Your First Tattoo - Five Things To Consider

Your First Tattoo - Five Things To Consider

So you're thinking about getting your first tattoo. What do you do next? Well, it's best not to rush off to the nearest tattoo parlour, point at a random design and wait to see your new masterpiece.


Here are five vital decisions that you must make before you proceed any further.
1) Do You Really Want A Tattoo?
A tattoo is a lifetime commitment, so you must be absolutely 100% certain that you want one. You might think that it's the greatest thing in the world today, but will you feel the same about it in 10 years, 20 years or even 50 years?
Okay, tattoo removal technology is improving all the time, but it's still time consuming, expensive and painful. So for now it's best to assume that your tattoo will be for life.

2) The Tattoo Design
Once you've decided that you definitely want a tattoo, the next step is to choose the design that you want. There are hundreds of categories of tattoo design to choose from, including dragon, flower, butterfly, angel, sun, etc. The choice is endless.
Most tattoos are done from predesigned templates. It's just a case of choosing the one that you want (some are free, but the better ones cost up to $20) and taking it to your choosen tattoo artist.
So visit a number of tattoo related websites, take a look at tattoo design books and decide on the general type of design that you want. Once you've done that, narrow it down to the actual design that you want.

Alternatively, if you can't find exactly what you're looking for, or you want your tattoo to be unique, you could consider getting an artist to design a custom tattoo exclusively for you.
This option is more expensive (perhaps $200-300 and upwards for the design, depending on size and level of detail), although more mainstream designs will work out cheaper as most tattoo artists will have experience of designing them. However, you'll have complete control over how your tattoo looks, nobody else will have the same and it will last you for the rest of your life.

Always remember, a good tattoo is not cheap, and a cheap tattoo is no good.
And a word of warning, unless you intend to place your tattoo on a part of your body that you can't see (such as your back), choose something that you don't think you'll get tired of looking at. The worst situation is to get a new tattoo on a highly visible part of your body that you grow to hate within a few months.
It's also important to choose a design that will be as relevant to you in the future as it is today. This is particularly relevant when it comes to designs that include names.
Many people get their names of their children added to their tattoo. This is a safe option because they'll always be your children. But think carefully before you get the name of your spouse or partner tattooed over your body. What if you seperate in the future? Will a new partner be happy to see the name of your ex emblazoned across your neck?

3) Color Or Black?
Another consideration that's closely linked to your choice of design is whether it will be in color or just black. This choice largely depends on the type of design that you like.

But bear in mind that black tattoos tend to have more definition. Due to the contrast with your skin they're more noticeable than the smoothing effect achieved by color tattoos. In comparison, color tattoos are much richer and help to add more character to your chosen design, but they do cost more.

4) Which Part Of Your Body?
Before you decide which part of your body to get tattooed, there are three minor issues to consider. First, bear in mind the size of your choosen design. If you've set your heart on a large design, there won't likely be enough space on your hands or ankles etc. Back, shoulders, chest and stomach are better areas for large designs.

Second, how visible do you want your tattoo to be? Do you want it to be on public display most of the time, or do you want it to be more discreet? If so, it's important to bear in mind your normal style of dress.
It's also important to remember that certain professions such as the police have strict rules about no tattoos on the lower arms etc. So if that will be an issue, check with your employers first.

Third, certain areas are more painful than others. As a general rule, areas of your body where the flesh is thinner and more bony, such as your ankles, head and lower back, tend to be more painful. Less painful areas to tattoo include your shoulders, chest, upper arm and upper back. And due to the number of nerve endings involved, it goes without saying that more intimate areas of your body could be extremely sensitive.

5) Size
The size of your tattoo will to a large extent (dreadful pun!) be determined by the location where it appears on your body. After all, a design that measures twelve inches square won't fit on the back of your hand. Large tattoos will also take longer to complete (and therefore cost more), and will be more noticeable.

But don't let all that lead you to believe that a small tattoo is something that can be undertaken on a whim. A small tattoo is just as big a commitment as a larger design and will last just as long.

Getting any tattoo done is a major decision, so don't rush into it, and make sure that you're absolutely certain about all of the decisions above before you go any further.

Everything You Need To Know About Tattoos

If you are considering tattoos, keep in mind that they are a permanent part of your skin. Because tattoos are created with permanent ink being placed underneath the skin, they are a lifelong fixture unless you later decide to have them removed. Having a tattoo removed involves surgery, which is very expensive and carries it’s own risks. As with any surgery, there is always the possibility of complications. If you are thinking of getting tattoos, it’s best to make sure that you really want them in order to avoid having to later go through surgery just to remove them.

Tattoos can be very expensive depending on the size of the design. They can range from the tiniest of symbol to a large detailed image. Because tattoos can be priced very high, many parlors offer an unconventional, yet practical, way to purchase your design of choice. Many businesses offer a convenient layaway plan with the tattoos being created after the last payment is made. If you have the cash to pay upfront, you may be able to make an appointment and get the design imprinted on the same day as payment. Depending on the design and complexity of the tattoos that you select, the process can be brief or may last for hours.

When considering tattoos, it is important to do some research on the design parlor before hiring them. How long have they been in business? Have there been any complaints lodged against them with the local Better Business Bureau? If you have friends who also have tattoos, who do they recommend and what was their experience? It is very important to follow up with references and as much of a background check as you can possibly get before agreeing to have your tattoos created.

In your research, try to find out which businesses have the best history with make sure their equipment is clean. This is the most important thing to consider about tattoos because, if the business is not licensed or the artist is not a professional, there is no guarantee that their instruments are clean or properly maintained. Your health is your biggest concern so, if you are considering tattoos, be sure to select the best parlor for the job.

