Straight answers to the things that stop people booking a tattoo — from the first idea to a healed tattoo. Each guide points you at real, credited work in the catalogue, and health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos.
Read the full guides — Blackwork, Dotwork, Tribal — or go back to How to Choose a Tattoo Style.
Japanese tattooing — traditionally called Irezumi — is built around large, flowing compositions rather than a single isolated image: dragons, koi, tigers, and folklore figures set against backgrounds…
Cost scales with how much of the body the design wraps around — a contained accent piece is a quick, affordable option, while a full sleeve or back…
Classic choices are the sternum and underbust, the spine, the back of the neck, forearms and hands, shoulders and knees.
Realism tattoos: portraits and scenes that look like photographs - fit, sessions, aging, cost and how to spot a skilled realism artist.
Nine stages from a vague idea to a healed tattoo. Every guide ends with a link to the next step, so you can read them in order — or jump straight to where you are.
The worries people mention most — and where the honest answer is.
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Health guides quote dermatologists who specialise in tattoos word for word. New to the words? See the tattoo glossary. How guides are written and corrected: editorial policy.