Getting a tattoo is a big decision, so here are some things to keep in mind as you’re preparing.

Whether you’re ready to get your first tattoo, or thinking about getting your twentieth, choosing the right tattoo is important. Your mom has probably already warned you that a tattoo is something you have for life, so you don’t need us to tell you again, but it’s true. While there are methods for removing or covering up tattoos that don’t age well, whether that’s due to memories associated with them, a poor tattoo job, or simply how you change and grow as a person, it’s not exactly easy to do so. That’s why choosing a tattoo design carefully is your best bet. No need to worry about laser tattoo removal or getting a coverup tattoo if you choose wearable art that you’ll love for decades to come!

When you’re researching tattoo designs, mulling over options, and deciding whether a particular design feels true to you, it can feel overwhelming. We’ve got you covered, though, with some failsafe things to consider as you are committing to your tattoo design.

Ask yourself why you want a tattoo.

There are so many reasons to get a tattoo, and you should ask yourself what your reason is. Maybe it’s to commemorate an important milestone in your life like graduating from college or finishing chemotherapy. Maybe you’re thinking about getting a tattoo as an act of symbolism towards those you love, like getting your wedding date tattooed or portraits of your children on your skin to show how much they mean to you.

Maybe you just want a tattoo because you like it—that’s a perfectly good reason all by itself! Art can make a deep impact and impression on you simply because it’s beautiful or speaks to you on a personal level. That’s the beauty of art—it impacts those who view it in a positive way.

Your reason for getting a tattoo doesn’t need to be complex or even make sense to anyone but you, so don’t sweat it. Nevertheless, it’s always worthwhile to give your tattoo some thought ahead of time to make sure you’ll love your new ink for years to come!

Talk to a tattoo artist.

We know getting a tattoo can be intimidating, especially if you can’t decide on the perfect design or are unfamiliar with the process. At Certified Tattoo Studios, we are here to help! Don’t question your tattoo design, reasoning, or the tattoo process, in general, any longer—schedule a free consultation with us today to talk about all your concerns. Both our studio staff and our tattoo artists live and breathe tattoos—it’s what we do! We want to help you feel confident in your decision to get a tattoo. This might look like getting a tour of the studio to make you feel more comfortable, customizing your tattoo design to be exactly what you envisioned, or just chatting one-on-one so you feel more comfortable with your artist. We’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Find a style that you like.

If you’re feeling unsure about your tattoo, we might be able to change that by simply changing the style! There are so many varied tattoo styles out there, and at Certified Tattoo Studios, we specialize in everything. We can help you find the perfect style for your tattoo, from realism to traditional, to blackwork, to script, to full-color, to abstract, to watercolor, and many more. We’ll help you decide what works best for the type of piece you’re looking to get tattooed, and go over all the details to make sure you’re one hundred percent happy with your art!

Consider your tattoo placement carefully.

Just like the style and content of your tattoo is important, so is the placement! There are many things to consider when deciding where you want your tattoo on your body, and if you’re uncertain about the placement you’ve chosen, we can help. Sometimes particular artwork or lettering works better in one spot than another. Similarly, some areas of the body are easier to tattoo, both due to pain level and due to the varying skin make-up on different parts of your body.

Maybe you’re worried about your tattoo getting in the way of your job or being difficult to cover up, too. While many employers are becoming more and more open to tattoos, we understand that may be of concern for you and are happy to help you decide where your tattoo should be inked so you are perfectly confident in your placement.

Make sure your tattoo makes you happy.

This one sums up just about every point, but it’s crucial to make sure that your tattoo makes you happy. Not every tattoo is coming from a place of happiness, and we get that. You may not always feel happy when getting a commemorative tattoo for someone you love who passed away, for example. But your tattoo should still make you proud to show it off! Make sure your tattoo is something you love and that you will be happy with for years to come—that’s the most important thing to keep in mind as you start the process of getting your tattoo.

Choosing what art you want to get tattooed permanently on your skin can be daunting! There are many things that can inspire you to get a tattoo in the first place, and an equal number of things to consider before finally getting that new tattoo inked into your skin. Narrowing down the why behind your tattoo, and why you ultimately decided to get the tattoo, is a crucial step in the process. At Certified Tattoo Studios, we’re here to help you through each step of the tattoo process, including helping you feel confident in your decision to get a tattoo and in your final tattoo art choice! Our incredibly talented artists are experts in the field for a reason, and we are here to help you as you embark on the journey of getting your next tattoo.