Making the decision to get a tattoo is a major one; tattoos, unlike piercings, cannot be taken out – and are much harder to change and remove. However, getting a tattoo is a great way to express individual styles and beliefs or to commemorate a significant event. Choosing the best design for a tattoo depends entirely on the person being tattooed, but there are simple guidelines that can help almost anyone pick out the perfect tattoo.
Location of Tattoos
Although having a visible tattoo is no longer the stigma it once was in the workplace and professional market, someone who wants a tattoo should still consider their future career plans when picking a tattoo design. As with real estate, tattoos are heavily dependent on location.
Certain areas of the body are also more painful when getting tattooed – the ribcage, tops of the feet, ankles, hands, wrists, neck and genitalia are all very sensitive areas. Anywhere close to a bone or near lots of nerves will be more painful. Getting a tattoo in any of those areas will almost certainly be more painful than being tattooed on the back, shoulder, upper arm or leg.
Choosing a tattoo’s design can also impact its location. Tribal tattoos are usually designed to encircle an arm or leg, while pictorial tattoos need a broad, flat surface to act as a canvas for the image, whether it’s a butterfly or a pin-up girl.
When designing a tattoo, paying extra attention to the area of the body where it will go will make a huge difference in the way the tattoo will end up looking.
Types of Tattoos
Most tattoo parlors and artists will have albums of photos and sketches showcasing their talents. Talking to an artist about exactly what sort of tattoo is desired can help in the planning stage of the tattoo. Discussing various types of styles, fonts (should the tattoo involve text), colors and types of ink will help pin down exactly what sort of tattoo is desired.
A talented tattoo artist can design or ink almost any design. Discussing the desired image and location of the tattoo with the tattoo artist before going in to actually get the tattoo will remove the possibility of confusion regarding the design and allow the artist time to sketch and practice the design. This is especially a good idea if the tattoo is very complicated or realistic.
Tattoos are as diverse as any art form. They range from simple words and symbols to tattoos that can appear to be three dimensional to complex patterns. Anything a tattoo artist is capable of drawing or tracing and coloring can be made into a tattoo, so the possibilities are very broad.
Tattoo Inks
While many tattoos will simply be black or dark blue, colored inks are also available to add a dash of pigment to the tattoo. Getting colored tattoos requires some more maintenance than a regular tattoo, especially with colors close to the skin tone as the ink will eventually get distorted or absorbed.
Ultraviolet ink is also available for someone who might want a tattoo but not want it to be immediately visible. These tattoos only show up under black lights. It’s good to do research on exactly what sort of UV ink the tattoo parlor uses, as the ink is a relatively new development and some inks are less effective than others. There is also a slight health risk with UV inks if they are not mixed properly.
White and brown ink are also great for individuals who want a tattoo that is subtler. These tattoos will show up more clearly as the skin around them changes color due to tanning or a fading tan, but white and brown ink tattoos are also very hard to spot, making them a good choice for someone who wants a tattoo that won’t draw a lot of attention in a visible location, as on the forearms.
Designing and Choosing a Tattoo
Tattoo designs are as simple or as hard as the individual makes them. Picking out the best tattoo design depends entirely on the personal style of the individual and the circumstances of the tattoo. Some tattoos are designed to commemorate a marriage or the death of a loved one, while others can be much more whimsical in nature –video game tattoos are gaining in popularity in recent years.
When designing the tattoo, it is important to have a well-drawn representation of the design to take to the tattoo parlor. A tattoo artist may be able to improve or suggest changes to the design to make it easier to ink or more attractive.
When it comes down to deciding on what a tattoo will look like, things to keep in mind are why the individual wants the tattoo – what it means to them, how they want it interpreted, where the tattoo will go and how much one is willing to spend on it. The most important part of choosing a tattoo design is picking out something that has meaning to the individual, whether it’s an inspirational quote or image or something that reminds them not to take life too seriously.
Choosing a tattoo design is all about expression, and finding the perfect one depends entirely on what the individual wants to express. Keeping in mind the location and cost of the tattoo, as well as the type of ink used in the tattoo, will help in making a final decision on the design.
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