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.
What ornamental looks like
Tribal tattoos: bold black patterns that follow the body, their cultural roots, fit, aging, cost and how to spot respectful, well-made work.
Dotwork tattoos: images built from thousands of dots - geometric, ornamental and shaded work - fit, aging, cost and quality signs.
It happens when the needle goes too deep or at the wrong angle, and it is more common on thin skin (inner arm, ankle, hand).
The same idea in the hands of two different artists becomes two different tattoos.
Nobody's first tattoo question is really "does it hurt" — it's "will I be able to handle it." Short answer: yes, almost certainly.
Blackwork tattoos: solid black, bold graphic shapes and negative space - who they suit, how they age, cost and how to spot good work.
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.