Where is the best place to get a first tattoo?

Author: Miss Viva Williamson  |  Last update: Friday, May 23, 2025

The best lower pain areas are the outer arm, upper thigh and calves. These are all good spots to consider for a first tattoo. The high pains areas such as the rib cage, ankles and fingers are best avoided.

Where should a beginner get their first tattoo?

Popular areas for first tattoos include the wrist, forearm, shoulder, or ankle. These spots are less painful and easy to show off or cover up. First tattoos are often smaller and more minimalistic. Designs like single-line art, geometric shapes, or delicate symbols are trendy, timeless, and perfect for first-timers.

Where is the best place to get a tattoo for the first time?

The Best Spot for a First Tattoo
  1. The Upper Collarbone. Tattoos generally, over time, will fade in direct exposure to sunlight. ...
  2. Your Back. If you're worried about your tattoo changing shape over time, then the back is a great location for your first tattoo. ...
  3. Your Wrist. ...
  4. The Back of the Neck. ...
  5. On Your Chest.

Where is the least painful place to get a tattoo?

Forearms (this is the number 1 least painful spot) Outside of upper arms. Outside of shoulders. Outside upper thigh.

Is $50 a good tip for a $200 tattoo?

The biggest thing to remember here is that there's no hard rule for how much to tip tattoo artists. Tattooers don't necessarily expect to be tipped, but they definitely always appreciate it. As with tipping waitstaff, 15-20 percent is a good standard. So, if you pay $200 for a tattoo, you're looking at a $30-50 tip.

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Tattoo | Dos and Don'ts

Why do tattoo artists prefer cash?

Many tattoo artists prefer to be paid in cash as it simplifies the transaction and allows for a seamless commission payment to the studio. Invoicing or involving banks and payment sites can introduce unnecessary complications to an already busy workflow.

Where is the most painful place to get a needle?

It is generally areas with less fat and thinner skin that hurt the most, such as the rib cage and the knees, as there is less cushion for the needle. Areas with a high concentration of nerve endings, such as the armpit, are also notorious for being quite painful.

How long does a small tattoo take?

A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, whereas a large backpiece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money. The longer it takes to finish, the more your piece will cost.

Where not to get your first tattoo?

The rib cage is arguably the worst place on the body to get your first tattoo. Many people with tattoos rate the ribs as the most painful area to get inked.

What does tattoo pain feel like?

You might feel stinging or burning when the artist outlines or details your design. If you're getting a bony spot inked, you might feel a vibrating sensation. The most common feeling, however, is a low-grade pain that's moderate enough for you to be distracted from by talking, watching TV, or listening to music.

Where is a classy location for a tattoo?

Upper Arm. The upper arm is a very dynamic area because it allows designs to grow and expand into the shoulders. Getting a tattoo on your shoulder will give you a piece that is going to age better than many other areas. This is because the skin tends to have fewer crease lines than other body parts.

Where's the best place to get a tattoo for the first time?

The best lower pain areas are the outer arm, upper thigh and calves. These are all good spots to consider for a first tattoo. The high pains areas such as the rib cage, ankles and fingers are best avoided.

What I wish I knew before getting my first tattoo?

Your desired design: Be as specific as possible about what you want, including whether you want color or not. Attaching reference images will be incredibly helpful for your artist to understand your vision. Just make sure you're not expecting your final design to look exactly like the work of another artist.

How much should I pay for my first tattoo?

On average you can expect to charge $50-100 for a small tattoo, up to $200 for a medium tattoo and over $250 for a large tattoo. The sky is the limit though when it comes to very large pieces. It can be very expensive to get elaborate and large tattoos.

What is tattoo pain comparable to?

How bad do tattoos hurt? There's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how much pain you'll feel when getting tattooed. But if you're wondering what type of pain to expect, Caranfa says the experience is comparable to the feeling of a cat scratch or a sunburn.

Where do shots hurt the least?

The ventrogluteal region is safer for injections and causes less pain because there are no large blood vessels and nerves. This region has advantages such as the low possibility of transferring the drug to the subcutaneous tissue due to the thin subcutaneous layer and easier positioning of the patient 2,5 .

Does it hurt if needle hits a nerve?

Yes, a needle can accidentally touch or irritate a nerve, and while it might sound alarming, it's not as dramatic as you might think. What Actually Happens? When a needle grazes or “hits” a nerve during dry needling, you might feel a quick, sharp sensation.

How much to tip a tattoo artist?

As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.

Can I use numbing cream before a tattoo?

Sometimes we all need a little extra help. Emla numbing cream is a trusted brand that can help you through your tattoo appointment. Emla can also be used to numb the skin before laser tattoo removal.

What is a good tip for a $100 tattoo?

If you're getting smaller art done or maybe a touch-up for $100, tipping anywhere from $15 to $25 fits the bill. Some regular or return clients also give gifts to their tattoo artists, such as restaurant gift cards, theater tickets and doughnuts for the shop.

Should you negotiate tattoo prices?

Negotiating or Criticizing the Tattoo Price

Don't negotiate the price. Tattoo artists will always quote you beforehand based on their time and the size of the tattoo.

Do you tip on tattoo touch ups?

Artists invest their time and skills into perfecting their craft, and tipping for touch-ups acknowledges their dedication to providing you with a high-quality tattoo that you can proudly display.

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