Things You Should Consider For Your Next Tattoo

As society continues to progress, tattoos are becoming less stigmatized and increasingly popular. However, there are a few key things you should consider before getting your next tattoo. Here are some of the most important things to think about before going under the gun (the tattoo gun, that is).

Symbolism and/or meaning

Many people are moved to get a tattoo to represent something that has happened to them in their lives. You may want to express a deeper meaning with your next tattoo, or get a symbol that subtlety hints at something or someone. Your next tattoo may symbolize something meaningful in an artistic way. On the other hand, some people’s tattoos have no meaning, and are simply there for aesthetic purposes. You can get something inked just because you like the look of it and want it on your body. Whether your tattoo is meaningful or not, symbolism is definitely something to consider beforehand.

Aesthetic

This one’s especially important if you already have a few other tattoos. You’ll probably want your latest one to go with the others, so thinking about how the design and color of your new one matches with your old ones should be on your mind. You may like your tattoos to be colored, or prefer them to be in black and white. Line width and style should also be on your mind when thinking about aesthetic. You may seek out a certain artist who’s work you like, or go to the same person you usually do because you trust them and their style.

Placement

Placement is a crucial part of the tattoo process. This is going to be on your body forever, so you should definitely like and feel confident about where it’s going. You might want it to be easily visible, or prefer to keep it hidden. You should also keep in mind who’s going to be seeing it, and in what situations it’s appropriate to showcase it in. Employers are growing increasingly lax and more tolerant of tattoos in the workplace, especially in artistic environments. But, you should always keep your career in mind when you’re deciding where to get inked. Getting a neck tattoo if you work an office job probably wouldn’t be the best idea, but might fly if you’re an artist.

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Size

This one goes along with placement. Thinking about how small or large you want your tattoo to be is crucial before getting it. You might be going for a more subtle look, and therefore might want it smaller and more delicate. Or, you might want it to be large, loud, and proud, and get something that makes a statement. Whatever you decide to do, remember the permanence of the decision you’re making. It’ll be harder to cover up something large, which could or could not be an issue in the workplace, or around family members.

Price, pain, and time

It’s common knowledge that tattoos don’t come cheap. Most places have a minimum charge that starts at at least $60, depending on where you go. It doesn’t matter how small the tattoo is; you’ll get charge the minimum price regardless. So, if you’re looking to get a larger piece, it’s probably a good idea to start saving up now. Going off of that, larger pieces can take multiple sessions to work on before being completed. A lot of time, money, blood, sweat, and tears goes into a good tattoo. Getting tattooed is notoriously painful, and not for the faint of heart. Additionally, certain getting certain parts of your body tattooed can be more painful than others. Anything close to the bone is going to hurt a lot more than an area covered with fat and muscle. Just something to keep in mind.