Tattoo Consultation: What to Expect & How to Prepare

A tattoo consultation is your chance to ensure you and the artist are aligned before committing. Good consultations take 30–60 minutes and cover design, placement, sizing, pricing, and expectations.

What to Bring

• Reference images: 5–10 photos showing style, subject matter, composition you like
• Placement photos: Photos of the body area where you want the tattoo (helps artist assess size/flow)
• Budget estimate: Know your rough budget so artist can plan accordingly
• Availability: Your schedule for next 2–3 months

Questions to Ask

• How many sessions will this take?
• What's your hourly rate and estimated total cost?
• Can I see healed examples of similar work?
• What's your booking timeline?
• Do you offer free touch-ups within X days?
• What's your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

What the Artist Will Ask You

• Why this design? (They want to understand your vision)
• Have you had tattoos before? (Helps gauge pain tolerance, healing expectations)
• Any medical conditions or medications? (Blood thinners, skin conditions, etc.)
• How flexible are you on design tweaks? (Good artists will suggest improvements)

Red Flags During Consultations

• Artist doesn't look at your references or dismisses your input
• Rushes the consultation (under 15 minutes for a custom piece)
• Can't show healed work from their portfolio
• Guarantees your tattoo "won't fade" or "will look perfect forever"
• Pressures you to book immediately without time to think
• Unwilling to discuss pricing transparency

Deposit Expectations

Most artists require $80–$300 deposit to book. This is non-refundable if you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment but applies toward your session cost. Bring deposit payment method to consultation if you're ready to book.