Choosing Your First Tattoo Archives

How to Plan a Tattoo Sleeve

The Strategy of How to Time and Plan a Tattoo Sleeve

From the design, budget, and number of sessions it will take, you need to first strategize how to plan a tattoo sleeve before embarking on this design journey.

Are you planning your next big tattoo project? Getting a sleeve is no joke and it’s a big commitment. It requires a lot of planning, money, and time. Do you know how to plan a tattoo sleeve?

Planning a big tattoo takes some forethought. It’s not like grabbing a quick flash piece on Friday the 13th or adding a new piece to your thigh. It’s an entire project and you need to decide how you want it to look. You only have so much space.

Does this sound overwhelming to you? We get it. We’re here to offer some advice so you can get your new sleeve started. Keep reading to learn all about strategizing and planning a tattoo sleeve that you’re going to be proud to show off.

Decide: Full Sleeve or Half Sleeve?

The first step for planning your tattoo sleeve is figuring out whether you want a full sleeve (one that runs all the way from your wrist to your shoulder) or a half sleeve (which runs from either your wrist to your elbow or your elbow to your shoulder.

Planning a half sleeve tattoo is often more complicated than the full sleeve because you only have so much room and it tends to be more important that everything looks cohesive. We’ll talk about cohesion later on.

Half sleeves will be more affordable and they’ll take less time than full sleeves. Full sleeves have a more jarring visual effect (which some people want). Artists will be happy to work with you when you’re trying to decide and they can make suggestions based on your preexisting tattoos and on what will work best with your body.

Eclectic, Cohesive, or a Mix? You Choose

Sleeves come in two primary varieties: eclectic and cohesive.

Eclectic sleeves tend to have a basic idea in mind and they’re patchworked together over time. These sleeves require less planning but just as much attention to detail as their cohesive counterparts.

Eclective sleeves can still have cohesion. You might work with one artist throughout the process, or choose one color, style, or theme as a throughline. For example, many people have sleeves full of American traditional tattoos that don’t “go together” per se, but they still look like they were done with intention because they match.

Other people choose blackwork for their sleeves, or an arm full of florals. While these things aren’t all part of one piece in a traditional way, they still make up a whole.

Cohesive sleeves are based on one project. You come in with something in mind and the tattoo artist will come up with a single piece that covers your entire (or half) arm. While this takes more planning in the design stages, you don’t have the task of filling in all kinds of small leftover spaces from an eclectic sleeve.

Blackout sleeves are trendy right now, which is a full sleeve of black ink or black ink with white or skin-colored designs, like a reversal of the traditional tattoo sleeve.

Pick a Style and Artist

There are all kinds of tattoo styles to choose from. Because a tattoo sleeve is such a huge commitment, it’s important that you pick a style that you love. You’ll be seeing a lot of it.

American traditional and Japanese traditional are two popular styles for tattoo sleeves because they include bold lines and shading so you know that the sleeve will have longevity. Some people like sleeves full of tribal-style tattoos, or sacred geometry designs.

If you’re doing a completely cohesive piece, you’ll have one style for the entirety of the arm. You want to choose an artist that’s adept with that style, not just your favorite local artist who’s done other styles of work that you like.

Visit local shops for portfolio books and check out the Instagram accounts and galleries of local artists to see portfolios. These portfolios will help you decide who the right person for the job is.

Talk With Your Artist

Once you’ve chosen your artist, it’s time to have a consultation. Tattoo consultations are often free (though you will make a deposit that goes into the final cost of your tattoo. That deposit covers the time and effort your artist will put into the art in case you choose to not get the tattoo).

While you may come in with ideas, don’t come in with a sleeve that you want an exact copy of. Instead, come in with concepts and other drawings that have a similar feeling to what you have in mind.

An artist’s job is to make art, not copy. Your tattoo artist will make a design that suits your needs and works best with your form. Many will make small alterations on the day of. They know that a sleeve is a commitment.

