TATTOOIN TIPS!!!

hello back again with abit more time to spare, i was taught and shown a few basic tips by a pro artist when i purchased my first tattoo kit, but nothing could prepare me for the rough ride ahead of tattooing, as mentioned previous a site like this would benefit someone who stands were i was two and and somthing years ago who only knows the few basics, its not just an artform, but i think as artists we have a moral duty to teach and educate those who wish to take up this business as a career, not just the tattooing side of things such has lining and shading tips but every aspect of the business most important of all, the saftey side of things such as proper hygiene and the dangers of infections that are easily spread, if the right saftey steps are not taken. skill is developed through time and practice and having the right set of equipment is vital in getting the best results from any tattoo that you has an arist undertake, i learnt this the hardway as many tend to do, and was sold cheap and rubbish equipment at the begining and its not untill you have an understanding about the tattooing business you know what to look out for when buying equipment, when i started tattooing i begged and cryed out for help from every angle there was with no joy, its a hard business to break into and a good one to be in so i think this site is a very good idea and will help alot of others out there that are at the begining of their tattooing careers, anyone wanting help or advice can email me and if i can i will be more than happy to help, keep up the good work, and all the best,,,ta2j

Technical tattooing questions are NOT allowed on this forum read the top post that says READ BEFORE POSTING!!!!

Yeah, we are all about helping people learn responsibly. You should take on an apprentice if you want to teach people, this forum is open and free and anonymous so we keep technical talk to a minimum. Very minimum. Like none if we could help it. Not here, there are plenty of other places to talk about learning to tattoo online... But we would love your participation about other aspects of tattooing, art education, and whatnot.

He is the question I have what defines a good machine. I have been to conventions I over heard great artists that could not tune their own machines and would send them out to the builder for tuning. I do understand that as pieces of art themselves machines can get very high priced. So what make a good one good and a bad one bad or is it just a personal thing.

Reads very hypocritical to me, We should allow & respect people who own tattoo studios but don’t tattoo. We should respect artist who open and compete with their mentors. We are supposed to respect reusing steel tubes over using new disposable ones. We are suppose to respect a artist who screwed up 1000`s of people before becoming a bad ass artist . But the guy trying to learn the trade is treated like a foul beast of burden. Just Say`in

I personally think what makes a good machine great , is how comfortable the artist using the device is with it. One that's completely adjustable, or one that's tuned specifially for the user. Ask around you'll find most artists own a number of different machines , but there's going to be one or two that stick out and are used on a daily basis by them. And I'd be willing to bet it's the ones that they're most comfortable using for extended periods of time and that are tuned to their desires.

Josey, some responses to your points. "We should allow & respect people who own tattoo studios but don’t tattoo." You dont have the choice on allow, and you should respect people who respect tattooing(or anyone really until they prove themselves not respectable). I think the people who are knowledgable about and love both tattooing and business will be the most successful tattoo studio owners. "We should respect artist who open and compete with their mentors." If artist and mentor both respect tattooing then they can figure it out amongst themselves. Because of my job I am in the middle of many many artists, and the stories and histories run long and deep. The people who make it and rise to the top are the ones who genuinely respect tattooing and indeed everyone. In professional art there is little competition, artists who have their own unique "voice" will always be able to biuld a clientel. I am a capitalist to some degree(but probably more of a socialist), I believe competition is good. Makes everyone work harder. "We are supposed to respect reusing steel tubes over using new disposable ones." At this point I should mention I dont think your "supposed to" respect anything you dont want to. All these shoulds and supposed tos... jeeseh, I hope thats not what you get out of all this. think for yourself, these are just my thoughts. As far as using equipment that is sterilized professionally and safely, I dont see any need to not respect practices that are safe. "We are suppose to respect a artist who screwed up 1000`s of people before becoming a bad ass artist ." Again, I think we should respect anyone and everyone who is worthy. As far as Im concerned, the artists who screw up 1000's of people have a lot of bad karma to make up for, but thats on their shoulders. Near all the respectable artists who fucked up 1000s of people will be the frist to tell young artists how to avoid making the same mistakes. At the end of the day an artists tattoos and attitude speak for their respectability... I think the artists who are brought into the world of tattooing because of their bad ass artwork and huble attitudes are the ones who make it farther faster. The trial and error guys are usually the first to tell aspiring artists to get their shit down on paper to attract a *good* mentor. "But the guy trying to learn the trade is treated like a foul beast of burden." Well, not to nit-pick but this guy who posted isnt trying to learn the trade, and Im not so sure anyone really treated the guy like a beast of burden.... He is offering his hand to help teach others. thats great, but we dont allow technical talk on a completely anonymous public forum where 10 years olds and morons can read. Thats not responsible, and as a professional I would think(or hope!) you would understand that. I dunno, I would rather the industry police itself, and if the industry acts responsibly then it wont need anyone else to take care of it. Certianly we should be doing our part to be responsible. If the only people learning to permenently tattoo artwork on peoples bodies we're amazing talented artists brought into the industry in a professional manner the world would be a better place. But, whatever, if people scratch then people scratch. I just dont need to take part in helping them. And, besides all that, 10 years olds can read this board. We can talk art instead.

