questions to ask before booking a tattoo artist

a tattoo is forever and a deposit is real money, so the few minutes before you commit are worth spending well. you don't need to interrogate anyone — a handful of good questions tells you almost everything about whether you and an artist are a fit. here's what i'd ask, and what a good answer sounds like.

"what's the total for something like this?"

not the hourly rate — the total. for a small piece a good artist can usually give you a flat number; for something bigger, a realistic estimate and a rough session count. it's a completely normal question to ask, and money talk shouldn't feel awkward. (it's also exactly why every artist on goodwork shows pricing upfront — so most of the time you won't even have to.)

"how does the deposit work?"

you're listening for the simple stuff: it comes off the final price, and here's how much notice they need to move the appointment without it being lost. clear, written terms are a great sign you're dealing with a pro.

"can i see healed work in this style?"

fresh tattoos all look flawless — healed photos show how the lines and shading actually settle months down the line. most artists are proud to show healed work, and seeing it is the single best way to know what you'll be living with.

"who designs it, and when do i get to see it?"

most custom artists draw it themselves and show you beforehand or the day of. you just want to know there's room for a tweak and that you'll okay the stencil placement before the needle starts.

"what's the studio setup like?"

clean, licensed space; single-use needles opened in front of you; fresh wrap. any good artist is happy to talk about this — for most of them it's a point of pride, not a nosy question.

"what about aftercare and touch-ups?"

good artists send you off with clear aftercare instructions, and many include a touch-up within a window if a spot needs a little love as it heals. it's a sign they're invested in how the piece looks long after you've left. (then our aftercare guide takes it from there.)

the shortcut

honestly, half of these questions only exist because the info is usually buried in DMs. on goodwork the pricing, the portfolio, and the styles are all right there before you message anyone — so you can spend your questions on the fun stuff, like the actual design. still narrowing it down? our guide to finding an artist in LA covers the rest.

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frequently asked questions