Designing Your Own Tattoo - It Can Be Worth the Effort

By: dave ofgrims Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Certain cultures use tattoos to indicate either a passing through or the reaching of a certain stage in life. However, most societies have long since abandoned these ritualistic practices. This does not mean that there are still not many people, both male and female who feel the need to be tattooed. This can be due to some conscious or unconscious need to mark an important stage or person in their lives.

Having made the decision to have some part of your body tattooed you can simply go to a local tattoo parlour. Once there you will be shown a large range of designs to choose from. Despite the large selection of design sit may be that you cannot see exactly what you want.

The easy path is jut to select something near enough approaching your idea but this can be a mistake. A tattoo is a permanent skin mark which will stay with you for the rest of your life. For that reason you should not settle for anything that you are not totally happy with.

So what alternative do you have?

You can both design and draw your own design to pass on to the tattooist to follow
or
You can work with an artist, explain what you require and have him or her draw up the finished design.

The first stage in designing your tattoo is to decide exactly what statement you are trying to make with your tattoo. Is it purely for decorative purposes or is it in remembrance of some person or event? Having decided on a theme you will also need to consider where you intend to have the tattoo on your body. In the next 10 or 20 years it is possible that your body may change in shape and size. How will this affect the design you have in mind?

You do not have to be an artist to design your own tattoo. You simply need an idea and the willingness to work with an artist. To get your initial ideas the Internet can be a perfect place to start. There are numerous web sites offering designs and ideas which could inspire you. Many people, especially on their first visit to a tattooist find it a little daunting looking through a large selection of designs. By browsing at home on the Internet that feeling of pressure is removed.

Never rush into choosing a design, even one you have produced yourself. One option
Having produced your design is to have it made into a temporary tattoo. There are sites on the Internet were you can upload your design and they will send you a temporary tattoo. This way you can test not only your feelings about the tattoo but those of family and friends.

Designing your own Tattoo can take longer and be more expensive that simply ordering a design “off the shelf” but it is going to be with you for a long time.
After all you do not ant to go to the pain and expense of having to have the tattoo removed some time in the future.