How to email a tattoo artist? Emailing a tattoo artist is easy! Just find their email address and shoot them a message. Be sure to include information about what you're looking for, such as the design, placement, and size. If you have any specific requests, be sure to mention them as well. Most artists are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Why Email a Tattoo Artist?
Tattoo artists have developed throughout time, and the majority now completely embrace the benefits that technology gives!
First, you should be aware that tattoo artists often respond to emails after hours. Consider if you can visit the business in person since this will likely bring you answers and information faster than email.
Even if you've talked over email, the artist will usually need to visit you before formally booking you in. This is inevitable if you want a great tattoo from a reputable shop, so bear that in mind when you contact. Out-of-towners and persons traveling to get the tattoo are exceptions to this restriction.
Whether you want a tiny, uncomplicated tattoo, you may go to the shop and ask if they accept walk-ins. In this situation, advanced booking and emailing are not normally necessary.
How To Email a Tattoo Artist or Tattoo Studio
How do you generally get in touch with a tattoo artist or studio? How to book a tattoo appointment over email? Do you phone, email, Whatsapp, or sneak into their Direct Messages (DMs)? Calling is perfectly OK, and Whatsapp is acceptable for some. However, slipping into DMs is a bit of a murky area (most artists and tattoo businesses would prefer that you not approach them through social media).
Emailing your tattoo inquiries is typically the best option since you can describe the tattoo in-depth, give reference photographs, and describe how you want the tattoo to appear.
Due to the current epidemic, face-to-face consultations are difficult, and some studios may not give them for long. Therefore, you must include all of the crucial aspects of your query in your email.
People often write brief emails, such as I'd want to have a tattoo. Are you available? . Due to tattoo artists' hectic schedules, whether they're sketching, tattooing, replying to inquiries, filing taxes, or trying to have a life outside of tattooing, time is limited.
Sending a lot of emails back and forth is a bad idea. So, how can you reduce back-and-forth communications while ensuring that the tattoo artist understands your idea for how you want your tattoo to look?
Include the following information in your email:
Tattooist
Tattoo shops often employ a variety of tattoo artists, each with their distinct style and specialization. They generally have social media profiles where you can see their work. If you wish to work with a certain artist, include that information in your inquiry. If you're not seeking a particular artist, you might say something like, I don't mind who does the tattoo.
Availability
Because your preferred date may not always be available, be prepared to be flexible. Tattoo artists or tattoo studios usually tell you a few open dates depending on their appointment schedule. Provide as many of the days offered to you as 'available' for them as possible since this increases your chances of getting an appointment.
Design
Describe the kind of design you want. When accompanied by photographs or visuals, it is generally simpler to express what you desire. Pinterest, Instagram, Tattoodo, and a simple Google search are common places for individuals to get tattoo ideas.
To show respect for other tattoo artists and to maintain uniqueness, most artists provide bespoke design tattoos rather than copies. You wouldn't want a tattoo that has previously been done on someone else, would you?
Body Placement
It is essential to inform your tattoo artist about the location of your intended tattoo design on the body. This is because they will design the tattoo to match your body's contour and examine if it would suit the place you've picked. Specifying which side (for example, left or right arm) is also beneficial so that the design may be produced facing the correct direction.
If you're comfortable doing so, have someone snap a photo of the place you'd want to be inked and provide it with your inquiry. This is particularly crucial if you want to place a new tattoo next to an existing one, if you want a tattoo to complement your body form, or if you want to cover up and re-work an existing one.
The artist will utilize the picture and dimensions to ensure that the design is correct. Allowing the artist to know about location means...they may advise you, etc.
Size
You'd be shocked how often people say small' or the size of their arm, leg, head, ear, or toe. Because bodies vary in size, tattoo artists would have to estimate the breadth, circumference, or length of your upper arm if you indicated you wanted it as large as your upper arm.
Sending a picture of your arm will also not reveal its size. To achieve exact dimensions, you must measure it or any area of your body you want tattooed. Use a measuring tape or a ruler to measure in centimeters or inches.
If you don't have a measuring tape or a ruler, use something that everyone knows the size of as a guide. You may specify, that I want the design to be the size of a postcard/A4 page/lighter/loo roll - anything goes!
References
A picture is worth a thousand words! A reference is anything that you would want to utilize as inspiration for your new tattoo. It may be a photograph of a tattoo, some artwork or illustration, a typeface with a style you like, a copy of a beloved handwritten message, or a snapshot.
It's really useful to explain why you appreciate the reference - for example, Based on this picture of myself and my pals, I'd want to have a subject line for tattoo email. I've attached the photo as well as a reference image of a tattoo in the style I'm looking for.
I like the shading technique/colors/placement of this reference, for example. If you want a lettering tattoo, search through websites that provide hundreds of fonts and see what you prefer - most of them will let you write in your quotation and preview it in each font. You may provide the 'font name' in your inquiry.
Permission to get artwork tattooed
To avoid copying other artists' work, tattoo shops will usually use your references and develop their version of a design.
If you wish to reproduce a work of art or illustration, you must first get permission from the original artist. It is advantageous if you contact them before making your tattoo inquiry email and get their formal permission to have their work reproduced as a tattoo.
Please remember that since their work is their livelihood, you may be required to pay for this permission. Even if permission is offered for free, it's a good idea to consider how you might support that artist with a little purchase of their work.
They have, after all, put in a lot of time and effort to make their art. You may attach it to your tattoo inquiry after you have their permission - a snapshot of communication between you is great.
Should I Email or DM a Tattoo Artist?
A tattoo artist may be contacted by Instagram direct message (DM) or email. Some people may arrange appointments through SMS or WhatsApp, although this is uncommon. This is the first thing you should investigate. Writing the ideal message to deliver it to the incorrect recipient is pointless.
I've discovered that around 70% of tattoo artists prefer email, and 30% use DM for reservations.
Most tattoo artists nowadays utilize Instagram as their primary forum to promote their work, and 99 percent will offer the best method to reach them in their Instagram profiles. That is the first place you should look.
FAQ
How do tattoo artists send DMS?
How to send an email to a tattoo artist? In your email, be courteous and to the point. Tattoo artists don't have much time between tattooing jobs to respond to emails, so keep it brief and supply them with helpful information. Provide details such as the tattoo's style, colors, size, and location.
Why do tattoo artists take so long to reply?
Because reviewing booking requests and replying to emails takes time, so you should not expect to hear back from the artist immediately. It may take weeks or even a month or two for artists to respond to your request for a tattoo appointment.
How do you interact with a tattoo artist?
See What the Artist Comes Up with and Keep an Open Mind
While looking at photographs of previous tattoos is good, ask your artist about their plans for designing it. Tell them what you want to modify to make the item truly yours.
Can you negotiate tattoo prices?
Don't haggle about the price. Tattoo artists will always provide you with an estimate in advance, depending on their time and the size of the tattoo. They want to make sure the design is perfect, so it's better to pay for an additional half hour or so than walk out with something that seems hurried and sub-par.
Conclusion
When emailing a tattoo artist, include your name, contact information, and what you are interested in getting tattooed. Also, let the artist know if you have any specific ideas or requests. Thanks for reading!