A tattoo is an injury to the skin. High-quality colors, hygienic work, care and good advice are the hallmarks of reputable tattoo studios. But how do you find a tattoo artist who meets all your requirements? It's simple: ask and see!
A question of the tattoo studio's reputation
The profession of tattoo artist is not regulated by law, at least not in Germany. There is no fixed training, no degree courses. Most tattooists learn their craft from colleagues. They see themselves as artists who learn from experienced people through observation and close collaboration. So you don't need to ask for diplomas and master's certificates, academic titles or completed vocational training. Not even a school-leaving certificate is required. However, many tattoo studios now offer courses that extend over weekends or even longer periods of time. Confirmations of attendance and certificates of completion for such courses are therefore available.
Who knows what?
Certificates of attendance are not enough to really judge a tattoo artist or a tattoo studio. You can get a better impression by asking around among your friends and acquaintances. There are sure to be some people who will be happy to tell you about their experiences with their tattoo artist. A good tattoo studio's reputation precedes it. It is well known among tattooed people, is mentioned in the relevant magazines and is represented at trade fairs and exhibitions. Good work, neatly and aesthetically executed, gets around!
Just pop into the tattoo studio
Once you've caught the bug and found a tattoo studio that seems trustworthy, check it out. There is usually a visitor area where magazines are on display. This gives you a first impression: How do they greet you? Are you welcome as a potential customer? Or are you simply left in a corner with a pile of catalogs? What is the atmosphere like? Are you asked about your wishes, your concerns, possible motifs? And what does the studio look like?
In many cases, there are not only certificates from past courses and training sessions on the walls, but also photos of the best work. Do you like the style of the tattoos? Some studios specialize in one style, others see themselves more as a kind of intermediary agency between the various freelance tattoo artists and their customers.
References, exhibitions, social media
References include everything that a tattoo studio has to show. The spectrum ranges from thank-you notes from more or less prominent customers to awards that the studio has won for artistic achievements or other things. Caution: Customer reviews on the Internet are not enough! It is not easy to tell what is fake and what is real. This applies both to reviews on Google and to testimonials that studios may post on their own websites.
Visit tattoo conventions
It has already been mentioned: tattoo conventions such as Tattoocon are a kind of trade fair or expo for tattoo artists, tattooists, their customers and all interested parties. In addition to smaller local events, there are also large international trade fairs and conventions with five-digit visitor numbers. For tattoo studios, this is an advertising platform on the one hand, and on the other, a place to get inspiration and network within the industry. No tattoo studio can be represented at all tattoo conventions - but regular participation in at least some events is always a good sign.
Art wants to be on display!
A good twenty years ago, it was common practice for tattoo studios to photograph their best work and display the photos in their shop windows. This is still the case today. But that's not enough. Today, artists also compete with each other on the Internet. That's why both individual tattoo artists and studios maintain their own social media channels. It doesn't have to be a live session on YouTube - an aesthetically designed shop window on Instagram also says a lot. Just ask - you're sure to get a card with a list of all social media channels at the studio!
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Keep an eye on hygiene in the tattoo studio!
If you are already in the studio anyway, take a closer look around. Perhaps you can also have someone show you the rooms where the stitches are done. But the reception area will also give you a good idea of the circumstances. Because it's not certain whether you'll even be allowed in! Many studios still have an old-school look. Tattoo photos hang on the walls, you can just walk in, rock music or harder sounds echo through the rooms. A coffee machine is probably gurgling and hissing away somewhere, and there are probably other tattooed people around. That is inviting.
Modern studios appear clean
Another type of tattoo studio that has recently emerged, on the other hand, is absolutely stylish and clean. You can't even get in the door without an appointment. The studios are furnished in a minimalist style, look almost impersonal and you can forget about rock music and the smell of coffee. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing! Because what really matters is how clean the studio is. The music has little to do with it. A tattoo studio where you can't just walk around has less public traffic and is therefore easier to keep clean. The catch is that you can't find out without making an appointment.
The most important points
Ideally, the treatment rooms are separate from the entrance area. If you are lucky enough to be able to view such a room, please note:
- Tattooists wear disposable gloves when working.
- Needles must be packed in sterile packaging and may only be left lying around packed in this way.
- The couches must be disinfected regularly.
- Machines and appliances are hygienically packaged in plastic.
- Animals and visitors have no place in the treatment rooms, at least not while treatment is in progress.
- Ideally (thanks to the coronavirus) you should work with a face mask.
Whether only one person is tattooed in a room at a time or whether several treatment chairs or couches are combined in one room is a question of personal preference and has nothing to do with hygiene.
Professional work: advice, education, aftercare
Tattoo artists are indeed artists. But just getting a tattoo is not enough. Before you get an appointment to get your tattoo, get to know the artist. Let them show you their work and explain everything to you in detail. A detailed discussion of your desired motif should be a matter of course. The consultation also includes informing you about possible risks. You will be told how you should behave before and after the tattoo, what you should bear in mind regarding sleep, alcohol consumption, sport and swimming pool visits.
Seek the conversation!
A reputable tattoo artist will also explain everything you need to know about aftercare. The care of the tattoo is just as much a topic as the pain associated with the tattoo. Professional tattoo artists don't get impatient, but are happy to answer your questions in detail. Or they may even explain everything to you before you even ask.
Don't be ashamed of your questions. The day-to-day work of a tattoo artist is not just about getting tattoos. Other activities make up a much larger part of it. Cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment is just as much a part of the job as the constant drawing and rejection of designs in collaboration with customers. And the conversations are also important. Because every tattoo is an injury. The color is injected under the skin with needles - that requires skill, experience and concentration. Concentration is also required on your part, because you have to endure pain and keep still. This is not possible without trust. And trust is built up in the discussions beforehand.
Minimize risks through good aftercare
Your skin is perforated where the tattoo is located. The needle is used to apply the ink under the skin. This is why a tattoo may bleed. If the tattoo studio works cleanly, your skin will be disinfected and no infection will occur. Nevertheless, the skin in this area will still be irritated for a while and can also become inflamed. The color pigments are foreign substances that your body wants to get rid of, at least in part. It is therefore normal for the tattoo to bleed during the healing process, which means that you will also see color on any bandage that is applied. Your tattoo artist will explain all of this to you. If you are unsure or have any questions, simply contact your tattoo artist!
Aftercare for tattoos means that you accelerate wound healing. You keep the wound clean and the regrowing skin supple so that the tissue does not scar. This is because scarring detracts from the appearance. A good tattoo studio will look at the engraved design after a few days and then again after a few weeks. Sometimes the pigments under the skin shift during the healing process. In this case, touch-ups can be made. This is included in the cost of a tattoo and should not be explained on request!
Conclusion: Careful preparation is everything!
A tattoo is a decision for the rest of your life. Take your time, don't make it on the spur of the moment. And above all, don't just look at the price. Pay attention to whether the studio takes care of you and provides you with comprehensive support. References, a business license and other formalities will help you assess the studio.