how to choose a tattoo artist in lincoln

Choosing the right tattoo artist is one of the most important decisions you'll make when getting a tattoo. You're trusting someone to create something that could be on your skin for the rest of your life, so it's worth taking the time to find an artist who's right for you.

With plenty of tattoo artists and studios to choose from in Lincoln, knowing what to look for isn't always straightforward — particularly if you're planning your first tattoo.

A good tattoo artist isn't simply someone who can draw. Experience, hygiene, communication, technical ability and understanding how a design will work with your body all matter.

At Voodoo Ink, we've spent many years working with clients on everything from small first tattoos to large custom projects, cover-ups and reworks. In this guide, we'll explain what we believe you should look for when choosing a tattoo artist in Lincoln — whether you ultimately choose us or another studio

LOOK AT THE ARTIST’S PORTFOLIO

A tattoo artist’s portfolio should be one of the first things you look at. Don’t judge an artist on a single tattoo — spend some time looking through a good selection of their work.

Look closely at the quality of the line work, shading, colour saturation and overall composition. Tattoos should look clean and deliberate, and the design should work with the shape and movement of the body rather than simply looking like an image placed on the skin.

It’s also worth looking for consistency. A strong portfolio should demonstrate that the artist can produce good-quality work repeatedly, rather than showing only a handful of standout pieces.

MAKE SURE THEY CAN DO THE STYLE YOU WANT

Tattooing covers an enormous range of styles, including black and grey, realism, traditional, Japanese, fine line, geometric, illustrative and full colour.

Some tattoo artists specialise in one particular style, while experienced all-round artists may work confidently across several.

Look for examples in the artist’s portfolio that are relevant to the tattoo you’re considering. If you want a realistic portrait, for example, seeing excellent traditional tattoos doesn’t necessarily demonstrate that the artist is the right person for your portrait.

If you’re unsure whether an artist is suitable for your idea, ask them. A professional tattoo artist should be comfortable discussing their strengths and whether your project is a good fit for them.

LOOK AT HEALED TATTOOS, NOT JUST FRESH ONES

Fresh tattoos often photograph beautifully. The colours are vibrant, the blacks are rich and the tattoo has only just been completed.

But a tattoo is meant to last.

Where possible, look for examples of an artist’s healed work as well. This can give you another indication of how their tattoos settle into the skin once the initial healing process is complete.

Remember that long-term tattoo appearance is affected by many things, including aftercare, sun exposure, skin and ageing, but seeing healed examples can still be valuable when choosing an artist.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Every tattoo artist has to start somewhere, and years in the industry aren't the only measure of ability. However, experience can become particularly important when a tattoo presents challenges that aren't obvious from the initial design.

An experienced artist understands how different areas of the body behave, how designs need to be adapted to fit the anatomy, and how different skin types can respond during tattooing.

Experience is especially valuable with cover-ups and reworks. Working with an existing tattoo requires the artist to understand what can realistically be covered, how the old tattoo will influence the new design and when a client's original idea may need to be adapted to achieve the best result.

HYGIENE AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ARE ESSENTIAL

A tattoo studio should be clean, professional and take hygiene seriously.

Tattooing involves breaking the skin, so appropriate infection-control procedures, single-use equipment where required, safe disposal of sharps and proper preparation of the working area are essential.

Don't be embarrassed to ask a studio about its hygiene procedures. A professional tattoo artist should be happy to explain how they work and answer reasonable questions about safety.

You should also feel comfortable with the general standard of the studio. A clean, organised environment tells you a great deal about how seriously the business approaches its work.

TALK TO YOUR TATTOO ARTIST BEFORE YOU BOOK

A good tattoo begins with good communication.

A consultation gives you an opportunity to explain your idea, discuss size and placement, show reference images and understand what is realistically achievable.

It also allows the artist to make suggestions based on experience. Sometimes a small change to the size, position or composition of a design can make a considerable difference to how well the finished tattoo works on the body.

Most importantly, you should feel comfortable asking questions. Your artist should listen to what you want while also being prepared to give professional advice when something could be improved.

