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SafariX · Dec 7, 2004, 10:05 PM

How much do tattoos run? Like a 2 inch by 2 inch blue tattoo. I was thining of getting a third nipple tattood on my chest.

But seriously, 100$? 200$? (assuming its not overly intricate)

Kilbey · Dec 7, 2004, 11:19 PM

Don't forget to add in the cost of removal in a few years when you think your tattoo is stupid.

Plus the cost of human life because you won't be able to donate blood for a year.

Captain Obvious · Dec 7, 2004, 11:21 PM

That size ~$35-60

I don't have any but I have gone with a couple people to get them

Lancer409 · Dec 7, 2004, 11:59 PM

ugh .. third nipple .. 2by2inch ... eww...

good luck .. remember to post pics..

(5 bucks says he puts a blue apple logo somewhere)

d4nth3m4n · Dec 8, 2004, 12:47 AM

hahaha.

donating blood, eh? maybe if i were o negative, but i'm not. and i don't think they want me blood anyway. too toxic. like britney spears.

kmkkid · Dec 8, 2004, 12:47 AM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
Don't forget to add in the cost of removal in a few years when you think your tattoo is stupid.

Boo.

Plus the cost of human life because you won't be able to donate blood for a year.

Hoo.

Chris

Randman · Dec 8, 2004, 12:52 AM

Don't be stupid and get a bargain tattoo. It'll look like crap and it'll fade in a few years. If you're truly serious, spend some time on a design, some some time finding a very good and clean artist and spend a little money and get something that is going to last.

SafariX · Dec 8, 2004, 12:52 AM

Originally posted by kmkkid:
Boo.

Hoo.

Chris

I definitely el oh eld. So the consensus via 1 vote is 30-60?

SafariX · Dec 8, 2004, 12:54 AM

Originally posted by Randman:
Don't be stupid and get a bargain tattoo. It'll look like crap and it'll fade in a few years. If you're truly serious, spend some time on a design, some some time finding a very good and clean artist and spend a little money and get something that is going to last.

Funny that you should say that, as your sig=the tattoo I want. I want a small Superman logo. How do I know whos good/clean/talented?

kmkkid · Dec 8, 2004, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by SafariX:
Funny that you should say that, as your sig=the tattoo I want. I want a small Superman logo. How do I know whos good/clean/talented?

Ask around and look for health inspection certificates.

Chris

tooki · Dec 8, 2004, 01:07 AM

For a 2x2" tattoo at a reputable shop, expect more like $100-$150. Small tattoos cost (per hour) disproportionately more than big ones. Any tattoo for $30 (assuming it's not a special price for friends) is gonna be from a "scratcher", and that's the kind of tattoo you will regret, not because you don't like the design, but because the quality is low.

As for donating blood... the Red Cross needs to seriously re-examine its rules, because tattoos and piercings just aren't the big source of infection they make it out to be. For example, there are no known cases of HIV being transmitted via tattoos or piercings, and even the supposed cases of hepatitis are very dubiously "proven".

tooki

tooki · Dec 8, 2004, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by SafariX:
Funny that you should say that, as your sig=the tattoo I want. I want a small Superman logo. How do I know whos good/clean/talented?

Clean: they should be completely willing to show you the autoclave (sterilizer), the spore test results from the autoclave, and also willing to open the sterile pouches (with the tools in them) in front of you. Refusal to do any of those would be a red flag.

If they don't mind, ask them if you can watch them do a tattoo on someone (ostensibly so you can see what the procedure entails). They shouldn't touch anything at all, other than the tattoo machine and disposable or sterilizable tools, with the gloves on. If they have to do anything (such as answer the phone), they need to take off the gloves and put on fresh ones when they're done. The little cups for ink should be disposed of after every customer, and the nozzles of the bottles of ink should never come in contact with anything. Any surface that the client will touch with the skin to be tattooed should be covered with paper towel or plastic wrap. All the surfaces that tools are placed on should similarly be covered. The cord of the tattoo machine should be wrapped with a disposable lining as well.

