Get inkspiration to get a tattoo this Fall

Whether you’re burned out with classes, tired from work or being personally affected by October-breakup-season, it’s clearly time for a change. Sure, you could pick up a new hobby or try to drink more water, but wouldn’t it be more fun to get a tattoo instead?

If done right, tattoos can be a great way to demarcate time in college. This is why it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before you go. 

“Don’t be intimidated to come in and check it out. We want people to feel invited so that they can come in, talk to someone, and get exposure to new ideas,” Stephanie Lowe, artist at Aether Tattoo Club said. 

First things first, know basic tattoo parlor etiquette. Don’t take pictures of the art that’s up on the wall because it belongs to the artists. “I remember in the 90s, you could get your phone smashed for taking pictures of the art on the walls,” Sean Fairbanks from Bozeman’s Tattoo Alley, LLC said. Show up clean, timely and sober for your appointment to respect their artistry. 

Something else to keep in mind, artists love to do their own work. Tattoo artists all seem to agree that they love when someone comes into the shop and asks for their work specifically. It’s always a good idea to research what shops specialize in the design style that you want, whether it be Japanese, American traditional, fine line or any number of others. Research should also include listening to what the artists advise or disadvise. 

Another piece of advice from Fairbanks — don’t try to bargain shop. Don’t wait for discount Fridays or ask for a lower price “You don’t bargain shop for a surgery, why would you do it here?” Fairbanks said. 

Fairbanks and Lowe agreed that when first timers get tattoos, it’s best to start under the clothes and work your way outward. “You don’t yet know where life is going to take you, and just keeping that in mind is smart as you get your first few tattoos,” Fairbanks said. 

On the flip side, the artists agreed it’s important to make sure your first piece of art is somewhere you can see it, so that you’re not right back in the shop getting a second one. 

Unsurprisingly, most tattoo artists are opposed to the increasing availability of tattoo guns for the general public. “It used to just be that in order to buy tattooing equipment you have to go through a specific website and be associated with a storefront, but that just isn’t how it works anymore,” Lowe said. 

Twenty years ago, tattoos done by the typical civilian could only be so big because they were mostly done with needles and pen ink. Today however, people are capable of putting much more than a few pricks of ink on themselves and their friends. Also, having a crappy tattoo that ages poorly isn’t the biggest concern. Fairbanks and Lowe both agreed that the disease-related concerns are the reason they oppose homemade tattoos. Don’t risk giving your friends HIV — go to a shop.

Now that you know how, you’re free to go get that breakup tattoo, get that piece you’ve been thinking about for months (or just pull inspiration from the box text at the back of the paper.) 

“This is your stamp, this is your luggage tag that says you were here,” Fairbanks said. So, over everything, just have fun with it.