Tattoos are colorful and can be an expression of art if done correctly. They often reflect a person’s lifestyle, name of a spouse or other sentiment. At the same time, they can cause a concern of infection.

Kenyon Martin Tattoos

Kenyon Martin plays professional basketball in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets.

Kenyon has some rather interesting tattoos on his body, including a tattoo of his girlfriends (Trina) lips, on the right side of his neck behind the ear.

He has a cute portrait of his baby son, on his right arm, and then a tattoo of the grim reaper on his left arm.

Plus he has a huge back piece tattoo, of a cross with the words, "I Shall Fear No Man, But God".

See some pictures of Kenyon Martin's tattoo designs below.

Best Tips Before Getting a Tattoo design

Girl Tattoo Ideas: Best Tips Before Getting a Tattoo design

Getting a tattoo is a major decision. You don't want to make a mistake with your tattoo design because you are stuck with it for life. If you are bent on getting a tattoo, get a design from a reputable source. Here are some possible design sources:

- Getting the right tattoo artist can make all the difference. All artists who would like to maintain a regular clientele build their design portfolios. You should however, opt for an artist who has had real experience tattooing the designs in his gallery. You probably don't want to be the experimental first client.

- Online galleries are also a great choice. Many of these galleries contain hundreds of thousands of categorized designs that you can choose from. If you are a great fan of the art, you may want to sign up for a membership so you can have access to unlimited tattoo designs.

- Be open about getting your girl tattoo ideas from other inspirations. You may be able to find a good design in a textbook or fantasy book. Some of your friends may also have cool and unique tattoos. Make sure though to consult an experienced tattoo artist about the feasibility of the design of your choice.

Pick One that Matches Your Spot

The body spot where you put your tattoo on can make a lot of difference. There are some body parts that just look better with certain patterns and design sizes. Make sure you consider the spot you want tattooed before settling on a design. Your foot for example may not look very good with a huge design. Girls' feet will look daintier with small designs. Another example would be tattoo designs on the lower back. You can settle for a small design but that would be useless if your real purpose is to show off your curves. If showing off is what you want, settle for full horizontal designs that stretch over the lower back.

Settle for Something Meaningful

Ink tattoos cannot be erased. That means you should rather settle for a design that has some meaning for you. You would probably feel better if you could explain to curious people what the symbols in your body mean. Knowing what your designs mean will also ensure that you need not get stuck with designs that have bad connotations. Pick tattoos that you are sure you will love for the rest of your life.

Chris "Birdman" Andersen Tattoos

When it comes to tattoos in the NBA, Chris "Birdman" Andersen is the reigning champ of the most tattoos in basketball.

Many of Chris Andersen's tattoos are on his two arms, these tattoos include, a giant skull wearing a crown, an eagle, chain links, a zombie looking tattoo of himself, two large Chinese symbols, one on each forearm. And of course, his bird wings, which are on the bottom portion of his biceps.

Some of Chris Andersen's other tattoos include, a pit bull dog on his chest, the words "Honky Tonk" on his stomach, and a player making a slam dunk, on his right arm.

Here we have some pictures of Chris Andersen and his tattoo designs.

Justin Timberlake Tattoos

Justin Timberlake is the talented former lead singer of the pop group 'N Sync, and hugely successful solo artist, who has won six Grammy Awards.

Justin Timberlake currently has five tattoo designs on his body, including a beautiful large cross on his upper left arm.

He has a tattoo of a heavenly scene in the clouds with a cherub angel holding a banner with his mother initials, along with the words "Guardian Angel", this tattoo represents dedication to the christian faith and his love for his twin sister, who passed away at birth.

On his left leg, he has a rather simple band around his calf, with the astrological sign of Aquarius. Plus, a small Chinese symbol which stands for music and song.

On his right leg is a 'three in one' tattoo, dedicated to his success while in the group 'N Sync, there is a streak of flames, red carpet type rope and a puppet scene, which pays tribute to their first album, plus the 'celebrity' and 'no strings attached' albums.

Checkout these pictures of Justin Timberlake and his tattoos.

Johnny Depp Tattoos

Johnny Depp is the brilliantly talented and captivating, American born film actor and musician.

At last count, Johnny Depp had fourteen tattoo designs, including a Native American Head on his right bicep, which is a tribute to his ancestral heritage, the name "Betty Sue" inside a heart with tribal marking, which is dedicated to his mother, just above that tattoo is an inverted black triangle.

Johnny has a tattoo which reads "Wino Forever" on his upper right arm, it was originally a tribute to his former girlfriend Winona Ryder, and then read "Winona Forever".

He has the symbol from the movie "The Brave" on the inside of his right forearm, which is the first movie he directed.

The name of his daughter and first born child, "Lily-Rose" is tattooed on the left side of his chest.

A tattoo of a Swallow flying above the ocean during a sunset, with the name of his son "Jack" is on his right forearm.

Some of Johnny Depps's other tattoos include, the number 3 between his thumb and index finger on his left hand, he also has three small rectangles on his right index finger.

His most recent tattoos are, a quote which reads "Silence Exile Cunning" from the book by James Joyce A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Plus three small hearts on his left triceps, for his wife and children "Vanessa, Lily-Rose, Jack".

Johnny also has 3 tattoos on his legs, including a skull and crossbones with the phrase "death is certain", a question mark with an "X" in place of the dot, and three vertical stripes on his lower left leg.

Checkout these pictures of Johnny Depp and his tattoo designs.