Designing your own tattoo is a permanent way to decorate your body using a symbol or image that has a special meaning to you. Custom designs are also great for expressing yourself or getting an off-the-shelf tattoo.
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Part 1 of 4: Finding Inspiration
Step 1. Search the internet for tattoo ideas and themes
Go to Google to search for tattoos in a similar genre to what you want. For example, if you want to get a travel or geometric themed tattoo, look for images specifically for this type of tattoo. Seeing someone else's tattoo can spark inspiration, even if you end up choosing a completely different design.
- Don't forget to check out social media. You can find thousands of great ideas on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.
- You can also search the internet for tattoo artist portfolios.
Step 2. Browse the tattoo in the magazine
This is a great way to learn about innovations in the tattoo world as well as find inspiration for your own tattoo. You can find popular tattoos in foreign magazines, such as INKED, TATTOO, and Skin Deep via the internet or imported bookstores.
Step 3. Open the pages of the art book
Spend a few hours in a bookstore or library. Art books, especially those that focus on the art of tattooing, are great for showing the different types of designs as well as learning about the history of the artistic development of tattoos, which can add depth and meaning to the tattoo design you are about to create.
- Read books from various periods of art that interest you to find inspiration and themes.
- If you can, buy or borrow this book. Otherwise, and if allowed, take a photo or photocopy of the image in the book that interests you. Thus, you get a copy of the design.
Step 4. Evaluate what is meaningful to you
Even if you want to get a tattoo because you like the design, choosing a tattoo that is meaningful to you can be very satisfying. Consider getting a tattoo of a specific date, such as a birthday or wedding day, a zodiac sign, a portrait of someone important to you, or a favorite quote.
Other ideas include a favorite flower, animal or character, something important to the family where you live, or something you want to remember forever
Part 2 of 4: Drawing Tattoos
Step 1. Record ideas in a journal
Now is the time to get creative! Cut magazines to create a collage that represents the color scheme or mood you want to replicate in the tattoo. Create an inspiration board that sparks the feeling the design wants to convey. It's also a good idea to write down everything that comes to mind when imagining the desired design in your diary.
This step can be very helpful if you want a tattoo artist to design and draw a tattoo for you
Step 2. Sketch the design
If you can draw, sketch the tattoo so the artist can draw your design more accurately. Take out a piece of paper and draw the tattoo to scale. Don't be afraid to make some drafts; You're drawing something that will stay permanently on your body so spend as much time as possible sketching until you're satisfied.
- You can draft a rough sketch and give it to the tattoo artist. In this way, the artist can refine your vision and create a tattoo that is as close to your desire as possible, as well as advise on feasibility and cost.
- If you're not good at drawing, ask a friend for help or hire a freelancer to draw your shadow designs. You can also use sites like Fiverr or Upwork to ask for help. You can even collaborate with a tattoo artist by explaining the design you want and asking for advice on the best location, color and type of ink. You'll need to explain the shadow designs carefully and you'll likely go through several drafts to get the perfect design.
Step 3. Prioritize the eternity of the tattoo
Trends come and go, but tattoos are permanent on your body. Determine if tattoos will not go out of style by asking yourself a few questions: how likely is it that I will still be interested in and believe in designs in the next 10-20 years? Was this decision impulsive, or was it carefully considered? It's a good idea to consider a tattoo for a few months before deciding to get one.
- Examples of timeless tattoos include images of animals, flowers, skulls, maps, or nautical symbols.
- Another way to test the immutability of a design is to stick it on a wall and look at it every day for a few months. While this may seem like a long time, if you're tired of the design, you should reconsider whether you really want to immortalize this design on your body.
Step 4. Order a temporary custom tattoo
If you want to test your idea before making your choice, you can try it out as a temporary tattoo via sites like Etsy or Momentary Ink. Submit your design online and a temporary tattoo will be created.
You can also ask the tattoo artist if he or she can transfer the design to the skin first. Ask during the initial design consultation
Part 3 of 4: Working with Tattoo Artists
Step 1. Narrow down your choice of tattoo artist
Visit a tattoo artist's site or studio and view a portfolio of the work of various artists in your area. Every tattoo artist will have their own style, and it's best to make sure to choose one that goes well with your design.
- Make sure the artist has a license. The licenses and certificates required for tattoo artists may vary, and you should only choose tattoo artists with official licenses. Ask the tattoo artist's license when visiting his studio.
- Narrow the choice of artists according to their area of expertise. For example, if you want to get a portrait tattoo, only include artists with experience drawing portraits on the list.
Step 2. Schedule a design consultation
Most tattoo studios offer a free consultation so take advantage of it to get to know the artist and assess whether you feel comfortable getting tattooed by him or her. Trust in the artist is a priority when it comes to getting a tattoo because he or she must be 100% focused on you and not easily distracted.
- Some artists may request a deposit for consultation. The cost depends on the amount of time the artist spent creating your designs and tattoos.
- Ask the tattoo artist all the questions you have, from the pain factor to the number of sessions required. You should choose an artist who will patiently answer all your questions.
- After the visit, assess your comfort level after leaving the studio as well as the attitude of the tattoo artist. Think back to whether the artist was enthusiastic enough and agree with your vision of the tattoo, and also consider the cleanliness of the studio.
Step 3. Describe your vision
You should already have a clear idea of the desired tattoo design before consulting an artist, or at least the concept you want to depict. Otherwise, you can easily be persuaded by the artist and end up getting an unwanted tattoo. During the consultation, present your inspiration board, sketch and diary.
- Find someone who understands the vision and is willing to bring it to life. Don't be a stickler for an artist who doesn't share your vision.
- Ideally, you should work together to come up with a design that you like and that he enjoys working on. If you can't agree, find another artist. Don't force an artist who isn't enthusiastic or reluctant to draw your tattoo.
Part 4 of 4: Establishing Logistics
Step 1. Determine the location of the tattoo on the body
When choosing where the tattoo will be drawn, consider its visibility, sensitivity, and discretion. This will result in limitations on the tattoo design, such as the size of the image. Think carefully about whether you want the tattoo to be easily visible (if so, consider drawing it on your arm or leg), or whether you want it to be more hidden (on your lower back, shoulders, or stomach).
Step 2. Consider the pain factor
Larger and more complex tattoos are made using various sizes of needles, which will be more painful, especially large needles because they go deeper than small needles. In addition, consider the various parts of the body with varying levels of sensitivity. Skinny body parts with less fat tend to hurt more. For example, the wrist is so sensitive that it will hurt more.
- Pain is subjective. Some people find the process of creating the initial outline of a tattoo the most painful, especially if this is the first time they have been tattooed, while others admit that the imagining process is more uncomfortable because the artist is working on the same part over and over again. However, if you don't want to experience the process of imagining, choose a simple and minimalist tattoo design.
- Pain is part of the process so be prepared. Remember that the pain is worth the payoff; You will get a tattoo that is unique and not on the market!
Step 3. Determine the type of coloring you want
The color of the tattoo can influence the resulting design; for example, colored tattoos are better suited for small designs that don't require much refinement. Black and white tattoos are timeless, and are usually cheaper and quicker to finish. Colored tattoos will be more creative, great for covering up old tattoos, and a great contrast to light to medium skin tones.
- Ask the tattoo artist for recommendations on what kind of stain to get.
- You may also consider getting a tattoo out of white ink, depending on the design you want to create and its visibility. White ink tattoos are usually less noticeable than monochrome and color tattoos.