Schedule Carefully

Some artists will give you the option of scheduling a sleeve for one day. If this happens to be your first tattoo, don’t choose this option. Even if you’re a tattoo veteran it might be too much for you.

It’s wise to schedule blocks in several-hour increments depending on your pain tolerance.

Talk to your artist about how they prefer to schedule large projects like this and make sure to discuss the cost. Because most artists charge by the hour, they may want you to pay as you go or they may want a larger upfront sum.

If you aren’t doing it all in one go, it’s best to give yourself time to heal between sessions (especially if you’re doing lines and color or shading on separate days).

Now That You Know How to Plan a Tattoo Sleeve, Get Started!

Knowing how to plan a tattoo sleeve is the first part of the battle. The actual planning? Much more difficult.

Find a great artist who can help you bring your tattoo sleeve ideas to life. We know planning a big tattoo is hard and we want to make sure that you get something that you love.

To learn more, contact us here.

Tattoo Placement

5 Things To Consider For Your Tattoo Placement

The tattoo.

Once a sign of deviance, having one or more of them has become increasingly popular over the years. Nearly 40% of Americans aged 18-39 have at least one tattoo and the number is growing.

In fact, the tattoo industry is the 6th fastest-growing industry in the United States. On average, there’s one new tattoo studio opened in the country every single day.

Has the urge to get inked affected you? Maybe you’re considering your first piece, or maybe you’re thinking of adding a new one to your personal canvas. Either way, tattoo placement is a thing to consider — tattoo regret is real.

So, where’s the best spot for a new tattoo? Read on for five top tips for tattoo placement.

1. Tattoo Placement: Think Spacing

If you already know what you want as a tattoo, this can go a long way to figuring out where to put it.

Small tattoo placement can be easier on the one hand because they can go just about anywhere. On the other hand, more options might make it harder to decide.

It usually makes the most sense to put a small tattoo on a smaller part of the body to avoid making it look out of place. Your wrist, ankle, foot, or behind the ear are good bets.

Placing a small tattoo in this way also avoids taking up a large space when you might want to use it for a bigger one later.

For larger tattoo placement, your options are more limited, but this can also make it easier to choose. If you’re thinking of a big piece, your back, thighs, calves, or shoulder are the best candidates.

2. Fit the Art to the Canvas

The shape of the tattoo itself can help you determine where to put it. Does your plan take up round or rectangular space? Is it oblong? Do you want it to be vertical or horizontal?

Longer, thinner pieces, including vertical or horizontal text, work well going down your back or leg or along your forearm. Alternatively, if you want to make a band out of them, they could wrap around any part of your leg or arm.

Round pieces work well on the chest, the back, or the outside of the shoulder.

When you’ve settled on a tattoo idea, start visualizing the way it will take up various spaces on your body. Look for body parts with a similar shape to the tattoo.

3. Who’s It For?

A big consideration in picking a spot should be your intended audience. Do you want to be able to see it? Do you want strangers to be able to see it?

If you’ve got an idea for a tattoo that has a lot of deep, personal relevance to you, chances are you’re going to want to be able to see it.

In this case, pick a spot on the front of your body – places that you can see in the mirror or simply by looking at yourself. Your arms, chest, legs, or stomach are good spots for this. Avoid the back of the body — you might forget you even have the tattoo there from time to time!

Another thing to consider is how much you want others to be able to see your ink.

While acceptance of tattoos in the workplace is on the rise, there is still a stigma around them. In fact, no state in the US has laws preventing discrimination based on tattoos and many employers still find them unacceptable.

If you’re concerned about the impact of your tattoos on your employability, you’ll want to avoid places you can’t hide them. In this case, your face, neck, and hands are probably a no-go.

4. Consider The Pain Factor

Some people who get inked find the pain to be invigorating. Others see it as a necessary evil. Whatever your feelings toward masochism are, it can be helpful to be aware of the pain factor when considering tattoo placement.

