Getting inked is perhaps one of the most fulfilling experiences you can ever have. The initial pain, followed by a sense of accomplishment and the ability to express yourself through a tattoo, is priceless. But to experience all that, you need to find a tattoo artist that can bring out the vision you want. Tattoos are for life, so you better find a skilled artist that you can be comfortable with. Take into consideration the following factors to help you find the right tattoo artist for you.

1.  Learn to Ask Around First

Going online and typing “skilled tattoo artist” is easy enough these days, but nothing still beats word of mouth or even just the opinion of others about how they got their tattoo. By asking around and talking to friends or family members about their tattoo experience, you’ll get an idea of which ones could be a good fit for you. If you’re more inclined to do your research online, then look for online reviews about an artist’s works. Even if you don’t find a great tattoo artist this way, it’s still pretty much worth asking around. You’ll be surprised to learn a lot like some of the artists you should avoid or just some of the other people’s negative experiences.

2. Work Portfolio

How can you judge the skill of an artist if you haven’t even seen their work? It’s important to see a tattoo artist’s portfolio so you can get an idea of what their previous work looks like. Check for strong and solid lines that look like they were made in a single stroke. This shows just how good the artist’s hands are when doing freehand tattooing. The quality of the color and the shading is also something you should look at closely. A good artist can make smooth and consistent colorwork. They should also be able to use color gradients properly.

3. Hygiene

Aside from looking at an artist’s skill, one of the most important factors to consider is hygiene. Tattooing involves the use of a mechanized needle that punctures your skin so it can inject ink into your dermis, which is the second layer of your skin. A process like that requires good hygiene practices to ensure the tattoo is applied correctly without any risk of getting an infection. Yes, poor hygiene can lead to infections like blood poisoning. That’s why it’s important to know what hygiene practices a particular artist or tattoo shop does to keep their equipment clean and sanitized at all times.

The tattoo studio itself should be clean, with surfaces regularly wiped down after each client. If you see the artist not wearing any gloves while working, then that could already be a red flag. You should ask for the tattoo artist’s hygiene certificates, which clearly indicate that they follow a strict sanitation standard when keeping their workplace clean.

Conclusion

These three factors should help you determine whether a tattoo artist is up for the job. It also works to talk to them personally and get to know how their process is when working with clients. At the end of the day, you’ll be the one going under the needle, so it only makes sense to only want the best and most skilled artist you can find.

Certified Tattoo Studios is Colorado’s premier tattoo destination. Founded in 2006, we take pride in our craft and believe that everyone has a right to express themselves through stunning works of art on their body. By getting tattooed, you are able to achieve that level of expression that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for some of the best tattoo artists in the state, Certified Tattoo Studios is the place to be.