If you’ve made any attempt at all to try and find the right tattoo design, you know how hard it can be if you’re just starting from scratch with nothing but a Google search field. Sure, there are a lot of sites, but weeding through the bad ones and then finding the style that suits you can take what seems like an eternity.

However, part of the tattoo design process is doing the research and being 100% certain that you have chosen the perfect tattoo.

Enter online tattoo design galleries.

Traditionally, people would head on down to the local tattoo parlor and flip through the design portfolio of the artists and look on the studio wall to see if any of the designs sparked an interest, but that often wasn’t enough to make an informed decision.

Although there’s hundreds of designs to choose from at the tattoo parlor, some of the tattoo design galleries that are found online can provide you thousands and thousands of high quality design to choose from in the comfort of your own home.

You can browse through them at your leisure over time, discuss them with friends, etc.

So, where can you find the best tattoo design galleries online? Glad you asked!

1. Chopper Tattoo

Chopper Tattoo gets the number one spot for a couple reasons. First, they have a ridiculous amount of high quality tattoo designs to choose from. Second, they update consistently and have an extremely intuitive search engine for their database. The usability is unmatched in any other tattoo design galleries and ultimately why it gets the first place nod.

2. Tattoo Me Now

Tattoo Me Now is a close second to Chopper Tattoo and some might even like it better depending on your needs. While the number of tattoo designs is less than Chopper Tattoo, they still have over 3,500 tattoo designs to choose from in all types of categories. What makes Tattoo Me Now unique is that they have a more complete website with more features such as member galleries and a user forum where you can hang out with other tattoo enthusiasts and discuss tattoos.

3. Tattoo Fever

Tattoo Fever is third, but it’s an extremely close third since it has over 14,000 tattoo designs in their gallery. If you only care about sheer numbers of designs and have the time to look through them all, then this would be your ultimate choice based on quantity.

Either way, any one of these three tattoo design galleries online will give you a huge selection of tattoo ideas and will surely help you make a firm decision on your next tattoo.

Deciding to get a tattoo is a big decision and choosing a tattoo design is an even bigger one. Think about it. It’s not like hanging art in the living room for a few years and then switching it up when you get bored of looking at it. This is a lifelong commitment of art that is with you 24 hours a day, wherever you go, so you better be like it.

So, where to you start on the quest to find the perfect tattoo design?

Well, the best place to begin is by looking at tattoo designs for inspiration. Sounds simple, right? But, you have to narrow down your process, otherwise you can get burnt out and frustrated quickly if you don’t find anything that interests you.

There a several ways that you can find the perfect tattoo for yourself faster.

First, here’s a few tips that can help you find a tattoo design that suits you when you are searching online:

1. Use specific search terms in Google Images
Go to Google Images so that your results are images only. Do you know what part of the body that you want tattooed? Then, make sure you add that to the search. For example, you could search “lower back tattoos”.

Another tips is to search large images (Google lets you select the size). Smaller images are almost always lower quality, plus you will see more detail if you are looking at intricate designs.

2. Free tattoo design galleries
If you aren’t having any luck with Google Images, you can do a regular web search for “free tattoo galleries”. There are a plethora of free tattoo galleries that list tattoos by category and body type.

You will still need to weed through some of the low quality sites, but typically, you can come across some good ones in a short amount of time.

3. Paid tattoo design galleries
There are also tattoo design galleries like ChopperTattoo.com that charge a few to get access to thousands of high quality tattoo designs to choose from. This obviously is the fast route and if you can spare a few bucks to save yourself the time searching, then it might be worth your while to go that route.

Straight From The Artist

Another idea is to go the old school route and simply go visit a few tattoo studios. Flip through their design portfolios and chat with one of the artists about what type of tattoo you’re thinking about getting. This is what they do for a living so they’ll likely be able to give you some ideas.

In fact, depending on your tattoo design budget, you can even pay extra to have your tattoo artist turn your idea into a custom tattoo design that he creates from scratch.

