Getting a tattoo-advice and reccommendations needed [Archive] - The Unofficial Opie and Anthony Message Board

rottwielerinpa

10-19-2006, 11:02 PM

Make sure you choose something you want for the rest of your life, go to places and look at the work they do and see the shops . I have 2 tats the first was 14 years ago , the other I just got in August . I always knew I wanted another, it took me that time to pick something . And enjoy the fever after your 1st , you'll want more ....

MJMANDALAY

10-19-2006, 11:04 PM

http://www.myspace.com/tattoogarage
Chris the Owner has done my last 24 or so Tats. If he dies so does me and my wife getting inked.

Ballbuster1

10-19-2006, 11:05 PM

don't do it
Agreed. I'll never get one.

MJMANDALAY

10-19-2006, 11:07 PM

Agreed. I'll never get one.
Ahhhh some of you NASCAR fans I dont know about yous.:icon_mrgr

B54

10-19-2006, 11:10 PM

Get something unique. If I see one more person with barbed wire around the arm or a Chinese symbol, I am going to go crazy. I have always wanted to get a tribal tattoo.

THE FEZ MAN

10-19-2006, 11:11 PM

acent art in rehobeth beach or studio one in ridley park pa.

make damn sure you realy want to live with it for the rest of your life i have one that i want to get covered again cuz the first one was horrable ....... and the cover sux . also make sure to keep it very clean and lightly coverd for at least a week,. i had one get very infected cuz i let it get dirty too soon it got ugly and is fucked up now, yet i still want more im just broke

SurlyTruckDrivr

10-20-2006, 12:31 AM

just don't do it as a spur of the moment thing, put some thought into it, and make sure you check out the work first, there's a lot of hacks out there who shouldn't be doing color by number, let alone tattooing. That being said, they're very addictive, I have 4 (3 complete and 1 half sleeve in progress) and will add more as my bankroll allows.

MyMomsBox

10-20-2006, 12:34 AM

here's my guy in new haven, ct...doesn't help you for shit though, huh?
http://www.lovecrafttattoo.com/pages/about_martins.html

My advice though...
Don't go drunk or get drunk the night before. Thin blood bleeds alot more ink.

Don't bother getting stoned before you go for your first.

Before you go, get AnD ointment and gause/med tape if you get a small piece. I don't recommend saran wrap, but it's easier for a large piece. Last thing you want to deal with is a CVS on a tattoo high.

Talk to the artist about what his ideas are. Ask to see his portfolio. If he acts like a douche, just walk away.

If you wonder if the place is dirty walking in, it is.

If you don't have an appointment, be there when the doors open that day. Otherwise, you're probably gonna be waiting. Good shops are alot busier than they appear.

NEVER, EVER ink the name of someone other than your children.

Ol'BloodyBottom

10-20-2006, 01:48 AM

Get something unique. If I see one more person with barbed wire around the arm or a Chinese symbol, I am going to go crazy. I have always wanted to get a tribal tattoo.
Yea cause a tribal tattoo is unique.

BusyChild04

10-20-2006, 01:52 AM

Yea cause a tribal tattoo is unique.

...is it 1998?

Sinn Fein

10-20-2006, 04:37 AM

B54

10-20-2006, 07:21 AM

Yea cause a tribal tattoo is unique.

Didn't say I would ever get one. If I were to get something, it would be tribal. I doubt I ever would though.

Trainable J

10-20-2006, 09:54 AM

In the shop I work in, each artist has a slightly different healing procedure. Go with what he or she recommends. Talk with your artist and see if they think along the same lines as what your trying to express. In my shop, we have different artists that are better at certain things than others. If one says he can't do it, I give it to somebody who can, wether they're next in rotation or not. Listen to the advice that the artist gives you. If he/she says it would look better a little larger or turned another another way, consider that. Your artist has been doing this longer than you have. I've turned away lots of work just because the customer wouldn't listen. Definately pick something you can stand looking at forever. If the shop dosen't look and smell clean when you first walk in, walk out. Make sure they use single use needles ONLY!!!! Tubes can be cleaned and sterilized, needles cannot. Make sure they open the needle package infront of you only when they're ready to start. Relax, don't fidget, don't jerk around. Take nice deep breaths. Don't get drunk before hand. Some people say to take an asprin or tylenol beforehand. I don't recommend it. I kinda enjoy the adrenaline and endorphine rush after awile. Any more questions, just ask.

