First Tattoo? Here’s Your Complete Guide To Tattoo Etiquette – (2025)

This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.

“Don’t you know that will be there forever?” Yes, we know. If you have ever gotten a tattoo, you’ve been subjected to that one-liner before. For a long time, there was a major taboo surrounding tattoos. Luckily, as they have become increasingly popular nearly one-third of US adults now have a tattoo, and the stigma has begun to fade away. However, if you haven’t gotten a tattoo before they can still be rather intimidating. Not all of us are seasoned professionals, so let’s discuss proper tattoo etiquette and all the important things you need to know about getting your first tattoo.

If you are a tattoo virgin, be not afraid. I come baring wisdom. I got my first tattoo when I was 16, and years later I now have 18 tattoos. And yes, I had to take a moment to count before writing that sentence. Since I have collected valuable experience with tattoos over the years, I thought it would be worthwhile to help some prospective ink enthusiasts start their journey. We will go through the steps you should take before, during, and after getting a tattoo while discussing the most polite way to go about it.

Step 1: Pick Out A Design Or Concept

If you want a tattoo, the first step is figuring out the design. Most of us aren’t artists, so it’s okay if you don’t have a precise design, but it’s best to have a rough idea. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want, while others have a general concept. Either way, just ensure you’re okay with it being there forever.

The more tattoos I got, the less pressure it was for me to select a design. But not everyone is like that. It’s common for an individual’s first tattoo to convey some meaning. A few of mine are for dead relatives, others were just impulses. Don’t feel like you’re required to have this momentous, life-changing story behind a design. Just make sure you won’t hate yourself in a few years or even decades down the road.

Another consideration is placement. I would recommend selecting 2 to 3 placements for your tattoo. I know it can be easy to get attached to a specific design and a certain placement, but the most important part of tattoo etiquette is listening to your artist. Even if you are dead set on a placement, your artist may advise moving it, and trust me, they know more than you.

Regarding placement, keep pain in mind. For your first tattoo, arms and legs tend to be best. It would be objectively dumb to get a massive chest or sternum piece for your first tattoo. Different areas translate to different pain levels. Don’t be overly ambitious. If you regret your decision, it may be smart to get your tattoo in a spot that can be easily covered, especially when wearing professional attire. Even though tattoo stigmas have declined, there are still plenty of front-facing jobs that have restrictions.

Step 2: Find An Artist

The next step is crucial, and honestly, it will probably make or break your experience. It is absolutely vital to find the right artist. Not all artists are created equal. Some will specialize in a certain style, and others may be comfortable with multiple. A huge part of selecting your design is knowing what style you want. There’s American traditional, fine line, realism, minimalism, and many more. You also need to know if you want color or just black ink. Once you have a rough framework of what you want, scour Instagram for artists in your area that match your vibe. Don’t be afraid to read reviews to check if other people have had a good experience. Generally, a more seasoned artist will be able to provide a better experience.

You should also be aware of the price point for a certain artist. It’s perfectly normal to ask an artist or a shop what their rate is. Not everyone will have the same budget and that’s okay. Just remember you get what you pay for. It’s okay to be cool with a less complicated design and have fun with a mediocre, cheaper tattoo. But if you want perfection, you must be willing to pay for it. Another important component of tattoo etiquette is being transparent about your budget and expectations with your artist.

Step 3: Make An Appointment

In the world of tattoos, there are two primary ways to get new ink. That is a walk-in or making an appointment. There is a time and place for a walk-in, but that’s probably not your first tattoo. With walk-ins, you never know what artist you will get and to have the best first-time experience I would recommend eliminating variables. Plus, for walk-ins, you generally are restricted to flash tattoos or very simple designs.

An appointment will always be your best bet to maximize your experience. Once you know what you want, and who you want it from, it’s time to start reaching out to artists. Be aware that supply and demand are ever-present in the world of tattoos. The more popular an artist is, the longer the wait will be. Check their Instagram or shop website to see what their preferred method of communication is. Everyone is different and there are plenty of ways artists may ask clients to make appointments, but to practice the right tattoo etiquette, stick to what they require.

