Designing a tattoo is a tattoo artist’s job, but what if you design it yourself?
You can make a custom tattoo design that suits your preference and taste. A permanent tattoo will remain in your body forever, and getting the design right is the road to avoiding regrets.
How To Design Your Own Tattoo
Here are a few things worth considering when designing your tattoo to avoid future regrets.
The Colors of the Tattoo
When you design a tat, you should consider its color. A dark-colored tattoo, especially on an exposed body part, is what you should go with. Light and bright colored tats tend to fade faster and might require constant retouch. To avoid this extra expense, you should carefully choose the color of your tattoo.
Don’t Go With Trends
Considering getting a permanent tattoo design that is trending at the time is a bad idea. The ink you draw on your skin will last longer than the trends. You should get a tattoo that you will be comfortable with even when it is not the in thing.
With these in mind, you can now start the tattoo design process with the following steps.
Step 1: Research On The Tattoo Design To Put
Decide the location of the tattoo
The location of the tattoo will decide its size and design. You should ask yourself if you would like an exposed, a semi-exposed or a hidden tat. This will determine its location and size.
Exposed tattoos are drawn on shoulders, fingers, shin area and legs and are generally very large. Semi-exposed are in the back, chest, thigh, where they are partially visible.
The hidden tattoos are in areas and parts of the body mostly hidden by clothing, where only you get to see regularly.
Look for inspirational designs
The internet is a great place to start. You can Google tattoo ideas of the location you wish to draw. Pinterest and Instagram is an excellent place to get all that. You only need to get the tattoo ideas and not just copy a tattoo design from the internet. This is because a similar tat will not look the same on you as it did on someone else. We all have different body shapes and dimensions; hence each design is tailor-made for every individual.
You can also lookup ink designs of the tattoo artist you have chosen to draw it. This will help you know what he/she is most comfortable with. You can also get inspirations from old photographs or your past memories. Suggestions are everywhere, your workspaces, and your day-to-day activities. You should choose a design that represents who you are, your passions, and one you will be comfortable with for years to come.
You can go with a retro design. It is a common choice for many because it is the safest option. The classic designs are timeless and look good. You can find these designs in tattoo magazines and old tattoo art books.
Step 2: Draw the Tattoo Design
At this stage, you know how you want your tat design to look. It is now time to put your imagination to work. You will get out your drawing paper and get to work. When drawing the design, you should remember that the human body is three-dimensional, and hence when drawing, think of the location on your body, you plan to put it.
Some tattoo artists may not be comfortable with your design or have difficulties understanding and drawing it. For this reason, you should choose your tattooist very carefully. Make sure it is a person who will be comfortable working with you in customizing your design and drawing it on you.
You can also share your rough sketch with family and friends to input what they think about it. You wouldn’t want your family members rejecting it after you have made it permanent. They can also give some advice on how to improve the design. This is part of the process that makes it such an exhilarating experience.
Not to worry if your drawing skills are not something one can envy, as you just need to present your idea, so the tattooist will understand what you want. The artist will then finish the finer details of the design and bring your idea to life.
Step 3: Put A Temporary Tattoo Of Your Design
Here comes the final stages of the designing process. When you are comfortable with the design you have chosen, and the tattooist has come up with the final drawing, you can order a temporary tattoo of the design to be made or make it yourself.
Once it is ready, you can put it on yourself and stay with it for a few weeks to see how much you like it. If there are any adjustments you would like to make to the design, you can do so at this stage before getting the final product. If you are happy, you can now draw your custom tattoo design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an app that lets you design your tattoo?
Yes, there is an app for almost everything in today’s digital age, with tattoo designing not being an exception. Several tattoo design apps let you upload sketches of your tattoo ideas, edit them by adding color, changing the design and shaping it.
Can I bring my design to a tattoo artist?
Yes, you can, but you should be careful with the tattoo artists you choose. They like drawing their designs and not yours or other tattoo artists’. However, they will be more welcoming if you work with them in designing yours.
Can I turn a picture into a tattoo?
Yes, you can turn a picture into a tattoo. You just have to sketch the image into a drawing that you can tattoo.
Conclusion
Designing your tattoo is no easy task, but it gets you the best fit. Choosing the best tattoo artist who is an expert in your tattoo style and location to guide you through this journey is essential. Despite all this, the tattoo designing process is enjoyable, and you should try it.
Also read:
1. How Does Laser Tattoo Removal Work?
2. How To Make a Temporary Tattoo With Regular Paper
3. How to Make a Tattoo Stencil with Tracing Paper
