Thinking about getting a tattoo but unsure how to pick the right artist? Choosing the wrong tattoo artist is one of the leading causes for tattoo regret, poor healing, or even safety concerns. In this guide, you’ll learn how to find a tattoo artist whose style, values, and professionalism align with your vision and ensure that your tattoo experience is everything it should be.
Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal and important decision. Whether it’s your first piece or you’re a seasoned collector, choosing the right artist is the first and one of the most important parts of the tattoo process. Tattoos are permanent marks on your body, and they deserve the care, time, and thought that any meaningful decision does, and the right artist will not only execute your idea beautifully, but will also make you feel safe, seen, and respected throughout the experience.
I’ve put together this little tattoo guide to help you on this journey of getting tattooed. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for (green flags), what to avoid (red flags), and some additional insight to help you navigate the vast world of tattooing confidently.
🔍 How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist for You
Choosing a tattoo artist is not just about finding someone talented — it’s about finding someone aligned with your vision, energy, and values. Here are some important factors to consider when looking for the right artist and to help make the best choice for you.
1. Style Match – Finding a Tattoo Artist Who Fits Your Vision
Every tattoo artist has a unique tattooing style that they specialize in — from ornamental and fine line tattoos to blackwork, realism, or illustrative designs. Choosing an artist who matches your style ensures your tattoo will heal beautifully, age well, and look just as stunning 5, 10, or even 20 years down the line.
With the exception of beginner tattoo artists (more on that later), most experienced artists naturally gravitate toward a few styles that they’ve refined over time.
Most artists have extensive tattoo portfolios on Instagram or their personal websites, where you can explore their work in depth. Take your time scrolling — look for consistency, flow, and healed examples that align with what you want.
Don’t expect a realism tattoo artist to perfectly execute a delicate fine line design, or vice versa. Sure, they might be able to do it, but the quality often suffers when artists step too far outside their main focus. You’ll always get the best results by working with someone who lives and breathes the style you’re after.
👉 Tip: If you can’t imagine wearing any of their past tattoos, they’re probably not the right artist for you — no matter how skilled they are.
2. Vibe & Communication – Feeling Safe, Seen & Respected
When choosing a tattoo artist, it’s not just about the artwork – it’s about the experience. You will always remember getting your first tattoo! Your comfort level with the artist is especially important for long sessions, ritual tattoos, first-time tattoos, or sessions that may involve partial nudity (like sternum, hip, or back tattoos). Mutual respect and collaboration is a must for a great tattoo experience.
Everyone has a different communication style, and it’s completely normal to not vibe with every artist. That’s why finding someone who makes you feel safe, heard, and respected is just as essential as their technical skill.
A good artist will guide you through the process with professionalism, clarity, and kindness – not pressure, ego, or dismissal. If something feels off, trust your gut.
🔍 Things to look for when choosing a tattoo artist:
• How they communicate on social media or their website
• How they reply to your inquiries or questions
• Whether you feel seen, supported, and taken seriously
• Whether their energy feels calm, clear, and respectful
👉 Red Flag: If you feel dismissed, rushed, or like you’re being talked down to, it might not be the right match. A tattoo is personal, and the energy during the session can shape how you remember it forever. You can always choose to stop working with the artist even if you felt comfortable at first, but get a weird feeling later down the line.
3. Professionalism & Hygiene – The Non-Negotiables
If you’re getting a tattoo, safety and hygiene should be at the top of your checklist. A stunning tattoo means nothing if it puts your health at risk. No matter how talented an artist is, poor hygiene practices are a huge red flag.
Every professional tattoo artist should have completed special training in handling bloodborne pathogens, proper sanitization, and studio hygiene standards. If you’re unsure, you can always ask to see their hygiene or sterilization certificate — a trustworthy artist won’t be offended by this.
What to look out for in a clean, professional tattoo environment:
• Gloves & Single-Use Needles
Your artist should wear disposable gloves throughout the session. Needles, ink caps, razors, and any other tools that come into contact with your skin or blood must be single-use and opened in front of you. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask — you have a right to protect your health.