Different parts of the body can be more or less sensitive under the needle. Generally speaking, bonier parts of the body are more painful than fleshier ones.

The Most Painful Spots

If you’re trying to minimize the pain of your tattoo, avoid these bony/thin-skinned spots:

Ribs
Spine
Collarbone
Wrist/Ankle
Finger
Sternum
Feet/Hands
Inside of the upper arm

Middle of the Road

These areas aren’t painless, but are usually more comfortable than the ones listed above:

Stomach
Back
Chest
Neck
Feet

The Least Painful Spots

If you’re really scared of the pain, these are going to be your best choices:

Forearms
Calves (except behind the knee or on the shinbone)
Thighs
Outside of the upper arm
Shoulder

5. Will It Move and Age Well?

One last thing to consider when deciding where to get your tattoo is what the skin will do over time. In this regard, considerations around tattoo placement for women can be different than for men.

tattoo placement

Your body is a moving canvas. You’ll want to consider how the tattoo will move with it. For example, your forearm skin sits differently depending on how your wrist is rotated. Which way do you want to be the default? Does the piece look good in any position?

Another thing to think about is how the skin might change. If you gain weight, a stomach tattoo might not look so hot anymore. Women who might become pregnant will probably want to avoid stomach tattoos.

Finishing Touches

Once you’ve settled on an idea and a location, make sure to get your work done with a reputable artist. A good one can help you make final decisions about your tattoo placement.

Check out our blog for other tattoo tips!

To learn more, contact us here.

Best Spot For a First Tattoo

The Best Spot For a First Tattoo

Don’t regret where you get your first tattoo on your body. Here is the very best spot for a first tattoo and why it matters!

Do you’re thinking of going out and getting your first tattoo!

Did you know that 27% of women have their tattoos placed on their ankles, while 34% of men choose to have it done on their upper back shoulder?

As the saying goes, the body is a canvas, but how do you make the decision of where to put permanent artwork? There are so many factors that you should consider when picking the best sport for a first tattoo.

Keep reading to find out all about tattoo placement, and ultimately, make the right decision for you.

The Best Spot for a First Tattoo

When asking the question, “What is the best spot for a first tattoo?”, we would first like to say, there’s no direct answer to this question.

Before you head into a shop though, ensure that you understand tattoo shop etiquette and the exact behavior that is required from you.

Many different people, from many different walks of life, choose to get a tattoo for a variety of choices. Things like other people being able to see your tattoo, the industry that you work in, your family’s culture, could all play a part in where you choose to put your first tattoo.

But let’s dive straight into the areas of the body that we believe are the best spots for a first tattoo.

1. The Upper Collarbone

Tattoos generally, over time, will fade in direct exposure to sunlight. If you’re leaning towards getting your first tattoo on your chest, then the upper collar bone is a great choice.

Why?

It’s rated one of the least painful places to get a tattoo, and also, the skin in this area doesn’t stretch as much as the rest of the chest over time, so your tattoo should remain fairly constant.

2. Your Back

If you’re worried about your tattoo changing shape over time, then the back is a great location for your first tattoo.

The skin here stays pretty constant if you experience weight gain, pregnancy, or other body changes.

The upper part of your back offers a solid canvas if you’re looking for a place that you can easily cover your ink in your daily life too.

3. Your Wrist

Most female customers will choose the wrist as the location for the first tattoo. It’s the perfect placement for a tattoo that is delicate and dainty.

But be warned!

The wrist has a lot of nerve endings, making the tattoo itself more painful than in other more cushioned areas of the body. Also, you’ll find it harder to cover up this bad boy in warm weather.

Be mindful of your choice of colors too, with the wrist spending much time in the sunlight, you may find that your tattoo fades quicker than it would in other areas. Chat to your tattoo artist about what color choices he would recommend for a tattoo on your wrist.

4. The Back of the Neck

The back of the neck is a popular choice for women with long hair, that feel they’ll easily be able to hide the ink if the situation calls for it.

