The season is almost upon us, folks! All your hard work is about to be paid off in a substantial chunk and you’re about to have a lot of expendable income. That being said, this is the busiest time of year for luxury industries like the tattoo industry. Full pockets tend to mean a hole is getting burned into them and people want to buy themselves the big, pricey gifts they can’t quite swing the rest of the year. Here is our definitive guide to getting the work you want done before those first rays of summer sun hit:

Book Your Appointments In Advance!

You will be fighting for time slots with hundreds of other people who want pieces ranging from small lettering tattoos to full leg sleeves and backpieces, so try and leave your deposit as early as possible to secure your time slot! If you’re one of the ones wanting a huge project completed in 2019 maybe reserve multiple appointments a few weeks apart so you can get worked on regularly without having to wait.

If You Want A Weekend, Get It Early!

Fridays and Saturdays book up faster than any other days of the week for us. The weekend is a much easier time for most people to come in as they are already off work and don’t have to interfere with their own schedules to get tattooed those days. It is not an exaggeration to say that our Saturdays could end up booking two months out by the time tax season is in full swing.

Budget And Find Ideas Now!

Come in with a clear, concise idea of what you want when you set your appointment. Do you want a totally custom piece? Do you want the artist to have freedom to do their own illustration on you, or are you dead set on a specific design? Do you want color or black and grey? Do you have an overall budget you want to stick with for your piece? You’ve got all the time in the world to daydream about your new tattoo for now, so gather your ideas.

Find An Artist You Want To Work With And Check Their Availability!

If you’ve heard around town that an artist is good, other people have, too. That means they will be booking further in advance than other artists with fewer customers already walking around the area. Look at their portfolios, compare their work with your idea, and make sure they’re the perfect fit for your project. Once you’re certain, swing by and talk to them or their scheduling assistant. It is a good idea to use this consultation as time to leave a deposit for your appointment.

Be Certain You Have Time When You’ve Booked Your Artist!

A lot of people get excited and jump the gun on setting an appointment when they know it’s about to get busy. Sometimes they book for a day when they know they usually aren’t off work then (surprise!) can’t get the day off for their tattoo appointment. Some people set up an appointment so far out that they forget they even have it, then plan vacations or other events over top of the tattoo. Be very conscious of when you are getting tattooed and plan your schedule around that. Why? Well, your artist is planning their entire schedule around it already. The moment you reserve an appointment time, it is denied to anyone else wanting it. If you keep that space closed off to anyone else until the very last minute, your artist loses any money they could have made during that time if you’d given them advance notice. Also you run a very high risk of losing your deposit if you don’t show up for your deposit or reschedule without proper notice. We know you’re stoked and so are we, but please, be mindful of your schedule when making your appointments.

Bring Cash To Your Appointment!

Tattooers tend to get paid out in cash at the end of the night for the work they’ve done. During tax season, when a lot of people are getting high-ticket tattoos, they can end up owed hundreds of dollars from the till if very many people don’t pay them in cash. That means that, though there is money in an account somewhere waiting for them, they’re still short for a while. That can affect their ability to pay rent, bills, car payments, etc. Be mindful of your artist’s well being because they are certainly thinking about yours!

Get Price Quotes In Person!

Give yourself an opportunity to get the most accurate price you can on a tattoo. No matter how great you are at describing a tattoo over the phone, your artist will need to see it in person to give you an accurate estimate. People abuse the “describe-it-over-the-phone” privilege to try and trap artists into agreeing to do a large, detailed tattoo for far less than it’s worth by wording their ideas creatively. Get an accurate estimate and know what you’ll be paying.

Give Your Artist Time To Edit The Design!

If you are getting a tattoo done and it requires any amount of design work on the artist’s end, ask them if you can see the line drawing ahead of time. Set up a date and time to come view the design that allows the artist to make any necessary changes, and be open about your feelings on the tattoo. It is better to be specific a week before your appointment than try and make large design changes the day of.

Take care of yourself and be mindful of the piece or work that is going on your body. Tax season is exciting, but don’t let opportunities pass you by! If you’re in the Lebanon or greater Nashville area this tax season, consider getting your tattoo work done at Lighthouse Tattoo! We offer a clean, friendly facility with award-winning artists who would love to work with you.