So you want a tattoo that will honor your late grandma, proclaim your national pride, give the nod to your manga obsession, and throw in some other symbols just for fun? Not a good idea. Trying to cram too many images and concepts into a design is a common mistake. This approach means that each item has to be smaller to fit into the tattoo composition, and these types of tattoo designs often seem overcrowded and jumbled.
It’s a good rule of thumb to have one significant focal point combined with a few supporting elements.

Fearing that it will be very, very painful is a big mistake. Newbies psych themselves into this fear. There is indeed pain with tattoo work, but it’s not sufficient to be afraid.

Not knowing what they want. Several times a week, I get questions like, “What should I get for my first tattoo?” A tattoo should be a personal thing that is meaningful or decorative for you-not for someone else.

Getting the popular flash or trendy designs everybody has, to say they have a tattoo. Flash is the typical type of meaningless design that hangs on tattoo shop walls or that they find on Pinterest. It’s pointless, and you may end regretting it.

Another big mistake is getting a girlfriend or boyfriend’s name with True Love Forever in a heart. Almost always signals the end of a relationship and a tattoo that will eventually need to be covered up. Don’t do boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s names.

Also, another BFF tattoos at 18. You probably won’t keep in touch more than a few years after college. Less after high school, unless you both don’t leave your small town, lol.

Expecting the artist to design the tattoo for free is a big mistake. That is their job. They deserve to get compensated for their work. Not tipping the tattoo artist at least the same percentage, you tip a waiter or hairdresser.

Wanting the tattoo artist to entertain you when they work is another mistake that can affect your new tattoo. If they want to have a conversation, it is fine. But if they are quiet, it’s because they are concentrating on your tattoo to give you the best tattoo possible.

There is a lot of mistakes we can keep mentioning, but we know nobody is perfect, so no worries. Put at list some ideas together, and when you ready Get in touch, and we will help you through the process. Contact us at Joan Zuniga Tattoos if you want to Book An Appointment.

Mistakes you should avoid when you are going to get a New Tattoo.

Getting a tattoo is a rite of passage for many. But considering the permanent nature of tattoos, it’s essential to think. Do your homework and make sure you’re putting yourself in capable hands.

If you’re thinking about downing some liquid courage before taking a tattoo to think again, drinking before and after getting a tattoo is a big no. Alcohol thins your blood, which means excess bleeding. When you bleed more than usual, it affects the visibility of your artist and also compromises the quality of the tattoo. Excess bleeding can also thin the ink. There’s also the fact that alcohol impairs judgment, and you don’t want to make permanent decisions while you are drunk.

Furthermore, drinking after the fact can compromise

the healing of the tattoo because of its effects on your blood. So take it easy for a bit. Getting a tattoo is a pretty big decision and should go carefully. You wouldn’t buy a car without doing your research, right.?

When deciding on a tattoo studio and a tattoo artist, this could be hard for some of you since not everyone has artistic knowledge. But you should look around and take a close look at the artwork or portfolio; some tattoo artists may specialize in tiny tattoos. For example, while others are better in black and gray realism or portraits.

Are you going too Small? Even if a small design looks great on a piece of paper, that doesn’t mean it will translate well to your skin. Tiny tattoos often wind up looking like blemishes, and trying to create an intricate design in a small place will likely lead to ink lines blurring or bleeding into one another. The scale is significant, so discuss it with your artist and listen to what he recommended.

You should always listen to your tattoo artist. If you have any doughts just contact us we will be glad to help.

In addition to the artist’s skill level. the price of your tattoo depends on the size, complexity, and the time it takes to complete

Not only the design but also the tattoo. Some times you asked a lot online, on direct messages, by email or even on some cases, showing at the tattoo shop and asking questions like, “how much does a sleeve cost?” or “How many hours does a sleeve take?” won’t give you the answer you are looking for.

