First Tattoo: What to Decide Before You Book

The consultation is the job, not a formality

A first tattoo goes better when you treat the consult as a design meeting. The artist is not there to copy a screenshot at the size you guessed on your phone.

TattooGenius is an inspiration gallery. Bring pictures. Do not treat them as a contract.

What to bring

Keep the pile small so the conversation stays on one idea.

• 2-4 reference images marked outline I like vs mood I like.
• The body area, in clothes you actually wear.
• A size range you can accept, even if it is wide.
• Anything the artist should know that you are comfortable sharing: existing tattoos, scars on that spot, a deadline you cannot move.

What to ask

You are hiring a craftsperson. Questions about process are normal. Skip questions that ask them to guarantee pain, healing, or how a boss will react.

• Have you tattooed this placement and this kind of linework recently?
• What would you change in this reference for my size and spot?
• How long do you expect the session to run, and what would make it longer?
• What deposit, aftercare sheet, and touch-up policy do you use?
• If I want this smaller, what do we cut first?

Budget is time on the skin

Shops price differently. We do not publish or invent prices. A useful way to talk about money is time and coverage: a smaller, simpler piece is usually a shorter sitting.

What this site will not tell you

We do not diagnose skin, predict infection, or rank artists. If you have a skin condition or a health question, that belongs with a clinician and then with the studio intake form — not with an image gallery.