All my examples wasn’t place here to debate each one but rather to point out the morals in this industry have been long misplaced. I hardly think keeping information from people is helping anything only continue adding to the problem. I say its all or nothing, You kind of agreed with that saying: “ I think we should respect anyone and everyone who is worthy.” So whose in charge of deciding who is worthy ? Guess that would be the owner of the site, Or the group with the biggest click at a show. You Agreed with my opinion once again with reserve: “ and you should respect people who respect tattooing(or anyone really until they prove themselves not respectable) “ IMO the list I created was prefect examples of people who don’t deserve respect, That is if as a group we where deciding who is worthy & who is not. If anyone is still lost: I believe in total freedom or total governing from our peers, Half way is unjust and hypocritical. We should take care of our mentors & old tattooist or have full blown chaos with a tattoo shop on every corner in every city with no respect for anyone’s business.

Well, I dont think each of your examples was an accurate reflection of a) where the industries morals are and b) people who automatically dont deserve respect. I agree that keeping information from people is not a proper answer to anything, but theres also no question that a public open forum that kids read and is moderated by a non-artist is clearly NOT the proper time or place to discuss technical issues. As I said earlier in this post, teach away, dont keep it in, letr it out, just do it in your own time and place and not here. Nature isn't all or nothing, its ALL shades of grey and every color in between. Who is in charge of deciding who is worthy? Thats simple and not nearly as megalomaniacal as you think, everyone is in charge for deciding for themselves. Everyone should conduct themselves in a respectable responsible professional manner, and bring in other talented people on the professional path. Ok, lemme get this strait, here is your list:"We should allow & respect people who own tattoo studios but don’t tattoo. We should respect artist who open and compete with their mentors. We are supposed to respect reusing steel tubes over using new disposable ones. We are suppose to respect a artist who screwed up 1000`s of people before becoming a bad ass artist " You say "prefect examples of people who don’t deserve respect, That is if as a group we where deciding who is worthy & who is not." I say to create such a list without once mentioning respect or knowledge of the art of tattooing is very small minded. Luckily theres no such group that makes the "rules" but indeed, everyone inside the industry does decide for themselves who is worthy and who isnt. Many artists look at the people they are working with and decide for themselves, and others use an archaic silly set of almost arbitrary rules like the ones you mentioned. Whatever, the worlds a big place... In any event, I couldn't disagree more with the "total freedom or total governing". Basically, the more we govern ourselves the more freedom we have. I'd rather hustle the industry hard, fair, and safe enough that no one has a reason (or leverage) to step in to govern us.

Maybe an open forum isn’t the place for such topics but if that’s true then critiquing artist or studios isn’t either. Gabe each & everyone that may fit that list is going to argue under that umbrella of loving the art, What knowledge does it take to be classified a professional ? Nothing more than what the state laws require. Proving the tattoo industry has no control over itself making a need for a grey area filled with mystery & intimidation. Now with a grey area a person could say hold the common person back from gaining ground on knowledge. But why do that ? Because there is no morals or respect, Once the knowledge is obtained the common person can compete or share the information with others. Making the grey area no longer valuable. I doubt there is going to be any info to help children tattoo themselves only help them be better at it, I for one wouldn’t post how to build homemade tattoo machines but that you may need to adjust every needle bar so it would lay in the tube at the right angle so your lines would be crisp & clean. Of course I believe in Freedom I truly hope that One day Tattoo studios will be like hair salons with so many in every city that no one cares about tattooing to the degree we have no message boards with a click section or the Brandon bonds self- hype personas. By destroying the clicks & private info will the tattoo industry become like any other service business with the drama & hype limited to a local level. Only Then will the industry be in the grey area rather then a controlled grey area on a message board. Gade I like these Topics with you most of my points are never discussed openly mainly because 90% of the Tattoo community would fall into my list, I’m guessing there would have to be a little shame in it. ( if there were such a group governing on them basis ) You & I are more alike then you realize as my list is no more megalomaniacal than your grey area. Grey is a way of governing the industry only its not a positive way, As your quote proves: “ I agree that keeping information from people is not a proper answer to anything “ If I was to fight for your right then in all honesty & fairness WE need to fight for everyone’s right to learn & grow even make a living off of Tattooing as long as everyone obeys by the laws of the land. You have a great holiday my friend.

So. Josey make it short and simple please! Just exactly what would you do in a hypothetical situation wherein you and you alone were governing the art and business of tattooing? No, seriously I would like to know what changes you would make in tattooing in general and tattoo forums in particular. Thank you!, Tim