So you’ve decided you want to get a tattoo. It’s an exciting prospect, and something you might be both nervous and excited about, but there’s no need to worry. While tattoo studios across the country can vary in their scheduling practices, artist specialties, and pricing, there are some things you can expect regardless of where you intend to get your next tattoo. Your tattoo studio and their employees and artists can help you understand the process and make sure you don’t miss any step along the way, but there are always some general things to keep in mind, too, as you go through the tattoo process from start to finish.

What to Keep in Mind Before Getting Your Tattoo

Have an Idea

In order to get a tattoo, you need to start with a general idea. Your tattoo idea might stem from your personal background or from inspiration you’ve found elsewhere, but every tattoo starts with an idea. It’s smart to flesh out exactly what your idea is as much as you can before you get started, but if your idea’s still a little hazy don’t sweat it—that’s where the experts come in!

Research Tattoo Studios

Once your initial tattoo idea is formulated, research where you might get your tattoo. There’s usually tons of information online about any tattoo studio, so start with the studio’s website. You can often view frequently asked questions, a portfolio, and schedule a consultation online. This is a great place to start when you’re thinking about getting a tattoo.

Not every tattoo artist can do the same type of tattoo that you are wanting. Many tattoo artists specialize in a particular type of tattoo, so view portfolios ahead of time to determine which artist’s style most closely matches what you have in mind.

Review Pricing

It’s always a good idea to get at least a general idea of pricing ahead of scheduling your actual tattoo session. Have a budget in mind before you ever even contact your tattoo studio. Your budget can help determine what your tattoo artist can offer in regards to the size, style, and amount of time needed for your tattoo.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to pricing is that a tattoo is an investment. This is art that you’ll be wearing on your skin for decades to come, so it’s not going to be cheap. A tattoo is worth spending a bit more money on to ensure a high-quality tattoo at the end of your session that will last a lifetime.

Set Up Your Appointment

Depending on the studio, you may need to contact the front desk, the tattoo artist you’d like to work with, or set up a free consultation beforehand. If you’re not sure how your tattoo studio sets up appointments, it never hurts to give them a call. Regardless of how you will need to set up an appointment, most tattoo studios have one thing in common: you’ll need to pay a deposit when you schedule your appointment. This shows the studio that you’re serious about getting your tattoo, and the deposit typically goes towards the price of your tattoo (though it’s a good idea to check on this with your tattoo studio to make sure.)

What to Keep in Mind the Day of Your Tattoo Session

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Don’t stay out all night partying with your friends the day before your tattoo session. While it might be tempting, if you don’t get enough sleep your tattoo experience can be a lot less enjoyable. Not only might you end up having a hard time staying awake while you get your tattoo, but you might also feel jittery and restless (especially if you up your caffeine intake to compensate for a lack of sleep!)

Make Sure to Eat Beforehand

Eating a good meal before your tattoo session helps your body prepare for the shock of the tattoo needle. If you don’t eat ahead of getting your tattoo, the adrenaline from the process can actually cause you to faint. To ensure that you stay conscious and don’t have any unnecessary reactions to the tattoo process, don’t skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner before your session!

Maintain Good Bedside Manner

You might think that bedside manner is only for doctors, but it comes into play when getting a tattoo as well. Not only is having a good attitude when you get your tattoo important for you, but it’s also important for the tattoo artist. Honor the rules of the tattoo studio when it comes to bringing friends and family, and come in with a friendly and open demeanor.

Pace Yourself Through the Tattoo Process

Yes, getting a tattoo can be painful, and it can be a long process, but you can definitely get through it! There are so many people with beautiful tattoos inked onto their skin out there, and they all survived the process, so keep that in mind as you start your tattoo session. It’s best to stay as still as possible when getting your tattoo, so come into your tattoo studio with a good mindset and leave distractions like your phone behind.

What to Keep in Mind After You Get Your Tattoo

Follow Aftercare Instructions

There are some key steps to take after you get your tattoo to make sure it heals properly without any problems. Wash your tattoo with antibacterial, scent-free hand soap to ensure your tattoo stays free of germs and isn’t irritated by any scene or other chemicals. Lubricate your tattoo with Aquaphor—put a thin coating over your tattoo for the first several days, making sure to reapply as needed so your skin doesn’t dry out. Once your skin has started to heal, you can switch to an unscented lotion rather than a thicker cream like Aquaphor, but be sure to go with a simple, scent-free lotion to, again, avoid irritation from scents.

Watch Your Tattoo Carefully the First Few Days

Most people have no problems while their tattoo heals, but it is possible for your tattoo to get infected if you aren’t following aftercare instructions to a T. The first few days of healing after you get your tattoo are when this is most likely to happen, so be sure to watch your tattoo carefully for any signs of infection. If an infection does pop up, it is most often due to exposing your tattoo to dirty surfaces, not due to the materials your tattoo artists used. This is why cleaning your tattoo is so important!

Wear Sunscreen

The sun fades tattoos over time, even in spite of your best efforts to protect your art. This is why using sunscreen is so important. Remember to use SPF whenever you’re going to be outside and your tattoo is going to be exposed to the sun. If you keep this trick in mind, even long after you’ve gotten your new tattoo, you’ll be more likely to keep your vibrant, beautiful art for years to come.

There is a lot to keep in mind when you are getting ready to get a new tattoo. Getting new ink is an investment, and we want to make sure that you are prepared to get the best tattoo possible and care for it so you’ll have amazing body art for years to come. If you keep these tips and tricks in mind before, during, and after your tattoo session, you’ll walk away with a new tattoo that you’ll love forever!