I’m probably going to get flamed for this but I’ve always thought Tattoos were for a certain type of ‘gentleman’ if you get what I mean? I don’t know why but my mindset has totally changed recently and I’m now thinking of getting one myself.

Any advice on first tattoos? Thinking of something around the shoulder and partway down the top of my arm so it can be easily covered when it needs to be but apart from that I haven’t got a clue on a design. I live nr Manchester if anyone has any recommendations for a tattooist.

I’m a fan of tattoos and have several…however I find it weird that you don’t have something in mind.

Surely, if something’s going to be on you for ever…it has to mean something?

Got to Sacred Art in Chorleton.
Read their portfolios.
Get some ideas.
Get inked.

Advice? Don’t!

Just remember,

Only Gad can fudge you.

“No ragrets”

however I find it weird that you don’t have something in mind.

Surely, if something’s going to be on you for ever…it has to mean something?

I agree with this.

No tattoos here, but not bothered about those that do.

Read their portfolios.
Get some ideas.
Get inked.

Worst. Advice. Ever.

If it’s going to be on you forever, make sure it has some kind of personal meaning to you. That way you won’t end up looking like everyone else and you’ll have something that will never go out of fashion.

I’ve got my first tattoo appointment in September and have chosen to tie together some artwork that comes from two of my favourite bands/albums: Bands that mean a lot to me and have defined my musical taste (and many great experiences) over the last 25 years or so.

Have the spice girls and take that really been around for 25 years? God it just seems like yesterday.

And to the op, think more. A tattoo isn’t a fashion accessory you can take off.

Don’t judge everyone by your own standards

When I was younger considered a tattoo…glad I didn’t. Whilst I understand those that do (and I’ve got mates covered!)

I look back now at my hair, clothes, glasses etc and so glad I’ve been able to change them all! That wouldn’t have been so easily done with a tattoo.

Saying that if I did ever consider one it would have to have real meaning to me then it would never feel ‘out of fashion’.

Just get a t shirt. Tattoos are shite.

loddrik – Member
Just get a t shirt. Tattoos are shite.

So are a lot of your posts and opinions on here…

Your point is? Other than judging others 🙄

Your point is?

It’s called an opinion. Everyone has them, and you don’t have to agree with any, or all, of them. It’s entirely up to you.

So are a lot of your posts and opinions on here

I missed the good ones where are they 😈

Tattoos are a terrible idea, what are you thinking man! What’s worse is that is gives such pillars of the community like lodders the opportunity to feel morally superior to someone.

Your point is? Other than judging others

If you don’t like being judged by others… don’t get a tattoo.

I went to the tattoo parlour as moral support for a friend who wanted one. We flicked through the many sample pages of wolves and dream catchers and dolphins and koi carp and cyborgs and xenomorphs, and as we did I loudly critiqued the cliched nature of them all as well as the crude rendering, dodgy proportions and lack of knowledge of anatomy.

As we were about to leave the nice goth lady behind the desk (who had been quietly reading a magazine) stood up abruptly and said “So you think my designs are shit do you?”

I was a bit taken aback but caught, I just laughed and said yes. We ended up having a nice wee chat and she admitted everything on the walls were basically just for impulsive people who decided they needed a tattoo that morning and I gave her some pointers on how to sharpen up her drawing.

It’s called an opinion. Everyone has them, and you don’t have to agree with any, or all, of them. It’s entirely up to you.

There’s ways to voice an opinion, tho. One could just say I do no like tattoos, and that’s just fine for all parties.

But when they say:

Just get a t shirt. Tattoos are shite.

They just come across as rude.

I am rude. We all have our cross to bear. But enough about me…

Thanks for the advice, both for and against. If anything it’s made me aware that I do know broadly know what I want. I don’t want any writing or pictures. I would like more of a symbol/pattern, something that represents a wave design as I grew up by the sea but I’d like to create my own design rather than just pick something from a wall or book that hundreds of people possibly have and it mean nothing.

If you feel as though you need it in a place that you can cover it up ‘as and when’ I wouldn’t bother mate. I have one on my upper arm which I had done to remember somebody close to me who I lost nearly twenty years ago – can’t see the point of hiding it just in case it offends somebody or may make them think differently if you?

Lady Gresley – Member
Advice? Don’t!

First off, ignore comments like this, and the opinions of people like Ioddrik; opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one.
Second, spend time looking at lots of different styles on the ‘net, there are a bunch of Fb pages for various tattooists, look through Google images, just absorb what can be done these days, because there are some true artists in body art, being able to create watercolour effects, pointillist, just about anything you can think of.
Then think about what genuinely means something to you, personally, something significant that can be represented graphically, then find a bloody good tattooist who’s work you’ve seen and who can talk through whatever ideas you have and give advice on.
Then think some more.
There is LOTS of really shitty tattoo ‘art’ out there, don’t end up with something that has people trying to stifle their sniggers at, or small children pointing at in the street and laughing at!
Make absolutely certain that it’s going to be something you can live with for the rest of your life, getting it lasered off will be very expensive.
Electric Vintage in Bath have several very good artists who specialise, one does mostly monochrome, another does beautiful watercolour styles, check out their site.
http://www.electricvintagetattoo.com

I get where loddrick is coming from.

