The Tattoo Lettering Blog

Tattoos and Their Costs.

Cost can be a deciding factor in picking a parlour to do your tattoo. You have to find one that will do your tattoo, within your budget. Tattoos can be very expensive. Some of the larger ones will cost you thousands of dollars and many hours in the shop getting it applied. Although you will readily find parlours within every budget, there are other deciding factors you should take into consideration before you allow just anyone to put that needle to your skin.

Cost is a major factor many people have to consider when they are deciding upon getting a tattoo done. Although some costs are much beyond your reach, you will still find other designs and parlours that are within your reach. When you are preparing or considering a tattoo you may want to begin saving immediately. By doing this you can ensure, when you have found the shop and artist who is going to do it and have your design picked out you will have the money in the bank for it.

Just like many things in life, you will get what you pay for. If you already have your own design picked out and bring it with you to the shop you will only end up paying for the artists time. This is typically between %25-%300 per hour. If you need a customized tattoo done up by the artist, it will most of the time, cost you more. Another consideration will be the size and body placement of the tattoo. Dependant on your choice again, the tattoo can end up costing you a small fortune. Many back designs can cost you up to %15K.

First thing you need to do is find a shop and artist you prefer. From there look into the shop and artists going rate. Always ensure the shop is clean and hygienic. The last thing you want is to pay your hard earned money for an infection. Talk to the artists, see how friendly they are and learn about their experience and specialities, if any. When looking into the cost of your design and tattoo, quality costs money. Even though some shops are more costly then others, you will come away with a more professional looking tattoo that you can be proud of.

Although you may find a great price for your tattoo, do not go rushing in simply based on price. Even though the price can be enticing you may find yourself with a unskilled artist or an unclean studio and consequently, an infection. Tattoo shops that charge the higher prices do so because they can. They have the best artist who provide the higher quality work.

After you get your ink done, tip the artist. Make it worth the artists time. High quality artists love being tipped. If you treat them well, you will have your artist and tattoo for life, at an affordable cost.

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The How To Of Tattoo Application.

Tattoos have increased in popularity greatly over the last few years. They have been used to symbolize your significant other, a birth or death or purely as a form of body modification. They are typically done using a tattoo gun, which uses either single needles or multiple needles to inject the first layer of skin with ink.

Tattoo guns come in an assortment of types and sizes. All of which use needles. Some use more then one needle in the tattooing process and are not for those that require great detail or single lines. Multiple needle guns are used to cover large areas quickly. Needles pose a serious risk of injury or infection if they are not disposed of properly after every use. If the parlour you are in does not dispose of the needles after every use you have a high risk of infection from getting the tattoo done.

How to Keep Your Tattoo Looking New

One of the biggest complaints from people with tattoos is that the colours fade. The reason for this is that the most permanent pigments available are unsafe for humans. This leaves very few alternatives. There are some colours that there can be issues with such as yellow, purple and orange. The biggest factor that can affect the longevity of your tattoo looking it's best is exposure to ultraviolet light. The sun can be your inks worst enemy. This does not mean you have to hide from the sun, you just need to follow some guidelines.

Make sure you follow the artists guidelines after getting your art done. If you do not take correct care of your tattoo while it is healing it may look older then its age. Using a petroleum based lotion will sap the colour from your ink. Do not under any circumstance put petroleum based lotions on your tattoo while it heals. Do not pick your scabs and do your best to follow the guidelines you were given by the artist. This is their career, they know what they are talking about. Make sure you apply lotion if it begins peeling, you want to minimize colour loss.

Excessive amounts of sun are damaging to your skin in general, not to mention your body art. If you expose yourself to too much sun ( whether real or artificial) you risk the colourfastness of your tattoo and your future health. So cover up. This doesn't necessarily mean with clothing either. So you wanna show off your ink, make sure you where a high spf sunblock to prevent fading. Sunburns can cause your tattoo to lose its colour and prematurely fade. After spending all the time and money getting it done you want to protect it and maximize its life.

Another thing to consider is that like all good things a tattoo needs maintenance. It is not a completely get and it is there forever operation. Every few years you may need a touch up or the lines to be redefined. Many artists will offer this service for free or at a reduced rate ( since the initial design is already there.)