Good/talented: ask people who have nice tattoos who they had do them. Seeing the work in person is the best way. Next to that, pore over the portfolios, which every tattoo artist will have available. Hang out in the shops and talk to customers.

Tattoo shops in college towns are often (but not always) on the crappier side. Just like restaurants in college towns, the tat shops often feel that students will settle for less. So if you are in a college town, scrutinize everything that much more.

Ask about their policy about intoxication. Reputable artists are strict about not working on customers who are intoxicated. (Note that alcohol thins the blood, increasing bleeding.) Reputable artists are similarly strict about their age policies. (Think about it: if they're willing to break age laws, what other rules and practices might they ignore?)

Depending on your personality, you may also want to get to know the artist first. Some artists are chatty when working, others prefer to be quiet and concentrate. Choose the one that'll make you more comfortable. Ask about the artist's bedside manner. Some are very forgiving of beginning tattoo collectors, others get irritated when you flinch or ask them to give you a breather.

Also, when considering tattoo designs, keep the following in mind:
1) Tattoos are addictive. Consider how well any tattoo you get could potentially integrate into a larger piece. It sucks to want to get a big tattoo and have to work around a small one already occupying that space.
2) Don't get tattoos too small -- the finest details will blur during healing. Often, beginners get ink the size of a silver dollar, and after one or two years, the detail has blurred, leaving the piece looking like an ugly stamp. Small tattoos need to be kept simple, so that the design remains distinct even with some blurring.
3) Don't haggle. You don't want to piss off the person who's about to indelibly mark your skin.
4) Tip well afterwards. 10+% is acceptable for a good job, but tattoo artists also enjoy creative tipping, like bringing homemade cookies and a six pack.

tooki

roberto blanco · Dec 8, 2004, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by SafariX:
I was thining of getting a third nipple tattood on my chest.

errr...you might wanna rethink that, seriously.

other than that, a tatoo that size will probably set you back $100. get a design that speaks to your personality. THE MORE SYMBOLIC THE BETTER (stay away from 'realistic' representations). don't go for an accurate representation. just my .2 �

ask around. (essentially what tooki said)

Randman · Dec 8, 2004, 01:59 AM

In 1995, when the Carolina Panthers (I was covering them) made the playoffs for the first time, I went with some team members and got my first tat. It was a Superman logo on my left bicep. Back then, it was about $60, but it still looks fresh to this day. Almost no fading and the discomfort was minimal.
The artist has a very good rep and she was even a registered nurse so everything was quite clean and quick.

turtle777 · Dec 8, 2004, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by SafariX:
.I was thining of getting a third nipple tattood on my chest.

Maybe you should wait till you sober up.
You can't be possibly serious...

-t

Moderator · Dec 8, 2004, 09:22 AM

not cool

tooki · Dec 8, 2004, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by turtle777:

Maybe you should wait till you sober up.
You can't be possibly serious...

-t

Originally posted by roberto blanco:
errr...you might wanna rethink that, seriously.

Umm, why don't you guys actually read everything he wrote in the thread-- like what the actual design is (hint: it's not a third nipple).

tooki

turtle777 · Dec 8, 2004, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
Umm, why don't you guys actually read everything he wrote in the thread-- like what the actual design is (hint: it's not a third nipple).

So it was a joke ?

Lame.

-t

wdlove · Dec 8, 2004, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by kmkkid:
Ask around and look for health inspection certificates.

Chris

If you are really serious, then the advice by Chris should be your guide.

MacNStein · Dec 8, 2004, 11:01 AM

Small tattoo 2"x2"? Probably about $50-70. I have one that small, and that's what I paid.

Kilbey · Dec 8, 2004, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
hahaha.

donating blood, eh? maybe if i were o negative, but i'm not. and i don't think they want me blood anyway. too toxic. like britney spears.

I am o negative. Very high demand. I get calls when the local blood mobile is in town. Just got a post card today asking me to donate for the Christmas season.

