***Official Tattoo Thread: Inked-4-Life Vol.2***

[maldonado]

So I’ve decided on getting my first tattoo. Going all in for sleeve. Have a few questions

How does it work , you pay per session ?
how do you guys go on about finding good artists to work with?
I’ve been checking locally and for my tattoo (I’m going Asian theme with oni/foo dog/ samurai themed)
Down here I’m not liking what I’m seeing from the artists,
There’s some DOPE work but it’s in Canada or out in Korea.

Artists usually charge by the hour or by the session. Anymore the big guys just charge per session/day.

As far as finding artists, I spent months on IG doing a deep dive. Figured out I enjoy black/grey realism the most and I just looked for the best. There are a bunch that do it great overseas but there are enough here in the states too. I'd imagine the same will be for the style you're looking for. Where are you located?

 

[championboyz7]

Pay per session. Look up on ig or go to a tattoo expo if one ever happens. Where you located?

South Fl

I’m not sure bout the expo due to covid. But ty so it’s per session

 

[championboyz7]

Artists usually charge by the hour or by the session. Anymore the big guys just charge per session/day.

As far as finding artists, I spent months on IG doing a deep dive. Figured out I enjoy black/grey realism the most and I just looked for the best. There are a bunch that do it great overseas but there are enough here in the states too. I'd imagine the same will be for the style you're looking for. Where are you located?

Ty for the info . Located in south FL

 

[Fong$tarr]

So I’ve decided on getting my first tattoo. Going all in for sleeve. Have a few questions

How does it work , you pay per session ?
how do you guys go on about finding good artists to work with?
I’ve been checking locally and for my tattoo (I’m going Asian theme with oni/foo dog/ samurai themed)
Down here I’m not liking what I’m seeing from the artists,
There’s some DOPE work but it’s in Canada or out in Korea.

Sometimes you do have to travel for your tats. Not every city has an artist that you want. It might cost more to do this in the long run but it sort of makes your tattoo more personable. I’ve only don’t it once myself and flew to Vegas for a full day session. It was tough but I almost think it’s my favorite tattoo (for now).

 

[blastercombo]

My only advise, money should NOT MATTER. Find what you want, find the best person possible, WAIT

 

[freshpairs]

Yeah almost all good artist has a wait list. It’s worth the wait and gives you time to save the money. Don’t cheap out just to save a few hundred at the end it won’t even be worth it for something permanent on your body

 

[blastercombo]

Yeah almost all good artist has a wait list. It’s worth the wait and gives you time to save the money. Don’t cheap out just to save a few hundred at the end it won’t even be worth it for something permanent on your body

If you can get in with someone within a month my advise is to not

I’m sure they’re instances where things happen, but just generally speaking

 

[Fong$tarr]

But I will say there are great artists at better prices nowadays. Like I live in the Bay Area and a lot of the rates out here can be pretty bogus but I assume it is for the artists cost of living or just due to everyone's higher income out here. The last 2 Bay Area artists I used charged $300K an hour and I have seen some artists in other cities like an hour away that are $100-150 cheaper.

 

[blastercombo]

But I will say there are great artists at better prices nowadays. Like I live in the Bay Area and a lot of the rates out here can be pretty bogus but I assume it is for the artists cost of living or just due to everyone's higher income out here. The last 2 Bay Area artists I used charged $300K an hour and I have seen some artists in other cities like an hour away that are $100-150 cheaper.

I assume you meant 300 and hour and not 300k? Haha. Yeah, a respectable rate is min 125-150 an hour. Average sit down time is 3 hours or 6 max if it’s a full day for the artist. all in my experience of course. Now if you go to a big time dude (nationally known or something) then all bets are off of course.

IMO don’t go to a jack of all trades kinda guy. Go to someone who can do what you want in their sleep and specialize in it

 

[dgoins1]

I want a Steve butcher piece but you have to pay a non refundable payment just to book and it doesn’t go towards your tattoo. His prices are wild quality work though

 

[maldonado]

I want a Steve butcher piece but you have to pay a non refundable payment just to book and it doesn’t go towards your tattoo. His prices are wild quality work though

Damn foreal? Butchers dope but there are def a bunch of amazing color artists out there. Deposit not going towards tattoo is lame af and honestly pretty rare.

I reached out to a bunch of the top black/gray artists and the only one that had something funky like that was Josh Duffy. It was a one time payment that covered any/all future bookings

The deposits are usually always gona be non refundable but they usually go towards the piece lol

 

[picasso swerve]

Deposit doesnt go towards the tattoo?

Its coming out of his tip then.