Trainable J

10-20-2006, 09:55 AM

Oh yeah, I don't care what pepole get (design wise), it all puts money in my pocket. My guys love tribal and barbed wire. It's quick, easy money for all invloved.

ProfessorAnt

10-20-2006, 10:45 AM

This guy does great pop culture stuff...check out the galleries.
http://www.shaneoneilltattoos.com/index.html
http://www.shaneoneilltattoos.com/gallery_portraits/portraits_jpgs1/p20.jpg
And one note of advice: don't go to a place just because its cheap. Don't even ask how much its going to cost. focus on the talent and the cleanliness, the cost should be talent x time + location.

ianbobo

10-20-2006, 11:07 AM

He is my advise, don't do it

I concur:action-sm

Ol'BloodyBottom

10-20-2006, 11:17 AM

Didn't say I would ever get one. If I were to get something, it would be tribal. I doubt I ever would though.
You tell someone to get something unique and if you see one more barb wire or chinese symbol you are going to flip. Then you say your going you want a tribal tattoo. That is not unique or original.

MrUgly

10-20-2006, 12:11 PM

get something you want, make sure your tattoo artist is a complete professional that has a good amount of years under his/her belt, make sure the place is clean and legit, and walk the fuck out if they charge a rediculous price

MyMomsBox

10-20-2006, 01:29 PM

Some people say to take an asprin or tylenol beforehand. I don't recommend it.

Very true!!! Tylenol and asprin can thin the blood just as much as alcohol.

Three Hole Puncher

10-20-2006, 01:35 PM

Tattoo advice... wait.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6126963

The ink is a combination of dyes and a polymer already approved by the FDA. The polymer is a plastic that can't be absorbed by the body. The dyes can; they're biodegradable. As long as the dyes are bound to the polymer, the ink is permanent, like regular tattoo ink. But with a single laser treatment the bond to the polymer is destroyed. The tattoo disappears as the dyes break down and are absorbed by the body.

Anderson says removal is much faster, easier, and less painful than for a normal tattoo. That's because removing a normal tattoo requires several laser treatments, at least one for each color.

Martin Schmieg, president and chief executive officer of Freedom-2, the company that's bringing the technology to market, says the company's goal is to "provide a level of safety that has previously not existed in the tattoo market, and a freedom for tattoo wearers to change their mind."

MyMomsBox

10-20-2006, 01:45 PM

Three Hole Puncher

10-20-2006, 01:57 PM

The polymer may be approved by the FDA, but tattoo ink in general is NOT regulated by the FDA or any other government watchdog. Ink can contain various polymers or metals even since the ink is classified as a novelty.

Problems arising from tattoo ink... allergies, reactions, etc.. are so rare as to be virtually nonexistent. The inks aren't regulated by the FDA because there's no reason for it... you don't need a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

The biggest risk associated with tattoos is infection, and this generally has nothing to do with the ink.

Trainable J

10-20-2006, 03:41 PM

The biggest risk associated with tattoos is infection, and this generally has nothing to do with the ink.

A-fukin'-men to that!!!! I wish people would list to what we tell them about healing. A tattoo is an abrasion to the skin. If you fall down and skin you knee or palm, wouldn't you take care of it? It's so hard to get people to understand that.

Jimmymakesmewet

10-20-2006, 04:48 PM

I can't reccomend anyone in your area, but I can say this, make sure that the guy doing the tattoo is actually artistically talented. A guy who can't draw shouldn't be "tracing" ink onto you. Also if he can't draw, you are going to be limited as to how much originality you can add to your piece.

