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.
Japanese (Irezumi) tattoos: large-scale compositions of dragons, koi, tigers and waves - fit, sessions, cost and how to spot good work.
The best places for a first tattoo, compared on pain, visibility, how well they age and how easy they are to hide - with real examples of each.
Ornamental tattoos explained: mandalas, filigree and decorative patterns designed to follow the body - placement, aging, cost and quality signs.
New School tattoos explained: exaggerated cartoon shapes, saturated colour and bold outlines - who they suit, how they age and what to look for.
What fine line tattoos are, what they suit, how they age over 5-10 years and how to pick an artist who does them well - with real examples.
Realism or fine line? What the two styles share, where they split, how they age and which one fits your idea - with real examples of both.
How to choose a tattoo placement: visibility, pain, how each area ages, working with body shape, and how size and placement go together.
Neo-Traditional tattoos: Old School structure with richer colour, depth and illustrative detail - fit, aging, cost and quality signs.
Tribal tattoos: bold black patterns that follow the body, their cultural roots, fit, aging, cost and how to spot respectful, well-made 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.