It’s the perfect place for a small, delicate design to make its first appearance.

The level of pain in this area is not too high, in comparison to your rib cage for example, but during your time in the chair, the sound of the machine can seem really loud, ‘tricking’ people into believing it’s more painful than it actually is.

5. On Your Chest

The chest is generally an area chosen by men more so than women, and given the proximity to the heart, it’s the perfect place for a tattoo that holds a lot of meaning for the person getting it.

It’s similar to the way a footballer’s badge would be displayed, their team’s crest is sacred to them, and so should the tattoo be to you.

Also, the chest is the perfect place for you to consider a heart tattoo design.

It also allows for larger designs to be chosen, as opposed to the smaller areas on your wrist and ankle.

Places to Avoid for Your First Tattoo

Generally speaking, the biggest concern for someone getting their first tattoo is the level of pain they expect.

Obviously, getting a tattoo isn’t like a unicorn licking rainbows on your skin, the process can be painful and lengthy, depending on the location and the length of time that you sit in the chair.

Also, one factor which is hard to measure is your own level of tolerance for pain. If you’re one to scream when getting a vaccination, then you may want to stick with the list above.

Here are some of the areas that you should avoid if you’re worried about pain:

The rib cage is extremely sensitive
Fingers have little cushioning between the skin and the bone, so are quite painful during the tattoo process
Elbows also lack enough ‘meat’ to create a cushion, so you’ll feel the tattoo needles right down to the bone
The ankle is not an ideal place for your first tattoo, with the skin sitting so close to the bone, as well as all the weird ways you have to keep bending your foot in order to get the perfect tattoo

Choosing an area for your first tattoo though, shouldn’t be made on the level of pain that you wish to avoid, but rather, on the perfect placement for the design you’ve chosen.

You’ll really want to chat to your tattoo artist about the designs that you have in mind, and where he thinks the tattoo will be showcased best.

Heading Out for Your First Tattoo

Now that you know the best spot for a first tattoo, you should take your time in finding the right artist to do the application for you.

Look out for professional studios that have the right sanitation and disinfection procedures in place, the last thing you want to end up with is an infection.

Also, never make your decision based on price, like the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Rather budget more for your first tattoo, and get exactly what you’re hoping for.

To learn more, contact us here.

Best Tattoo Styles

10 Best Tattoo Styles to Consider for Beginners

If you are thinking about getting your first tattoo, certain designs will fit your situation. Here are the best tattoo styles to consider for beginners.

Are you thinking about getting your first tattoo soon? Are you still unsure about what kind of tattoo you want or what style you want it in?

Don’t hesitate to learn more about the various tattoo styles available. These can last a lifetime, after all, so take your time to discover which ones work best for you. Fortunately, we’ve got an in-depth right here for you.

Keep reading to learn more about the top ten best tattoo styles you can get.

1. Astrology-Based Tattoos

After Italy and Sweden, the USA has is one of the most tattooed countries in the world. 46% of Americans have at least one tattoo. It’s a sign of the changing times.

It means we are losing the stigmatization often associated with tattoos. It also means that people feel freer to express themselves without fear of judgment.

For a long time, astrological signs have been inspirations for tattoos. They’re great because they are universal, even Chinese astrology. You can also find a lot of great design styles that integrate astrological symbols in unique and creative ways.

2. Single-Word Tattoos

There is a simplistic yet graceful look to placing a single word on a blank space. The word can be anything you desire. It can be “euphoria,” “Lumos,” or any other word that means something to you.

Words carry subjective meaning to each of us. It’s a great idea for people who want small and discreet tattoos. You can also choose a combination of letters that don’t need to make up words or punctuation marks.

3. Fading Tattoos

If you want to ink in optical illusions on your body, fading tattoos are a great choice. You don’t even need to find a tattoo artist who uses “invisible” ink. All you need is one that knows how to create the illusion of fading.