• Clean Workspace & Wrapped Equipment
All surfaces should be disinfected and wrapped in protective plastic (armrests, machines, bottles, etc). There should be no uncovered personal items on the tattoo station — no coffee cups, phones, or snacks. This shows attention to detail and respect for your safety.
• Aftercare Guidance
A responsible artist provides clear tattoo aftercare instructions — either verbally, on a printed card, or by email. This is essential to avoid infection, scarring, and fading. If they forget, ask for it — healing is 50% of the tattoo process.
👉 Pro Tip: Even if an artist is offering a discount or is a friend, never compromise on hygiene. Your health matters more than a cheap tattoo.
4. Healed Work Matters – Because Tattoos Are Forever
Fresh tattoos always look bold, crisp, and stunning, but that’s only half the story. What really matters is how your tattoo heals over time.
A responsible tattoo artist will be transparent about their healed work, not just post fresh photos taken minutes after the session. Look for artists who share healed tattoo photos on their website or social media, ideally in a dedicated “Healed” highlight or album.
This shows confidence in the longevity of their work and gives you realistic expectations about how the tattoo will age on the skin.
In healed photos, pay attention to:
- Linework – Are the lines still clean and sharp, or have they blurred or blown out?
- Color & Blackwork – Do the tones stay rich and vibrant, or have they faded patchily?
- Placement – Does the tattoo still flow well with the body now that it’s healed?
⚠️ Avoid artists who only post overly edited photos, use soft filters, or share obvious AI-generated designs, these can create unrealistic expectations and often don’t reflect the quality of their real-life work.
💡 Pro Tip for Clients:
Ask your tattoo artist to show healed results from 6–12 months after the session, not just “aftercare updates” taken a week later. A truly great tattoo holds up after the initial healing process and beyond. And always send photos of your own healed work, to see if any revisions are needed. A good tattoo artist cares about their work and wants the tattoo to look good and hold up well.
5. Do Your Research – Reviews & Word-of-Mouth Matter
The tattoo world is tight-knit, and word travels fast. If you’re considering booking with a specific artist, don’t hesitate to ask around, maybe one of your friends, co-workers, or mutuals has already been tattooed by them.
In addition to personal recommendations, take a few minutes to read online reviews. These can often be found on:
- Google Business listings
- Their website or booking page
- Social media story highlights or testimonials
- Tattoo forums, Reddit or local Facebook groups
Even if an artist doesn’t have a ton of online reviews, they might have a dedicated feedback highlight or “client love” section where they share kind words from previous clients.
Pay attention to feedback:
• How the artist treats their clients
• Whether people feel safe, heard, and supported
• Red flags like poor communication, no-shows, or tattoos that healed badly
💡 Remember:
One bad review doesn’t always mean the artist is unprofessional, and one glowing review doesn’t guarantee the perfect match. Sometimes people just don’t vibe or there’s a miscommunication.
The key is to look at the full picture. If you’ve done your research and the artist’s work and energy feel aligned – trust your gut.
6. Trust Your Intuition
At the end of the day, your body is your canvas, and your intuition is your compass.
Even if everything looks good on paper – the portfolio is strong, the hygiene seems fine, the reviews are positive, but something feels off, listen to that inner nudge. You don’t have to rationalize it. If the communication feels weird, the vibe is off, or you just feel uneasy, it’s absolutely okay to walk away.
Don’t be swayed by low prices and seemingly professional Instagram photos. Ask for consultations, they are usually free. The world is filled with fake images and inflated egos, take your time, do you research and invest in a piece of art that you’ll be proud to wear even in old age.
Getting tattooed is an intimate experience. You’re letting someone leave a permanent mark on your skin – that deserves care, intention, and trust.