MyMomsBox

10-20-2006, 05:31 PM

The inks aren't regulated by the FDA because there's no reason for it...

There has been a debate about that recently, but I agree with you. The fact that ink ins't regulated won't stop me from filling up my leg, but I think a new consumer should still be aware of the fact.

Kugzilla

10-20-2006, 09:04 PM

Wow-some awsome info-thanks-keep it coming.

I'm going to get a design of my own, with input from the artist of a MAltese Cross with a design I"ve made of my wife and children's initials in each of the peaks. It's got a lot of meaning for me for a lot of reasons, and I've been thinking about it for a long time-not an impulse buy.

I'm planning on putting it on my left arm, below the elbow joint, circular pattern, maybe the circumference of a raquet ball.

Ignorance-related question-what about the hair on my arm? Will it keep growing? There's not much there, but I was wondering.

Kugzilla

10-20-2006, 09:36 PM

My place is Il Bacio (http://web.mac.com/matisa/iWeb/Site/WELCOME.html). They have five locations in NJ... Trenton, Seaside Heights, Tabernacle, and Cinnaminson. Check out their website (http://web.mac.com/matisa/iWeb/Site/WELCOME.html) for more info.

I think this place is near me (the Cinnaminson store). Anyone else here use them or know them? Which artist did you use?

Exanimate

10-20-2006, 10:03 PM

I got my first and only tat over 10 years ago. I got a tribal sun (yeah I know, turned out to be a trendy one). I want it added to, but I can't find anyone to design something around it that I like. I also have another design, but I haven't found anyone to design in the way that I like. I am horribly picky with what I want now, and don't want to settle. I love black, and greys.

You seem like you are pretty set on what you want. You are going agains the advice of lots of people by putting your wifes initials on your body, but it is your choice, and that is all that matters.

I hope to find a good artist that can design something around my existing one someday.

MyMomsBox

10-20-2006, 10:21 PM

my wife and children's initials in each of the peaks.

Don't get your wife's initials!!! The ink is much more permanant than your marriage...

Stingray

10-20-2006, 11:09 PM

The ink is a combination of dyes and a polymer already approved by the FDA. The polymer is a plastic that can't be absorbed by the body. The dyes can; they're biodegradable. As long as the dyes are bound to the polymer, the ink is permanent, like regular tattoo ink. But with a single laser treatment the bond to the polymer is destroyed. The tattoo disappears as the dyes break down and are absorbed by the body.

Anderson says removal is much faster, easier, and less painful than for a normal tattoo. That's because removing a normal tattoo requires several laser treatments, at least one for each color.

Martin Schmieg, president and chief executive officer of Freedom-2, the company that's bringing the technology to market, says the company's goal is to "provide a level of safety that has previously not existed in the tattoo market, and a freedom for tattoo wearers to change their mind."

Fuck That.. If a Tattoo isn't permanent - Don't get one, Their not jewelry! The easy removal thing takes the seriousness out of getting a tattoo.

Never go for Trends and NEVER put a girl's name in ink.

Tattoo's should be well thought out and should mean something deep to YOU, Dont get one because it looks cool. It should have meaning.

All my tattoo's (7) were very carefully thought out (including the placement of them) and each one has a deep meaning to me behind it. Those meaning's have not changed since I got them 13 years ago. I passed up a few ideas that would have looked cool but I didnt think the meaning would still hold up in the future.

D.H. Jenkins

10-20-2006, 11:41 PM

Good tattoos aren't cheap; and vice versa.

Let someone who's learning ruin someone else's skin - go to a well-established place with lots of photo albums. If all they have is flash art on the wall and no examples of their work, leave.

