The Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Your First Tattoo

By Bailey Jones

Tattoo studios see their fair share of regular customers, but there are always those who are interested in their first tattoo. It can be a daunting thing; both the booking process and making the decision to get a tattoo. But don’t worry! This blog will serve as your go-to guide of how to get your first tattoo with us at Inkora, answering the most common questions and concerns people have when planning, choosing and booking their first tattoo! 

Peach: Fine-lines + Dots

Deciding What Tattoo You Want

Knowing you want a tattoo, and knowing what you want to get tattooed are two very different things. With topic, style, size, location and colour all important questions to get from A to B. While the options seem almost limitless, there are some ways to begin to narrow down. Some tips include:

• Doodling on Yourself | Often seeing even a rough sketch can make the decision of right or wrong location. You can also edit a design onto a photo, or order a temporary tattoo version of a design to try it out 

• Looking at Designs on Instagram or Pinterest | Visualisation of a current design and imaging it on your own body can also help narrow down decisions like how big, and do I want colour? 

• Looking at Flash Books in our Studio | They are a great way to see new and interesting designs for inspiration, get an understanding of the different styles available, and if something jumps out to you as the right one, you may even be able to get it that day

• Talking about Possible Designs | Talking to someone about your potential designs or options can sometimes help you clear up some of the uncertainly. By thinking out loud, it’s possible to realise how you actually feel about potential options and begin to narrow them down. 

It also never hurts to speak to a professional! You can also come talk to us in at Inkora, as we offer free 30-minute consultations to help you land on the right design. Our artists are great at hearing your ideas and working through your thoughts with you to craft a fantastic design.

Of course, no one but you can make the decision of what, where and when. Our job is to help you find the right design for you, and we’ll be here waiting for when you want to get it. 

Booking In Your Tattoo

There are two main ways to book in a tattoo (or consultation) with us here at Inkora. You’re able to come in person, and speak to one of our wonderful studio managers, or you’re able to book through our website. Either way, we’ll do our best to assign you to the best artist for your design, and work around yours and the artists availability to find the best time. 

Before Your Tattoo

Leading up to your appointment, you’ll be asked to pay a deposit to secure your appointment, and then on the day you’ll arrive and see your design. In the days leading up to your appointment, it’s best to keep the site of the tattoo clean, and if possible, moisturised. On the day of your tattoo, make sure you stay well hydrated, eat before coming to your session, and avoid any alcohol the night before. 

Bridget: Colour Realism

Your Tattoo

As you arrive at our studio, you’ll be greeted by one of our studio managers who will give you a disclaimer form to sign, get you a drink, and get you seated. Your artist will come and get you, and will show you your design. Minor changes can be made day of to ensure your design is the right fit, as well as double checking which size you want. After printing out the stencil, our artists will position it, and you can see if it feels right, or if it needs to be moved. Stencil ink wipes off very easily, so don’t feel shy about asking to try again!

Then you’ll begin! Your artist will take good care of you during your tattoo, ensuring your comfort throughout, including taking breaks. We also offer numbing cream that you can purchase before and apply an hour leading up to your tattoo to help with potential discomfort, and a numbing gel that we can use during to take the edge off. As for what to do during your tattoo, that’s up to you and what makes you most comfortable. Our artists love a chat, but people also nap, watch something or play, or just listen to music. 

After Your Tattoo

Once you finish up, your artist will do the most important part - take a photo! And of course, then wrap the tattoo in a second skin to promote healing and protection. The second skin we offer at Inkora should stay on for 24 hours, after which we suggest taking it off while in the shower so it can be cleaned (and it also makes taking it off easier). Pat the tattoo dry with a very clean paper towel, and moisturise it with a tattoo butter you can buy in studio, or a high-street cream like bepanthen cream. Treat the tattoo with great care for the first two weeks, moisturising it twice daily during this period, although we strongly recommend avoiding any other products, especially suncream.

It’s also important to protect it from any potential unhygienic situations, since the needle breaks the skin and could delay healing or even get infected. Don’t submerge the tattoo in water for a month, which means no swimming. We also advise taking two days off any exercise, and then two weeks without intense exercise to avoid the tattoo getting overly sweaty or dirty. 

Leto: Red Ink Fine-lines

The Future Of Your Tattoo

Once it’s fully healed, make sure to keep looking after the tattoo. Moisturising creams help maintain the skin, and suncream is essential on parts of body exposed to regular sunlight. This will help reduce any fading to the site. If your tattoo does need a touch-up, we at Inkora offer one free of charge after the first month (it takes this long to ensure its healed), provided you have followed our aftercare advice. We also love seeing healed photos, so make sure you send some in. 

And that’s it! Your tattoo journey has ended, and hopefully you now have some awesome ink and a great experience. The only thing to do now… is to start thinking about your next one.