Is it weird to ask a tattooist if they could draw the tattoo on me first, paying full price, so I can decide if I want to go ahead with it in the future?
Posted by franki-pinks@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 76 comments
I haven’t got any tattoos and decided I want a full back and bum piece. I want to make sure I like it first though so I got a quote of £2000-2500 to have it done. I want to make sure I like it first though so I asked him if he could draw it on me first, fully, I’ll pay the £2000 and then if I do want the tattoo I’ll book again in the future and pay him the £2000-2500 again to do it.
I know I’m paying twice but I’d rather make sure as it’s a big permanent decision. He took this as an insult and said if I don’t have faith in his tattoo skills then to leave it. I tried explaining that it’s not his tattoo skills I don’t have faith in or I wouldnt be there. It’s more I just want to see it to make sure I like it on me before I make a lifetime decision.
Anyway I asked a couple of friends and they both said they get where I’m coming from but it is a bit weird.
Future-Selection9287@reddit
If you're not ready or unsure about a lifetime long decision don't get a tattoo. Yes you're paying the tattoo artist twice but it is a big trust exercise and you're a red flag to a tattoo artist if you're already saying you're not sure.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
Which is why I offered to pay full price for just a drawing of it rather than an actual tattoo. If I don’t like it in myself then he hasn’t lost out and neither have I in the long run. I love the tattoo I’m just not sure if I’ll love it on myself.
wordsfromlee@reddit
If you’re questioning it already - to the point where you’re willing to pay two grand(!) for a sharpie drawing - then that’s a massive sign that you’re not ready for the tattoo.
For a back piece like that there shouldn’t be any questioning at all at any stage.
Future-Selection9287@reddit
If you're not sure about it on you, don't get it. It's still a red flag whether you pay them or not. You'll give off a vibe you're going to be trouble or a hassle to work with if you're this finicky about it.
Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit
Yeah, this is pretty spot on.
ert270@reddit
Maybe don’t start with a full back piece as your first ever tattoo? Get part of it done, see if you like it and go from there. Start small and work your way up. I say that as a very tattooed person.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I’m not bothered about the pain. It’s just more what it’ll look like. I want to make sure I like myself with a full back piece.
wordsfromlee@reddit
How will you know? You’re not going to see it day-to-day. It’s not like a tattoo on your forearm or something that you’ll see every day and get use to being a part of you.
RBisoldandtired@reddit
Easy enough to get a small shoulder part done first. Easy to cover with clothing if they don’t like having tattoos and they might only waste a couple hundred instead of four fucking grand 😂
idontlikemondays321@reddit
Mate, I’ll draw on you for £30
Bitter_Tooth_6607@reddit
What didn’t you just have the stencil put on instead of having them draw it?
Easy_Effort7985@reddit
Who the f*** spaffs £2k on someone drawing on them with sharpie?!?!
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I’d rather pay 4 grand overall and love it than 2 grand on something I don’t like and can’t remove.
Easy_Effort7985@reddit
That’s just mental though. Have you had a tattoo before?? Have you worked with this artist before??
For something that size and cost I would better be damn sure I love the artists work on their Instagram etc and I would also be assertive that I see the design before the appointment in order to give feedback and make any changes. But after that you need to have confidence in your decision. You sound like you are too on the fence to begin with.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
My friends have all been to him. I love his work. It’s not him I’m doubting. It’s whether the tattoo will suit me.
Easy_Effort7985@reddit
This is kind of what getting a tattoo is about. Having faith and commitment to the idea or design. Learning to just wear it. It sounds like you’re nowhere near ready for this piece
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I’m not for taking permanent risks in life. I’d rather be 100% sure than 90% sure.
Easy_Effort7985@reddit
Then don’t get tattoos amigo.
Drath101@reddit
First tattoo, full back piece, doesn't like taking a risk. Hmmm
My_Feet_Are_Flat@reddit
Yes, this is weird
Imadeutscher@reddit
Some people just have too much money huh
OnlymyOP@reddit
You aren't ready to have a tattoo if you want to try before you buy.
It's also a dumb thing to ask for such a big piece of ink if you're not sure.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
How is it different to trying on an item of clothing or test driving a car? He’s not losing out financially in any way.
OnlymyOP@reddit
man... you really aren't ready for a tattoo !
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
My husband is covered neck down and his tattooist did it for him. Before you say use him his wife is very possessive and won’t let him tattoo women.
OnlymyOP@reddit
Then you should know about the commitment involved in getting a tattoo done
ClaryClarysage@reddit
I wish I had this kind of money to waste.
Don't get a massive back tattoo if you're not absolutely sure you want it already.