When I got my first tattoo it was when they were less socially acceptable…tattoos were kind of for the people on the fringes.

Me, it was because of the music/festival scene I was into.

Nowadays, it seems that people just go and ‘get a sleeve’ that looks like everyone else’s. Almost like…I want a tattoo…any tattoo…It’ll look good in the summer.

Not judging this btw, but I recognise that they have become more of an accessory than before.

Again, each of my (shit) tattoos mean something. They don’t need to look good to anyone else, I don’t really care.

I got a bog standard Celtic cross tattoo half my lifetime ago. Meant nothing other than wanting to be cool. Never ragretted it and forget it’s even there 90% of the time.

Don’t take it too seriously – no one’s going to dig up your mummified body in 100 years time and pore over your pelt.

user-removed

Don’t take it too seriously – no one’s going to dig up your mummified body in 100 years time and pore over your pelt.

If they do they’re gonna be amazed at how many people were part of the hipster dickhead full sleeve tribe.

http://www.electricvintagetattoo.com

I must admit, I like the fact they have removal facilities in house.

sc-xc – Member
I’m a fan of tattoos and have several…however I find it weird that you don’t have something in mind.

I’m a fan of sc-cx but don’t have any tatoos.
I’m thinking of getting a tattoo of sc-xc’s face tattood on my face. I think i may need help.

Everyone without tattoos your skin is horrible !!!! Get what you want if you want anything at all
..take your time if u do though

If it’s going to be on you forever, make sure it has some kind of personal meaning to you.

Hmm. Yes it’s a very good reason to get one done. I have one that means a lot to me. But I would happily get one done just because I like it.

I don’t think they have to have all these deep meanings to them. Just get one you like.

Jeeez guys. Chill it ooot. The poor bloke is looking for advise not an opinions, albeit there is some good advise offered.

[/quote]I’m a fan of sc-cx but don’t have any tatoos.

Stu…it’s sc-xc…not sc-cx. I’m not a pervert.

A vodka and orange says you are. 😛

I have not seen a tattoo that I like including the crappy Japanese symbol I have on my upper arm. I would go on tattoo fixers but they would probably cover it with a full sleeve

Ha Ha Stu…shows how little you know me…

I’m drnking vodka and leonae tonight.

This is a really good book about tattooing in the ’20s, it’s fiction, but it gives a real flavour of the period.
Worth reading just for the story, but anyone with an interest in the art will possibly get something more from it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Michelangelo-Sarah-Hall/dp/0571219306

bongohoohaa – Member
http://www.electricvintagetattoo.com
I must admit, I like the fact they have removal facilities in house.

Yeah, it does set them apart, I’m not at all certain how many offer such a service, but Electric Vintage is more than just one bloke or woman in a room. It may be because they’re pretty close to the centre of Bath, not far from the college, and have greater footfall.
If I can get the money together I’ll be getting my next two done by them, I already know exactly what I want, and again there’s personal significance to them both.

I’ve been trying to come up with a design I like to cover a shit one I had 16 years ago, it’s the worst kind – half arsed.

I’m reached the point now where I’ve gotten over all this meaningfulness thing, great if you can think of something, but sod it, I just want something I like the look of and hopefully won’t look dated in 10 years. I thought about something bike related, but I don’t like the look of them, kids names are too cliche for me and portraits are fraught with peril, good one look great, some look crap, some look horrific.

Been looking at that Mexican day of the dead stuff, love the look of it, but it screams ‘dated’ soon, I fear it’ll be the 2020’s version of Tribal bands.

Have you considered a Celtic cross? Or a Maori design? They seem popular.

Another recommendation for Sacred Art – Chorlton (I’ve got half a sleeve done here)

Grindhouse – Maccelesfield Kyle is churning some quality work

ThisMortalCoil – Altrincham some interesting artists

RAW tattoo – Kersley Aaron Raw is awesome, if you can get on his books!!

Rapture tattoos – Ash Higham, again if you can get on his books…

Don’t worry about not having a clear idea what you want, any tattooist worth their weight can suggest and design pieces…see their work and enjoy the experience…hehe

Here’s my tuppence worth:

If you are ‘just’ thinking about it don’t bother. You really need to think it through. It’s going be to be there the rest of your life (laser removal or cover up pending). Do some research, surf the web, there are millions of tatts out there. Find what you like the look of then develop it.

I thought about getting a tattoo for about, oh, 30 years but didn’t really see/think of anything until I stumbled across a Dr Woo one that I liked. I then did a trawl of the local tatt parlour websites/Facebook pages until I found someone I felt I could trust and went to speak to them. We then developed a design together until I was happy with it. I then put my deposit down and waited then, at the last minute, I decided I wanted a part change in design then got it inked. It could only go in one place. And I love it, turned out better than I had hoped. And when I showed my 86 yo old mum (bless her, she died two weeks ago) she said “ooooo, l like that! I didn’t think I was going to but I do!”

I’m now planning my next one. I know the basis, just got to work out exactly what/how I want it done. It will mark the passing of my mum and dad but will only be decipherable to a few people.