#tattoo tips

[genericpuff]

Do birthmarks make it harder to tattoo?

It depends on the birthmark, they can range from being the size of a pencil tip to being entire sections of varied color and texture. One of the biggest tattoos I've ever done, a massive back piece for a pal of mine, actually had to travel over a large birthmark where the skin was a little "rougher", but it all worked out fine! I just had to adjust the needle depth, voltage, stroke speed and hand speed to accommodate, meaning I had to make the machine hit a bit harder while slowing down my line pulls to saturate those areas where the skin was tougher / coarse.

Of course, that tattoo was black and grey, results may vary with color, so be sure to do your research and ask around at professional shops to see what can be done if you're concerned or have questions about what you can and can't achieve if you have a large birthmark! Rest assured, birthmarks are rarely a dealbreaker, just make sure you find yourself an experienced artist! 💖

[bouicreature]

im thinking of starting to learn to tattoo... ive been obsessed with them as long as i can remember, and its something i can literally do almost anywhere as a job.

[horrorxweasley]

friendly reminder that if you have a tattoo booked this summer

DONT GET SUNBURNT OTHERWISE YOU CANT GET TATTOOED

obviously when i say this i mean dont get sunburnt on the area you want tattooed

saying this because it surprising how many people dont realise that sun burnt skin cant be tattooed on

[big-boah]

General tips for disabled and/or neurodivergent people getting tattoos (of all support need levels):

Under the cut:

Do your research: There are some shops nowadays that are run by neurodivergent or disabled folks and/or cater to neurodivergent/disabled folks, and those would be my first choice to scope out for a tattoo consultation. Otherwise I would go to a place/artist who was recommended by a friend or member of the local community. Check out online reviews too and social media comments to find the person you feel most comfortable reaching out to. You will be communicating with this person a lot because they're giving you something that will last a lifetime.

*Note: "friend" here means friend, significant other, partner, parent, sibling, or attendant/assistant/caregiver. You have to be 18 in most of the United States to get a tattoo.

*Also I can only speak for myself and my own experiences!

Be prepared for an in-person consult, and be ready to ask about any accommodations you would need during the appointment, including your preferred communication style. Tattoo artists usually don't do online consults which can be scary, I've called off a few on bad days. (They understand, your job is to be communicative!) Don't let that stop you or a friend from making an appointment for you.

Be prepared to answer questions from the artist on your comfort levels and communication needs and do not be shy, you're trying to see whether you'll be paying them for an important service. During the consultation, they will ask you questions about your design, colors, size, and the location of the tattoo.

You don't have to come with a totally clear idea in mind, they can help you get creative. Reference photos and printouts do help for ideas. But make sure you or a friend also have a list of questions beforehand if you think of any. And don't be afraid to reach out to the artist before the consult or appointment if you have questions. If they're cool they'll want to help you feel comfortable. During the session, tattoo artists will take breaks based on your comfort level (I've seen neurotypical people take breaks every 15 minutes) so don't feel bad about bringing that up if you anticipate that, no matter the body part.

Make sure to bring a friend, a phone/typing/AAC device or a pen/paper to the consult to ensure clear communication. I usually communicate over email and typing on my phone and I've only had issues with one artist who was inexperienced and we didn't go through with the tattoo. Also be sure to get a ride there and back! Getting a tattoo is tiring, you will not want to drive after if usually drive. Taking public transportation is difficult with executive function issues which will usually feel intense after a tattoo session, it can be very tiring.

Start small with your first design or session. Not that you shouldn't go all out, I say heck yeah to that! But that way, you'll know how it feels in that area of your body and you can plan it better. You don't want to plan a 4 hour session that feels unbearable after half the tattoo 2 hours in. That feeling sucks.

A good artist will also tell you "no" if they think something won't look good or be too difficult to take care of for your body, tattoo location, or skin type, or if they think that a certain body part is a bad idea. They're there to work with you and give you something you'll be happy with forever. This is another reason for the consult before the appointment, you can get to know the artist a little bit. If you feel uncomfortable with them or if you feel like they are judging you, consults are usually free or low cost, or the money goes toward the tattoo, you don't have to go through with the actual first session. It'll be like you're discussing and interviewing each other. You'll also want to start small to gauge pricing so you don't get surprised!

For the appointment, get ready for a weird type of pain that feels different in every part of the body. Everyone is different when it comes to this, and everyone has different tolerance levels. This is why you should start small in one area to make sure you're comfortable with doing more. It feels like someone is scratching you in the same spot over and over until you bleed, because that's pretty much what's happening.

Bring snacks and water to the appointment and eat plenty beforehand. This is important so you don't get dizzy. Drink plenty of water and never be afraid to ask for hydration or snack breaks. Usually the shop will be able to provide water if you forget some. Getting a tattoo sometimes isn't very painful, but it still takes a toll on your body, which is constantly trying to produce numbing chemicals for your wound.

