MRCL

Now after finishing my fourth tattoo, I can honestly say chest was a cakewalk compared to side of stomach. I have a Goku tattoo on the left side of my stomach, going from the hip, extending to almost under the breast, two palms wide almost to my navel. It was pain like I never felt it before from the first line. I actually whimpered. Now, three sessions later, each barely lasting one hour, I can safely say that the other side of my stomach stays clean :p I couldnt imagine that it hurts so much there, and my respect for people with huge rib and stomach tattoos went through the roof.

I recall reading a book about Dragons (History, Origins, Variations etc - it was a big book) which specifically mentioned that you shouldn't put too many Dragons on you; Apparently if there are too many they begin to fight each other and the good spirits and protective nature they convey gets lost and instead chaos ensues. I think it said four to six dragons is okay, more is not good for you. Thats western Dragons however, I don't know how it is with eastern ones or the coexistence of both. You can't have too many virgin damsels in distress, tough.

Well every answer so far makes perfect sense. How could I have been so blind!

Quick question, I've always wondered about this... why is that in a lot of traditional tattoo designs, animals, animal heads and so one are getting stabbed? Like the often seen Panther-with-a-dagger-through-the-head. I get it if you really hate a certain kind of animal or have some other more or less valid reason for it (I've played with the thought of a tattoo with a spider punctured by a dagger because I'm afraid of them (yet don't kill them in real life since I value their insect killing existence)). But other than that? Is there a reason, a story behind those designs?

Just wonderin' not judging ;)

Something postitive from my side...

I work at the national air traffic control center in Switzerland, as an Aeronautical Information Management Controller. Sounds pretty uptight, right?

I had some doubts if tattooing my arms would be a no-no. However when I learned that they hired a girl with neck tattoos, I went for it. Here's the exchange from a superior several management layers above me:

Her: New tattoo?

Me: Yes

Her: Ooooooh show me!

Me *shows outlines of Oldschool Pirate Girl and Ship Halfsleeve*

Her: Wow thats beautiful! But you get it colored in, right?

Me: Sure I do

Her: Cool you have to show me immediately then

End of story.

Also, several coworkers who have expressed prejudice against tattooed people actually admire mine. Work relationship has not changed in the slightest, but instead even improved. A lot of coworkers now come to me for recommendations. Nice talks ensue.

My 5th of June appointment for finally getting Goku on my stomach has been cancelled... and instead been forwarded to the 3rd of May, one day after my birthday. Awesomeness.

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I just had my upcoming tattoo moved back 2 1/2 weeks, which was disappointing enough! I've never heard of such a long wait in NZ, maybe our tattooists are not as good compared with overseas.

I found waiting time is not an indicator for a tattooers skill... with the guy doing my arm I have to wait almost two years. The guy who did my chest? I could've had an appointment the next day if I didn't had to work then. So I got it six days later when I was off. Skill wise, both are on the same level. I'm going to the guy who did my chest today to discuss a half sleeve, wonder how long I have to wait for that one.

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UPDATE: Just came back from the shop, half sleeve starts on the 25th of April :D Even in 2014!

Wow, 2yrs waiting list is a long time.

A lot can happen in 2 yrs. Do artists with that long a wait list take big deposits ? In addition to the quality of the tattoo, I imagine there is some kind of special originality in the design for people to wait so long.

Nah its the normal deposit of 100 CHF which seems to be the standard in Switzerland, regardless of the size of the project. The guy I'm going to has a lot of fans so to speak, and almost exclusively does large pieces. I have my reasons to go to him and wait until early 2015. I fully trust him and I know what he is capable of. He will draw and design a biomech/organica 3/4 sleeve for me. Sort of like a mixture of works from Guy Aitchison and Markus Lenhard. Completely his own style, which I adore, as he perfectly understands to capture beauty in the morbid. Also its gonna be awesome because I leave him complete freedom, and you know how things turn out if a tattoo artist can let his creativity run free.