No matter the precautions you take, eventually your tattoo will fade. As your skin ages, so will your ink. Over the years your body will literally try to absorb the tattoo, which is a partial cause of the fading colour and underlying reason for older tattoos to have that bluish tinge to them. All you can do to prolong its life in the end is take good care of yourself and your skin.

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The Psychology behind Tattoos.

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So You've Decided on a Celtic Tattoo

The history of the Celtic people goes back thousands of years. They have been long renowned for their beautiful artwork in metal, jewellery and weaponry. They were also known as fierce warriors. All over Ireland you can still find many examples of Celtic artwork and crosses.

As time passed, the Celtic; as do all civilizations, evolved. Due to the fact there is little documented history in terms of the written word, much of their tradition was passed down through symbols and knowledge, person to person. Those of Celtic tradition, often choose to display their pride in their heritage by tattooing themselves with the symbols of their ancestors ( such as the Celtic Cross and knots.)

The majority of Celtic tattoos find their origins in Ireland. There are many places throughout Ireland that still document the symbols of the Celtics as a way to preserve this strong heritage. The tattoos have long been a tradition amongst them, even when metalwork and jewellery were still abundantly made.

A Celtic knot is one of the most common Celtic tattoos. They are formed by unending spirals, that symbolize the circle of life, the process of birth and death. The Celtics also had animals in there artwork. As with the know they were made of spirals, often ending though in the heads, tails and feet of the creature. A true knot is unending, but has more recently been modified to contain symbols at the end of some of the spirals.

There is no actual literal translation behind the knots. They are an emotional and religious symbol that represents the crossing of both the physical and spiritual realm. They symbolize the heritage of the Celtics and their lives, faiths and loves.

Celtic designs are often considered one of the hardest tattoos to apply and receive as it often takes many hours of tattooing to produce the coils and spirals of the artwork. Many of Celtic descent have gone through the process of receiving one to display their heritage, reunite with their pride and to serve as a tribute to their ancestors. To the Celtics they are more then worth the time and pain to establish a connection with their heritage and the pride of their people.

If you have decided upon a Celtic tattoo, whether of Celtic descent or not, you will need to do some homework. You need to find yourself a skilled artist, most preferably one who specializes in Celtic design and has an eye for detail. The spirals and design of the tattoo takes a skilled hand to ensure your tattoo is properly done. Not all artist are capable of doing such a hard piece of work.

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Tattoos On Your Tongue

Now if you have never heard of this before, it can come as quite a shock. As tattoos become more common ground you will find there are some who still want the mystery and allure of a unique tattoo. Due to the fact a tattoo can be of any design and style of the bearers choosing, it gives a person the opportunity to express themselves. Since tattoos have become less taboo over the years more people have begun looking into other tattooing options, and this the tongue tattoo is born.

Like any other tattoo on the body, the tongue can be tattoo as a whole or in portion. They come in all sorts of styles and designs, with the most common being having your entire tongue tattooed a different colour. Imagine the reaction on peoples faces when you open your mouth to reveal a blue tongue, or purple or even black. This is just the type of self expression, attention and uniqueness some crave.

The most popular design is the star or tribal work. Stars are commonly found near the tip of the tongue, well tribal is typically reserved for the middle part of the tongue. Tattoos on the tongue can compliment piercings already present, adding an even more unique aspect. Of course as popularity increase so too will the available designs. If you have an idea take it to an artist and see if it can be implemented, you never know it could happen.

As far as how it is applied, it is exactly the same as a regular tattoo. It is completed with a tattoo gun and uses the process of needles penetrating the tongue to implant the colour pigmentation. Once the colour is absorbed by the tongue it will remain there forever. Most who have had this procedure done, claim there was no pain associated with it. It is often described as a tickling of the tongue. The artist will use a tool to hold the tongue out during the application. If you have a tongue piercing or have seen one done, the tool is the same one used for the piercings. Once the tongue is securely held out of the mouth the artist will tattoo it.

If this is an interesting process you would like to try, find a reputable artist around you who has experience in doing them. Not a lot of shops will do these as they are just beginning to take hold. With a little research though you should be able to find an artist. A tongue tattoo is something truly unique, defiantly not the normal everyday tattoo.

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Getting Your Tattoo Removed

Precautions You Should Take Prior to Getting a Tattoo.

The process of tattooing involves needles moving up very fast speeds to pierce the skin. By injecting ink into the broken skin, the tattoo design is created. Before you get a tattoo there are some very important safety issues to take into consideration. Commonsense becomes essential.