Be prepared to spend several hours trying to stay still. I recommend bringing stim toys or a friend who can help keep you relaxed. Even tiny tattoos take an hour with final discussion and price discussion, placement, and then they clean the room/chair, and prepare the ink and fresh needles for you. Your body in general will need to be as still as possible for your tattoo's benefit and the artist's. The artist also needs to feel safe doing the tattoo too, it's their job to give you something that'll last forever and they want to make sure they do a good job so you need to stay as relaxed as possible. If you need a brace that doesn't interfere with the tattoo area, do it. Also, you can usually listen to headphones if you want or you can request music. Or you can have a friend bring a tablet so you can watch Netflix (I may have done that for a Star Wars vibe.)

Watch what meds or supplements you take before the appointment. Some medicines and natural substances can make your blood thinner, give you high blood pressure, or make you feel pain differently. You have to sign a waiver before you get it done that says you're not under the influence, but make sure to research your meds effects and side effects to make sure it won't make you unalert, dizzy, or otherwise uncomfortable. You want this to be as painless as possible, it's a cool experience and a necessary evil for the cool forever art, you want it to be a good time. 😉

Be prepared for bleeding, clear fluid, and scabbing. Proper after care is crucial for it . I was surprised by how much aftercare was involved in a tattoo, even though the artist had gone over this with me. Usually you'll need to follow a strict bandage and lotion (sometimes) regimen that your tattoo artist will prescribe. You and your friend's job is to take good care of it. They can take a month or two to heal completely, and you have to keep it dry. You also can't put it in direct sunlight so watch out during summer, and you cannot let it rub up against tight clothing, a chair/cushion, or a brace. If your immune system is a bit slower at healing, prepare for up to 4-6 months until the whole thing is healed over. Be mindful of this when planning and be open about it with your tattoo artist for the best results.

Don't be afraid to reach back out after your appointment. You or a friend can send an email to the shop or call the shop if you have a question for the artist. The tattoo artist or a receptionist or manager will provide aftercare help or direct you to their safety tips on their website. Sometimes people have reactions to the ink in the form of heavy scabbing, scarring, or hives. Don't be afraid to ask. If there are any signs of infection at all, you and/or your friend need to call the shop and the doctor as soon as possible. The shop can tell you what's normal, the doctor can tell you if your infection needs treatment. (It is normal for all this to happen even if you do everything right.) And they artists are there to help you, that's what you're paying them for.

Make sure that you and your friends tip well if you can. Especially if the artist is patient and understanding and open and communicative. It's important! It's even more of a compliment to be a repeat customer. If you find someone you like working with, cherish them forever. Give them nice reviews online too, it lets us in the community doing our research know it's a neurodivergent/disability friendly place.

Thank you for coming to my disabled person TED™️ talk. Anyone should be able to get a tattoo or body modification regardless of disability or support need level. You deserve to be heard and respected and to feel comfortable, and the artist you feel comfortable with deserves your communication.

(By the way I'm medium-high support needs semi-speaking autistic white guy with dyspraxia. I once kicked a man in the face on accident during one of my first tattoos and messed it up lol. I have a few tattoo artist friends and have done a lot of sitting/laying for these so feel free to send me asks!)

[hobbymommyy]

Resting pouty girl face and new top I crocheted

[thisismeow16]

Being able to get my first tattoo on Tuesday any tips to calm down during it?

[gamblergirl]

Would you go all in with me ♥️🃏

[bitchycatpeanut]

GM guys.... it your favourite trans QUEEN👑💋

[excelsior9173]

SHES FINISHED. SHES GORGEOUS.

(the runes alongside her read “rain down on me”)

[nickgoesinsane]

imagine hobie liking u but not having the balks to confess bc he doesnt know if you like guys or not so one day when youre walking back from work or smth you get like held at gunpoint or someones trying to rob you and hobie swoops in as spiderman amd saves you (he totally wasnt stalking you nawr) and u thank him and say he reminds you of your boyfriend (u mean him hes ur bf he just doesnt know it yet) and hobie almost faints then u approach him saying you know hes hobie pull his mask down but instead of a spiderman kiss its spiderman bj/69

Oh my god, imagine other spider people talking about their iconic/romantic Spider-Man kisses and Hobie’s just like “I gave them a jobby upside down. It was absolutely wicked.” while everyone stares at him like

[sleepyconfusedpotato]

🧼🖌️ Soap's Tattoo Asset 🧼🖌️

After the Ghost and Alex Tattoo asset, now we go to the easier one: Soap's!

Once again thank you @shadeops21 for the asset! (This was initially his request but I'm gonna post this here too)

And here's the tattoo asset! It's really easy to apply, just slap em on his right forearm (not left ‼️)

Available with Black version and Brown version (use Multiply layer mode) :

That's it and have fun drawing the handsome Soap! 🧼 (/≧▽≦)/

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[physalian]

Checklist of character traits prone to inconsistency:

Heyo, quick one today. It’s great to give a lot of detail to character traits and personality quirks, but they aren’t real people, you’ve made them up, and thus, might not have a perfect memory for how you’ve described them, or drawn them in the past.

