Tattoos are amazing works of art that really show off people’s personalities while adding extra beauty to the body. With the sweltering weather upon us and our skin more exposed, it is no wonder that summer is the prime time for the tattoo business. Many people begin to consider more tattoos during this season, but they often don’t consider ways to save on their new body art. If you’re not careful a tattoo could run you into a hole in regards to price. There’s a few simple techniques you can take to avoid spending a small fortune on your art though. With a little know how you can manage to cut the price of your future tattoos without having to worry about sacrificing the quality of your art. With this knowledge you’ll certainly be able to enjoy your new tattoo a whole lot more. So, take a deep breath and let your tattoo artist get to work without worry.

1. Think On It
Although it may seem obvious, getting a tattoo is something you should spend a lot of time thinking about. A lot of the time the desire to get one is a passing phase, which could be pretty pricey if you give into the thought. Getting a tattoo on a whim is usually a terrible idea. These things should be really well thought out as they are pretty much permanent. If you choose to get a tattoo you’re going to regret or don’t actually want then the price of the initial tattoo will be a total waste. This is not to mention the amount of money you’ll have to pay to get it removed if you so choose to. Thinking on an idea also gives you a strength when you go visit a tattoo artist. This will allow you to know exactly what you want so you can present your idea to the artist without hesitation. The more thought out your idea, the better it will look on your skin as the artist will have a concrete idea of what you want.

2. Do Some Research
If there’s one thing you should always consider when looking for a tattoo artist it should be the quality of their work. An artist should be able to hold their weight with artwork, which means you’re going to have to do a little research in order to figure out who you should go to. Luckily, this is pretty simple and there’s many ways you can do this without going out of your way. One way to check out artists is to go into their tattoo parlor. Simply talking with an artist can lead you in one direction or another, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. While you’re there you should also check out their portfolio and talk to other people in the shop that might be repeat customers. In this day and age taking to the internet is simple too. Look for the parlors website and see how you feel about the work they’ve posted in their online portfolio. You can also take to social media to see reviews of other’s tattoos and experiences with the shop. This can be one of your most valuable resources and you won’t even have to leave the house to do it. The more you know about your artist the more confident you can feel about getting inked by them. It’ll also allow you to figure out who provides the best prices for their quality of work.

3. Timing
Believe it or not, timing can play a huge role in the amount you’re going to pay for a tattoo. Unfortunately, the summer months are some of the most pricey times to get a tattoo. During this season more people want to get inked which means the artist as to budget out time more often. Thus, with a high demand the price is going to go up slightly. However, during the colder months when skin is less likely to be exposed, and thus tattoos are not so in demand, you’ll probably end up paying less for your tattoos. This can be a good thing though! During the summer time UV rays are going to be a lot more harsh on your skin and you’re more than likely not going to want to cover up the tattooed area. This is unfortunate because the sun is very bad for new tattoos and could lead your new purchase to look faded before it should. Whilst, in the winter you tend to wear layers and cover the area more thoroughly which leaves your tattoo to heal properly while keeping its vibrant colors.

4. Go smaller
A lot of the time people will plan out these huge elaborate designs that they want. This is a horrible idea if you’re looking to save some money on your tattoo. It’s also not the greatest idea if it is your first tattoo as you don’t really know how you’re going to handle the process. Instead of picking something big for your design try to go smaller. This won’t cost you as much money and will cut down on the amount you need to tip. It’ll also allow you to get a feel of the artist and how you deal with the tattooing process. If you absolutely want to get a larger piece done then try to see if it can be broken into smaller tattoos that make up a larger piece. This will allow you to save a little money whenever you can and will cut down on the amount of pain you experience at one time. Breaking it into smaller items will also allow you to go to a different artist to complete it if you have a bad experience or end up moving out of the area before it is completed.