CHECK REVIEWS AND REPUTATION

Online reviews can be useful when choosing a tattoo artist or studio, particularly when you look beyond the star rating and read what clients actually say about their experience.

Look for consistent comments about the quality of the tattooing, cleanliness of the studio, communication, professionalism and how comfortable clients felt during their appointments.

No established business is likely to have every review say exactly the same thing, but a strong history of positive feedback can help you understand what to expect before you walk through the door.

Reviews shouldn't replace looking carefully at an artist's portfolio, but they can provide another useful piece of the picture.

DON'T CHOOSE A TATTOO ARTIST ON PRICE ALONE

It's perfectly reasonable to ask how much a tattoo will cost. However, choosing an artist simply because they provide the cheapest quote isn't necessarily the best approach.

Tattoo prices can vary according to the size, placement, complexity and detail of the design, as well as the experience of the artist and the amount of work involved in creating it.

A tattoo is something you may wear for the rest of your life. Saving a relatively small amount of money isn't much of a saving if you're unhappy with the finished result.

Instead of asking only “Who can do this cheapest?”, consider asking “Who do I trust to do this well?”

MAKE SURE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE

Technical ability matters, but so does the relationship between you and your tattoo artist.

Depending on the tattoo, you could spend several hours with your artist — or return for multiple sessions over a period of months.

You should feel listened to, respected and comfortable discussing your ideas. You should never feel pressured into a design, size or placement you're unhappy with.

Equally, a good artist won't simply agree with everything if their experience tells them something won't work well. Professional advice should be explained clearly, with the aim of giving you the best possible finished tattoo.

Trust matters. If a studio or artist doesn't feel right for you, it's perfectly reasonable to continue looking.

WATCH FOR RED FLAGS

There are some warning signs worth paying attention to when choosing a tattoo artist or studio.

Be cautious if you're unable to see a genuine portfolio of work, questions about hygiene are dismissed, you're pressured into making a quick decision, or an artist seems unwilling to discuss your design properly.

Be particularly careful when photographs appear heavily filtered or edited. Good tattoo photography should show the quality of the tattoo rather than disguise it.

You should also be wary of anyone promising that absolutely anything can be done. This is particularly relevant to cover-ups. Sometimes the responsible answer is that an idea needs to be changed, made larger or approached differently.

A professional artist should be prepared to say no when something isn't likely to produce a good or safe result.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A CONSULTATION

If you're planning a custom tattoo, cover-up, rework or larger project, a consultation can be extremely valuable.

Bring along any reference images you have, but don't worry about arriving with a finished design. Reference pictures can simply help communicate the style, subject or elements you like.

Your artist can then discuss the design, placement, approximate size and any practical considerations with you.

At Voodoo Ink, we offer free tattoo consultations so that you can discuss your ideas before committing to an appointment.

CHOOSING A TATTOO ARTIST IN LINCOLN

Lincoln has a number of tattoo studios and talented artists, so take your time and choose the person who feels right for your particular tattoo.

Look at their work. Read their reviews. Visit the studio. Ask questions. Have a consultation if you need one.

Ultimately, you should choose an artist whose work you genuinely like and whom you trust to permanently alter your skin.

At Voodoo Ink in Lincoln, Matt has more than 18 years of professional tattooing experience and works across a wide range of styles, from black and grey and fine line to colour, Japanese, traditional, custom work, cover-ups and reworks.

If you'd like to discuss an idea, you're welcome to arrange a free consultation with us. And if another artist is ultimately the right choice for the tattoo you want, that's okay too — the important thing is making an informed decision and ending up with a tattoo you're proud to wear.

BEFORE YOUR TATTOO APPOINTMENT

Once you've chosen your artist and booked your tattoo, a little preparation can make the appointment much more comfortable.

Read our How to Prepare for Your Tattoo Appointment

 guide for advice on eating, hydration, clothing, skin preparation and what to avoid before your session.

And once your new tattoo is finished, our Tattoo Aftercare: How to Care for Your New Tattoo guide explains how to look after it throughout the healing process.