Tattoo help

[northshore]

I know a number of STR folks have tattoos. For those that do I need help. I've been wanting to get a tattoo for a number of years now and feel strongly about it's location and possible design. However, I do have some nagging questions:

-How do I find a reputable and clean shop? What do you look for? What do you like or expect? Would you recommend your shop?
-I have a number of general ideas and pictures in hand but I need someone to put it on paper. Can the shop do this and make necessary adjustments?
-What is the cost for a typical half sleeve with color?
-Will the tattoo be effected by age, wrinkling of the skin, fade, if I crash on it, etc?
-Does it hurt like hell and what is the healing time like?
-Does stuff like Tattoo goo really work or will lotion suffice?
-What can I use to keep the colors vibrant over the years?
-Are there any local shows or places you would recommend so I can talk with others about their experience?

[mcinvale]

How do I find a reputable and clean shop?

Get recommendations from people. If you have ANY reservations about a spot, go somewhere else. There are TONS of quality shops in Southern California.

What do you look for?

Quality portfolios.

What do you like or expect?

I like burritos? Not sure what you're asking here.

Would you recommend your shop?

YES, Chronic Tattoo is Pacific Beach. Talk to Ugly Bill.

I have a number of general ideas and pictures in hand but I need someone to put it on paper. Can the shop do this and make necessary adjustments?

A good artist will take your ideas and improve upon them to fit where you want and look good as a tattoo. Figure you'll spend 1-3 hours on designing your tattoo with the artist.

-What is the cost for a typical half sleeve with color?

$100/hr is a pretty standard rate for smaller work. If you're doing something large a lot of people will give you a better rate. DO NOT SHOP BASED ON PRICES. Quality work will cost more but it's worth it!

-Will the tattoo be effected by age, wrinkling of the skin, fade, if I crash on it, etc?

Keep your tattoo covered in sun screen (SPF60!) when outside. Take good care of it and it won't look like crap. You may get some really weird tan lines though. heh.

-Does it hurt like hell and what is the healing time like?

Pain is relative. Some locations hurt more than others. My ribcage hurt, the center of my chest didnt, the inside of my arms did, my shoulders didn't.

Healing depends on how well you take care of it and your body. Also, some colors (red on me) will take longer to heal than others.

-Does stuff like Tattoo goo really work or will lotion suffice?

I have no idea what goo is? Lotion works well for me.

-What can I use to keep the colors vibrant over the years?

Sunscreen! Lots of it. The sun DESTROYS ink.

-Are there any local shows or places you would recommend so I can talk with others about their experience?

Just walk into local shops and talk with the artists. If they're worth a damn, they'll chat with you while they're working.Post some photos when you get the work done.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by northshore

I know a number of STR folks have tattoos. For those that do I need help. I've been wanting to get a tattoo for a number of years now and feel strongly about it's location and possible design. However, I do have some nagging questions:

-How do I find a reputable and clean shop? What do you look for? What do you like or expect? Would you recommend your shop?
-I have a number of general ideas and pictures in hand but I need someone to put it on paper. Can the shop do this and make necessary adjustments?
-What is the cost for a typical half sleeve with color?
-Will the tattoo be effected by age, wrinkling of the skin, fade, if I crash on it, etc?
-Does it hurt like hell and what is the healing time like?
-Does stuff like Tattoo goo really work or will lotion suffice?
-What can I use to keep the colors vibrant over the years?
-Are there any local shows or places you would recommend so I can talk with others about their experience?

step 1 go to Raygun Productions in Dana Point
Step 2 ask for Thadeous
Step 3 tell him you are a friend of Jeff's
step 4 talk with him about your goals
step 5 design time (this can take days, weeks, or months)
make an apt and come back in late June to get started...

Feel free to PM me for my number so we can actually talk about all your questions

[foofighter]

where you been Jeff? moved in yet?

[J_Sims]

I have been out and may be out for most of the summer... Can you say good possibility of shoulder surgery... I am moving next weekend

now back to you regularly scheduled thread...(Mod Edit)

[guero]

However, I do have some nagging questions:

-How do I find a reputable and clean shop?
ask around, like you are doing here.

