Guides
How to choose a tattoo artist
Match the artist to the style you want, rather than picking the nearest studio. Look for healed photographs of work like the piece you are asking for, ask about the specific placement you have in mind, and treat an artist who says no to your idea as a good sign rather than a bad one.
What actually determines what a tattoo costs
There is no standard rate. Most artists price either by the hour or by the piece, and the number depends on the artist's demand, the style, the size and placement, and how many sessions it needs. We publish no price ranges because none could be sourced honestly — but the variables below are what you are actually paying for.
Tattoo aftercare, without the folklore
Follow the instructions your artist gives you, because they know what they put in your skin and which products they trust. Broadly: keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturised, keep it out of the sun, and do not soak it. Sun exposure over years is the single biggest factor in how a tattoo looks long-term.
Getting your first tattoo
Most of the anxiety around a first tattoo is about not knowing the sequence. It runs: find an artist whose portfolio matches what you want, enquire with a reference, size and placement, pay a deposit to hold time, then turn up fed, sober and unhurried.