Just remind yourself when you were asking for your first tattoo? Didn't know what to choose? Who will be the artist? What are the risks of getting a tattoo? Are there any possibilities for removal... Yes, all of this questions and so many more are in every tattoo enthusiast waiting to get the fist tattoo. So, as an artist what you should be doing? What are your ethical responsibilities for every single client??

It's strange how people react on this. Some artists thinks that their duty is only to tattoo and make some money in the end of the day.

As a professional tattoo artist:

1. Be nice with your customers
All they are asking is for a good advice. Be talkative and give them a great information. Don't think that you are wasting time and just sit on your desk not interested in what are they talking. Not every day is a tattoo day.

2. Make sure that your customers are feeling good in your studio
During the time they are choosing the design, make sure that they are feeling fine and they got all they need, like tattoo books, photos etc etc.

3. Tell your customers about your career
People are willing to know who to trust and why. So, spend some time talking about your beginnings to your highest goals. Make them believe that you are a professional artist with experience. Those things will make them trust you and consider you as their trusted tattoo artist.

4. Show them your studio
When someone comes for the first time in your studio, it's very important to see a clean studio. Walk around the studio with your potential clients. If they ask for a tattoo, show them the place where they would get their first tattoo. Make sure that they are informed and get all the necessary info about the shop.

5. Give your customers all the healing info
Don't be hurry when all the piercing/tattoo procedure will end up. People are asking all the time about taking care, risks, which is totally normal. Again, be talkative. Give your customers all the answers they are looking for. Every time with your clients is money. Yes, it is. If the tattoo they had chosen is cheap that doesn't mean their friend's would be too.

6. Always be open for suggestions
Some people just want to be tattooed, but they don't know what to tattoo. Funny thing, indeed. Some are asking for suggestions, opinions about the placement, size, colors etc etc. In this situations, be open for suggestions. Use your imagination and experience and try to help them out. Show them your sketch book, draw some examples ... They will probably choose something right away then to search on the internet.

7. Be supportive when it comes to designs
Clients could be funny, crazy, sometimes weird... Every tattoo hides its own story. Some people wants to be rebels and they are choosing designs with some racist content or any type - offensive. If your not ok with their choice then try to explain. Avoid to argue or just to defend your own opinion. It could affect really bad on your customers as well as your shop reputation. Try to be always kind and supportive.

8. Avoid tattooing/piercing minors
Sometimes, minors could be very enthusiastic when it comes body art.  As a professional artist, people under 18 are not recommended. Some of them are not even informing their parents what they are up. You probably don't want the bad scenario when parents are coming and making mess of your shop or on court. So don't make bad decisions. There is no place for any tolerance.

9. NO Alcohol & Drugs
Sounds great to someone, but definitely not for someone who owns a tattoo shop. Don't allow drunk and people under drugs to sit on you tattoo chair. The ending would be a life time regret.

10. Be available for your customers
Even that the piercing/ tattooing procedure is done, and your clients went home happy, some of them wants to ask more about their tattoos, piercings... It happens with a lot of people asking of an advice after their first piercing or a tattoo. Some, are even having problems like allergies, redness etc. They react in panic so your help is more than needed. Make sure that you have some visit cards with your mobile phone or even better - website where all the aftercare info is written so people could find it.

Remember, be nice with your customers and make even more!