 

[maldonado]

Deposit doesnt go towards the tattoo?

Its coming out of his tip then.

Lol yeah deposit = tip

 

[Fong$tarr]

I assume you meant 300 and hour and not 300k? Haha. Yeah, a respectable rate is min 125-150 an hour. Average sit down time is 3 hours or 6 max if it’s a full day for the artist. all in my experience of course. Now if you go to a big time dude (nationally known or something) then all bets are off of course.

IMO don’t go to a jack of all trades kinda guy. Go to someone who can do what you want in their sleep and specialize in it

Yeah....haha. $300. I do commercial insurance for a living and am always typing "K's" after numbers so it was an odd force of habit.

And agreed what you said. Go to a specialist. No hate to the jack of all trades but most of the time, they aren't that good at either thing and is mediocre at all. Plus the specialist tattoo can do it faster too which would mean saving you money but that isn't the case anymore.

 

[Case]

Just got my head covered up today. Went from a “wolf” to an actual wolf. Josh Wilson at Rebel Rebel Tattoo in Dayton OH did the work..

 

[wayniac211]

Just got my head covered up today. Went from a “wolf” to an actual wolf. Josh Wilson at Rebel Rebel Tattoo in Dayton OH did the work..

That’s tight. Thinking bout getting mine done .. how long / how many sitting?

 

[Case]

That’s tight. Thinking bout getting mine done .. how long / how many sitting?

The original work was 3 hrs..This cover up was 3 hrs..The first time was super easy..This time hurt very bad..Not sure why, but it was worth the pain..

 

[blastercombo]

Just got my head covered up today. Went from a “wolf” to an actual wolf. Josh Wilson at Rebel Rebel Tattoo in Dayton OH did the work..

What did it look like before? Respect man. Dude with a head tat is a dude with no problems committing

 

[wayniac211]

The original work was 3 hrs..This cover up was 3 hrs..The first time was super easy..This time hurt very bad..Not sure why, but it was worth the pain..

That’s good time especially with the shading.
Tried growing my hair out and ain’t working lol.

 

[Case]

What did it look like before? Respect man. Dude with a head tat is a dude with no problems committing

It was supposed to be a wolf, but once it healed a lot of the shading fell out and it quite honestly looked like a wolf/bear/badger/striped animal thingy..No mistaking what it is now though..

And yeah I have no commitment issues whatsoever..lol..

That’s good time especially with the shading.
Tried growing my hair out and ain’t working lol.

Yeah it was faster than I thought it'd be..Felt like forever since it hurt so much..I was really surprised by that too..I've been telling people for a year that my head was one of the easiest tattoos I've got (and I'm covered), but this 2nd go around was so damn bad..Honestly didn't think I'd make it through..

 

[blastercombo]

It was supposed to be a wolf, but once it healed a lot of the shading fell out and it quite honestly looked like a wolf/bear/badger/striped animal thingy..No mistaking what it is now though..

And yeah I have no commitment issues whatsoever..lol..

Yeah it was faster than I thought it'd be..Felt like forever since it hurt so much..I was really surprised by that too..I've been telling people for a year that my head was one of the easiest tattoos I've got (and I'm covered), but this 2nd go around was so damn bad..Honestly didn't think I'd make it through..

Right on. Yeah, saturation is key. That half step shading ages terribly and honestly is a rookie mistake. If you’re making an area a shade or color, you commit and do the damn thing.

 

[ualreadyknow23]

Got some more work done on my sleeve a week and a half ago. Not the greatest location for pics. Still healing and still one more session to go on it. Asian inspired dragon to go with the Phoenix on my upper arm...

 

[af1 1982]

So I’ve decided on getting my first tattoo. Going all in for sleeve. Have a few questions

How does it work , you pay per session ?
how do you guys go on about finding good artists to work with?
I’ve been checking locally and for my tattoo (I’m going Asian theme with oni/foo dog/ samurai themed)
Down here I’m not liking what I’m seeing from the artists,
There’s some DOPE work but it’s in Canada or out in Korea.

I've traveled from Philly to NYC to Bang Bang for my first two pieces. No regrets. Traveling for ink is imo

 

[blastercombo]

I've traveled from Philly to NYC to Bang Bang for my first two pieces. No regrets. Traveling for ink is imo

If you find the perfect guy for the job you make the sacrifice. I don’t think some people understand what permanent means you better make it count

 

[af1 1982]

If you find the perfect guy for the job you make the sacrifice. I don’t think some people understand what permanent means you better make it count

Exactly. Not saying that it’s gotta be Uber expensive but you find someone you like, you save up for them imo