Got Ink?

[JayKay PE]

How big in inches?  Most places have a minimum of $100, no matter what the size.  Depending on detail/how quick the artist is, I'm thinking max $200/$250?  Colorado sometimes gets into NYC pricing, some of those guys are awesome,  but it also depends on what style.  I've had artists knock off some $$$ if it's something they like/they're visiting artists.  Please give deeets.

 

[Roarbark]

IIRC during my research, feet hurt pretty bad as far as tattoos go. Don't let this dissuade you though, since the pain is temporary!
"Find the right person" (The artist who you think can do exactly what you want, based on their portfolio), "Don't skimp" are two oft-spouted lines for this. JayKay's estimate is probably around right, depending on how detailed the work would be. 

 

[tj_PE]

i got a tattoo on the inside of my ankle that wrapped to top of my foot and I was just under 200 with tip, but in small town decatur IL 

 

[Road Guy]

So like $500 bucks max? My daughter drew it- I’ll post a pic...

 

[Roarbark]

I'd be surprised if it was that high. Mine is roughly open palm size, mix of detailed/sketched styles, multiple colors, and cost $250.
But budget $500 and you can have some left over for post op ice-cream, or to pay your daughter the artiste   

 

[JayKay PE]

Top of foot = ouchies due to no fat/tattooing right on bone. It’ll hurt like ****, but you’ll most likely be done quick since it won’t bleed as much if you’re only doing shading + one color. $500 should be more than enough for what you’re describing. Be aware that your design might be tweaked by the artist to make it fit/look correct on your foot. Also!!! Please remember to tip your artist!! That isn’t included in the price they quote you! For a piece that small, they might just do a piece flat fee instead of hourly. 
 

if you want, I can reach out to my friend who does inventions/travels and see if she knows anyone in Colorado that is good/legit?

 

[Supe]

Just figure $100/hr plus tip, and don't worry about how long it takes.  Agreed, what you're asking I wouldn't expect to be over $500.

 

[JayKay PE]

Just figure $100/hr plus tip, and don't worry about how long it takes.  Agreed, what you're asking I wouldn't expect to be over $500.

*laughs in expensive tattoo*

 

[Supe]

*laughs in expensive tattoo*

Meh, I'll gladly pay on the high side for a great artist with OCD hygienic practices.

 

[Road Guy]

forgot to grab a pic!

I have a few recommendations from some inked people - but will always be glad to take some more!

Going to do some diving June and its a dive related tattoo so need it by then.  I always figured they were like a $1000 bucks a pop?  I am an old white dude so this is all new to me

 

[JayKay PE]

forgot to grab a pic!

I have a few recommendations from some inked people - but will always be glad to take some more!

Going to do some diving June and its a dive related tattoo so need it by then.  I always figured they were like a $1000 bucks a pop?  I am an old white dude so this is all new to me

AHHHH.  AHHHH.  You need to get it sooner rather than later!  With water and tattoos I always err on the side of caution.  Tattoo timeline (at least for me) is it takes around 2-weeks for the initial scabbing to fall off/pretty tattoo to be seen.  Another 2 weeks for the touch sensitivity to wear off.  Sustained water during the first month/month and a half can cause some issues (I've had some color lift from soaking too long/wearing the wrong type of tights when the tattoo was healing).  Also sun huuuuuuuurts for the first couple of months so be ultra careful with it!  It's an open wound!  A really pretty one, but still an open wound!  And wounds need time to heal!

 

[LyceeFruit PE]

Meh, I'll gladly pay on the high side for a great artist with OCD hygienic practices.

do you live in a state where tattoo artists aren't regulated?

there's like 10 states and if you get a tattoo in those 10 states, you have to wait a year before you can donate blood with the Red Cross. But the other states, you can go the next day. I thought that was interesting. 

surprisingly, (last i looked anyway) Mass was one of those states. which blew my mind. Maine and VT regulate tattoo shop

(regulate might not be the correct word btw)

I want new ink 

ETA: Decided to look it up. regulate is the right word.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#eligibility


Tattoo


Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

 

[LyceeFruit PE]

forgot to grab a pic!

I have a few recommendations from some inked people - but will always be glad to take some more!

Going to do some diving June and its a dive related tattoo so need it by then.  I always figured they were like a $1000 bucks a pop?  I am an old white dude so this is all new to me

as @JayKay PE said, do it soon. I'd do it in the next 6-8 weeks so it has plenty of time to heal. and then you can go for touch ups after your trip. but you're not supposed to submerge the tattoo for like a good two weeks after you get it. the artist will tell you all of the after care stuff (hopefully anyway) 

 

[aog]

Would a new tattoo on the top of the foot be in a spot that rubs when wearing fins/flippers?  Maybe that plays into the timing question too?

 

[Supe]

do you live in a state where tattoo artists aren't regulated?

there's like 10 states and if you get a tattoo in those 10 states, you have to wait a year before you can donate blood with the Red Cross. But the other states, you can go the next day. I thought that was interesting. 

surprisingly, (last i looked anyway) Mass was one of those states. which blew my mind. Maine and VT regulate tattoo shop

(regulate might not be the correct word btw)

I want new ink 

ETA: Decided to look it up. regulate is the right word.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#eligibility


Tattoo


Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

The last time I got them, I was living in Houston, which has HORRIBLE standards and lets them get away with everything.  Loads of scratch shops with their "$25 special" tattoos that have repeat histories of hepatitis, etc.  The girl I used is so anal, she uses rubber gloves from one box to pull her actual rubber gloves out of the other.  Most operating rooms aren't as clean/anal as she was!

 

[Road Guy]

I am looking to get it done in the next couple weeks - dive trip isn't till late June so I have time.

 

[JayKay PE]

Yeah, NYS isn't regulated, but the actual counties are required to regulate the tattoo parlors (they put the responsibility on them).  So my friend who tattoos has all her blood borne pathogen/other licenses completed and always uses caps/single-use needles that she opens in front of her clients.  Same thing with wipe-down equipment/chairs/using single-use liner for all surfaces/etc.  Kinda crazy what she does, but she's never had a health scare and she knows if someone's tattoo gets gross it's not because of her/it's because of them not taking care of it correctly.

 

[jeb6294]

I always thought it was funny that, when they started gaining popularity, girls always wanted to get 'em on the ankle or foot and that's one of the worst places to get pain wise.  I've just got the one at the moment on my upper arm.  Place I got it had dutch doors so people could watch if you didn't care.  There were three of four guys standing there carrying on about how bad it was going to hurt trying to freak me out.

 

[jeb6294]

When the wife got her her last one, the place had a tattoo/gumball machine at the door.  I think it was $50 for a tattoo, but you had to get what came out.  Every month they have a theme and they've got copies of all the stencils on the glass so you can see what's in there, but you can't see which one you're going to get until you crack open that little plastic ball.  Must have been Mar/April/May when she was in there because it was a baseball/Cincinnati Reds theme.

 

[LyceeFruit PE]

I always thought it was funny that, when they started gaining popularity, girls always wanted to get 'em on the ankle or foot and that's one of the worst places to get pain wise.  I've just got the one at the moment on my upper arm.  Place I got it had dutch doors so people could watch if you didn't care.  There were three of four guys standing there carrying on about how bad it was going to hurt trying to freak me out.

i've got 6 and my worst one was the ankle one that goes all around my ankle. it felt like he was ripping out my achilles with a fish hook. and i read a book during my other ankle one since it didn't go all the way around. my 1st tat was on my rib cage which tickled but not as bad at the ankle one