🌿 Green Flags: Signs of a Great Tattoo Artist
1. A Clear and Consistent Portfolio – A trustworthy artist will have a visible portfolio with both fresh and healed tattoos. Look for consistency in their linework, shading, and overall style. The work should feel aligned with what you want, and you should be able to recognize their unique artistic voice.
2. Specializes in a Style You Love – Different artists excel in different styles (e.g., ornamental, blackwork, realism, neo-traditional, etc). Choose someone whose portfolio resonates with your vision. A good artist knows their lane and thrives in it.
3. Professional Communication – Even when they take time to answer messages (we have to remember that artists are also humans and managing everything themselves takes time), they respond respectfully and clearly to inquiries, explain their process, and are open to answering questions about pricing, healing, and aftercare. You feel like you’re talking to a human being who respects your time and your body.
4. Hygienic Studio Environment – Their space is clean, organized, and visibly hygienic. Professional-grade equipment, disposable needles, fresh gloves, and proper sterilization are non-negotiable. A reputable studio will meet health regulations and safety standards.
5. Sets Boundaries and Explains the Process – They know how to say “no” to unrealistic or unsafe ideas. They walk you through the experience from consultation to aftercare and help you feel mentally and emotionally prepared for the session.
6. Transparent Pricing – Rates are clear and fair based on time, complexity, and experience. Quality tattooing is not cheap and shouldn’t be. Artists value their work and time, and they value yours too. Cheap tattoos are never cheap – you end up paying more for fixes, coverups, revisions, laser tattoo removal. Also the cost of your peace of mind, time and energy.
7. Passion & Integrity – You can sense their passion for the craft. They care about the final result, your comfort, and the energy of the space. You leave the conversation or consultation feeling inspired, respected, and excited.
⚠️ Red Flags: What to Avoid
1. No Healed Work or Over-Edited Photos – A lack of healed tattoo photos or heavily edited images could be hiding poor technique. Be wary of portfolios that look too perfect or inconsistent with real tattoo healing.
2. Uses AI or Fake Images Without Disclaimers – Using AI-generated tattoos or digitally altered artwork to advertise as real work is not only misleading — it’s legally questionable under EU consumer laws and a bad marketing technique. This gives clients unrealistic expectations and damages trust.
3. No Clear Style or Inconsistent Quality – If their portfolio jumps wildly between styles and skill levels, it may suggest they’re still finding their footing (beginner artist) or copying others. A strong artist knows their signature and refines it over time.
4. Suspiciously Low Prices – While we all love a good deal, extremely low prices are a red flag. Tattooing involves high-quality equipment, hygiene standards, and skilled labor. If it’s too cheap, corners may be cut and you will pay double later for coverups, fixes, laser tattoo removal etc. Not to mention the emotional and mental tax it takes on you.
5. Poor Communication or Arrogance – Disrespect, flakiness, or talking down to clients is unacceptable. You should feel safe and seen, not belittled. Trust your gut if something feels off.
6. No Attention to Hygiene Working in messy spaces, reusing needles, or skipping gloves is dangerous. If hygiene seems questionable, walk away.
7. Gossips or Trashes Other Artists – Professionalism matters. If an artist constantly puts others down, it can signal insecurity, ego, or a toxic mindset.
🌟 Bonus Tips
Look at multiple healed tattoos from the same artist.
Book a consultation before committing.
Follow their social media to get a feel for their energy and vibe.
Read reviews and ask around for recommendations.
Don’t be afraid to book months ahead of time, this gives you time to think about the details of the tattoo and save up for a reputable artist who does good quality work.
👍 Final Thoughts
Choosing a tattoo artist is not just about their talent, it’s about the entire experience that you will remember every time you look at the tattoo. The right artist will make you feel empowered, comfortable, and confident in your decision. They’ll honor your body, your story, and your vision with skill and integrity.
If my work resonates with you and you’re looking for a thoughtful, intentional tattoo experience, feel free to explore my portfolio or reach out for a free consultation. I’d love to create something meaningful with you.
With love,
Raine
My portfolio: Tattoos
Book a consultation: Book an appointment
