by Ryan Richards

Created on: September 27, 2009

So, you've decided to get your first tattoo? Congratulations, the tattoo experience can be an amazing one. That is, when done right. Tattoos are everywhere these days; men, women and all over different parts of the body. Heck, we even have glow in the dark tattoos now! There are things to consider though. Selecting the right design, placement and artist are essential to ensuring quality work and a result you won't be ashamed to show people. For all tattoos, a great amount of thought should be given to all things mentioned previously. I repeat that because tattoos are 100% PERMANENT.

The first thing to consider is your reasoning for getting a tattoo. Is it because they have become popular recently? Is it because all your friends have tattoos, and you, naturally should get one too? Or is it because you have a design in mind and are passionate about having it immortalized on your body forever? If you chose either of the first two, please, rethink your decision to permanently scar your body.

Next, is your design and it's placement. There are as many designs and styles as there are artists to ink them. Many of these will be posted in frames on the walls of the shops. The reasons for these specific tattoos hung being there vary depending on who put them up, but one thing I can tell you is; you won't be the only one with the tattoo you choose if you get it from one of these frames. Ask to see the artist's portfolios. Most shops have multiple artists with varying styles, that way they can accommodate the different designs and ideas people have. (Hint: Artists love to draw their own stuff. Ask any one of them, and they'll say they would rather ink their own design than someone else's any day.) The bottom line though, whatever you choose, make it mean something to you. Think long and hard about what you're getting, and where you are putting it. Remember, in 20 years, it will still be there.

The next step is choosing the right artist. Nowadays, everybody and their brother own a tattoo gun. Choosing the right person for you is perhaps even more important than choosing the right design. I've seen too many people, friends and random alike, have a great design (or idea for a design) mutilated by an inexperienced or unenthusiastic artist. This is where portfolios come in handy. An artist's only testament to the quality of his work is his portfolio. For those who don't know, a portfolio is a visual catalog of previous tattoos done by the artist. This is primarily how most people

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