Choose the Right Design for Your Tattoo

You’re getting a tattoo and it’s going to be your boy (or girl) friend’s name across your chest with hearts and birds. Stop right there! Let’s talk about how to choose a tattoo you won’t regret.

Now, before you say, “But I LOVE my boyfriend,” just take some time to consider what you’re doing. Tattoos are pretty much permanent. They hurt going on, and hurt worse coming off.

If you’re serious about getting a tattoo, make sure that what you’re having inked into your skin for pretty much eternity is something you’ll be happy about forty years from now. When you consider which kind of tattoo design to get, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Why am I getting a tattoo? Is it self-expression, marking an important life milestone or turning point, paying tribute to an important element in your life (perhaps your love of antique cars or cats)?Maybe you do love someone and you want them to see that in a very permanent way. Most agree that it’s fine to have the names of children, grandkids, parents, etc. But most also agree that tattooing the name of your one true love (Michael Forever) might be a problem if your one true love turns out not to be.If you’re getting a tattoo because all of your friends are doing it, please reconsider. The only reason anyone should get a tattoo is because they want a tattoo. If you want to get a tattoo as a personal challenge or something new and different, that’s okay, too. Just choose the tattoo design carefully.
2. What do I love now that I am absolutely certain I will love in forty or fifty years? If you’ve loved cats since you were a little kid, or you’ve shared a love of antique cars with your dad since forever, you’re probably good.If you have children or grandkids, and you want to have their names on you, you’re safe. If you feel connected to Asian culture and you want a Chinese dragon, you probably won’t regret it.If you’re an athlete and want a tattoo of the Olympic Symbol, that’s probably okay, too! You get the picture. If it’s important to get an insanely cool tattoo that everyone else will marvel at, go for it!

   But here’s an important note – our interests and passions change with time. You may find yourself looking at a tattoo you got several years ago that doesn’t carry the same meaning with it as it did when it was new. That’s okay, as long as you still feel good about what it meant at the time.

3. Finally, ask yourself, “Am I going to be embarrassed when I explain this to my grandkids, parents or the curious neighbor down the street?” If you think you might feel stupid explaining your tattoo (and by the way, you are not required to explain your tattoo choices to anyone), you may want to rethink it.

Now, go looking for ideas. All tattoo shops have books full of “flash.” Flash is just a word for tattoo designs. You can look through tattoo magazines, art magazines, or come up with something on your own.

Many good artists can take your rudimentary ideas and use their artistic skills to draw something that is uniquely yours. Just remember when choosing your design to ask, “What am I trying to express? Why do I want a tattoo? What’s important to me?” If you ask these questions, you will ultimately find your perfect design.