Tattoo artist Mark Walters finishes up Michael Reese's tattoo of a phoenix at Living Canvas Tattoos in Tempe on Jan. 30, 2015. (Emily Johnson/ The State Press)College: It's the first taste of freedom. What better way to celebrate than to finally get that tattoo you've always wanted, right? Spur-of-the-moment tattoos may sound fun, but thinking things through will leave you with long-lasting satisfaction.
Needless to say, make sure you really love the tattoo you have in mind. You're going to see this every day for the rest of your life, so anything too trendy may lose its charm in a few years. It's all about personal preference, but things like fraternity letters or the Tumblr dream catchers made of infinity signs with dolphins jumping through them are going to grow old fast.
Along with the actual tattoo, location is crucial. Outside of campus, tattoos are still taboo. Although unfortunate, a tattoo can make or break getting a job if it is in the wrong place. Places like arms and legs could alter the way you have to dress for a job, such as always having to wear long sleeves or pants. Some sneakier places include feet, the back of the neck and the abdominal area. Wrists may not be as bad if its small enough to cover with a watch.
While getting the tattoo, pain also comes into play. Certain locations will hurt more than others, so if you have a low pain tolerance or are a "tattoo virgin," it's important to find a spot with tolerable pain. Tattoo artists will often recommend your first tattoo be small.
Consider the right shop with proper certification and talented artists. Websites like Yelp typically have reviews recommending the best artists. It's important to know your artist. Make sure they are using clean tools and have proper experience to create the design in mind. Many artists have different styles and finding an image you like could be trickier than one would assume.
When finding the right shop, price is not something you want to be cheap about. In many places, the phrase "you get what you pay for" is accurate. This is permanent, so take the time to save up for quality over quantity. A nice tattoo won't fade away as quickly.
Living Canvas Tattoos in Tempe, as seen on Jan. 30, 2015, is one of the most popular tattoo shops in Tempe and is conveniently close to campus. (Emily Johnson/ The State Press)One of the most popular choices among students is Living Canvas Tattoos. Located just south of University Drive on Mill Avenue, this shop has many talented artists and a fair price range. The atmosphere is inviting and is an overall good experience.
After talking to your artist, you will have a better idea of exactly what to do before getting inked. Remember to have fun and make sure you are confident in your choices for a fun and exciting experience.
Reach the reporter Bryanna.Mundy@asu.edu or follow @bryannamundy on Twitter.
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