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Next one is coming June 5th, Goku on my stomach. One of my oldest tattoo want-to-haves.

Tomorrow I'm going to the local shop to discuss a pirate themed half sleeve... dunno when that will be done, tough.

And in early 2015, my Biomech/Organica sleeve will be done. The guy doing it has an insane waiting list, nearly two years for projects this size.

I just showed them my first one. They knew I wanted a tattoo since I was a lil kiddo, always covered in those bugglegum tats. I bought books and magazines long before I got my first tattoo, so they knew it was inevitable and its not a question of "if" but "when". Interestingly enough my father, the more conservative of my parents, was the most interested in the tattoo. He later went on to state that tattoos can be cool and all, but he doesn't like tats on the chest (for whatever reason). We'll see how he'll react to my recent chest tattoo lol.

I... I don't even...

Was on a random Youtube-Binge for Tattoo videos yesterday, came across a show called Tattoos After Dark. You may find episodes on Youtube, here's the official link:

Tattoos After Dark | Tattoos After Dark

I...I'm still not sure if that's real or just staged. Everything about it screams fake, but then again its on TV so...

But yeah. Forget bad Tattoo shows. The dudes in this one a totally fine with giving a couple that has been together for three months a matching neck tattoo (Episode 4). Oh they both already have matching tattoos from their respective exes. And... well, watch. I for one couldn't manage more than five minutes, I didn't even get to the actual tattooing.

And I watched all of Tattoo Learning Center.

I'm sorry if I have shattered what was left of a barely intact faith in humanity. You're welcome.

having a clean body is actually an important one that most people don't think about, especially FEET. Vicks Vapor rub under your nostrils only does so much. With that being said, I have seen the problem of people wearing too much perfume/cologne. Not everyone likes the smells but especially for people that have to work so close to you!

I shower and put on some deodorant before the appointment, however last time I did sweat profusely - warm climate in the shop and me dying of pain takes its toll. I apologized for that, artist seemed very understanding.

Be open to the fact that the tattooer is not just a tattooer, but an artist. It is more gratifying when the artist can somewhat manipulate what you want into their own creation. I'm not saying an artist should completely alter the tattoo, but not only is it on your body but it is a representation of the artist that worked hard on the drawing & tattoo for you. It is their artwork. Another huge thing that I have learned in this industry is that it is awesome to bring in pictures of what you are looking to get done, it gives the artist a little peak into your brain & what you are picturing BUT the WORST is when people bring in pictures of other tattoos. You can't do anything with that. A reference as far as style or color or something is sometimes okay, but to bring in a picture of someone else's tattoo makes it really difficult for the artist to work off of. Real life pictures are always the best & from there you can change things however you wish.

I bring in reference only as a rough guidance. Even from other tattoos, however in the sense of "I kinda want it sort of like this"; when a tattoo matches the idea I have in my head, even better. Last appointment I brought reference for a Leopard head - real photos and some tattoo reference. Just to tell the artist "head like this position, teeth showing". Then he drew something up. I think therefore, any reference is okay, if its a rough guidance for the artist and not "I want it EXACTLY like that".

If you aren't sure how to tip accordingly, ask around before you get to that point. A lot of artists pay booth rentals or only get a percentage of the actual cost of tattoo, along with purchasing their own equipment & supplies so they live off of tips. I've always stuck to asking other artists rather then just tattooed friends.

Always bring your ID. Most shops don't keep information on file, they have it stored away for legal purposes.

Best tip I have ever been given "get what you want & not what you can afford." If you are quoted $500 for the piece you went into detail describing, then save up, otherwise you WILL get what you pay for & you have to live with that. I have seen so many people say things like "well what if I get it this way, will it be cheaper?" to the point where I wouldn't be surprised to hear "I want an angel..." (price given) "what if I just get it with 1 wing?"

Those are some major tips I try to pass along to customers & friends. Hope this helps!