Cunt Smasher

10-21-2006, 12:35 AM

I have both arms,not full sleeves,but lots.Both elbows,chest,upper back and one leg.Sounds like you know what you want.A good shop is proud of their cleanliness and will ask you lots of questions to make sure you're happy and get something that looks good and reflects well on the shop.Anything less than professional friendly service-walk.Take no chances.You live in an area that has lots of shops so you can be selective.Even if you just don't like the vibe,go down the road.I have either a 3-4 or 8 hour drive to get ink,but I won't settle for some hack with Hiv infested needles.Getting ink should be a good positive experiance even if it hurts.

Jimmymakesmewet

10-21-2006, 02:50 AM

Ignorance-related question-what about the hair on my arm? Will it keep growing? There's not much there, but I was wondering.
Yup...they'll shave it for you before inking you, but it'll keep growing. If you want it gone, you gotta keep shaving.

Sct Ptersns Twn

10-21-2006, 09:36 AM

Don't get your wife's initials!!! The ink is much more permanant than your marriage...

That shit is bad luck!!!! I concur with MMB. DO NOT GET WIFE'S INITIALS!!!!!!

MyMomsBox

10-21-2006, 01:54 PM

If you want it gone, you gotta keep shaving.

But dont shave again it for a good month after you get your tat. Otherwise you run the risk of picking off some ink.

Jolie

10-21-2006, 03:21 PM

Never go for Trends and NEVER put a girl's name in ink.

:( Don't say that! I wanna get my girls initials somewhere - I just don't know what I want it to look like yet, so I haven't.

I've got two... didn't put a whole lot of thought into the actual designs, but the events they memorialize are very important to me. The first is a sword with a rose wrapped around it. Its on my lower back. I got it right after getting out of a relationship. I would have preferred a slightly more artistic sword and rose, but I will never regret the tattoo because the event itself was important to me.

The second is a black rose and its on my ankle. I got it about a month before my wedding.

As I said, I want one more, at least, but I don't know what... I want MB or MMB in it somewhere (My girls initials). Problem is I can't decide on a design.

Sinn Fein

10-21-2006, 05:39 PM

I think this place is near me (the Cinnaminson store). Anyone else here use them or know them? Which artist did you use?

I go to the one in Trenton and Mike is the guy who did mine. But I've seen work from all of their people. Like someone else said, different people have different skills. Il Bacio has a dude who can do portraits better than anyone I have ever seen.

Kugzilla

04-07-2007, 10:56 PM

OK-months later-thanks again for all the advice----i've got the place-this is likely the week-any recomendations going in for a first and likely only tat?

Planning to get it on my left forearm...any advice is appreciated...

Kugzilla

07-28-2008, 04:23 AM

Whoa-like a year later and I've still not had it done. Course, we moved and stuff...got a little busy.

Couple of questions-any Hawaii based Baggers know some good places? I've got one in mind, but never hurts to ask.

Also-I've got a design-how will it work with the artist? Do I just show them what I want?

DanaReevesLungs

07-28-2008, 05:29 AM

Artists tend to accept custom designed tats with no problem. They may revise it to their skill, but that is something you should agree upon if they do that. Never accept a final design that you don't approve of. I've always gone in with a hand drawn design that they've had to touch up or alter a little bit to make it a cleaner/tattoo-friendlier design. Get the input of your artist and see what they recommend as far as your design goes. And if you're not happy with the outcome, go somewhere else.

As many have said here previously, never settle on a price. Cheap tattoos are just that.

I also like to see previous work that was done recently. If your design has a certain specialty that is needed, try finding an artist that can duplicate that specialty. An artist may want to add their own uniqueness to the design and that's not necessarily a bad thing, as long as, it doesn't look hacky. I had a guy who wanted to thicken all of my lines on my Air Force commemorative tattoo for my dad and I passed because it would have looked too cartoonish. The next guy I went to did it just as I had it drawn and I feel it turned out extremely well. A lot of this just comes down to your personal preference of the artist. You either like his/her work or you don't. Get a good feel of the person doing your tat and know that they see the same design you do. Oh, and last thing...NEVER let them add something to it without them putting it on the layout that will be used for the final design. Had a buddy who allowed them to put "flames" on freehand and they looked like a 4 year old did them in art class.