Those vague questions do not give us the information required to provide an accurate price. You can compare it to asking, ‘How much is a car?’. It depends on the model, what features if used, and so on. If you are looking to get some quality ink, be sure to have a clear plan in mind when a comes to your design. Try to figure out roughly how large or how large you want the tattoo to be. And bring in visual examples or references of what you’re looking for if possible.

Your references can also be pictures that will give your artist more information about your taste and the style you want your tattoo since there are so many tattoo styles and ideas. Since every work, every client, type of skin, size of their body is different. Price can fluctuate a lot some times is done by the hour, half-day, full-day, or even by a flat rate for the piece.

That will make it easier to give you an accurate price quote.

When you are researching for your references, there is plenty of platforms, websites, and even apps you can use in your research. When you are looking for ideas for your tattoo design, make sure to take your time. Put everything together before to get in contact with the artist you choose for your tattoo. That will save time for both you and the tattoo artist. So that time can be used for the application on your skin that sometimes takes a long time depending on the complexity of the work you request.

Keep in mind that when you are coming for your tattoo, you should rest and make sure you eat well. So you are in optimal condition to get the work done. That will allow your tattoo artist to focus on the creation and quality of your work.  

Want to Book a Consultation or get a quote on that tattoo you want? Get in Touch with us at Joan Zuniga Tattoos. 

Tattoos can be expensive. But you should always reserve a little extra to account for your tattoo artist’s tip.

Many artists expect some tips after completion of a tattoo.”Tipping is a courtesy, but it is more fluid than tipping at a restaurant.” “At a restaurant, your tip helps make up that individual’s wage. In tattooing, your tip is a way to show your artist appreciation for doing a great job.

That means you can tip any amount want and will be appreciated. However, giving an inferior tip (or no tip at all) may be taken as an indication that you are not happy with your tattoo artist performance.
As a tattoo artist, I never expect a tip. They are always appreciated. If you aren’t able to tip, sometimes personalized gifts are fantastic to get too.

Proper etiquette is much the same as many other service industries; 10 % should be a bare minimum, 20% is excellent — couple things to keep in mind. First, most artists work off of a commission basis, so they are often only making around half of what they charged.

While that may seem like it is still the right amount of money, by no means is it a lucrative business for most artists. There is quite a lot of time that they spend not tattooing, i.e., not making money, but still working. So that gets spread out not just for the time they work on you, but all the times they aren’t working, or the times they are drawing or researching for your design. On average, tattoo artists make closer to minimum wage than those that average middle-class income.

Second, the supplies that it takes to do the tattoo, and to draw the design cost money. On average, it can cost the artist as much to set up and do the tattoo as they make from doing the tattoo. Or close enough to make no difference. Many artists have multiple thousands invested in machines and inks, not to mention the supplies that get thrown away after each tattoo. They pay that from the percentage that they receive from the tattoo.

And one that gets overlooked all the time. Tattoo artists are independent contractors. That means no insurance. No workers comp, no unemployment benefits, no paid vacation, none of the compensations a majority of people take for granted.

So the next time you go to get tattooed, realize that most of us do this for the love of tattooing, and not from the money it makes us.

Because it is costly to tattoo, and most of us are barely getting by. Your tips are appreciated, and sometimes the only money that artists will be able to take home to pay bills or eat off. That could be how they make their car payment or take their significant other on a date.

So if your artist takes the time to do a good tattoo, and you want to show you appreciate the hard work and long hours it takes to do this job for you, a tip is a great way to prove it. I promise it will be appreciated. Even if it isn’t needed or expected, it will be appreciated.

I’d say the average tip is around 15%. If you’re pleased with the tattoo, take a stack of business cards and spread the word to everyone who asks about it, because that definitively helps. While tips are appreciated, and even if the client decides not. It won’t affect how I do my job if you don’t.

Want to Book An Appointment with a tattoo artist for your next tattoo Project? Contact Joan Zuniga Tattoos, get in touch.

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