How To Know If A Local Tattoo Shop Is Worth My Money?
When it comes time to choose a tattoo shop, you want to make sure that you choose the right one. There are many Philadelphia tattoo shops in the area. All claim that they have the best artists in the city. How do you know if your tattoo shop is worth the money? You need to take a few steps to find the best shop for your needs and budget.
Finding a Great Shop
A high-quality tattoo is not cheap. However, some of those “budget” tattoos just don’t turn out well. Plus, you will be stuck with a poorly designed tattoo for the rest of your life. In the Philadelphia area, there are tons of options. If you want to narrow down your choices, you need to do your research. Take a look at the past designs of the artists. You want to find a tattoo shop that offers quality work. There are plenty of important factors to take into consideration. Here are a few things that you want in a tattoo shop.
Choose a Shop With a Professional Vibe
When it comes time to choose a shop, you want to find one that acts professionally. Your first contact with the shop should be your first clue. When you called or emailed, how did they respond? Did they seem interested?
You want to feel welcomed when you enter the shop. If the atmosphere is relaxed, the shop cares about their work, artists, and clients. A professional tattoo shop will be happy to answer your questions and put you at ease. Even the artist should take time to listen to your ideas and make you feel welcomed. When you spot all of these signs, it is an indication of a great tattoo shop.
Cleanliness Is Key
When you want to find a tattoo shop that is worth your money, choose one that is clean. All of the top-level shops will be sterile. You don’t want to pick a shop with garbage on the floor or other debris in the work area. A dirty shop shows a level of laziness. In addition to that, you can get an infection from the tattooing process.
The artists should treat all of the tools like medical devices. The tubes and needles must be disposable and medical-grade. All of these pieces of equipment must be sterilized and individually packaged.
Take a look at the ink caps. These caps that hold the ink must be a single-use product. If the shop uses multi-use tools, then there should be an autoclave. Those machines sterilize the equipment and make it safe for other clients. In many studios, they don’t bother with multi-use tools and stick with disposable items.
When you look around the shop, the artist should be wearing disposable gloves. With every step of the process, the artist and an assistant should be wearing gloves to shave and disinfect your skin. During the tattooing stage and cleanup, the gloves need to remain on the artist’s hands. All of the needles must be placed in marked bins. When the tattoo shop sets cleanliness above everything else, you can be assured that it is a high-quality place.
Honest and Talented Artists
A tattoo will last forever, and you want to find a shop with talented artists. Along with that, you want a memorable experience. If you are spending hours with the artist, you want to make sure that you get along with them.
Take time to check out several artists’ profiles. Learn about their interests and personalities. Many artists are happy to talk about your ideas and find an option that will work for you.
When you are able to connect with the artist, then you will have a fantastic experience during your tattoo session. An artist should be happy to share their talents, and they want to put you at ease. If the artist seems bothered by questions or has a bad attitude, you might want to find another shop.
Visit the Studio
You will want to check out the atmosphere of the tattoo shop. Once again, how do you feel when you walk into the shop?
In some cases, the shop just looks cluttered with posters, random art, and disorganized pictures. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it might not match up with your idea of a professional shop. A high-quality shop should look organized. In some places, the shops decorate their walls with artwork from the artists. These shops should showcase the fact that tattooing is an art form.
From the floor to the walls, the shop needs to have a clean and polished appearance. Even something as simple as the decor can say a lot about the quality of the tattoo shop.
Select a Shop With Accomplishments
Some of the best tattoo shops have a certain level of confidence. They can show this level of professionalism through their reviews and accomplishments. You want to find a shop that employs talented artists who are the best in their industry.
Take a look if they have been featured in magazines or received awards. If your studio has received good press, that is an excellent sign that the studio is operating a shop and professional business.
Find a Shop That Is Worth the Money
Understanding what you want in a tattoo shop can help you make a great decision. Along with that, you will know whether this specific shop is worth your money. Tattoos are lifelong decisions. You don’t want to leave it in the hands of just any place. Taking time to research and visit the studio will go a long way to find the best option for you.
Looking for Local Tattoo Shops Near Me?
At Oracle Tattoo Gallery, we know what it takes to operate a professional, clean, and high-quality shop. Our artists are ready to talk to you and find a tattoo that you can enjoy for years to come. If you want to learn more about our shop, give us a call at 215-638-1601.