What do you look for?
go in, check out their portfolios, take note of what their strong points seem to be with the different styles, ie. japanese, traditional, tribal, etc... look for an autoclave machine, also take note of fresh needles in the packages, and this is a no brainer, but make sure they are all wearing gloves.

What do you like or expect?
not sure what you are asking with this one.

Would you recommend your shop?
yes, electric tattooing located on the balboa peninsula in newport, ask for wade, tell him bret sent ya. there is another great shop in garden grove, saints & sinners, ask for albert

-I have a number of general ideas and pictures in hand but I need someone to put it on paper. Can the shop do this and make necessary adjustments?
absolutely, they often modify or enhance to work better with the tattoo artform. dont be afraid to speak up if it isn't exactly right the first time around, they will work it until the stencil is exactly what you want.

-What is the cost for a typical half sleeve with color?
depends on the persons hourly rate...which typically is $100 and up. most shops also take $40 appointment deposits.

-Will the tattoo be effected by age, wrinkling of the skin, fade, if I crash on it, etc?
as skin ages, so will your tattoo. after getting fresh ink it is of utmost importance to keep it out of the sun! also, don't go out and mt. bike, stay out of the ocean, excessive sweating is bad for the tattoo in the first two weeks or so.

-Does it hurt like hell and what is the healing time like?
it depends on your pain threshold. mine wasn't too bad, i find the outline hurts more than the shading does. location also plays a big part into the pain factor.

-Does stuff like Tattoo goo really work or will lotion suffice?
different artists will recommend different stuff, i've always used NON SCENTED lubriderm with great success. aquaphor is also another good one, i think tattoo goo is just marketing hype...

-What can I use to keep the colors vibrant over the years?
avoid prolonged sun exposure with the tattoo, if you must me in the sun, apply sunscreen A LOT!

-Are there any local shows or places you would recommend so I can talk with others about their experience?
i'd just go visit different shops and get a feel for them. chat with a few artists, some are very conceded, some are very down to earth... there usually is a show in pomona once a year, same with the queen mary here in lb.

[northshore]

Wow! Thanks for the help everyone! As for the question of, "What do you expect?" I was curious what you look for in a shop. Artist, portfolio, clean, etc.

[DirtymikeTDB]

Jason at EMpire Tatoo is phenominal. Veyr lite hand, no 3d effect from his work, very good at putting your thoughts into a drawing. Bring him a big ass pepsi if you go see him!!! Makes him alot happier. As far as pain, Yes it hurts. SOme people vicadin out before going, but thats just Pussing out if you ask me, also NO DRINKING Prior to getting your Tattoo, for one if the Artist thinks you have been drinking he should tell you NO, Alcohol will make you bleed while they are working, and that makes for an Effed up tattoo.

Eat something first, you dont want to go in on an empty stomach, eat about an hour prior to getting any work done, be ready to become a contortionist, sometimes they need to put you in crazy positions

For me controling the pain was all about mind set, You know its going to hurt, so get over that part. I get into the miondset of controlling pasin before I am getting My work done, then I start meditating for about ten minutes before Jason starts<Only guy who does my work now>and I just keep meditating during the work, in a state where I can almost fall asleep.

Care is simple, first off STAY AWAY FROM PETROLEUM PRODUCTS!!!! Do not use any ointment that uses petroleum, IE neosporin, a+e etc, they can make the color fade sooner. You want to wash your new Tattoo about an hour after getting your work done, put the bar of soap directly onto the Tatto site, NO RAGS!!!! Coco butter lotion works wonders for keeping your tattoo moist, and helping it heal, also Vitamin E oil is great. If your Tattoo is easy to reaqch, then another great product to use is Noxema, you jus tneed to be putting it on about every hour. Keep your tattoo out of sunlight for at least a month, NO SWIMMING. Chlorine will ruin your new Tattoo, you need to stay out of the pool until your skin has healed completly, if your not sure if it is totally healed, dont chance it.

To keep your tattoo lasting voer the years, lotions with coco butter, vitamin E, aloe, Oil of Olay...Oil free version...Use on a regular basis. In the sun you wnat at LEAST SPF 50!!! Preferably something stronger over the tattoo area. You dont need that everywhere, just the tattoo itself.

