How to choose your tattoo artist: Essential criteria before making a decision

Hello everyone!

Choosing your tattoo artist, especially when you don’t really know the industry, can quickly become complicated. You open Instagram, and you come across hundreds of accounts, completely different styles, sometimes very edited photos, prices ranging from the simple to the triple… and after a while you no longer really know what to look at.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that a beautiful feed isn’t enough. What matters is the way the tattooist works, builds their projects, interacts with you, and also supports everything that comes after the session.

Start by really looking at the portfolio

The portfolio remains of course the first place I would look. But not just to see if you like the style. I would try to see if there is a real consistency in the work, if the compositions are legible, if the placements are well thought out and if the tattoo artist also shows healed scars when he has them.

A photo taken just after the session can be beautiful: the blacks are very deep, the colors very vivid, and the skin is shiny. What I’m also interested in is seeing how the tattoo looks after it has healed. I talk about this a lot in my article on The aging of a colored tattoo.

The good tattoo artist is not necessarily the one who knows everything.

I don’t really believe in the “best tattoo artist” in general. Someone can be incredible in realism and not be the right person for a very graphic project. Another can have a very beautiful technique but a way of composing that doesn’t quite match what you like.

For me, the first thing to look for is someone whose drawing style matches your project. If you want a large piece of Art Nouveau in color, look at how that person already handles color, large formats, placement, and composition. If you want something very fine and minimal, look for exactly that type of work.

It seems obvious written like that, but we still very often choose a tattoo artist because we like just one photo, while the rest of their work has nothing to do with the project we want to entrust to them.

The first exchange counts a lot

I find that many things are understood quite quickly from the very first exchanges. Does the tattoo artist take the time to understand the project? Does he ask questions? Does he explain why an idea will or will not work on that particular area? Does he also dare to say when something needs to be changed?

Personally, I find it reassuring that a tattoo artist doesn’t say yes to everything. Sometimes you need to enlarge a design, simplify a detail, move the piece slightly, or revise a composition to make it truly work on the body. It’s not breaking the original idea; it’s actually doing the work for which you came to see them.

Also take a look at the studio and the conditions in which you will be tattooed.

The place obviously matters a lot. I look at hygiene, organization, and how the set is prepared, but also simply whether I feel comfortable. You can spend several hours in a studio, sometimes an entire day, so the environment and the trust play a huge role in the experience.

You also need to be able to ask your questions without feeling like you’re bothering anyone. Getting a tattoo can be very intimidating the first time, and no one is supposed to know all the rules of the trade before entering a studio.

Prices, the press and awards: yes, but not only that

Professional recognition can obviously be reassuring. In my case, I was lucky enough to be published in Tatouage Magazine — Guide of Tattoo Artists 2026, To see my work featured in Provence and to be invited to Here Vaucluse. I also received a color tattooing award in 2025 at the Avignon Convention. I am very proud of these things, but I don’t think a prize is enough on its own to choose someone.

These are elements that tell a story, just as much as experience or years of practice. But in the end, your project should primarily correspond to the actual work of the tattoo artist in front of you.

The price of tattooing should not be the only criterion

Of course, I understand that you have a budget. A tattoo can be a real expense, especially on a large project that requires several sessions. But I really advise against choosing only based on the lowest price.

The price also includes the drawing, preparation, equipment, session time, experience, and follow-up. If the budget doesn’t match, I always prefer to wait a little longer rather than choosing a permanent project just because it costs less.

And after the session, the tattoo artist still has to be there

For me, the work doesn’t stop when the machine turns off. It’s about explaining the care, answering if the scarring is worrying and being able to look at a photo a few days later if something is unclear.

I have reproduced all my current protocol in my article on aftercare, Because this part really counts in the final result.

Also trust your gut feeling

You can check all the boxes on the paper and still not feel comfortable with someone. And that’s okay. For an important project, especially if it’s going to take several sessions, it’s better to take the time to find someone you trust.

Tattoos remain a very personal thing. You’re going to entrust your skin, your idea, and sometimes several dozen hours of work to someone. You have every right to take your time before making a decision.

FAQ: How to choose your tattoo artist?

How to choose your tattoo artist when you don't know the scene?

I would start by looking at several projects in the portfolio, then the consistency of the style, the healed wounds, the studio, and above all the quality of the first exchange. One beautiful photo is not enough to judge an entire work.

Should one choose a tattoo artist who specialises in a particular style?

For some projects, yes, it can be important. The main thing is that the tattoo artist knows the type of composition, placement, and technique that your project needs.

Is price a good criterion for choosing?

The budget certainly counts, but I would never make it the sole criterion. A tattoo is permanent, and the price also includes the design, preparation, equipment, experience, and follow-up.

Can you change tattooists in the middle of a project?

Yes, but on a large project started by someone else, it can become complex. If something no longer suits you, it’s better to talk about it quickly rather than continuing several sessions when you’re no longer comfortable.