I’m a tattoo artist – five things we want you to bring to your inking session and how to distract yourself from the pain
BOOKED in for a tattoo soon? You should probably keep these five things in mind before your arrive on the day.
According to a professional tattoo artist there are common mistakes you’ll want to avoid for things to run smoothly.
The pro, from Spitting Ink, in Vancouver, Canada, explained why bringing earphones is must for any tattoo, but especially big ones.
“They’re a really good distraction that’ll keep your mind off the tattoo,” he told viewers on TikTok.
In the midst of your inking you might not be the most chatty, but you’ll definitely want others ways to keep yourself occupied, so a good playlist or podcast can be just the ticket.
Snacks are always a good idea as well, since you can get light-headed before, during or even after your tattoo.
“It might be a good idea to bring some sugary snacks or drinks,” the pro added.
As for clothing, there are two things to keep in mind when you get a tattoo.
First of all, wearing your favourite outfit is a big no-no since sink can smudge and splatter onto your clothes.
For this reason, something loose-fitted and black is your best bet.
That said, it can also get cold when you’re getting inked, so it’s a good idea to bring a blanket or coat to keep things cosy.
The pro explained: “Sometimes during a tattoo session, especially a long one, body temperature is going to change, sometimes you get cool so it might be a good idea to bring a blanket or jacket.”
To help the tattoo artist out it’s always a good idea to double check how your artist prefers to be paid, although most still accept cash or card, the pro added.
Viewers agreed with most of the tips, and one queried if they should chat to tattoo artists as they work.
“Don’t take it the wrong way if your artist doesn’t want to chat too much,” he explained, as artists can have different preferences and might need to focus more on some parts of the design than others.
Another used commented: “A blanket was 100 percent needed at my last one.”
“I always bring a pillow lol, some artists have you lay on a table and don’t have pillows to support your head or lower back.”