussing your design with you.  If they aren’t or if they tend to be disagreeable or argumentative, they’re probably not the right artist for you.  THE PERFECT TATTOO artist should instill you with confidence not fear and regret.  Remember: Getting a tattoo is an intimate and personal thing and it’s your responsibility to make sure the tattoo artist you select can live up to you exacting standards.

Most people wind up choosing their tattoo shop by word of mouth.  So whether it’s a friend or an absolute stranger, if you like a tattoo on someone’s body, and think it’s high quality work, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask them where they got it done and who the artist is. A person who got a tattoo they liked in a shop that agreed with them surrounded by a friendly staff will more than likely be open to talk about where the work was done.

If that isn’t an option, you can always try visiting the local tattoo shops in your area.  This is always advisable because you get to see the condition of the shop first hand and may actually get to see an artist at work.  And while you’re there, you can inspect the shop’s upkeep.  It is a clean and sanitary place?  Well organized with great attention to detail taken?  If it is, then you’re off to a good start.

Fifth Rule of Thumb: You Make An Appointment?  You Honor That Appointment.

Tattoo artists take their craft seriously as you would expect them to.  It’s their profession.  On the day of your appointment, you should show up on time, well nourished and rested (this helps you relax in the chair and sit still).  Being restless and fidgeting in the chair not only breaks the tattoo artist’s concentration but can affect the outcome of your tattoo.  And despite what you see in the movies, it is NEVER a good or smart idea to get tattooed while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Sixth Rule of Thumb: It’s Your Tattoo, Take Care Of It.

So, you’ve followed our instructions to the letter and carefully selected the perfect Bullseye Tattoo design, researched the best tattoo artist and finally got a tattoo that you simply love.  You’re all done, right?  Wrong.  Now you’ve just moved into the wonderful world of “after care”.  A tattoo isn’t really finished until it’s totally healed.  Below, we’ve listed GENERAL RULES for after care.  They are simply SUGGESTIONS for caring for your tattoo.  You should ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR TATTOO ARTIST REGARDING PROPER AFTER CARE PROCEDURES.

Step 1: After 3 hours, remove the bandage gently and wash with warm water and mild antibacterial soap. DO NOT REBANDAGE.

Step 2: Apply a thin film of A&D Ointment, Bacitracin, or the like 3 times a day for the next 3 days. After 3 days, use a hand lotion like Dermassage or Noxema until skin returns to its pre-tattoo condition.

Step 3: Stay out of sunlight and tanning booths until tattoo is healed, at least 2 weeks.

Step 4: Do not soak tattoo in tub, sauna, Jacuzzi or go swimming while your new tattoo is healing. Showers are fine.

Step 5: Do not rub or pick the treated area while it is healing. Loss of color and/or infection could occur.

Step 6: Extreme sun and exposure over the years can and will fade your tattoo. This can be minimized by using a strong sunscreen, at least SP15.

Okay, here’s all the legal stuff you never read but probably should, also known as a DISCLAIMER:

Bullseye Tattoos assumes no responsibility for your decision to get a tattoo, your choice of tattoo design or your choice of tattoo artist.  Satisfaction is not guaranteed even if you follow all the rules of thumb to getting THE PERFECT TATTOO.  The ideas are presented as suggestions only.  You are ultimately responsible for your own decisions.

YOUR FIRST TATOO: A Idea To Ink