5. After care
For many people, getting the tattoo is actually the easy part. It is often the after care of the tattoo that can get confusing. Unfortunately, if you don’t care for your tattoo properly it can cause a lot of problems or may end in early fading which will cause you to do pricey touch ups before you should have to. When you get your tattoo, your artist should go over all of the details with you to ensure you understand just what it takes to keep your tattoo clean and healthy until it heals. It is usually simple instructions like washing and adding lotion, but every artist tattoos differently and may require different steps. One thing to keep in mind is the type of lotion you use. You should always stick with scentless and simple lotions as many other types can cause the tattoo to fade. Vaseline is also a no for new tattoos as it will smother the area so that the tattoo can’t breathe or heal. There are specialized tattoo care kits, but they are often pricey and work just as well as regular lotion. Don’t forget to ask questions if you have them as your tattoo artist will guide you through the process to ensure their work looks great on you.

6. Coupons
If you’re actually looking for a major discount on your tattoo then you may want to search for some coupons. It might surprise you to find out you can find coupons for tattoos, but they are out there. Using a simple online search you should find a number of shops in your area looking to provide you with a discounted tattoo. Simply check the expiration date and call in your appointment. Finding tattoo coupons online might be a little be difficult, but if you put in the time you should be rewarded. Another way to find coupons is to call in and ask the shop. Often shops will direct you to a place that will provide you with coupons as it will help them get more business. If you need to frequent some shops you may actually earn a discounted price. Make sure to talk with the shop often in order to be privy to these deals.

7. Know What You’re After
It’s important to have a good idea of what tattoo you want when you go in a shop. This won’t just ensure you’re going to be happy with the tattoo you get, but will also cut down on the amount of work a tattoo artist must do. Most artist will charge an hourly wage, so cutting down on their time is a great way to save you money. Try to go into the shop with a concrete idea of what you want. The more sketched out idea you have the better. If you can bring in an image you definetly want, or at least a few reference pieces. Although you should know what you want, you might want to stay open to input from your artist. Some artist will direct you in a way that may flow better on your skin, or an easier look for them to complete which can save you big time and money.

8. Make an Appointment
One of the easiest things you can do is call in an appointment before you go get your tattoo. It might seem redundant, but tattoos can be an easy way to get the best quality design at a better price. When you have an appointment you are guaranteed that slot of the artists time. Thus, they won’t have to rush through your tattoo in order to give someone else time. This is a great way to feel more relaxed during your time in the shop and will help your artist do everything they to do without a time restraint. With your tattoo well done and the artist not fighting the clock you’ll probably be quoted a better price and will end up proud of your new piece of art.

9. Become Friends
If you plan on getting more than one tattoo then it may be important to make friends with your chosen artist. Spark up some conversation when you’re in the chair, but makes to respect their space. As time progresses and you show your loyalty to an artist then you may be able to spark up a business friendship. A lot of the time this could lead to lower prices, a more trusted experience and easier booking for appointments. It is also a way to cut down on some of the trouble that goes into major pieces. You may be able to save a bit of money on these types of jobs and will enjoy the experience a lot more. Being friends with your artist isn’t a bad idea even if you’re only going to get one tattoo. It makes for a more pleasant experience for both parties and may even make time go by faster.

10. Henna/ Fake Tattoos
When you take the time to think of your tattoos you may find that its not the best idea for you. If this is the case, you don’t have to give up your conquest of body art. Henna is a cheaper way of getting a temporary but long lasting tattoo. This will make your summer style look amazing and can lost several weeks if cared for properly. There are also a lot of custom tattoo shops online and locally which will print temporary tattoos that can last various amounts of time. These are easy to apply and best of all won’t hurt a bit. You can really come up with some fun ideas without worry about spending hundreds on your body art.

Tattoos really can add some extra beauty to life, but finding ways to lower the price is always the best way to go. With these easy tips you should be enjoying your next piece of body art soon. So, get to thinking on those ideas and find the best artist to complete your permanent work of art without stressing over how much you’ll be spending.