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
In order to do the tattoo in the first place, most reputable artists transfer their 2D design onto a transfer they put on your skin and follow the lines - so, yes - you could have the whole thing put on, as it should look, via transfer. Usually they use a medium like Spirit Tattoo Transfer Paper, porinted on via a thermal printer. When applied to your skin with a stencil gel, the full design will transfer perfectly.
You could also upload a 2D design art file of your own creation to an online platform handling it to produce a custom temporary tattoo. Websites like Inknation or Momentary Ink do this. They convert your exact art into high-quality, realistic-looking semi-permanent transfers shipped to your door.
Unlike permanent tattooing, this sits on the epidermis and naturally wears off or washes away in 3 to 10 days. Obviously there will be an upfront cost for both the design and transfer, on top of whatever the usual cost of the tattoo, whichever route you go.
Talk to your chosen artist or check the links provided.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I have looked at them temporary ones but I don’t think it would look as good as being drawn on like a normal tattoo.
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
That's because it's a transfer that sits on the surface of your skin allowing you to assess the design. You can't fake an actual tattoo. To get an authentic and permanent look, needles have to inject ink past the epidermis and deep into the dermis.
That's just the way tattooing works.
stauer88@reddit
I think your idea is genius and can't understand why people think it's an odd thing to do.
Could you look into getting the design made as a temporary tattoo transfer? I don't even know where you would begin to organise this but I really like the idea. You are correct that it's a lifelong decision so I think it makes perfect sense to be able to trial it out for a few days first.
AarhusNative@reddit
A stencil on you will look nothing like the finished piece.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
Which is why I want it properly drawing on in detail.
AarhusNative@reddit
Then you need a body paint artist, not a tattoo artist.
They are different media.
iceblnklck@reddit
You don’t sound like you’re ready for a tattoo like that if you’re not even sure you’ll like it - I say this as someone who wants the back piece but built up to with other ones first
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I love the tattoo. I just want to see if I can pull it off.
iceblnklck@reddit
If you love it, then you can pull it off. ❤️
LittleMelodyBird@reddit
You could always get some Henna done? It dyes your skin and lasts about 2 weeks. I had some put on my hand when I was younger, and it helped me come to the conclusion that I didn’t want any tattoos 😂
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I had henna and my skin reacted really bad to it so I’m scared of that lol.
TheMarkMatthews@reddit
Ask AI to draw it in a photo of you
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
It wouldn’t do it because of nudity.
Various_Good_6964@reddit
You want to spend £2000 on someone drawing on your back, to then pay another £2000 for them to draw over the top of it?
That's a weird suggestion. Good tattoo artists will be confident in their ability and also won't care for more than 30 seconds if someone doesn't want a tattoo that they don't like. Just find an artist you like, explain that you think you want a full piece but want to trial what it might look like, and see what they suggest. You don't need to pre-empt how they may feel or offer frankly absurd amounts of money for a trial run.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
It’s not the artist I’m doubting it’s whether the tattoo will suit me. I want to see what I look like with it in my normal clothes.
elgrn1@reddit
The tattoo you want would be done over multiple sessions so its unlikely the artist will draw the whole image over your body and do the outline in a single session, so you're asking for a lot of work, for it to probably change during the time it takes to get it all inked on you because once you start some elements may naturally need to be adjusted, to then wash it off.
Also the outline is usually just that. They aren't going to paint a coloured picture on you of the whole thing.
I don't usually recommend AI for anythng but this is a time when that would be a far better way for you to decide if this is something you really want, rather than asking someone to invest that time and effort, which may not be poasible in a single day. And spending that money twice.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
It’s a non colour tattoo and I know it will take a couple of days which is why I offered full price for a detailed drawing of it, or more if it costs more.
elgrn1@reddit
You're expecting money to be a motivator for the tattooist to spend days drawing on you for you to wash it off. You aren't considering how its a massive waste of their time and energy for very little reward. They aren't people who enjoy drawing, they have a skillset which is creating permanent tattoos. Where is the satisfaction for them from your request?
_Jay-Garage-A-Roo_@reddit
A good tattooist won’t tattoo you if you’re so unsure, an unscrupulous one will happily take the money twice, so honestly, avoid this.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
Which is why I asked him to draw it before I commit to it. He gets paid the same either way.
h8d7@reddit
This is quite a mad thing to suggest tbh. Maybe contact some henna artists and ask them to henna up your back for a temporary try out of a big design? If you're coming up with this mad scheme to try and test out whether you'll want the tattoo at all it kind of sounds like you don't really want it. Just do something else with your money
Kwayzar9111@reddit
no that is weird and unheard of. just do your research and look for a high quality reputable tattooist.
