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How to pitch your tattoo idea

Pitch your idea

Look, we want to make you a great tattoo just as much as you want to wear one. Knowing what to bring to a tattoo consultation or how to explain a tattoo idea doesn't require an art degree or industry vocabulary. A little prep goes a long way in making sure we hit the nail on the head.

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Here is how to bridge the gap between what is in your head and what goes on your skin.

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1. Reference Photos Are Great (Just Don't Ask Us to Trace)

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  • For general style and vibe: Bring reference images to show texture, lighting, or a general direction you like.

  • For custom flash or illustrative work: Avoid asking us to straight-up copy someone else's custom tattoo. We want to make something unique for you, not a photocopy of somebody else's piece.

  • For realism and portraits: This is the exception. If you want a realistic portrait of a pet, a person, or a specific object, bringing the exact photo you want brought to life is the entire starting point.

  • Highlight what matters: Tell us why you like a certain piece of reference so we have a real baseline to work from

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2. You Don't Need to Know All the Fancy Terms

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  • Speak human. If you don't know the difference between blackwork and fine line, don't sweat it. Just describe what you are picturing in plain English (or Dutch, or Spanish, or Italian, or Malay, or Portuguese).

  • Size matters (literally). Keep placement in mind. An intricate concept with a million tiny details cannot be crammed onto a two-inch space without turning into a blob over time. Trust us when we tell you how big it needs to be to look good.

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3. Trust the Translation

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  • We are artists, not copy machines. Your idea is the spark, but our job is to filter it through our style and technical know-how so it actually heals right and lasts.

  • Playing the long game. If we suggest tweaking your idea, it is not because we are being difficult. It is because we want your tattoo to look just as sharp ten years from now as it does on day one.

  • Let us cook. Micromanaging every single pencil stroke while we are drafting kills the creative flow. Give us the direction, let us do our thing, and then we can fine-tune it together.

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4. A Few Quick Do's & Don'ts

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  • ​Do lean on us to help you narrow it down.

  • Don't bring a mood board of fifty contradictory ideas and worry about sorting them out yourself, that is literally what we are here for.

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  • Do be upfront about your budget and schedule.

  • Don't hide what you can swing or how many sessions you have time for so we can design a piece that actually fits your life. [Want to know how we price our work? Check out our pricing guide].

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  • Do trust the process. Bring your core idea, let us filter it through our style and technical know-how, and let's make something solid together.

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