by Amy Black

• Feel comfortable. Regulations are in place for a reason. The shop should be clean and the artist, in my opinion, should be professional and respectful.

• Trust your artist. Be open to whatever he or she deems necessary to translate your ideas into a long-lasting tattoo design.

• Thoroughly consider all aspects of your tattoo, from the placement to the look of the art. It’s like trying to figure out what shirt you would like to wear, forever. Easy, right?

• Remember, you will get older. I was trained to keep images from becoming too congested over time and ending up unrecognizable for the duration (read: your lifetime) of the tattoo.