rosses, prayer hands, infinity symbols and quotes   — these four images are some of the most frequently tattooed pieces, according to Baton Rouge tattoo artists.
While there is nothing wrong with the aforementioned symbols, tattoo artists say they prefer to deliver work that yields more original ideas.
The owner of High Resolution Tattoo, known as Kurtus P, said Christian-related symbols and lettering are “paying the bills right now.” The South is heavily religious, and Kurtus P found many teenagers and young adults have decided to express their beliefs permanently.
Michael Lamotte, an artist at Body Images Tattoo Clinic, encourages customers to be as original and open-minded as possible with their decisions. Body Images is one of the oldest tattoo shops in Baton Rouge and has seen many patrons enter and exit its doors, but its mission has always remained the same.
“We want to give our customers something that makes them stand out from the rest of their tattooed friends,” Lamotte said.
When considering a tattoo, looking at an artist’s portfolio will tell customers a lot about that artist’s style. From traditional American to Japanese-style tattoos, certain artists excel at specific styles. Tattoo artists should be chosen based on their best work. Most tattoo artists are in the business to give the customer the best result while expressing their artistic talents.
“If I know a customer wants a certain piece that I know another artist can do better, I’ll refer them to that coworker,” Lamotte said.
Cleanliness of an establishment and communication with the artist are also vital to a positive tattoo experience. Kurtus P has created the “High Resolution Standard,” his practice of having clean machines and a clean store to create a welcoming environment for his customers and employees. The need for such cleanliness stems from his time in the Navy and with his parents.
“We want our patrons to feel safe when doing business with us,” Kurtus P said.
The tattoo shop owner traveled to better his craft and learned a valuable lesson about customer service. After learning how to tattoo from a well-respected artist, he found more people were coming to him for tattoos instead of his teacher. When he asked why customers were coming to him, he was told he was more “welcoming” to them and “nicer.” Kurtus P has always remembered that moment as a lesson in how to treat his patrons.
Black Torch Tattoo artist and former U.S. Marine Chris Handford will spend hours or days with a potential customer, drawing a piece he and the customer can agree on. Handford says many people come into Black Torch with an idea that isn’t realistically possible in the style or location the customer wants.
“When we try to consult a potential customer on a design, they start to assume we don’t really want to give them a tattoo,” Handford said. “It’s quite the opposite. It’s our job to give them the best-quality tattoo, and we can see how tattoos end up if done incorrectly.”
Most tattoo shops don’t offer refunds, and the permanence should be kept in mind. There are more rules to getting a tattoo than making sure it is a good-looking piece. A person’s pain tolerance and health concerns are vital factors in deciding to get tattoos. Some people bleed more when stabbed with needles, and others may have thick skin, resulting in a longer and possibly more painful tattoo experience.
“Patience and staying still are the most important things once someone is in that chair,” Lamotte said.
Even after a tattoo session is over, the tattoo will take a week and a half to a month to heal, depending on the size of the piece. While in awe of the beauty of a piece or in arrogance of receiving tattoos before, customers often miss the tips that the artist gives help the tattoo heal best. Swimming or long exposure to the sun can heavily damage a tattoo. Washing with scented soaps or scratching the tattoo increase the chance of infection as well.
“Don’t get a tattoo if you’re pregnant, going to the beach or can’t listen to instructions,” Handford said.
The most important thing anyone can do when getting a tattoo is ask as many questions as possible.
“Ask questions,” Lamotte said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be as confident as possible before you sit in that chair.”
Finally, if a person is unsure of what to get as a tattoo, placing the desired design as the lock screen of a smart phone or desktop image for a few months will help him or her decide if he or she can commit to it as a permanent work of art.