This is often the preferred action to take, but can be quite expensive. You can cut down on costs by having a really good idea of what you want before asking the artist to create the design.

There’s absolutely no question that getting a tattoo is a big decision that requires a lot of thought. Not only do you have to be 100% sure that you want a tattoo, but you have to be certain of the design as well. Once you’ve made it to that point, there’s still another important step you have to take, and that’s choosing a tattoo artist.

Choosing a tattoo artist is not something to be taken lightly, and it’s wise to take the time to research your options. It may seem dull compared to the excitement of getting inked, but if you skip this step, you are putting yourself in a risky situation.

If you choose a tattoo artist that doesn’t do a good job on your tattoo design, there’s no going back.

So, here’s a few tips to keep in mind when you’re looking for a tattoo artist to give you a tattoo:

Reputation And Professionalism

Word of mouth spreads fast in the tattoo world and developing a stellar reputation means everything to a tattoo artist. So, the first thing you should do is ask around. If you happen to know people who have nice tattoos, ask them where they got them done and who they think is the best artist in your area.

Find out the names of all the tattoo parlors in your city and Google them. Try and find reviews and photo galleries from past customers and if it’s a forum environment, ask questions.

Go down to the tattoo parlors. Give them a call beforehand as well to see if you can make an appointment to speak to a tattoo artist for a few moments. Write down any questions you may have so that you don’t forget them when you get there.

Pay attention to the professionalism of the shop. Is it clean? Is the artist you are talking to helpful, friendly, and polite?

Ask to see their portfolio of past customers to see if their work is high quality.

Experience And The Right Style

Ask the tattoo artists that you are considering how long they have been doing tattoos and what kind of experience and training they have as an artist. Typically, they will be more than happy to chat with you and answer your questions.

You will also want to ask what style of art they do best. For instance, an artist that can tatoo the most beautiful dragon design you’ve ever seen, might not be able to design the black and white portrait tattoo that you want. Always ask to see portfolio examples that match the style of art you want to get.

Take A Trip

A tattoo is for life, so if you can’t seem to find a tattoo artist in your city that makes you feel confident about getting the tattoo, then head out of town to reputable shops outside of your locale. It may be more time consuming and expensive, but it will be worth it in the end when you get the perfect tattoo.

So, you’re thinking about getting tattooed, but have no idea how the whole process works? Since a tattoo is for life, it’s good to know what you’re getting into, and the first step is understanding how a tattoo works and what you’re actually doing to your body when you decide to get tattooed.

The Tattoo Gun

Tattoos are accomplished by using an electric-powered tattoo gun. The tattoo gun has a needle at the end of it that is used to put ink inside of your skin deep enough so that it does not come out. When the gun is turned on, the needle moves up and down rapidly (up to 200o times a minute) and is able to deposit a small drop of ink deep into your skin with each puncture.

Tattoo guns have come a long way since the early days of tattooing but are still made a few basic components, those being an electric motor, a sterilized needle, and a tube system. There is also a foot pedal, similar to a sewing machine, that allows the tattoo artist to control the movement of the needle.

Tattoo Safety

Safety has always been a big concern with getting tattooed, since anytime you are dealing with puncture wounds, you have a risk of infection.
Fortunately, it is much more commonplace these days for tattoo artists to open brand new, sterile needles from the packaging right in front of you before you get tattooed.

To ensure the safety of both the customer and the tattoo artist, tattooing materials like ink, needles, and gloves are all made for single use only.

Tattoo Preparation

Minutes before your tattoo session begins, your artist will often begin chatting with you to make you feel relaxed. The chatter is usually accompanied by the artist washing their hands, checking themselves for cuts and abrasions, and disinfecting the entire work area to begin preparation for your tattoo.

When the cleaning of his work area is finished, he will then shave the area of your body that is getting tattooed, disinfect it with soap and water, and open the sterile equipment needed to get the job done.

