Tattoo artists are not just technicians who can copy any design onto your skin. They are called “artists” for a reason. Tattooing is an art, and artists have specialised in it. It is their skill and technique that make an ordinary design come alive on your skin.
Clients approach tattoo shops with many kinds of designs. They have to interpret the client’s vision into a tattoo that suits the client’s aesthetics and style. Sometimes, clients don’t have a clear idea about what they want. It is from experience and skill that professional tattoo artists can create designs that truly reflect what their clients have in mind. There are many new trends in the tattoo world, and artists continually upgrade their craft.
Tattoo artists deal with all kinds of clients daily. Clients have all kinds of expectations from artists. Read on to know what some of the more unrealistic expectations from tattoo artists are.
“Can You Make This Tiny Tattoo Look Like a 4K Photograph?”
The most unreasonable request is usually about tattoo size and detail. Numero uno is requesting tattoo artists to fit an entire movie scene inside a coin-sized tattoo. In this age of technology, where you can scale up or scale down an image just by pinching your fingers on the screen, clients imagine tattoos can also be easily scaled. But the skin is not a pixellated canvas. Clients often equate “small” with “simple”. This is a fallacy. Tiny details blur over time and can distort the tattoo. This is why the size of the design is important.
Clients expecting realistic tattoos with wrinkles, pores, and eyelashes in a 2-inch portrait are being preposterous. During consultations, tattoo artists counsel clients about keeping realistic expectations. Clients expect tiny tattoos on fingers to stay perfect forever. Tattoo ink spreads over time, and the lines may be as clear as they were on a a fresh tattoo. Some clients visit tattoo shops with inspo pictures from Pinterest. These pictures are taken of a fresh tattoo. Artists know the difference between a Pinterest tattoo image and a properly healed tattoo.
“I Want a Full Sleeve…Before Saturday”
Everything is about instant gratification these days. Expecting a sleeve on a tight timeline is unrealistic. Tattoos do not work like express shipping. Good sleeves take months, and sessions cannot be completed during lunch breaks. Sleeves require vision. It requires time for both the tattooing and design process. Once the design is finalised, artists work on it to add or remove elements as requested, scale it appropriately, or customise it for the client.
In each session, a design is tattooed, and artists allow healing gaps. The tattoo has to heal well so that the skin surface is ready for the next session. Some clients want a lot of detailing and are shocked when it takes hours. Shading may look simple enough (since we are used to doing it on paper), but shading on skin can take hours. Sometimes the design may not be done when it is time for the shop to close. Clients expect artists to stay late to complete the tattoo, not realising rushed work will age badly.
“I Found This on Pinterest. Can You Copy It Exactly?”
Tattoo artists hate being human photocopiers. Some clients want originality while bringing identical references. Good artists think before copying a design because of copyright and artistic ethics. Clients often request designs that they have seen on their friends and want to replicate them. This can be awkward for artists.
Artists try to avoid internet tattoo trends. Tattoos are personal statements, and artists encourage clients to make the design meaningful. Custom tattoos actually matter more emotionally. Some clients bring blurry pictures, and it is up to the artist to decode the image. Tattoo artists prefer to work on inspiration rather than duplication.
“Can You Make It Completely Painless?”
Tattoos are essentially wounds on the body. Pain is inevitable in the process of getting a tattoo. Pain tolerance varies between individuals. The level of pain experienced is different from person to person and even on different parts of the body. Expecting a spa-like experience is wishful thinking.
Clients research numbing creams on the internet and TikTok reels. Elaborate designs require more work and can involve more pain. Tattoos on the ribs humble everyone equally. Sleep, hydration, and food before sessions are underrated. It is a myth that small tattoos are painless. Artists become therapists to manage pain during sessions.
“I Want It Cheap…But Also Award-Winning”
Tattooing is an art. Bargaining as though they are shopping in a thrift store is disrespectful. Most tattoo shops have standard pricing according to the size and details. Cheap tattoos do not always deliver quality. Even the equipment that good tattoo artists use is expensive.
Clients often expect high-quality work on a discount budget. Different styles are priced differently.
“It’ll Heal Perfectly Even If I Ignore Aftercare, Right?”
Getting a tattoo is only half the process. The eventual result depends on the next half, and that is the aftercare. Artists are astonished when clients act like aftercare is optional. Fresh tattoos are open wounds. Tattoo shops advise clients to avoid the gym, beach, or swimming pools after getting tattooed.
Scratching the tattoo and picking at scabs can remove ink and dull the tattoo. Sunscreen is non-negotiable.
“Can You Cover My Terrible Old Tattoo Completely?”
Cover-ups are harder than fresh tattoos. Clients expect artists to magically erase all traces of the old tattoo. Cover-ups have their limitations. Some tattoos cannot be completely erased. Cover-ups also have colour limitations. Tattoo artists find creative ways to salvage disasters. It is not always necessary to tattoo larger designs over old ones to cover them up.
“I Want This Trendy Tattoo…But I Never Want It to Look Dated”
Clients asking for viral TikTok tattoo trends can make artists cringe. Some tattoo designs trend in a particular era. During the late 2000s to mid-2010s, the most popular tattoo was the infinity symbol. Following tattoo trends may not be a great idea. Trend tattoos can lose their appeal after the trend passes. Timeless tattoos can stand the test of time.
“Can You Read My Mind and Design My Perfect Tattoo?”
Clients having vague ideas and expecting artists to decode their hazy descriptions is another challenge tattoo artists have to deal with. A reference can help artists understand the basic idea.
Communicating clearly with artists can help them figure out the design for you. Some clients have contradictory requests during consultations that confuse artists. Sometimes clients cannot make up their minds and keep changing the design. Sometimes artists have to gently reject impossible ideas.
“It Should Look Exactly the Same Forever”
Tattoos are inked on a living canvas. As the skin changes and ages, the tattoo changes. That is one of the reasons that placement is important. Ageing and weight fluctuations can change the skin. Fine lines soften over time. Lifestyle can also affect tattoo longevity.
Final Ink
Tattoos are lifelong statements on your body. The process takes time, and it is a collaboration between the client and the tattoo artists. Communicating clearly with the artists can prevent any misunderstandings. At Colibri Tattoo & Piercing, our tattoo artists have heard it all!
