Permanently marking the body with dye of some sort has been around for thousands of years. Whether it’s done just for decoration or it’s meant to ward off evil spirits, a tattoo can be a beautiful addition to your body. Learn more about the history of tattoos at the Smithsonian.
If you have already decided to get a tattoo, there’s a good chance that you have at least a rough idea of what you want. This is a painful, costly process that is pretty much a permanent accessory to your body, so put some serious thought into what you want it to say.
Why so much thought? – Some tattoos are visible only to a select few, but most are seen by the rest of the people in your life. Whether you care if anyone else sees it or not, you need to realize that you are sending out a message. It doesn’t matter as much who the message is for, or what the message is. You want to be as clear as you can about what your tattoo says or means. Even if it’s only for looks, you want people to understand what the image says.
Where to start? – There are many different ways for you to express yourself through your tat. You can actually spell it out with words or just hint at it with an image. You can combine anything you choose, creating a one of a kind masterpiece, or pick one out of a book, just as it is. There are many software applications that you can use to cut and paste images, or you can sketch it by hand. If you don’t think you have the skills to do it yourself, get help. Most tattoo artists will have a portfolio for you to look at, and the creative skills required to help you express yourself.
There are a lot of things to keep in mind while deciding on your tattoo. Following is a list of a few of the most obvious:
- Message – Something that seems pretty important right now might not be a few years later. Make sure your tattoo will still be relevant in the future.
- Placement – Where you put your tat can have a big impact on your message.
- Style – Do you want a flat two dimensional tattoo, or something with shading and a realistic 3-D effect?
- Artist – Just like with painting or any other medium, most tattoo artists will have their own strengths and weakness’s. They usually have their own way of working as well. Make sure you see their portfolio, and don’t be afraid to ask for references.
- Health and Safety – Blood borne illness is a very serious matter. Any reputable tattoo parlor will have all of the equipment and supplies needed to do your tat safely, but never assume. Ask about their health record.
- Time – A small simple tat can be done in less than an hour. Larger tats with more color and complex shading can take several sessions of 2 or 3 hours.
- Cost – Like any artistic medium, you can spend whatever you can afford. According to Inkedmag.com, there are many places that will actually finance a tattoo.
- Discomfort – Pain is part of the process. You can’t stick tiny needles into your body without feeling it. The nerve endings in certain parts of your body are closer to the surface and will hurt more. Wherever you put it, there will be a certain amount of discomfort.
As you can see, there are actually many things that should be considered when contemplating a tattoo. The last and most important is the fact that it won’t come off easily. Read more about tattoo removal at Wikipedia, and make sure that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
