I love meeting fellow geeks and learning about all of the fun and unique ways they show off their fandoms. For some people it’s tee shirts (I definitely have an addiction), for others it’s enamel pins, and still others collect Funkos or posters or other memorabilia. But some folks – myself included – like to permanently display our favorite pop culture goodies. That’s right – I love me a geeky tattoo. Well, actually, I love tattoos in general, but I wanted to share some advice from my two most recent tattoos, which happen to be fandom inspired.
Of course, tattoos are not for everyone. They are indeed permanent, and not every industry or culture or situation will be ink-friendly. However, tattoos ARE becoming more commonplace, so if you decide to go forward with one, here are some things to keep in mind.
First, think about what art – not just tattoos – you like a lot.
Is there a style that you prefer? Do you like realistic portrayals, or pieces that are more abstract? Do you like a lot of color? Or do you gravitate toward black and white?
Once you figure that out, look at different artists’ portfolios to see if they match up with your preferred aesthetic. How do you find artists and studios? You should definitely ask friends and family who have tattoos that look good (in addition to the usual internet searches). But, again, keep in mind that each artist has areas of specialization. The gal who did your cousin’s awesome anime tattoo might not be the right choice for you and your realistic tattoo of David Tennant’s gorgeous face.
Once you find a studio or artist that you like, schedule an in-person consultation.
Most tattoo artists will do the initial consult for free. It’s REALLY important that you have a detailed conversation about what you have in mind. A lot of people ask me if they should bring a sketch or a design to a consultation. But, I think that really comes down to each person’s comfort level. For instance, I have ZERO artistic talent, so I find that it is better to just talk through the ideas and let the artist put something together. They’re ARTISTS, after all! And they want you to be completely happy before they start actually tattooing. So, it’s normal to go back and forth for a while until the final product comes together.
With fandom tattoos in particular, if you can find an artist who is actually familiar with the movie, TV show, character, or whatever, that is ideal. When I got my first Doctor Who-inspired tattoo, my artist wasn’t as big of a fan as I am. But, he knew enough about the series to know that the Tenth Doctor’s sonic screwdriver has a particular design. It made the process so much easier and more fun. Plus, it gave us something to talk about during the MANY hours of tattooing that followed.
In addition to WHAT you’d like to get, you should definitely think about WHERE you’d like to get it on your person.
Obviously, the bigger the idea, the bigger the tattoo, the bigger the body part you’ll need! In particular, if you want any lettering, you’ll need to be comfortable with a big enough tattoo that the inked words can remain crisp and clear and legible over time. You should also think about aftercare. In the days and weeks after getting tattooed, you’ll need to be able to either clean and moisturize the site yourself. Or, you’ll need to have someone else on hand to do it. In the beginning, you have to do it 3-4 times a day, so it’s no joke!
Make sure to discuss your budget during the initial conversations! Most tattoo artists charge hourly for custom work, so bigger, more complicated pieces will be more expensive. You do NOT want to go cheapo when it comes to tattoos. The phrase “you get what you pay for” is so very true – but you do want to have a mutual understanding of what the cost will be. Nobody likes those kinds of surprises!
Once details have been sorted out and the design is finalized, it’s time for the fun part!
Seriously, getting a tattoo hurts. There is no way around that. But it is super cool to watch an idea really come to life, thanks to a gifted artist. You’ll want to make sure that you’re properly hydrated and nourished before your appointment. (No alcohol, drugs, or anything that can thin your blood). Make sure to wear clothing that allows proper access to the area being tattooed. (Layers, if possible, as body and studio temperatures can fluctuate over time).
You and your artist should have a good sense of each other at this point, which will help to determine if you’ll simply chat with each other during the tattooing, or if you might want to bring some music or podcasts to listen to. Then…well, it’s time for them to do their thing! They’ll check in on you periodically (more frequently if you’re a first-timer). You may even be able to take breaks throughout.
After that, you’ll be the proud owner of some awesome body art!
Pay close attention to the aftercare instructions, and please tip the artist. Once everything is healed and looking fly, the only thing left to do is show off your ink on social media (who am I kidding, I don’t ever wait to do that until it’s healed) and plan for your next tattoo!
Once you are more comfortable with the process, or if you go back to an artist you trust, you can really let go – for my last piece, I let the artist pretty much have free reign (the only thing I insisted on was the “Allons-y”). It was a very cool process to watch, and now I feel like I am wearing a one-of-a-kind painting all the time!
Shout out in the comments – what geeky tattoos do you have, or want?
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