Tattoo artist: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tattoo artist is

A tattoo artist designs and applies permanent artwork to the skin with a tattoo machine and needles. Choosing an artist is about their style, their hygiene and how they handle your design, because the work is permanent and the healing takes weeks.

Signs you need it

  • You want a permanent design and want an artist whose style matches your idea
  • You want a custom design that fits the shape and size of the body area
  • You want to cover or change an older tattoo with a new design
  • You want a fine line, color or realism piece and need an artist known for that style
  • You want an artist who explains aftercare and healing before you commit

What the pro does

  • Reviews your design idea, placement, size and any references you bring
  • Checks your health, medications, allergies and any skin conditions before starting
  • Draws or adjusts a stencil on the skin so you can approve the placement
  • Sets up with single-use needles, disposable covers and a clean work area
  • Applies the tattoo in sessions, checking the skin and your comfort as they go
  • Cleans the tattoo, covers it and gives you written aftercare steps

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size, detail and color of the design
  • The placement on the body and how hard that area is to work on
  • The number of sessions needed to finish the design
  • Whether the design is custom, a flash design or a cover-up
  • The artist's experience and portfolio in the style you want
  • Whether a consultation or design time is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • The design, the size, the placement and the colors or shading style
  • The number of sessions and how long each session is expected to take
  • Whether design time, a consultation and touch-up work are included
  • The aftercare products and whether they are part of the service
  • The deposit amount, the cancellation terms and whether the deposit is applied to the final price

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can I see healed photos of your work in the style I want?
  • What sterilization steps do you use for needles, tubes and the work area?
  • Are you licensed or permitted to tattoo in this area, and where is the permit displayed?
  • How long will the tattoo take, and how many sessions will it need?
  • What aftercare do you recommend, and what products do you use?
  • How do you handle touch-ups, and is that included?
  • Will you adjust the design after the stencil is placed?

Red flags

  • Does not use single-use needles or cannot explain their sterilization steps
  • Will not show healed work, only fresh photos
  • Pushes you to tattoo the same day with no design review or stencil check
  • Does not ask about your health, medications or allergies
  • Cannot show a permit or health department approval where one is required

What you can do yourself

Prepare by sleeping well, eating a normal meal and talking through your design in detail with the artist. Do not tattoo yourself or anyone else, because sterilization, needles and inks are a health risk. Hire a licensed or permitted artist, and see a doctor if the tattoo becomes hot, swollen, painful or leaks fluid.

Licenses and permits

Tattooing is commonly regulated by local health departments, and many places also require a state license or permit. Check with your state and local health agencies before you book, and ask the artist to show their current permit.

Tattoo artist questions

How do I choose a tattoo artist?

Look at healed work in the style you want, check their sterilization and permit, and see how they answer questions about the design. Choose the artist who explains the process clearly, even if they are not the cheapest option.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?

Surface healing often takes a few weeks, and deeper healing can take longer. Follow the aftercare steps closely, and avoid soaking, sun and picking at scabs.

Can I change my design after the stencil is on?

Yes, in most cases. Ask the artist to adjust the stencil before you approve it, and speak up before the needle starts if the placement or size does not feel right.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More beauty and styling guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request tattoo artist