Have you ever thought that maybe your studio tattoo designer wasn't telling you everything you need to know about getting a tattoo? The world of tattooing is changing with the speed of technology, and your regular designer may not be advancing as quickly. Here are some things you need to be aware of before you go in for your next - or first - tattoo.
Pricing
When you go into a tattoo studio, the price of your tattoo doesn't include a custom design. The basic prices of $50 and up for small tattoos, $200 and up for medium-sized tats and $500 and up for ones are only for the work. Sometimes there are even additional charges for tattoos that take more time or are very colorful. If you're planning to get a $200 tattoo, but want a custom design instead of traditional design, be prepared to pay for the design, too. The whole point of getting a tattoo is being original and expressing your creativity, so even if they don't quote you the price of your design remember to budget for it.
Design Contest Sites
Another thing your local studio artist may fail to mention is that custom design contest sites are less expensive than they are. It's true, they are. The thing about design contests is that you set the prize or price of your custom design. You have to do some research on the site of your choice; looking through running contests to get a feel for the artists' creations that catch your eye, and then set a prize accordingly. You want the award to attract the artists whose designs you liked, and you do that by offering the same as the contests they've entered or even a little more. That communicates that you're serious about your design.
Online Designers
Tattoo shops usually have a theme or particular style. You go in, and their studio specialty is what you get. Some studios you go into when preparing to get a tattoo don't even like to experiment with custom designs. Some designers get into a specific niche and like to stick to it because they do it well. But, that doesn't always satisfy the customer. The online designers that enter hosted contests live in hundreds of countries around the world. Think of the experience and unique exposure to different art you have access to. The possibilities are endless.
Stencils
Even if you do score the perfect custom design at a tattoo studio many of them don't use stencils. It seems common sense to use one when you've created a design for a client, but it's not the norm. At the end of an online custom design contest, you get a picture of the design and a stencil to take to your local studio.
Kristen Dunn is a tattoo enthusiast and professional tattoo designer who has created thousands of thought provoking, elegant, and funky tattoos for her clients. She has a vast collection of custom designs to her credit. Winner of several awards and accolades, Kristen is now a founding member of the world's largest custom tattoo design community at CreateMyTattoo. View her tattoo collection or read more on her blog here.
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