A lot of people tend to fear the possibility of catching HIV from getting a tattoo done. There are many other diseases you can catch as a result of an unsafe and unsanitary tattoo. The possibilities include staff syphilis and hepatitis. These diseases are passed along by using unsanitary and uncleanly needles that have been previously used. All it takes is for the previous user to have one of these diseases to pass along to you.

Just like any activity, receiving a tattoo can be a dangerous process. Although they are indeed dangerous, you can minimize your risk by following some safety precautions. There is a strict code of safety involving tattoo artists that must be it here too daily. It is up to you to research the parlour you are using in order to find one that appears to the rules.

When choosing your parlour, ensure that all the materials are sterilized. Don't be afraid to ask questions after all, it is your body and is a permanent choice. You need to find a tattoo parlour that will allow you to see them open the new tubs of ink and the needles to ensure that they have not been previously used. Tattoo guns must be sterilized in between use. The parlour of your choice should use of steam pressure autoclave to achieve this.

When initially choosing your parlour your first appearance there should find the area spotless and clean. The artists should use disposable latex gloves for each customer. As well as using disposable gloves, the artist should use disposable cleaning products for wiping down the tattoos as they are being applied. If the parlour will not allow you to watch someone having a tattoo done or answer your questions in regards to the cleanliness of the parlour, you should choose elsewhere to have your tattoo applied.

No matter where you choose to have the tattoo applied it should be a place of cleanliness and respect. You must put your personal safety first. Unless you proceed with caution, you could walk away with more than a permanent tattoo you could also walk away with a permanent disease.

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The Significance of Flower Tattoos

Although all tattoos bear some significance or other to the bearer, flowers hold special meanings in themselves. With more and more women getting tattoos, it is no wonder that flower designs are becoming evermore popular. Since flowers come in a wide array of colours and styles and meanings, the make an easier choice for someone wanting something original, while remaining mainstream. The most beneficial part of flower tattoos is you can personalize it to mean what you want by choosing your flower and your colourations.

Overall, many people associate flowers with life. We can view their life cycles everyday all around us, from the beginning of growth to the wilting and eventual dying of the blossoms. When we view a flower we envision life. Born of nature, they continue to mature on a day to day basis, forever reminding us that like all other things we are not immortal. As the flower does die, so shall we.

The colouration you choose can mean many things, whether individualized to you or on a more global scale. White is often seen as a symbol of innocence and purity. Clean and crisp just like a fresh snowfall. Red is seen as a burning passion or desire, it can be looked upon as the colour of love or the colour of rage.

Roses of course are th most common flower, followed by the lotus. Roses like the colour red symbolize love and passion. Roses are viewed as a romantic flower, which is why it is very common to send your loved one roses on Valentines Day and other holidays. In western civilizations roses are seen as love and purity whereas in eastern civilizations it is the lotus flower that represents this. A lotus tattoo also holds further meaning. It is meant to impart the bearer with fortune, peace and beauty. Tulips are another popular choice, symbolizing passion and expertise at being a lover. Violets are for the timid and tame girl. The shy girl who takes her time and maintains control. For those of Irish descent the Acacia flower is a popular choice, otherwise known as the Bells of Ireland, they symbolize friendship and love. Those seeking to display virtue and wisdom may choose an Iris. Or a women may chose a Magnolia to symbolize a love of nature.

As you can see the choices are as wide and beautiful as all the flowers in the world. Depending on your cultural background and heritage along with your personal individualized choice, you can find the perfect flower tattoo with the perfect meaning for you.

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How To Care For Your New Tattoo

So you've gone and done it. You've gotten your first piece of ink. Now to ensure its life and beauty you need to know how to care for it. You obviously have done your research and picked a reputable parlour to get your tattoo done in.

If you have indeed picked a reputable artist, he will teach you how to care for your new piece of art work. During the process they will be cleaning the tattoo as well as applying an ointment to help in the healing process. Once the tattoo is completed, they will wipe it down once more, apply another layer of cream and bandage it up using gauze or tissue.

Once all that is completed, the artist should explain to you how to care for your new ink. Some will provide you with a checklist of the do and don't for your new tattoo. If the artist you choose didn't explain any of this to you I'm sure you are wondering