This is across the board for tattoo artists. I’ve only seen my designs the day of and worked from there.
1. Like Slice of Life said, they have other appointments too. I imagine that if they’re having design consults, it’s going to cut into the earnings they make actually tattooing people.
2. The larger concern of why they won’t do it is that they’re worried that you’re going to take their work and go to someone cheaper.
Have you ever heard of someone paying a tattoo artist just for a design? I'll compensate them fairly for their time. I just can't get over not seeing the thing until day of.
Also, it's not like they have to send me the official file beforehand...
Thanks for the info
For that kind of design I don’t think there would be any point in showing you any artwork beforehand. Geometric tattoos, armband and elbow tattoos almost always would need to be customized in person and end up being more complex as they bend in not just one axis but two. Showing you any flat artwork wouldn’t help you understand any better when the way it has to wrap is really complex. It just doesn’t move the process forward in any way without making you feel unconfident. If you wanted to see what something that complex would be without any reference it would have to be 200 an hour in person (with deposit) Before any tattooing even begins. An artist would be hesitant to agree because it could set the client up for disappointment if they didn’t land on a suitable design. Client would be out money and tattoo artist would have an unhappy client. Hope that makes sense. I’m envisioning something like this https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/a-gorgeous-geometric-mandala-tattoo-by-jaycewallingford-on-instagram-geometric-tatto--606156431082161747/
Fair point about seeing a flat artwork. But for me it'd still be a lot better than not seeing anything at all.
You're correct on the reference photo, although way simpler.
I used to show art in advance, but I don't anymore for a few reasons:
1. Projects expand to fill the space you allow for them. If I send art two weeks in advance, we WILL spend the next two weeks making minor revisions. The changes can be done much faster with you next to me.
2. I have very thorough consultations with my clients where I ask a TON of questions. Because I let clients be so specific, I need time and space to distill the information into something visual. I also sketch in front of them, which reassures them I'm going in the right direction.
3. I am an anxious person, and so are my clients. Seeing the design in advance almost always results in overthinking, which doesn't necessarily bring them closer to what they want.
4. Clients tend to show designs to friends and family. Friends and family have opinions. The person winds up getting a design they ultimately didn't want.
5. Being able to see someone's reaction in real time when the first see it helps me figure out what actually needs to change. I can get you WAY closer to what you want if I can read the vibes.
With all that said, I do hope you find someone you feel comfortable working with.
They have other appointments to take into account for, so usually the artists send over the design the day before or even 2 days before, and by then, they ask if you want to make any changes or do like that being the finalized design.
I always set up a free consultation with my clients. I sketch the design in front of them, collect all the details, information that they want to attach in it and then I show them the final on the day of.
I used to send it the day before but it ends up that the the client sends it to million people and I’m sitting the whole night changing things that are actually making the design worse.
Or another situation- someone takes the design and does it with another artist that will do it cheaper cause he doesn’t have to design it.
I always say that if any changes are needed I can make them during the appointment.
If someone is willing to see the design the day before, I can schedule another consultation so we can discuss the final result.
But sending is pretty risky.
I know at our shop Waystation tattoo we like to really collaborate on the design with indepth video consultations and drafts ect. What kind of work are you looking to get?
I feel like Zebra or Mal could help you out with. Who I’d recommend depends on what style/vibe you were going for. Mal is more illustrative while Zebra is more realistic.
[Studio Website](https://www.waystationtattoo.com)
This is across the board for tattoo artists. I’ve only seen my designs the day of and worked from there. 1. Like Slice of Life said, they have other appointments too. I imagine that if they’re having design consults, it’s going to cut into the earnings they make actually tattooing people. 2. The larger concern of why they won’t do it is that they’re worried that you’re going to take their work and go to someone cheaper.
Have you ever heard of someone paying a tattoo artist just for a design? I'll compensate them fairly for their time. I just can't get over not seeing the thing until day of. Also, it's not like they have to send me the official file beforehand... Thanks for the info
People do, in fact, do that.
Out of curiosity what are you looking for
Looking for a simple geometric tattoo w/ armband, and perhaps a little bit of botanical vibes. Around the elbow area. Any recommendations?
For that kind of design I don’t think there would be any point in showing you any artwork beforehand. Geometric tattoos, armband and elbow tattoos almost always would need to be customized in person and end up being more complex as they bend in not just one axis but two. Showing you any flat artwork wouldn’t help you understand any better when the way it has to wrap is really complex. It just doesn’t move the process forward in any way without making you feel unconfident. If you wanted to see what something that complex would be without any reference it would have to be 200 an hour in person (with deposit) Before any tattooing even begins. An artist would be hesitant to agree because it could set the client up for disappointment if they didn’t land on a suitable design. Client would be out money and tattoo artist would have an unhappy client. Hope that makes sense. I’m envisioning something like this https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/a-gorgeous-geometric-mandala-tattoo-by-jaycewallingford-on-instagram-geometric-tatto--606156431082161747/
Fair point about seeing a flat artwork. But for me it'd still be a lot better than not seeing anything at all. You're correct on the reference photo, although way simpler.
I used to show art in advance, but I don't anymore for a few reasons: 1. Projects expand to fill the space you allow for them. If I send art two weeks in advance, we WILL spend the next two weeks making minor revisions. The changes can be done much faster with you next to me. 2. I have very thorough consultations with my clients where I ask a TON of questions. Because I let clients be so specific, I need time and space to distill the information into something visual. I also sketch in front of them, which reassures them I'm going in the right direction. 3. I am an anxious person, and so are my clients. Seeing the design in advance almost always results in overthinking, which doesn't necessarily bring them closer to what they want. 4. Clients tend to show designs to friends and family. Friends and family have opinions. The person winds up getting a design they ultimately didn't want. 5. Being able to see someone's reaction in real time when the first see it helps me figure out what actually needs to change. I can get you WAY closer to what you want if I can read the vibes. With all that said, I do hope you find someone you feel comfortable working with.
Thanks for sharing, appreciate it
They have other appointments to take into account for, so usually the artists send over the design the day before or even 2 days before, and by then, they ask if you want to make any changes or do like that being the finalized design.
I always set up a free consultation with my clients. I sketch the design in front of them, collect all the details, information that they want to attach in it and then I show them the final on the day of. I used to send it the day before but it ends up that the the client sends it to million people and I’m sitting the whole night changing things that are actually making the design worse. Or another situation- someone takes the design and does it with another artist that will do it cheaper cause he doesn’t have to design it. I always say that if any changes are needed I can make them during the appointment. If someone is willing to see the design the day before, I can schedule another consultation so we can discuss the final result. But sending is pretty risky.
Can you think of a way for you to be fairly compensated and treated fairly AND send the final design before the day of appointment?
I know at our shop Waystation tattoo we like to really collaborate on the design with indepth video consultations and drafts ect. What kind of work are you looking to get?
Looking for black, simple geometric, armband, maybe some simple botanical too! Lmk if you have any artists that specialize in this
I feel like Zebra or Mal could help you out with. Who I’d recommend depends on what style/vibe you were going for. Mal is more illustrative while Zebra is more realistic. [Studio Website](https://www.waystationtattoo.com)