The journey to a greatĀ custom tattoo is a creative collaboration between you and your artist. The most important tool you have to make that collaboration a success is your collection of reference images. The references you provide are the visual language you use to communicate the idea in your head.
But how to tell a tattoo artist what you want effectively? It's more than just showing them a picture you like. Providing great references is an art in itself. A thoughtful, well-curated set of images will get your artist excited and inspired. A confusing or lazy set of references can lead to frustration and a design that misses the mark.
This is your guide to providing the best possible references to ensure your artist can perfectly execute your vision.
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The Golden Rule: Inspiration, Not Imitation
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Before we begin, let's establish the most important rule. You are not looking for a tattoo to copy; you are looking for images to inspire. A professional artist will not plagiarize another artist's custom work. Your goal is to provide a "mood board" that gives your artist the ingredients they need to create something new and unique, just for you.
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The "Do's": How to Build a Great Reference Folder
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DO Keep it Small and Focused (3-5 Images is Perfect).
It's tempting to send your artist a folder with 50 images, but this is often confusing. A small, curated selection of your absolute favorite images is much more effective.
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DO Use a Variety of Image Types.
Your references don't all have to be other tattoos. In fact, it's often better if they're not! A great reference folder might include:
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Photos of the actual subject (e.g., a high-quality photograph of the specific type of flower you want).
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Illustrations or paintings that capture the mood and style you love.
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One or two photos of healed tattoos from your chosen artist to show what you love about their specific style.
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DO Explain Why You Chose Each Image.
This is the most helpful thing you can do for your artist. During your tattoo consultation, be ready to explain the specific element you like in each picture.
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Example: "I love the dramatic lighting in this photograph. I love the color palette in this painting. And I love the smooth shading in this tattoo you did."
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The "Don'ts": Common Mistakes to Avoid
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DON'T Send a Picture of Another Tattoo and Say "I Want This." This is disrespectful to the original artist and shows a lack of creative collaboration.
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DON'T Send Blurry, Low-Resolution Images. Your artist cannot create a sharp, detailed tattoo from a pixelated screenshot.
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DON'T Be Vague. Saying "I just want a cool flower" is not helpful. Saying "I want a black and grey realism peony with soft shading" is a perfect starting point.
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The Final Step: Be a Great Collaborative Partner
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Once you've provided your perfect references, the final step is to trust your artist. They are the experts in how to design a tattoo that will flow with your body and age gracefully.
Being a great partner also means being a prepared client. The process of creating a custom piece can take many hours. A comfortable, still client allows an artist to do their best, most focused work. Using a product like our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is a sign of a prepared client who is committed to a smooth and successful session.
The Verdict: The secret to getting the custom tattoo of your dreams is clear communication. By providing a small, focused, and well-explained set of high-quality references, you give your artist the perfect tools to turn your vision into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.