Getting Tattooed

Once the tattooing begins, you will feel some pain, but how much largely depends on your tolerance and the location of your tattoo on the body, as some areas will obviously be more painful than others.

During the entire tattoo process, the tattoo artist will continue to clean the tattooed area until it is finished.

Tattoo Aftercare

At this point, when you’re tattoo has been completed, the artist will put some ointment on the area and give you a rundown of how to take care of your tattoo so that it heals properly.

Most of the time, you will receive an information sheet so you don’t forget what’s needed to be done. It is extremely important to follow the instructions you were given for tattoo aftercare. Not only are you lowering the risk of infection, but you will be decreasing the chances of your tattoo not healing properly and losing ink or not looking like it’s supposed to.

Reasons for getting a tattoo vary from one person to another. Some of them are deep, personal reasons that are even kept hidden sometimes, while others prefer to stand out and express themselves. Whatever the reason maybe, the best ones are usually those that are carefully thought out and well planned.

Unfortunately, there are some people who acquire a tattoo on impulse and regret the hasty decision later on. These are the ones who made the decision under the influence of alcohol or other substance, a bet, or in commemoration of a partner who they later do not have the same feeling for.  Even celebrities make this foolish decision, only to suffer the painful and expensive process of tattoo removal afterward. It is very rare that someone making these quick decisions stick with their tattoos for a lifetime. They usually grow out of the euphoric feeling their tattoos give and end up hating them, leading to a cover up tattoo or a tattoo removal procedure.

On the other hand, some people spend their days in the glory of their well-planned tattoos. These are the ones who came prepared and ready for the consequences of their actions. They had planned well and they were certain of what they wanted from the beginning. Getting a tattoo is a big decision and it is not something one should take lightly. Tattoos are used as distinguished symbols, either identifying you as a part of a group or setting you apart from the rest of the world.

Included in this group are the ones who got tattoo just because they like having one. For this group of people, it doesn’t matter if they get inked by something they like just as long as they get one. Sometimes, getting a tattoo from a popular tattoo artist is reason enough for these people or seeing an artwork on someone else’s skin, for that matter. However, the beauty of a tattoo depends on the eye of the person who has it and what experience it provides for them.

Tattoo design is a form of self-expression so it really matters how you choose your designs and the colors to go with it. This should be something meaningful in your life or something that will remind you of who you are every time you lay your eyes on it. It could be something you feel strongly for and you stand by it no matter what, even for years to come. Tattoos can represent dates and times of your life that you wish not to forget.  A tattoo is something that you should do for your own personal reasons and not because someone told you so.

The tattoo decision making process challenges people since it involves a decision that will literally mark your body for life. This same challenge compels people to submit themselves to the ever daunting tattooing process and dare themselves to live up with the consequences of their actions whether the outcome is good or bad.

In reality, the hardest obstacle to a first timer would be the one to make or break the experience; that is the tattooing process itself. This is the point when there is no turning back. The tattoo gun which consists of the ink holder, ink tube and the needle, will inject the ink to the deep layer of the skin called the dermis.

It is always recommended that you do your research first to ensure that you will end up with a design you will be able to live with for a long time. Your research should include your design, the tattoo artist, the cost, and the tattoo parlor where it will all happen. You should establish a good connection with your artist so that  you are able to express your concerns, needs and expectations prior to the tattooing itself. Discuss your design and maintain an open mind for suggestions made by your artist. Bear in mind that this person knows what looks best on your skin so his or her advice is valuable. On the other hand, if you don’t have a design in mind, don’t hesitate to ask your artist for assistance. Make decisions with your tattoo artist regarding the color and size of your chosen design.

Once a design is agreed upon, your artist will make a stencil of the tattoo. This is, more or less what your tattoo should look like. If you don’t have any problems with it, the stencil will be traced directly to your skin and the tattooing process using the tattoo gun should begin from here. The client will be asked to sit still for the whole duration of the procedure which can be rather uncomfortable when your design takes time to complete. Small and simple designs are easily accomplished in an hour or less but larger, intricately designed artwork will require huge amounts of time and could even take several sessions to complete.

