Frequently Asked Questions

More people are getting tattooed today than ever before, and the demand for tattoos and tattoo artists has led to greater transparency in and outside of the industry.

Still, it can be intimidating to walk into a shop for your first tattoo. Or maybe you’ve gone to several artists, and all of them expect different things from you. Since artists are usually independent contractors and we all run our businesses differently, it can be a confusing process.

In today’s post I’ll be talking about some questions I get asked a lot by clients. I hope this will help anyone who’s confused or intimidated by the process!

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Q: What information will an artist ask for prior to a tattoo appointment?

A: You should be able to tell your artist what kind of design you want, a style (if applicable) such as neo-traditional, fine line, geometric, etc. You will also need to tell them the placement area on the body, the size of the tattoo, whether you want it in black & gray or color, and what your budget is.

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Q: What do I need to do to prepare for my first tattoo?

A: Tattooing is a medical procedure as much as a cosmetic one. While it usually isn’t as painful as your college roommate or older cousin hyped it up to be, it’s important to come in ready for a procedure that will put a physical strain on your body.

You should come in well-rested and hydrated. You should eat a full meal before getting tattooed, as the adrenaline rush can cause fainting on an empty stomach.

You should wear loose-fitting clothing that can be moved to expose the area to be tattooed, and won’t rub against it afterwards.

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Q: Can I get tattooed if I have [insert medical condition here] ?

A: You should tell your artist if you have any medical concerns, especially allergies. Some types of tattoo products may contain glucose or glycerin - if you’re diabetic, it’s important for your artist to know so they can avoid using these types of products. You should also not get tattooed if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant, or on certain medications that affect your skin, such as Accutane. If you have any concerns, it can be helpful to ask a doctor. In some cases a doctor may need to write a note giving you permission to be tattooed.

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Q: How bad does tattooing hurt?

A: A lot of people describe the active tattooing process to feel like a cat scratch, or being scratched by a safety pin. Many describe the pain post-tattooing to feel like a bad sunburn. Certain places on the body will hurt more than others. I usually tell people if you’re ticklish in a specific area of the body, it will probably hurt more to be tattooed there due to the extra nerve endings. It’s also typically more painful on the hands and feet, around joints or over bone. You can discuss more with your artist on ways to minimize the pain.

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Q: Can I use numbing cream?

You should verify with your artist prior to using numbing creams. These creams can affect the quality of your skin and cause issues with your healing tattoo. It may affect the quality of the tattoo itself. Make sure to check with your artist to ensure you’re using them safely and efficiently.

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Q: Is there anything I should NOT do during a tattoo?

Please don’t try to change things about the design or placement after an artist has already started tattooing you. Changes should be made during the consultation phase, or prior to the actual procedure.

Please don’t hit on your tattoo artist. They are there to perform a service, not to be flirted with. Your artist should also not be flirting with you during the service, and if they do you are well within your right to stop the procedure or discuss it with shop management.

Please don’t put your personal items on the floor. Blood is a biohazard, and tattoo shop floors are covered in it. We sanitize the shop to the best of our abilities but it’s best to place personal items in the area designated by your artist or the shop.

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If you ever have a question before, during or after your tattoo, please reach out to your artist! Your artist should be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the process. You can also reach out to me via email or instagram if you have general questions or would like to schedule an appointment!

Into the Tattooniverse

It’s kind of surreal to think that in 2 months, I’ll have been tattooing for 2 years. Some days it feels like this has always been my life. Other times, it feels like I just started my apprenticeship yesterday. Sometimes I feel like I need somewhere to write this all down, somewhere to document my journey. I guess that’s what having a website is for, though.

I’m starting this blog to talk about tattoos, yes, but also to talk about my journey as a tattoo artist, and the things I’ve learned about myself along the way. One day, I’d like to look back and be able to chart my progress as an artist and a professional throughout the years.

The part of me that went to school for anthropology hopes that I can also document a small part of this fascinating subculture: the Eugene/Springfield Tattoo Scene in the 2020s.

Eugene’s historically had a reputation as a place where burnt out hippies come to die. Whether or not this is true, it has led to a robust art scene as young and old alike flock to the city to work, attend the University of Oregon, or retire to paint birds in their backyard.

We have an abundance of art stores, galleries and artisan craft shops. And at the heart of this artistic paradise, lies the tattoo shop. We have one on pretty much every corner. The rainy Willamette Valley has become something of a tattoo Mecca. Whether you're a fan of neotraditional, fine-line, black and gray realism or even ignorant-style tattooing, there are artists here for every type of client. We also have multiple tattoo schools between Springfield and Eugene, which is notable when you consider that the next closest one is at least 20 miles away.

And it’s not just young folk who come in to get tattooed- in the last two years I’ve done many first-time tattoos for people, but the majority of these first time clients haven’t been fresh-faced 18 year olds, but women in their 50s and 60s. It’s been really cool to listen to their stories, and watch as their worlds open up to a new and exciting form of self-expression.

So to everyone out there who love tattoos, are looking to get tattooed or considering their first one, I hope you’ll find this resource to be helpful. I plan on talking about the etiquette, frequently asked questions, and local history of tattooing.

Stay tuned!