When making the appointment, it’s a great time to talk about your budget. The number one way to violate tattoo etiquette is to haggle over price. Please don’t be that person. An artist charges what they charge. If you find out that your ideal design with your selected artist is out of your budget, one way to navigate the issue is to have an honest conversation. Accept that getting exactly what you want is too expensive. Then, you can respectfully ask what design, size, or placement may fall within your budget. The artist may be able to come up with an alternative to accommodate you, or they may not. Again, just be respectful and don’t push it.

Step 4: Prepare For Your Appointment

On the day of your appointment, it’s time to have some fun. It’s essential to be relaxed, and the best way to do that is to come to the shop prepared. Make sure you have eaten and are well hydrated, especially if you’re getting a larger piece done. If you know your session is going to last a few hours, it’s completely reasonable to bring a snack or some water in case you don’t feel well. Ultimately, if you haven’t gotten a tattoo before then you don’t know how your body will react so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another important way you can ready yourself for your first tattoo is to avoid drinking the day before or taking medications that can increase the risk of bleeding. Any reputable shop will require you to be sober when you arrive.

Tattoo etiquette is just like any other situation, make sure you show up on time. Ensure you’re freshly showered because no one wants a stinky or dirty client. Generally, it’s best to not shave the area beforehand, let your artist take care of that for you. Ask ahead if the shop allows you to bring a buddy. Everywhere has different rules, but most will accommodate one companion.

Step 5: Enjoy The Experience

When the process kicks off, the artist will usually show you the design they created. Make sure you like it because it’s okay if you don’t. It will be there forever so don’t be afraid to speak up about any issues. Be aware that if you gave the artist a reference photo their take will probably not be identical. It’s very taboo to completely copy another artist’s work and you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone willing to go that route.

Once you’re happy with the design, it’s time to put the stencil on. Speak up if you aren’t happy. Some of my tattoos were done after the first stencil, others had to be reapplied six times. It happens, but it’s worth it to get it right.

However, the central element of tattoo etiquette is listening to your artist. They know how things will heal and look over time. Some designs don’t work with certain placements. For example, if you want something with a lot of straight lines but want it on a curved part of your body, it will probably not look very good initially and even worse as it heals.

While you are getting the tattoo, the best etiquette is to stay as still and calm as possible. The artist will position you the best they can to apply the ink properly, but if you are uncomfortable let them know. It’s also okay to ask for breaks. Sometimes you need to use the bathroom, get some water, stretch, or even just take a moment when the pain is a little too much. An artist would rather you be honest than make you pass out. Just keep communication clear with your artist throughout the process. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.

Step 6: Wrapping Up

Once things are wrapped up, literally, there is still a bit more tattoo etiquette to follow. As the design is completed, artists will generally bandage your fresh ink to protect it as it begins to heal. They should also give you after-care instructions. Different artists may recommend different strategies, but there are a few core things to remember.

Leave the dressing on until they tell you it should come off. Avoid aggressively scrubbing the tattoo with soap for a few days. As long as you rinse it off gently with water you should be fine. After washing it, make sure it’s completely dry, and use some lotion to keep it moist. It is important to avoid scents and fragrances that may irritate your skin. After a few days, you will want to peel your skin off. For me, this is always worse than the actual tattoo. But please, don’t itch. It can ruin your tattoo before it is completely healed.

When it comes time to pay you can tip your artist. I have heard a lot of opinions on how necessary this is. Some say it’s purely optional, but others think it’s the best practice. Personally, I opt for 20% most of the time.

Go Get A Tattoo!

One last word of caution from the wise. Be prepared to never get a tattoo again or to develop a severe addiction. Seeing as I have over a dozen, I think you can guess what fate befell me. I’m 100% biased but I think everyone should get at least one tattoo.

At the end of the day, getting a tattoo isn’t as intimidating as people make it out to be. Getting repeatedly stabbed by tiny needles can be a ton of fun. As long as you do your research, come prepared, and follow the right tattoo etiquette, you’ll be good to go. And hopefully, you’ll leave hot to go.

Do you have any tips for first-time tattoos? Let us know in the comments below!

More Beauty Articles

Relationship Articles

Lifestyle Articles