A consultation isn't the design phase — it's the alignment phase. The artist is figuring out what you want, what works, and whether it's a piece they want to do. Come unprepared and you'll get a generic version of your idea. Come prepared and you'll get the tattoo you pictured.
What to bring
- · 5–15 reference images — mix style, composition, line weight
- · A rough size and placement in mind
- · Your budget — be honest
- · Open questions, written down
What to ask the artist
- · “How would you approach this design?”
- · “How will this age over 5–10 years?”
- · “Are there placements you'd steer me away from?”
- · “What's your hourly rate, minimum, and design fee?”
- · “When can you book me in?”
What to listen for
A great artist will push back on parts of your idea — too much detail in too small a space, a problematic placement, a font that won't hold up. That's not them being difficult. That's them protecting your tattoo from looking bad in three years.
Red flags
- · Hard-selling you on a same-week appointment
- · Refusing to show healed examples
- · Brushing off your style references
- · Being vague about pricing
After the consultation
You should walk out feeling clear, not pushed. Take 24–48 hours before booking the appointment. If anything feels off — the studio energy, the artist's communication, the price — trust it. There are other artists.