Last but not least, DO NOT LET THE ARTIST START UNTILL HIS DRAWING IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. This is very important, a tattoo is permanent, it should be something that means something to you, and that is very important to you.

My General rule is, If I cannot cover My tattoo with a tshirt and jeans, I shouldnt put it there. When it comes to looking professional, you dont ever want to be passed up for something because you have a tattoo you cant cover. We have a local sherriff who must where long pants, and a turtle neck everyday, no matter how hot it is, he is tattooed from half his neck down, full sleeves and legs and all. Its actually funny how you cant recognize him outside of work!!!

Hope this helps.


Oh Oh Oh, come in and watch your artist of choice work a few times before letting him work on you, you will see how he works, and what kind of touch he has. If at anytime you get a feeling of maybe someone else would be better....... Follow that feeling.

[mcinvale]

Originally Posted by DirtymikeTDB

Eat something first, you dont want to go in on an empty stomach, eat about an hour prior to getting any work done...

yes yes yes, very good point. i also like to have something to snack on for longer sessions. almonds or some dried fruit are great.

[guero]

yup, dirtymike brought up an excellent point bout not going on an empty stomach. i usually eat on my way down to the shop and drink a 32oz gatorade throughout the session.

[Pain Freak]

I really like some of the stuff Jeff has. Also CeeDub has some excellent work. Bret's looks a lot clearer in person and is more vibrant. Very good work. 1X1 Clyde has some work, but it appears to be from different artists ( I could be wrong here) so it doesn't blend, but still looks very good.

I got some of my tatts done over 30 years ago and regardless of what you do, they well bleed over the years. Lines become thicker and blue coloring will fade to black. Make sure this won't be an issue. Some of the best work I've ever seen done is by free hand (jail house type) no machines were used, but this is ridicuously expensive but well worth it in my opinon. Outlines can be bold, just don't let them over do it. Consider the shading will eventually blend together, so again have them go easy. It takes about 10 years for the lines to start becoming bigger and the shading to go solid, but done right it'll look even better.

Good luck and what are you considering.

[surlygal]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

1X1 Clyde has some work, but it appears to be from different artists ( I could be wrong here) so it doesn't blend, but still looks very good.

Yep 3 different guys 3 different eyes - Neil has actually started to "clean" up the old stuff and is working on 1/2 sleeves on both arms...Every other week every other arm...It's starting to finally come together, the finished work is going to be beautiful.

Ken, Just recently Neil went through this same process, listen to your peers who have spent some time under the needle. Plenty of good artists in SoCal..Each with their own eye, Take your time, look at their work and talk to them about what your thinking, Some are better than others in specific types of art..
This will be with you for-ever so don't jump into anything

[Kid A]

my stuff was done back east so unless u r heading to ny suggest u get recommendations on shop from others.

pain for me was not much...felt like rubbing a sunburn if that makes any sense.

I think I used A&D oinment for healing and then just high octane sunscreen. used to be fanatical with sunscreen but over the years got way lazy and u can tell in the colors.

listen up the prior posts got some good info.

welcome to the darkside

[Padre]

Yeah...I've been looking around for someone to do a butterfly on my lower back...any leads would be great.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Padre

Yeah...I've been looking around for someone to do a butterfly on my lower back...any leads would be great.

Ewwww!!!

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

step 1 go to Raygun Productions in Dana Point
Step 2 ask for Thadeous
Step 3 tell him you are a friend of Jeff's
step 4 talk with him about your goals
step 5 design time (this can take days, weeks, or months)
make an apt and come back in late June to get started...

Feel free to PM me for my number so we can actually talk about all your questions

Who works there now? I heard Brother Greg from Laguna Tattoo is there now. Do you know?

Originally Posted by Padre

Yeah...I've been looking around for someone to do a butterfly on my lower back...any leads would be great.

Just get a Bic Razor on your calf.

[DirtymikeTDB]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

........ Outlines can be bold, just don't let them over do it. ........

Well put, Bold is great, Heavy i