Dont be afraid to email various artists with what you want..
dont be silly and do what you are thinking
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I want to see if it suits me. I don’t think it’s silly to ask for a detailed drawing of it first to see if it suits me. He charges £150 an hour so that’s what I’ll pay for the drawing. He doesn’t lose out on anything. It’s not like I’m asking for a free drawing. I just want to see what it’ll look like in my clothes and if I can pull it off.
RBisoldandtired@reddit
Proof that fools and their money are easily parted.
Get a couple smaller tattoos first. Ease into it. I’m not sure you understand fully what a tattoo involves, the number of sittings you’ll need. The recovery process.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
It’s not the pain or the tattoo itself I’m bothered about, my husband is covered from the neck down so I know what it entails. I just want to see if it’ll suit me personally. I want to put on my favourite dress on or a normal vest top and see if the tattoo suits me.
Froggiieeee@reddit
They will stencil it on for you, but most tattoo artists won't draw it on, if you're not sure you can commit don't get it and don't go, wait until you think you're ready.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
I want to see myself and see if it’ll suit me. The tattoo is lovely but I’m just not sure I can pull it off. Which is why I wanted it drawing on and then I’d go home and put my normal clothes on and see what it looks like in them. Like my favourite dress or just a normal lounging around the house vest top.
Froggiieeee@reddit
Why not take those clothes with you? When you get it stencilled on you can try them on?
I don't think an artist is going to want to spend time drawing it on when they are already stencilling it.
lithaborn@reddit
That's what I was thinking. I've only got two tats but she put the stencil on me and made absolutely sure I was happy with it before getting anywhere near me with the ink.
Froggiieeee@reddit
Yeah absolutely!! But no need to spend a few days with it drawn on like this guy wants 😂
Decide what you want, choose an artist you trust, get stencilled, go for it.
Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit
Yeah, this is a weird thing to do.
I have a lot of tattoos and good friend with a lot of artists.
I don't think any of them would agree to colouring you in with Sharpies if I'm honest.
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
Not even for the same price as they’d get for doing an actual tattoo?
Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit
They don't tend to be money motivated really.
I'll ask my friend and see what she says and get back to you.
Bloatville@reddit
I wouldn't want to tattoo a person who was this much on the fence about what they wanted to get.
I'd take this to be the tip of the iceberg for more irritating behaviour & find a way to ditch you as a client.
Something like saying you've insulted me as an artist, perhaps.
dinkidoo7693@reddit
Maybe get a body painter to paint it on before booking it as a tattoo. A full back piece is a lot for a first tattoo
franki-pinks@reddit (OP)
That’s a good idea. I’ll try to find one who can replicate what I want on my back.
Worldly_Wafer_6635@reddit
Depends what it is and who is doing it. Good artist tend to only do their own artwork, and they will only tattoo it once.
Kinda, complicated when it's commissioned pieces.
OriginalWay5245@reddit
This is the way, obviously depends on the style but it would actually be really hard to imitate a tattoo if its not genuine, someone who does that regularly is by far the best route forward even if its slightly different its going to be much more realistic with this approach
Hertfordgal@reddit
You’re rich 💰
Derfel60@reddit
Shit ill draw on you for 2 grand if you want
charlies_got_a_gat@reddit
Just get a small part of the bum portion done, see if you like it, if not, hey cool bum tatoo that no one sees, if yes, go for it.
TheMarkMatthews@reddit
Ask another tattooist if this one says no
Click_for_noodles@reddit
It's weird. If this is what you want to do, it suggests you're not ready for the tattoo, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
Even if you did find someone willing to do it, pens and paints are not going to accurately mimic the colours and strokes of ink being needled into your skin, so you'll be a lot of money down for a waste of time.
Research tattoo artists and get in touch with ones who are adept at the style and colouring you want in your piece. Provide reference photos or sketch out an idea of what you want, and trust that the artist you've researched will do it justice.
For a first tattoo, a massive back piece is pretty unusual, so consider if you want to start your journey with a smaller design on, say, your arm first.
chease86@reddit
I think it IS a bit weird, but I think its weirder that the artist is so offended at being offered what I would assume would end up being a far cheaper and easier job on his part, like he doesnt need to sterilise stuff as well, doesnt need to throw out or sterilise used needles or anything, hes turning down a full job's worth of pay for half the usual amount of pay
First-Archer-3457@reddit
Yea it’s weird af. A decent tattooist will laugh at you and a bad one will agree and take your money twice. You’re not ready for a back tat.
qwertymcqwertface@reddit
I’m not well versed in tattoos but do they not have tattoo stickers so you can try it out?
BaBaFiCo@reddit
Yes it's weird. I get it's a big decision but this isn't really how it works.
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