Tattoo Etiquette 101: What Your Artist Wishes You Knew

Studio manners that make tattoo sessions smoother for everyone

You want great art and the best tattoo experience to go with it. Follow a few simple habits for a smooth session without the awkward.

Before your session: Getting the right design for your budget

The money talk

Consultation: This is the time to discuss expectations and communicate your design vision. Bring reference photos if you have them and be open to your artist’s creative suggestions.

Tipping: Tattoo pricing varies by design and time. Tipping in U.S. service settings is common. Many clients choose about 15%–25% based on outcome and care received. Tips are kind, never required. Reviews help, too.

Budget: Let us know your budget before we design. It helps us scale the tattoo to the right size and price range. You can read more about pricing here.

Reschedules and no-shows: Life happens. Tell us early so we can fill the seat. Be sure to read our deposit policy and discuss your artist’s individual terms as well.

Tattoo Day: prep and session tips

When you get here

• Arrive on Time: Not too early, not too late. Right on time is perfect.

• Comfort Items: We don’t mind if you bring your favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or pillow. Many people do. Whatever helps you feel comfortable and at home.

• Pain Management: Different artists have different preferences. Generally, taking advil before your appointment is okay. Topical numbing agents are okay with some artist, while others feel it hinders the tattoo process. Keeping your body calm and focusing on your breathing are important aspects to handling the sting.

• Design reveal: We don’t send designs in advance. It creates unnecessary anxiety, disrupts our workflow, and risks our intellectual property. Changes can be made at your appointment when we can adjust together.

when we start

• Stencil placement: Ask us to move it if it doesn’t feel right. Placement matters for your comfort and your life. We’re not attached to the first try. Just let us know before it dries, that stuff really sticks.

• Phones: Keep your phone silent. Headphones are fine, but calls and excessive chatting can distract your artist. Let us know if you prefer to sit quietly or would like more conversation; we can adjust!

• Movement: Tell us before you stretch, sneeze, or grab a sip. We’ll pause the machine. Are you an animated talker who gestures with your hands? You’re not alone, but during the outline, we may need you to stay still.

• Snacks: Okay for breaks in the waiting area but not in the sterile tattoo space.

• Feedback: Let us know if you need a break or anything to make your session more comfortable. We try to be mindful, but we’re also focused on the work. Restroom breaks, pillows, or a stretch are all reasonable.

• Guests: One calm friend is plenty. Floor space and cross-contamination risks are real. A crowd can also be very distracting to the client and the artist.

• Bandage: Let us cover the tattoo and explain aftercare. Touching the fresh tattoo with bare hands defeats the purpose of the wrap.

Great tattoos are a duet. You bring respect and clear communication. We bring design, sterile setup, and steady hands.

This is studio guidance, not medical advice. Ask your artist or a clinician when in doubt.

Is Getting Tattooed on Your Period Really More Painful?

Science Says Yes

Ever wondered why that tattoo session felt way worse than usual, even though it was the same spot, same artist, and same needle? It might have everything to do with where you're at in your menstrual cycle.

Turns out, science backs up what many women have suspected for years; tattoos (and pain in general) hurt more when you're on or just before your period. But why exactly is that?

Your Hormones Are Calling the Shots

During your menstrual and premenstrual phases, estrogen levels drop sharply. Research shows lower estrogen is directly linked to increased sensitivity to pain, making those needle pricks more intense. A study published in Pain journal found women rated their pain significantly higher during menstruation and just before, compared to mid-cycle when estrogen levels are highest (PubMed).

Inflammation Isn’t Helping

Periods also come with inflammation, thanks to compounds called prostaglandins. They're what cause cramps and bloating, but also heighten your body's pain response. Increased inflammation means even mild discomfort feels amplified (ScienceDaily).

Tattoo-Specific Research: It’s Real

Studies on tattoo pain have noted women often experience higher post-tattoo pain than men, influenced by stress, bleeding, and duration. While in-session pain intensity can vary, the hormonal swings during your period can absolutely make the experience feel sharper and more uncomfortable (PMC).

Hydration Matters, Too

Fluctuations in hydration levels, common during menstruation, can further impact how you perceive pain. Being even mildly dehydrated increases pain sensitivity, turning what might have been tolerable tattoo pain into something more intense (Frontiers).

What Can You Do?

If you're planning your next tattoo and want to minimize discomfort, timing can make a huge difference:

• Schedule your tattoo appointment after your period, closer to mid-cycle.

• Stay extra hydrated—drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment.

• Shorter sessions with breaks help if your period timing can't be avoided.

Your body isn't just playing tricks, it's biology. Understanding your cycle can help you have a better, less painful tattoo experience.

Sources:

• PubMed

• ScienceDaily

• PMC

• Frontiers in Physiology