by David Payne

Created on: June 10, 2010   Last Updated: June 14, 2010

Tattoos and the endless designs that flow around the art form. It is a little like chocolate or electronic goods. There is always a better choice than the one you ended up with. Getting a tattoo and choosing a design falls into two category's. Your either a veteran or a rookie when it comes to getting inked. Your flesh will be like a fresh blank canvas or reversely space is at a premium.

If you are an ink virgin or indeed not had much work done the choices are endless. You must ask yourself what do you want and what is your ultimate goal in getting marked. You can have half sleeves, entire sleeves, back pieces or single tattoos. Does not matter as you should approach it the same way to start with. Research is the key to being happy and living with said design choice. Use your local parlors to view the options available to you. The Internet is a wonderful tool, use it and see what others have had done. If you do not have something specific you soon will find styles you like and want inked. Looking for something personal that conveys your character again hone designs that you see and make them your own. Individuality is what we all strive for when having body art placed on us. Sadly to many people opt for generic art and the uniqueness is lost.

So once you have a very good idea  you must choose the tattooist to do said work, this is every bit as important as the design itself. Just as everyone has their own skill set so do the artists. If your looking for a portrait then go to a specialist, likewise flowers, Japanese and scripture. It will look so much better if you research the industry and its tattooers. Now you have the design or ideas that you really like and the person required for that work. Only one step is left to stand the best chance of never regretting your choice.

Time, take a a lot of time between finding exactly what you want and putting the needle to your skin. Wait and when you do not think you can anymore wait a little bit longer. It will allow you to really see if that is the desired and correct design. You may even over this period change your mind or alter it slightly. Better on the paper then your own skin. This should separate the wheat from the chaff. If all these steps are taken the chances of having regrets or a bad tattoo are greatly reduced. Which is all you can ask. And the probability is you will have a superb design that is your own style and the envy of your friends.

Veterans to the tattoo world should still follow this process although by this point you would hope they already know this. If space is something which you have a very limited amount of then again take your time and put the thing you most desire in there. If you arm is a theme then stick with that. No one wants something obscure in a detailed theme. If your current tattooist does fine work then stick with them if you wish,  also if your not entirely with previous work then step outside the comfort zone and let another good artist try.

Patience and research are the key ingredients to having something amazing on your skin.  So use both of the former and your own personality on your choice. You only have one skin, use it wisely.

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