So before you post or publish, do yourself a favor and make sure the following are consistent throughout your story, if applicable:

If they’re left or right handed, or ambidextrous.

Which side their hair parts on.

Which side their scars are on (especially facial scars).

Which eye has the patch or is just missing, and how much or little the character fiddles with it.

Missing glasses and how prone a character is to forgetting them or anal about cleaning them. Glasses are always dirty (do they clean them with a proper cloth or the edge of their shirt?).

Which side broken, missing, or bandaged fingers are on.

If they’re wearing a cast, how it inhibits their mobility.

If they have a leg or foot injury, how severely they limp.

If their clothing takes damage, when/how they replace it or repair it, and whether or not they’re wandering around town accidentally covered in blood or grease or all-purpose flour.

Which injuries they sustain that should still be bothering them, like pulled shoulders, bruises, shin splints, paper cuts, sun burns, cramps, carpal tunnel, arthritis, tinnitus, road rash, and stubbed toes or pinched fingers.

Which side of their body buttons, rings, bracelets, pins, brooches, badges, or name tags are on.

If they’re wearing gloves or mittens, when they take them off or how their mobility is impacted by them.

How mobility changes if their fingernails are short and stubby or long, or artificial, like typing, eating, and grabbing objects.

If they have a wheelchair, how they transition out of it, into it, and move within it, like getting dressed or putting on shoes, or lifting themselves up into cars and back down—and how public spaces do and don’t accommodate them.

If they have prosthetics, how they maintain them, how they might sound different than someone else—prosthetic feet for runners won’t sound the same as sneakers.

If they need crutches, a walker, a scooter, or a cane, and how the world accommodates them.

If they're colorblind, how it impacts their day to day and descriptions compared to other narrators.

Jewelry often jingles. Pandora bracelets are loud af especially if they’re on your dominant hand when you try to write on a desk. Charm necklaces jingle if you bounce and some earrings can jingle when you shake your head.

Where tattoos are and if they take measures to hide them and how.

An aside about characters with tattoos (from experience):

If they’re new, they still hurt for at least a week depending on the level of detail.

Tattoos are basically mega sunburns and fresh ink should either be covered from the sun or, once it’s healed enough that the skin isn’t broken, heavily sun-screened to preserve coloration. Newer ink is very noticeable in sunlight, just like a healing sunburn.

Black ink tends to turn a bit green over time and sharp details blur. Tattoos are beholden to the skin they’re on, and how it stretches or sags.

Tattoos stink, as plasma and other fluids build up under the wrap (that can either be straight plastic wrap or a dermal cover akin to the stuff used for burn victims).

Tattoos can burn and ache if they’re on the legs when you stand, as blood and your body weight settles back into place.

Tattoos do very weird things to your body depending on the amount of ink and the time it took to design. Your skin peels kind of, but not exactly, like a sunburn, and every artist has their own tips for aftercare.

If the ink is over thin skin (I have one that ends over my ankle) the ink may have a texture left behind, a raised puffy bump, that fades over time.

A character receiving a tattoo might have this kind of bell curve effect, where it hurts really bad at the start, until adrenaline kicks in and dampens it, and then again once their adrenaline runs out. There is no pain quite like tattoo pain and everyone describes them differently. I like to think of them as itching a bug bite on a sunburn, dialed up to 11.

According to my past artists, women almost universally handle the pain better than men. I have definitely suffered other injuries worse than tattoo pain.

Fine linework hurts more than broad stroke coloring or shading, because the distribution of pressure is wider with more needles packed together. The larger the needle bundle, the less it hurts. All of mine are water color and the *splash* effect for the illusion of water drops uses a single needle and it’s always the most painful part.

Feel free to tag any that I missed!

[hobbymommyy]

I can’t stop crocheting these cat ear beanies 🐱

[gamblergirl]

Am I distracting you? 👑🍑

[biophilianutrition]

Wellness & Beauty

[sleepyconfusedpotato]

🦿🖌️ Alex's Tattoo Asset 🦿🖌️

Following Ghost's tattoo asset that I made a year ago, I decided to do the same thing for Alex's tattoo sleeve (I know I'm like 2 years late forgive me 😫)!

For Alex, he has tattoo sleeve for both arms. Once again thank you @shadeops21 for the texture!

Left and Right :

Here's the PNG versions! (I have the brown/lightened versions since Alex's left tattoo has colors. So if you want to use the multiply mode layer, the color wouldn't be too dark).

Black Ver. :

Brown Ver. (use Multiply mode) :

⚙️🖌️For how to apply, see my Ghost Tattoo Asset post!🖌️⚙️

Here's the guide for accurate placement! Checkpoints for elbow points :

Left sleeve -> Shark Bomb's eye

Right sleeve -> Above-behind the Snake Lady

There it goes! Hope you find this asset helpful and happy drawing the handsome Alex ! *(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭*ଘ

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