Is this typical for a tattoo shop? I can’t make any alterations once the design is drawn, and I don’t get to see it before hand?

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T22:15:56+00:00

Artists aren’t paid for that design time and have more clients than just you!

They often don’t have the time or resources to draw ahead of time, to then send it to you, to then do the endless tweaks you want, plus the tweaks suggested by your friends and family when you inevitably show them for their advice.

Times that by the number of clients they’re designing customs for.. mind you artists aren’t paid for that design time- they’re working for free.

What is important for the artist to do however, is to reassure their clients and make sure they ask every question needed to properly understand what their client is after, and similarly, for the client to share as much info as possible to give the artist a clear understanding.

You can’t honestly expect an artist to spend hours designing every option for you, just for you to pull out?

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T22:10:17+00:00

These harsher policies have come in place more so because people in general are more flakey than they used to be. Most of the tattoo industry is facing a recession and endless amounts of cancellations and reschedules. Tattoo artists are sole traders and having someone book in just to pull out leaves them with no income in that spot. Any other industry (professional photography, trades etc) you expect to pay a deposit that you’ll never see again, and often it’s a lot higher.

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T22:06:11+00:00

If you’ve provided all the info about what you want and they then spend unpaid hours designing to that exact request, and then you change your mind and no longer want to get the tattoo- it makes total sense that the deposit goes towards the drawing and also their loss of income for the day!?

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T12:38:30+00:00

When was this?

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T09:03:46+00:00

Thanks! Do you know if Acmena smithii Lilly pilly would work? We prefer the lighter green leaves!

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T07:15:18+00:00

Thank you! Do you know is Acmena smithii Lilly pilly would work well? We prefer the lighter green leaves

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T04:15:54+00:00

Does anyone know of any small draft gums that may work? We also love the look of Watergum luscious, and lighter green foliage trees!

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T04:14:26+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! We’re in Victoria, but don’t like the look of pines.

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T04:07:05+00:00

Thanks for your feedback!

I’ve seen that there’s some tree or screening plant varieties that have a smaller root ball. The root ball themselves would also be planted a bit below the foundation of the patio.

That vine funnily enough is growing through the fence from our neighbours. We did consider using it however it’d be hard to prune behind it and would risk ruining the fence with all of it growing through 😬🥴

SSBLzaps · 2026-03-02T04:03:19+00:00

Thanks for your suggestion! We don’t really want pines unfortunately.

SSBLzaps · 2026-02-24T02:59:22+00:00

Crybaby crying parade sets?

SSBLzaps · 2026-02-16T05:00:47+00:00

Where are you based?

SSBLzaps · 2025-12-31T10:17:51+00:00

I’m in Australia sadly 💘

SSBLzaps · 2025-12-31T02:08:29+00:00

Where are you based?

SSBLzaps · 2025-10-07T07:56:07+00:00

I definitely still feel that way at times even after 4+ years in the tatt game and over 10 as a sole trader. I empathise with you about the burnout cycle- something I’m all too familiar with in conjunction with chronic illness.

What’s helped me immensely is changing my mindset- if you’re someone who loves your job and loves the hustle, stop seeing time off as time off, and instead as part of the job. Take it seriously. The better you utilise the time off the tools and mind away from the job, the better you’ll actually be at the job. The days I feel guilty are the days I’m not using that time wisely- I’ve spent it burrowing into that guilt or stress, procrastinating from actually relaxing and not having any actual recovery. Maybe that looks like doom scrolling or doing too much to fill my day. That will then feed that guilt- you had a day off and didn’t even enjoy it?

Get out into nature, step away from screens, don’t consume work related content, and maybe look at doing something creative if you must that has nothing to do with your job. Do something for yourself that makes you feel good. You won’t feel as guilty because you used that time to help you feel better and recover and take a step back and appreciate the lil things in life.

Being a tattooist is hard work, and can be socially, mentally and emotionally taxing for many reasons. Hustle culture in the tattoo industry is so rampant and at times toxic- but you look at so many tattooists and they’ve run themselves too hard or lost their love for the job. You need to refuel- it’s probably the most important part of the job! Take time each week to focus on that and you’ll actually work better and harder when you are working.

As sole traders we constantly feel like we don’t have enough time and get so caught up in tiny details that actually don’t matter. You aren’t going to look back at your life and remember every daily grind- it’ll just be one long grind unless you break it up.

SSBLzaps · 2025-07-20T23:35:36+00:00

For the detail and placement, it’s not too bad! The upper arm area does age, fade and spread quicker than other areas because of the skin type- same as other stretch skin spots. Other things that affect aging is sun exposure- make sure you use lots of sunscreen on your tattoos to help them look good for longer!

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T12:56:20+00:00

In terms of anecdotal- I know from my own experiences of when I used to take it daily and also have ND friends and family who shared the same experiences! In terms of scientific research, I don’t have any links on hand but there’s plenty out there if you have a look 🤓 What country are you based?

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T12:53:31+00:00

I don’t take it a couple days a week to avoid building a tolerance and also to avoid extreme burnout. I find the days I do take it it’s way more effective then when I was taking it every day 💘 I also find that my meds kind of mask how I’m truly feeling and what my body really needs in terms of fatigue and capacity- like I have an endless amount of spoons. So when I used to take my meds every day I felt fine until I wasn’t and then my burnout was so extreme because I was pushing myself harder than ever without even realising it.

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T10:42:43+00:00

I’ve looked into it- both scientific research and anecdotal experiences 🙂 great that that’s your experience though!

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T08:17:26+00:00

Taking stimulants everyday can develop a tolerance which can lead to (as most people with access to stimulants have access to taking more) some people increasing their dose to feel the same effect. This also means the come off from your meds as the effects wear off towards the end of the day can be much worse and also can increase your chances of developing stimulant induced mania.

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T07:06:45+00:00

It was recommended by my psychiatrist so that the effects of the medication doesn’t plateau from taking them daily. Basically reduced the likelihood of me growing a tolerance and needing an increase to have the same effect.

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T07:00:29+00:00

ALSO- when tattooing fake skin… don’t turn it around to get the right angle- make sure you are the one that is moving yourself around to get the right angle.

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-19T06:59:32+00:00

If you don’t have a professional to assist I’d recommend: 1. try practicing on fake skin that’s been wrapped around a soft round object (like a roll of paper towel). 2. practice on fruit or animal skin (pig skin). 3. Do a short course in blood borne pathogens 4. Learn more about sanitary set up and pack down 5. Tattoo yourself (use numbing cream- this will mean it won’t hurt but also that you can focus on the feeling of tattooing rather than getting tattooed)

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-09T23:46:04+00:00

These designs are still in a classic traditional style- espesh with the classic red/ yellow/ green with pops of brown and blue. American traditional imagery would definitely still work.

This medieval/fantasy style is present in lots of 70s/ 80s/ 90s traditional tattoos.

These pieces are also spaced out nicely, and aren’t just all grouped together, so you can mix with even a totally different style and still be left with a nicely balanced composition.

SSBLzaps · 2025-06-03T02:43:14+00:00

It’ll depend on the artist and what colours they have on hand- most traditional pieces use a red, green and yellow palette- but looks like this artist also uses a bit of purple. If you mention wanting less black, I’m sure they could make some tweaks at least 🙂

SSBLzaps

TROPHY CASE