Consider the wrist tattoo of dots that look like they’re “fading out” at a glance. When you take another second for a closer look, you’ll see that the dots only reduce in size. This size reduction creates the illusion of a fading wrist tattoo.

4. Science-Themed Tattoos

If you’re a big science nerd, consider a tattoo that shows it. The realm of science has a lot of potential for simple yet elegant tattoos. You can get a tattoo of molecular structures, formulas, and more.

Plus, everything in the world has a relation to science, be it abstract of physical. Do you want to remind yourself to be happy whenever you see your tattoo? Instead of inking in a line of “be happy” on your arm, consider a tattoo of the molecular structure of serotonin.

5. Single-Line Tattoos

There is an art to creating a tattoo design that’s only made up of a single line. It’s a great tattoo style for those who want a safe and simple yet elegant tattoo. It has a unique and minimalistic look.

It’s one of the best tattoo choices for couples if one partner feels hesitant towards getting inked. If done well, single line tattoos look clean and chic. Plus, you can get anything done with a single line, from sailboats to penguins.

6. Blackwork Style

When you say blackwork style, in technicality, you’re talking about an umbrella term. Blackwork is the tattoo style that focuses on creating body art with only black ink. This can include a uniquely shaped ink splat or a stylistic geometrical design.

Despite the limitations of using only black ink, you can do a lot with blackwork. A lot of blackwork tattoo artists make some of the most mind-blowing work. Beginners can consider having a small yet detailed design. It’ll match well with any expansions you may plan of having later.

7. Watercolor Style Tattoos

If you don’t like heavy black-only tattoos, consider the watercolor tattoo style. This one often takes out all the black lines from a traditional tattoo. It’s a modern tattoo style that makes your skin look like paper or canvas.

It’s one of the best tattoo styles for you if you prefer a whimsical and poetic aesthetic. Note that this isn’t a simple tattoo style. When you decide on this style, pick an artist who has experience with watercolor tattoos.

8. Tribal Tattoo Style

When you hear tribal tattoo, your mind likely goes to the bold, sharp, and curved lines that often make up the tribal tattoo style. While this is one of the most popular tattoo styles, true tribal tattoos are thousands of years old. They have a different look, especially since tribal tattoos are indigenous body art.

When you consider this tattoo style, think of Polynesian, Maori, or aboriginal tattoos. Think of the iconic tattoo of The Rock or the Samoan tattoo of WWE Superstar’s Roman Reigns.

One in five Americans has a tattoo. While having a tattoo is now more accepted in the workplace, face and neck tattoos are still a big no-no. If you plan on getting your first tribal-style tattoo, it’s always safe to keep it far from your face and neck.

9. Japanese Style Tattoo

From mythological creatures to beautiful geishas, Irezumi has a unique and bold look. They often tell stories or myths from the culture. Irezumi or Japanese-style tattoos also often end up as dramatic and powerful masterpieces.

If you’re into foreign tattoo designs, consider Irezumi or a modern take on it. Since creating Irezumi is also seen as an art, the craft takes everything into account. That includes how the tattoo ages and looks from various angles.

10. New School Style

Are you a big fan of Sailor Moon, the PowerPuff Girls, or Ren and Stimpy? Finally, here’s a tattoo style that you will love. The new school tattoo style isn’t all that new in reality.

It entered the spotlight in the late 80s till the early 90s. It featured an animated aesthetic that took after the cartoons that aired in those years. Today, the new school tattoo style has evolved into something more timely.

Find the Tattoo Style for You

That ends our guide on the best tattoo styles for beginners to consider. We hope you found a tattoo style that matches your aesthetic and preferences. We also hope you now have a clearer idea of the tattoo design you want that will fit your body and look.

Do you want to learn more about what you need to do when preparing for tattoos? Check out our blog for guides on getting a tattoo, finding other tattoo styles, and more. If you have any inquiries about getting tattoos, feel free to talk to us.

To learn more, contact us here.