April 30, 2025
Client Etiquette: How to be the Best Client
In this article we are going to be over good etiquette as a client. The dos and don’ts. If you can follow along with these tips, you’ll become your artist’s favorite client. We are going to go over everything from the design to pre-tattoo prep to your behavior in the chair and after the chair. Basically, covering everything from the very beginning to the very end. So, if you want to be the best client ever make sure to read through all of our tips!
Client Etiquette Tip #1: Research the Artists
The very first step in your endeavor to get a tattoo is researching your artist. Check out all the shops in your area’s instagrams, facebook’s website whatever it is that they may have- look at it.
This is such an important step because most artists- hell even apprentices- have a style that they work in/ specialize in. You don’t want to go to someone who only does black work style tattoos for a fine line daisy. A lot of artists who have a specialization won’t take that fine line daisy unless they are a fine line artist.
Finding an artist who specializes in the style of tattoo you want is the best way to ensure that you walk out of the studio happy and proud of the ink that is permanently in your skin. While we know that going to someone who specializes in something can be more expensive or involve some traveling- good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good. That extra cost could save you some serious regret down the road.
Client Etiquette tip #2: Communication
So you have found the artist that you want to work with after doing your research, and have sent them a message or inquiry.
When communicating with your artist or with the shop, patience is key. We talk to a lot of people every week- like hundreds of people. It takes time to get all of the details we need to book an appointment. Make sure that when you are messaging the shop/ artist you answer every question that they ask you, we promise we aren’t asking you these questions for our health. Every question we ask is necessary, whether it’s to determine our capability, the design’s composition, or how long it will take.
Make sure to send them reference pictures of the designs you have been looking at. Pinterest is a super useful tool for finding reference photos for your artist to start building their design off of.
Client Etiquette Tip #3: The Design Process
So let’s circle back to what I said about Pinterest being a great tool… Pinterest can be some artists’ worst nightmare.
We don’t want to copy a Pinterest tattoo verbatim- that’s another artist’s work. We understand how much time that artist put into designing that tattoo- and frankly a lot of us view it as theft.
Getting a copy paste Pinterest tattoo is played out, we get that those designs are popular- think about it this way, do you want the same tattoo as 30,000 other people or do you want a sick and unique piece of art?
Allow your artist some creative freedom with designing. If you researched their work this shouldn’t be a problem because you know the kind of art that they are putting out.
A great way to get to know your artist’s work is getting some of their flash designs.
Client Etiquette Tip #4: Sitting in the Artists’ Chair
This tip starts before you are actually in the chair- shower. Maintaining proper hygiene leading up to your appointment is super important. Always come to your tattoo sessions clean and fresh as a daisy. Yes your tattoo artist will clean the area being tattooed before you begin but that doesn’t mean you should show up to your appointment stinky.
Be sure to arrive on time to your appointment- if not a little early!
Once you are at the shop your paperwork is filled out and you are getting stenciled, speak up if the stencil isn’t where you want it or if it seems too big now that it’s on your skin.
Speak kindly to your artist and listen to their directions. They may need you to move or readjust.
Client Etiquette Tip #5: Ending your session
At the end of your session be sure to thank your artist.
A great way to begin fostering a good relationship with your artist is by tipping them generously. Tippin is pretty standard practice and it makes your artist feel appreciated.
Follow the aftercare instructions that you are given! The after care is incredibly important for the longevity of your tattoo. Keep the tattoo clean and moisturized, be sure to keep drinking water after your appointment.
Client Etiquette Tip #6: Some Other Notes
This last section is for anything we feel as though we missed!
Avoid drugs and alcohol prior to your appointment, these things can be blood thinners. When you take a blood thinner or something that behaves similarly it means that you will bleed a lot more while getting tattooed…
This leads us to honesty. We will obviously figure out if you took a blood thinning agent regardless of if you tell us but being honest with your artist is really important. There are lots of other things that could go wrong during a tattoo. Be upfront with your artist if you have any medical condition that could lead to ANY issue with the tattoo. Things like diabetes, eczema and psoriasis could affect how you heal. If you have HIV, herpes or other blood borne diseases this needs to be told to your artist so that they can ensure that they are extra careful while tattooing.
If you can follow even half of these tips you will be off to a good start at becoming your tattoo artist’s favorite client.
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