How to Tell a Tattoo Artist What You Want (Without Being Annoying)

You've done the hard part. You've scrolled through hundreds of portfolios and found an artist whose work you absolutely love. Now comes the moment of truth: the consultation. It's your one chance to communicate the idea in your head and translate it into a language the artist can use to create your dream tattoo.

But this is a source of major anxiety for many clients. How do you get your point across without being a "bad client"? How do you provide direction without stifling their creativity?

It's a delicate balance, but it's easier than you think. This is your professional guide to effectively communicating your vision to a tattoo artist, ensuring the process is collaborative, respectful, and results in a piece of art you'll love forever.

The Foundation: Do Your Homework First

Before you even think about writing an email, the most important work is done. You must have a clear understanding of the artist's style. If their portfolio is full of bold, American Traditional eagles, do not come to them with a reference for a delicate, fine-line floral piece. Choosing an artist who already specializes in the style you want is the most respectful and effective first step.

The Language of Inspiration: It's All About References

Artists are visual people. The best way to communicate your idea is with pictures. But how you talk about those pictures is the key.

• The Wrong Way: Showing your artist a single photo of another tattoo and saying, "I want this exact thing." As we've covered before, professional artists will not plagiarize another artist's custom work. This approach is a dead end.

• The Right Way: Come prepared with a small, curated collection of 3-5 reference images. Then, for each image, be ready to explain exactly what you like about it. This is the secret language of a great consultation.

  Example Dialogue:

  • "In this first reference, I love the overall mood and the dark, moody color palette."

  • "In this second one, I love the specific way the snake's head is shaped and the detail in the scales."

  • "And in this last one, I love the placement and how it flows with the arm."

This approach gives your artist a clear understanding of the elements you're drawn to, which they can then combine and reinterpret in their own unique style to create a custom piece just for you.

Be Specific, But Be Flexible

You need to provide clear, concrete details, but also leave room for the artist's expertise.

• What to be specific about:

  • Subject Matter: "I want a tattoo of a wolf and a raven."

  • Size: Use a ruler! "About 8 inches tall by 5 inches wide."

  • Placement: "On my outer right thigh, centered."

  • Color Palette: "I'd like it to be entirely black and grey."

• What to be flexible about:

  • The Final Composition: Trust your artist to arrange the elements in a way that best fits the flow of your body. They are experts in composition. Their job is to make sure your tattoo looks like it belongs on your skin, not like a sticker that's just been slapped on.

Being a Great Client

A great consultation sets the stage for a great tattoo session. It shows you are a serious and respectful client. You can continue that impression by showing up to your appointment prepared. For a long session, this means having a pain management plan. A comfortable client is a still client, which is the best thing you can be for your artist. Using a product like our No Pain Tattoo Numbing Cream is a great way to ensure you can sit comfortably, allowing your artist to focus on creating your flawless, custom design.

The Verdict: The secret to telling an artist what you want is simple: do your research, be specific about the details, be clear about what you love in your references, and trust them to be the expert. By approaching the consultation as a creative collaboration, you're guaranteed to have a positive experience that results in a tattoo that's even better than what you initially imagined.