Tattoo Shop Etiquette For Dummies

So, today, I got a chance to go out and get some new ink.  Every shop has their own atmosphere and apparently, mine wants to keep theirs just like it is, so they have this pamphlet called “Tattoo Etiquette”.  Well, I have been going their for ions, but I wanted to take a gander at it anyway, this is brilliant…here is All Star Tattoo’s guide to tattoo shop etiquette.

DO NOT go into a tattoo studio i you’ve been drinking or are under the influence of drugs.  Show your tattoo artist some respect and come sober.  Nobody likes dealing with drunks.

DO NOT try to bargain with your tattoo artist- Bargaining in a tattoo shop is an exercise in bad taste and the quickest way to tick your artist off.  You want quality work, not a bargain.

DO NOT brag to tattoo artist about how cheap you got your other tattoos- You will not earn brownie points and it SURE won’t get you a better deal on your tattoo.

DO NOT tell your artist about your buddy that does tattoos in their house/basement/ garage.  Tattooing in a non-shop setting is frowned on in the tattoo community and will not make you seem cooler.

DO look at the artist’s portfolios.  Tattoos are permanent, so make sure your artist can put on a clean looking tattoo  Pictures don’t lie and if they don’t have a portfolio, run.

DO NOT ask your artist to draw something just to see if he can.  There are people who come into the studio and ask for designs to be drawn without ever getting tattooed, don’t be that guy.

DO NOT bring a cheering section into the studio – Most shops will not let anyone accompany you into the tattoo area and it’s prohibited by law in some states.  You are always free to ask, but very few artist want 5 of your friends crowding the work area while he/she is trying to mark you for life.

DO NOT bring children into the tattoo studio.  Tattoo studios are not a place for children as there are many hazards that they can be exposed to.  Children can also be a distraction to you, your artist and other clients.

The next two are my two personal favorites:

DO maintain personal hygiene and physical decorum.  There’s noting more unpleasant than having to work on someone who smells.  You wouldn’t go to the doctor without bathing, do do the same for your tattoo artist. (You really have to tell grown folks to wash their ASS?? )

DO NOT try to force your artist to make social conversation if they don’t seem receptive to it.  Some artists like to talk and others don’t.  Your artist will appreciate the consideration and it’ll be reflected in the work.  (lol @ this, we are not customer service or therapist clause…ha ha.. I love it).

DO tell your artist if you are feeling green or funny.  Tell your artist right away (don’t try to tough it out), so that he/she can deal with it.  Your artist is prepared for it and knows how to handle it.

DO tip your tattoo artist.  If you didn’t know that tipping your artist is customary, YOU DO NOW!!  Tattoo artists DO NOT get paid an hourly wage, they earn a percentage of the money you pay for you tattoo and that is it.  If you receive exceptional service, show your appreciation by tipping.  As a general rule, tipping 10% is a minimum, 15-20% is normal and anything more is considered tipping heavily.

It is a damned shame that a shop has to tell grown ass folks how to act, smell and pay.  That is one thing that I like about the shop I go to, they speak their mind… lol.

Oh, duh.. what did I get today? This…. don’t hate, you know it’s cute… lol 

If you are in the STL area and need a good artist, check out Luke or Omar at All Star Tattoo or connect with them on the All Star Tattoo Facebook page.