Tatoos

so i'm looking at getting a tatoo. i have done many searches on here, reading different opinions, and everything like that. i've wanted to get the same tat for over 3 years now, i'm now 21. i printed out different designs and hung them in my office at work to look at everyday, i have yet to grow old of them. it's going to be my family crest (coat of arms) with either knights on each side or some sort of bird, with the crest right in the middle. i figured i'd get this because it's my family and that is not going to change.

if any members could post some pics or anything like that of tats they have, experiences, things that i should be looking forward to, i would greatly appreciate it. i'm not too scared of needles but am a little worried about the pain. i'll probably set up an appointment to get it done within the next 3 weeks. i'm going to Cali next week and don't want to get it done and not be able to be on the beach lookin at girls :wink:

thanks for any and all advice. i'll try and find a picture to post if i have one scanned at work.

I drew my own and had it put on my back it's cross with flames that says mom.

Well, I have a tat of a steer skull on my shoulder, about 9 years old now, colored. I do not regret having it done.

May I suggest several things, since you seem to know the design you want????????

1] Placement of the tatoo. Where? On the shoulder, like I have, where only I can show it where and when I decide to show it? Or on the arm, leg, etc, I guess I am trying to suggest you give hard thought to the "visibility" of the tat in social or more importantly WORK situations.

2] Size of the tat. I had my artist draw 7 sizes of the design I wanted and trace onto the area I wanted it, before I decided the size. He was getting a bit peeved, but YO, it MY body, my money, and it's permanent, so have him do some tracings and look them over ON the area you want the tat. to be on.

Most tat. artists are really cool about taking that time, if ya heads-up them first.

3] Be ready to undergo at least an hour, depending on the size, complexity, and if you have it colored. Mine took me 2 hours of steady needling, but it was colored, so there were a lot of ink-changes.

4] A reputable artist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask around.

5] It will be very uncomfortable at first, as the tat. outline is drawn into the skin, but as the tat. progresses, it sort of recedes to a duller discomfort. Something about pain-endorphins kicking in.

6] Once finished, expect to use some anti-biotic cream on the area and a light bandage for a few days. The area will "weep" blood and fluids until it scabs [yes, scabs] over.

7] Expect to feel general soreness, sort of like a good sunburn of the tat.'ed area during this time, as well as some muscular soreness.

8] You have to let it all scab over, and let the scabs flake off naturally for the ink to "set" and help avoid infection, about 3-4 days. It's going to itch, after a few days, and you want to avoid scratching!!

It's not all that bad, but it not something you take lightly, either, K?

Hope this helps

Im in the same boat. 18th bday is coming up. Getting ready for a inkslinging on my right upper arm.

i have two tattoos, one of an iron cross, and another of a name (big mistake) but i did them myself with a needle and some ink, and need to go and get them redone....dont ever get someones name in ink on you

it would be awesome to get one tattoo on the inside of each of your calfs, on one you would have a squirrel running up your leg. on the other you'd have a squirrel running down with his mouth bulging :iceslolan

HAHAHA the squirrel would be hilarious, nice idea.

as far as the questions go. i'm pretty sure it will be somewhere on my arm, either shoulder or middle of the upper arm (if that makes sense). i've thought alot about the work side of having a tat and everything. the job i have right now is way chill about tats and stuff like that, but sadly i may be looking for new employment beginning of next year, which plays a huge part into getting one, but i figure i would be able to conceal it pretty well.

as far as size goes, i want something that is nicely sized, nothing extremely big, but something that can show off the details.

as far as time and the artist and stuff. my sister got one right when she turned 18, it's a nice little heart with some tribal designs, took her about an hour, but she kept on taking breaks and stuff. the artist she went to is extremely talented and is probably where i'll go, i've talked to him numerous times and watched him do some ink on other people. one of the friendliest guys you meet. his whole persona, and the shop for that matter, make me feel pretty comfortable just walking in. i heard this is a good thing.

a few more questions...
1) eventually i'll want color, do you think i should do it in two stages? the artist said that it would probably be better considering how long the outline and shading would take.

2) i'm a little worried about like my arms getting bigger and stuff. i lift weights every week night and i dont know how that will effect the tat (i.e. stretch it). will i have to stop working out, or does it take something extreme, like in a woman's case, having a baby to really stretch out the ink?

Well, I with illegal here, names are dangerous to tat. :)

I'd think if ya want color, and can stay all the way through the session, get it all done at once.

I don't think you will have much of a problem with the tat. "stretching" if the tat.'ed area expands from your workout, the ink gets in pretty deep, and also spreads out from under the skin.

yeah, i'd never get the name tatted.

this is a little contradictory to what i want tatted though. I'm going to get my family crest, which has my last name, but i figure it's a little different.

I think Illegal and I were meaning a girlfriend's name or MOM or something like that.

yeah i sort of figured that. i don't even think i would get the name of my kids (once i have some, that i know about :wink:) tatted on me.

in sig.

your's is pretty sick blurr. a few questions (you don't have to answer if you don't want)

about how big is it?
how long did it take?
cost?

how big: little bigger than a business card
How long: 3 hours including hand drawing it on my shoulder (the artist was phenominal)
Howm Much: $120 with tip (i knew her)

i mean a girls name.....i got one to remind me that its a mistake everyday i take a shower...but the mom i dunno lol i always wanted an I <3 MOM one lol funny stuff

I have 4 tattoos. The upper arm you shouldnt even really feel. I would get it all done in 1 session my artist spent 2hrs and 45min on my joker tattoo on my left arm. Its 5 3/4in tall and 3 1/2 wide with alot of shading and color. Why do two sessions when you can get it all over with in 1 and enjoy it sooner.