Tipping is uncommon where I live. You pay the asking price, maybe bring some cookies or gummy bears. Tipping is not required nor expected, actually. The hourly wages for tattoos are high enough as it is (100 CHF to 250 CHF, depending on location and artist). So paying a thousand Swiss Franks for a five hour tattoo isn't uncommon.

As for ID, Switzerland (at least the good shops) are very strict, they want an ID when you first show up there. Once you have an appointment, you're golden. However you need to fill out some form about you being okay with them hurting you with needles. You know, since tattooing basically counts as aggravated assault.

"About the get what you want and not what you can afford" - This is absolutely 100% true. I have successfully convinced a coworker of mine to go to a good shop and not look at the price. If you can't afford the tattoo, don't get it, simple as that. There is enough evidence for "you get what you pay for" walking around.

I also want to add that you have to trust your artist and not confine him to a style or a tattoo in general he is not comfortable with. I initially wanted sort of a graffiti Leopard head (hard to explain even in my native language), artist is da bomb in traditional... so I thought to myself: Better let him do his thing, where he can let his creativity run free and actually enjoy the tattoo instead of forcing him to do something he isn't comfortable with. If you let them do their thing, you'll get something awesome, even if it is not what you initially wanted. Doesn't mean you have to completely comply with the artist, just don't be a stubborn SOB.

Got my right chest done a week ago. Went to the appointment thinking "well it couldn't be as bad as lower leg, towards the knee ditch...right? Right??

Then the needle punctuated me. Fuck me. Towards the nipple, and towards the armpit was pure hell.

Interestingly enough, collarbone and sternum weren't painful, just really uncomfortable because of the vibrations. And the artist wiped the ink off always in the same direction over my collarbone, towards the end I reeeallly had to restrain myself not punching him in the face.

In the end I sat 4 and a half hours, was worth it.

I got Kratos from God of War... 1st tattoo, about a year old. Not good to photograph. Quality of the tattoo itself is also a bit "eh", but who cares, first ones are allowed to :P

Even though traditional isnt my first choice, this is fantastic!

Wasn't mine either, to be honest. But what I had in mind looks good on paper but not on skin, and since my artist likes this style the most I said fuck it, and went with it. Meaning I fully trusted him that we will deliver something awesome. And he did and I do not regret in the slightest.

oh aye man ! thats badass !!!!

Thanks mate :D

This was done on the 16th of January. I'm the owner, the artist who did it is Dano, from Black Cat Tattoo in Schwerzenbach ZH, Switzerland.. Fresh after getting stabbed to death and back to life.

Was at the shop yesterday to get a Leopard head. Here's what Dano, the artist, came up with. Needless to say I was stoked, even tough it wasn't what I originally had in mind. However its over 9000 times better than what I had in mind and I was very open to suggestions. Which I think he appreciated, you could tell he had a lot of fun doing it and during the smoking breaks, he was constantly checking it out thinking about it. He said while tattooing he's in another dimension. Soo... bold will hold, here's the finished tattoo right after getting stabbed:

Went into the local shop today to get an appointment, thinking it will be a few months (waiting lists are something else here). Went out of the shop with an appointment next week on the 16th. Well. Shop is Black Cat Tattoo, artist will be Dano Black Cat Tattoo - Dano

Need to promote the awesome artists of Switzerland a bit, methinks.

Hi! Been to Switzerland once...gorgeous place. What's the tattoo you have?

Hey! So where you've been exactly?

I have a tattoo of Kratos from the God of War videogame series on my lower leg. Done in black and grey with some red thrown in :D

Hi y'all!

Name's Marcel, from Zurich, Switzerland. Been interested in tattoos basically since I know what they are. Was always covered in those bubblegum-tattoos as a kid. Now at (almost) 25 years old, I finally got a real one :) And it definitely isn't going to be my last one.

So yeah, hi everyone, cool forum here :)