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Tattoo Guides

Straight answers to the things that stop people booking a tattoo — each one pointing you at real work in the catalogue, not just more reading.

Before Your First Tattoo

Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt? A Guide to Pain by Placement

Nobody's first tattoo question is really "does it hurt" — it's "will I be able to handle it." Short answer: yes, almost certainly. Long…

Before your first tattoo

“I’m afraid it will look bad”The single biggest factor is the artist. See portfolios of real, healed work and pick by the work itself. “I’m afraid of the pain”Pain depends heavily on placement. Compare zones and start somewhere forgiving. “I don’t know what I want”Browse by subject and style until something clicks, then take it to a consultation. “I don’t know where to put it”See how a design sits on each part of the body at real scale. “I don’t know what it costs”Ranges by size, style and city — based on real studio pricing. “I don’t know which style I like”See what each style actually looks like on skin, side by side.

Browse by topic

🖋️ Tattoo Styles

🧭 Before Your First Tattoo

🖋️ Tattoo Styles

Old School (American Traditional) — The Original Tattoo Uniform

Neo-Traditional — Old School, Reimagined

Japanese (Irezumi) — Tattooing as a Full-Body Story

Tribal — Tattooing as Identity

Blackwork — The Power of Pure Black Ink

Dotwork — Building an Image One Point at a Time

Watercolor — Painting on Skin

Realism — Tattoos That Look Like Photographs

🧭 Before Your First Tattoo

Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt? A Guide to Pain by Placement

Bold vs. Subtle: Blackwork, Dotwork, and Tribal Compared

Realism vs. Fine Line: Which Fits Your Idea

Old School vs. Neo-Traditional: What’s the Difference

How to Choose a Tattoo Style

What Is a Tattoo?

📍 Placement

Choosing the Right Tattoo Placement

🩹 Aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare: How to Take Care of a Fresh Tattoo

💭 Meanings

Understanding Tattoo Meanings

More guides — pricing by city, dedicated first-tattoo walkthroughs — are being written.