D'Espice · Dec 8, 2004, 01:46 PM

Thanks a lot for that great post tooki. I was thinking about getting a tattoo on my left lower leg which in Germany will probably be like 500-600 bucks (in Munich at least, but I might go to Thueringen with a friend of mine and get it for 300-400) and for that much money, I expect not only quality but also a certain level or professionalism. And thanks to you I now know what to look for

paully dub · Dec 8, 2004, 02:13 PM

I think it's vital to get a feel for the artist. Back in the early nineties when it wasn't legal in Manhattan, I got to know this tattoo artist who was quite talented and went by appointment only. He had a thing about only doing his own artwork, or at the least drawing something in his style. Needless to say he didn't do logos, tribal stuff or obvious stuff like cartoon characters and such. I gave him a sketch of something I wanted, something I didn't see in his book and he agreed, told me how much he'd do it for and we did it.

I also know this japanese girl who specializes in the most awesome japanese art stuff. Since my first tattoo has faded she's been bugging me to let her fix/add to it. She worked in a few stores where she just sat there and did what people wanted and she hated it. She only does in house appointments now.

I see tattoo artists as artists and to be treated with respect. And any artist worthy of his profession will take the precautions tooki mentioned.

tooki · Dec 8, 2004, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by kmkkid:
Ask around and look for health inspection certificates.

Chris

If you are really serious, then the advice by Chris should be your guide.

I disagree. Many health inspections are, frankly, insufficient. The best piercing and tattoo shops I've seen exceed hospital-grade cleanliness. Use your best judgement, and don't rely on inspection certificates. While they certainly can't hurt, I don't think they are strict enough to be all that meaningful. (I've heard many stories of tattoo and piercing shops getting inspected and being told that the inspector "wished that most dentist offices were this clean".)

It's far more important that you look at the things I mentioned, if you ask me -- those are the things I look for.

tooki

P.S. Some piercing and tattoo artists have completed blood-handling and CPR training. Both of those are, of course, good signs as well.

D'Espice · Dec 9, 2004, 06:26 AM

Btw tooki (or anybody else), how much for a tattoo the size of my calf in the US? I'm probably going home next year so if it'll save me a lot of money, I might do it in Chicago.

tooki · Dec 9, 2004, 10:02 AM

Hmm, by that size, I really couldn't tell you, because it depends on the complexity of the design and the size of your calf. My calf sleeve took about 12 hours @ about $70 an hour (good price cuz I hung out at the shop all the time). Designs with more fine lines than mine could easily take 2-3 times as long.

tooki

Sherwin · Dec 9, 2004, 10:19 AM

Non-tattooed skin is the new black.

SafariX · Dec 9, 2004, 10:50 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys.

tooki · Dec 9, 2004, 02:02 PM

Let us know how it turns out.

(Woo, 6666th post!)

tooki

SafariX · Dec 9, 2004, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
Let us know how it turns out.

(Woo, 6666th post!)

tooki

This sounds stupid, but can I get it in black? Is that possible?

tooki · Dec 9, 2004, 02:58 PM

A black tattoo? Yup. Just know that it will fade during the first year, to a sort of dark slate gray. Black is one of the most common tattoo colors. (My ink so far is all black.)

Take a look at the BME tattoo galleries: http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/bme-tatt.html

tooki

Kilbey · Dec 9, 2004, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by tooki:
A black tattoo? Yup. Just know that it will fade during the first year, to a sort of dark slate gray. Black is one of the most common tattoo colors. (My ink so far is all black.)

Take a look at the BME tattoo galleries: http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/bme-tatt.html

tooki

I think he meant black as in the latest fashion.

SafariX · Dec 9, 2004, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
I think he meant black as in the latest fashion.

No, I meant I want the tattoo in black.

Kilbey · Dec 9, 2004, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by SafariX:
No, I meant I want the tattoo in black.

Sorry, I thought he was referring to Sherwin's post.

I missed your post entirely.