How Do I Know If I Can Trust A Tattoo Artist?

 If you're starting on your journey of getting a new tattoo from an artist you've never met or heard of, it can be an overwhelming experience; you're committing to getting their artwork permanently etched into your skin, a lifetime memory of a moment in time that you will share with that person. Before you hand over that deposit, book that day off from work, and travel out to that gorgeous tattoo studio in Brisbane, it's essential to take time out to conduct research into the artist and studio you will use for your tattoo.

There are many artists in the Brisbane tattoo industry, so we've created this guide to help you make an informed decision before committing to that next tattoo. Here's how you can do it:

WORD OF MOUTH: THE INFO YOU CAN TRUST

When you're considering your next tattoo, and you've had friends get ink that you love the quality, aesthetic, or vibe of, reach out and ask your friends or family where they got tattooed and by whom. Google reviews can be skewed online, but it's doubtful your best friend will lie about their tattoo.

Word of mouth is always the most trusted form of researching a tattoo artist because it's generally unbiased, reducing potential misinformation or negative experiences. It's also from someone you know IRL, reducing the chance that it's been faked, skewed, or paid for. The immediate benefit to getting genuine and unbiased feedback on an artist is that it'll fast-track your confidence in that artist's skill level and work.

INSTAGRAM: RESEARCH AN ARTIST

Start by exploring the artist's Instagram page, looking through their photos to get a feel for their vibe and style of tattooing. Pay close attention to the quality of the tattoos they've inked into clients' skin on their feed, but don't just stop there. Once you've found their page, look into all the other aspects of an Instagram account that can give you a clearer view of what that Brisbane tattoo artist is all about.

• Check their 'Tagged' section for what tattoos people might have tagged them in or other artwork they've done over the years.
• If they've saved them, sift through their Instagram 'Story' archives to see more work that the artist and their clients may have posted.
• See if you have any followers in common. You might have friends the artist has tattooed, and you haven't realised it.
• See what their comments section says, too!

GOOGLE REVIEWS: WHAT ARE CLIENTS SAYING ABOUT THE TATTOO ARTISTS IN BRISBANE

Utilise the studio's Google reviews to read reviews left by previous clients. These Google reviews can offer insight and perspective into the artist's skill and professionalism and showcase an overall level of client satisfaction among wonderful people like you who have been tattooed in that studio.

When you're sifting through Google reviews for that Brisbane tattoo studio, look for patterns in the feedback people have left. If you see several clients discussing similar experiences or personality traits about an artist, it'll start to paint a picture of what you can expect, which can provide helpful guidance when deciding on who will tattoo you.

REACH OUT: START A DIALOGUE WITH YOUR ARTIST

If you're nervous, anxious, or unsure about any aspects of a tattoo artist's process or techniques, feel free to reach out and send them a message through their preferred method. Some artists only take queries or bookings via email, while others accept Instagram DMs or phone calls. Once you've expressed your concerns, the artist will be able to alleviate your stress by filling you in on any information you need.

Remember that sometimes artists get overwhelmed with messages, which can take a few days to respond.

If you're still worried about anything, need your concerns resolved, or need to discuss things further, you can generally ask an artist for a consultation before your tattoo—however, depending on the artist's process, this may incur fees.

Trusting your tattoo artist to permanently ink your skin is the foundation for an unforgettable tattoo experience. Trust is essential, research the artist before you commit to a new piece of art.

BONUS TIPS FOR RESEARCHING A BRISBANE TATTOO SHOP

Don't settle for anything you're not 100% happy with. If you feel hesitation, it's okay to pull the plug and back out. Ink is permanent, so it's better to make that decision before your tattoo instead of after. Take time to look around, check out different shops in Brisbane, and see what their artists offer to find the right fit for you.

If you see someone on social media in Brisbane with a tattoo you love, drop a comment and ask where they got their work done.

Always check for tattoo artist licenses and ask for them to be provided if you're worried. Any artist tattooing without a license is tattooing illegally, and you should run... fast. Being tattooed by a licensed tattoo artist ensures that they have undergone the correct training, adhere to a high level of infection control and hygiene practices, operate ethically, and will be more trustworthy than someone who would operate without a license.

REMINDER: WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS

With the rise of social media and AI-generated imagery and profiles, we're seeing a significant increase in scams and devious activities around the tattoo industry by people not in the industry. Some of the more common scams we've seen lately include tactics like creating fake profiles, generating flash tattoos using AI, and then offering them up for sale on a social media account based in a specific country. When you pay a deposit to book, they take your money but do not exist, so you never get ink or your money back. It's essential to use caution and verify the artist's legitimacy you are considering booking for your dream tattoo.

Another scam we see often involves scammers creating fake studio pages, trawling the web, and screenshotting work by a range of artists, passing it off as work by artists in the studio and then offering booking links with payment info. Much like the scam we mentioned above, once you make a payment, you'll find out that the studio isn't real, and you cannot do much about it.

Please beware of scams online, and do your due diligence before booking artists.

As always, please think about the tattoo you want and the artist you'll choose. It's a lifelong decision; we don't want you to regret it. Laser tattoo removal is painful, and blackout tattoos aren't for everyone!