How to choose a tattoo artist?

Before we go under the pins

The advent of tattoos in recent years has greatly contributed to the development of the profession of tattooing, there are more than 5 of them in France, according to SNAT (National Syndicate of French Artists).

However, it is clear that when it comes to tattooing, talent is not ambiguous, and that behind the word “tattoo artist” there are very heterogeneous levels, as well as different styles and universes.

In this article, we will go over some of the best practices to be adopted to avoid the wrong choice when choosing a future tattoo artist.

How to recognize a good tattoo

For some, feeling is the first argument in favor of choosing a tattoo artist. If you don't attach any importance to aesthetics, it will be difficult to convince you to apply this rule. Obviously, treating the tattoo artist well is important, but the most important thing is to appreciate his work.

Here are some tips that will allow you to objectively assess the quality of the work your tattoo artist is doing.

line

This is a line drawing. With a tattoo, everything is very simple: the lines should be straight. These are the basics, but still not so simple! Thus, the line is the regularity of the lines that define the outline of your tattoo. Often this is where the tattoo begins. So learn to observe the contours of the tattoo to see if the lines are of the usual thickness, if they are straight, when they should be. This is the beginning, Padawan!

Moreover, let's clarify one important thing: we often hear that the ability to draw a straight line is the basis. So yes, it’s possible, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. When in doubt, grab a pen and try to draw a straight line on a piece of paper. Now imagine that the tattoo artist has to do this, but with a dermograph and on the skin. All this suggests that the slightest achievement in a tattoo requires a lot of work (and talent)! 

Beautiful shading makes tattoos look beautiful! It can be found on all tattoos and is not easy to achieve either. Simply put, beautiful shading is characterized in two ways: gradual evolution of shades and well-defined contrasts. 

In colorimetry, saturation refers to visual sensation. In a tattoo, this can be translated as follows: are the colors clear? Normal? Dense? It is very simplistic but allows you to quickly understand the concept. These are two examples of good and bad practice!

Which studio should you choose? 

Most tattoo artists have a specialty. You will also need to determine the style of tattoo you want to achieve and contact a tattoo artist who specializes in that genre. Generally, you can adore the work of a great old school tattoo artist, but if you want to get a portrait tattoo (realistic tattoo) you don't have to ask for it.

South TattooMe.comWe offer a search engine that allows you to filter by style. This will allow you to complete the first filter before looking in detail at the work of tattoo artists that might interest you. You can also view our page Facebook, it will also help you grab attention!

In France, we are fortunate to have enough talented tattoo artists so we don't have to cross the country to find a tattoo artist that suits you and can get your tattoo done. This does not mean that you need to go to a tattoo artist on a street corner under the pretext that he is displaying a "specialist of one style or another" in his workshop window.

At the same time, it is quite possible that you showed the work of a certain tattoo artist, and this one lives on the other side of the country. In this case, first take the time to contact him and explain your situation to him. Many tattoo artists are "guests" in France and abroad, that is, they take suitcases for several days and settle in another studio. It is therefore quite possible that the tattoo artist in question will visit you within a year and that he still has a place to take care of your skin! Also inquire about the convention program. Conventions are meetings of tattoo artists that are open to the public. There are all year round and throughout France. The most famous creature World Tattoo in Paris and Cantalum ink in Shod-Eg. But hey there are a lot of them conventions, and in almost all cities of France!

Well, it might sound like a boat, but you will keep your tattoo for the rest of your life, and if the above solutions don't work, it might be worth spending some money on train tickets and maybe overnight. A hotel to be bitten by a tattoo artist of your choice. Think of it as a weekend getaway and an opportunity to discover a new region!

It is a important topic to which we regularly devote articles! And here are two rules that we recommend that you follow: never work with a tattoo artist at home (by home we mean those who come to you; not to be confused with tattooists who work in a private studio) and do not work. afraid to enter the studio to inspect the premises.

Finally, know that your tattoo artist must wear gloves when biting you, and that equipment must be sterile or disposable. If these conditions are not met, do not risk it, go your own way. It should be noted, however, that the vast majority of French tattooists are impeccable in terms of hygiene and that a hygiene and sanitation certificate is a must for every tattoo artist. TattooMe now delivers that kind of precision.

Pitfalls to Avoid

You will now need to look through as many tattoos as you can in order to get used to them and quickly recognize a good or bad tattoo. But still, there are a few pitfalls to avoid before committing!

Don't trust the Facebook tattoo community you are watching. Firstly, because many pages are artificially inflated when advertising, and secondly, the most popular jobs are not necessarily the best. Please note, for example, that all of the tattoo illustrations we presented to you at the top of the article are from tattoo artists with over a thousand Facebook fans (including those to be avoided). 

Being a union member does not mean being talented. French tattoo unions are doing an admirable job, especially when compared to our European neighbors, but they do not select their members based on quality criteria. So make no mistake: being a union member does not mean being talented.

Please note, however, that SNAT imposes a charter on its members in which the tattoo artist undertakes to comply with applicable hygiene standards (although French law requires this) and to create creative works. It is not enough to break three legs of a duck, but it is already better than nothing.

As we said above, a quality tattoo is relatively expensive. Relatively because for a month's salary it will sting, but for a lifetime - nothing! prices vary according to several criteria: the rating of the tattoo artist, of course, his geographic location, the prices are not the same in Paris, in the provinces or in the countryside (you will also notice the rent). Tattoo artists' own assessment of their work also matters.

In France, many tattoo artists work on an hourly basis. It usually ranges from € 60 to € 150 depending on the criteria mentioned above. But be careful! This is not good because the tattoo artist charges € 150 per hour!