Prices depend on many factors such as the location of the tattoo studio, the service rendered, difficulty of the design and color variations. Generally, tattoo parlors charge $40-$150 per hour and more but sometimes the artist will set a flat-rate or fixed-price for the whole process. Instructions for care are given by the artist after tattooing.

Tattoos have been around for a long time now and are definitely a hotter topic than they’ve ever been. They are becoming increasingly popular among all walks of life, especially now that the society is not too restrictive and judgmental toward people who have tattoos. Years ago, you seldom saw women and celebrities with tattoos and those who sport them are considered thugs and bad guys. Fortunately, we broke free from those stereotypes for the most part and tattoos are something that can be acquired by anybody who wants them without too much risk of being judged.

Nobody can really pinpoint when and where skin art started; it seems that it has been around ever since time began. The methods, techniques and designs evolved,  but the concept of tattooing has been around for ages. In fact, a mummy known as Oetzi was found in 1991 sporting a tattoo consisting of lines. The mummy has an estimated age of at least 5300 years old. Due to the location of his markings, researchers suspected that they were used for medicinal purposes, the same concept used for acupuncture where needles are used to alleviate joint aches and pains. Aside from Oetzi, there have been other discoveries of mummies with tattoos. Tattoos back when then they were used to mark tribes, symbolize social status, as well as decorative purposes.

Of all cultures, it was the Egyptians who have the most extensive tradition that supports tattooing and even ancient Egyptian women had them. Their designs are more intricate and complex which consist of lines and dots in various parts of the body. They were thought to be ritual markings that every one had to undergo.

Tattoos also found their way into the circus arena. People who attended the circus found it interesting to see circus performers flaunting their collected skin art from all over the world. Some of the most popular performers are best known for the tattoos they have added over the years and it is impossible to forget the ones with full body tattoos.

If you study the history close enough, you will find pictures of ancient personalities who proudly show their tattoos; men and women alike. They are usually representations of important things such as status and tradition.

There have been horror stories about people getting diseases from unsanitary tattoo studio practices. Much of it comes from unhygienic practice of using contaminated needles and other illegal tattoo studio operations. This claim has a grain of truth to it but unfortunately, these reports are often overstated and exaggerated. People get tattoos every day and it is not always that someone falls into the wrong hands of tattoo studios that are unsanitary and operating illegally.

Of course, the dangers of getting a tattoo are there but if you did your research beforehand, you will avoid any issues. It pays to talk to the tattoo artist first and express your concerns about the process. Ask for referrals from your friends and take time to scope out the tattoo studio prior to the tattooing procedure. Make sure the studio is practicing the necessary sanitary procedures such as sterilizing equipments and disposal of used needles every time they do a tattoo.

In reality, it is very rare that you get diseases from legitimate tattoo shops because they are regulated and regularly inspected by the organizations they belong to, particularly the APT or Alliance for Professional Tattooists and by local agencies governing them. Infection can arise after getting a tattoo but is much more likely under unconventional circumstances such as doing them in prison or when you settled for a cheap but unregistered tattoo artist. Unsanitary practices can cause Hepatitis C which is transmitted through infected needles. It was reported by the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that transmission of communicable diseases can be prevented if sanitation is maintained. On the other hand, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration states that colored ink are not approved for use although there were no reported cases of problems arising from its application.

Don’t confuse infection from unsanitary procedures with minor skin reactions though. Irritation is common with tattoos and they are usually caused by the ink used for the tattooing process but is never a major side effect. These reactions are as common as those you get from using cosmetics that are not welcomed by your skin too well. Tattoo infections usually occur when the person did not follow the cleaning and caring procedures during the healing period and rarely from a licensed tattoo parlor.

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