There are a couple of ways to track down the perfect tattoo artist. First, you’ve gotta figure out what you’re after: the style, location, what you’re willing to shell out, and how far they should be willing to travel. Then, you need to hunt down someone you’d trust a hundred percent with the job.

But there are plenty of choices on both sides, so where to begin, right? With all the diverse styles and top-notch artists out there, it’s kinda tricky to know where to kick off your quest for the right match for you.

You can sit down with the tattoo artist you’ve picked, and for quite a while, you’ll probably chat about everything from your favorite cookie to your lifelong dreams. So, yeah, who and what you choose is a big deal and not one to be taken lightly.

Tattoos come in all sorts of flavors: traditional, neo-traditional, blackwork, realism, watercolor, fine line… the list goes on, and knowing what you’re aiming for is a solid starting point.

The artist you choose will vary depending on the kind of ink or experience you’re after. If you’re just looking to pick a design from a flash sheet and get inked on the spot, a walk-in shop might be the way to go. But if you’re seeking something more imaginative and unique, it’s worth digging a bit deeper into what you want and who you want to do it.

If you’re looking for a custom piece, you’ve gotta be all in on the artist’s style. You’re approaching them to carve out a piece of their work, so you don’t want to ask for something completely different or go through multiple rounds of changes to the same design (they definitely won’t be thrilled).

You’re probably familiar with Instagram, the one-stop social media platform for all things ink! Start your search there. After all, tattoo artists tend to use Instagram as their portfolio these days, as it’s the easiest and quickest way to showcase their skills and what they’re capable of.

You’ll get a quick feel for an artist’s style from their social media, and you’ll know if it’s your jam or not. Once you know what style you like, you can use specific hashtags to find more artists. For example, search for #traditionaltattoos and #traditionalartists for old-school styles, #blackwork and #dotwork for blackwork and geometric artists, and #neotraditionaltattoo for more current and bold tattoo trends. You can also check out their followers, and reputable, well-established tattoo artists tend to have a high number.

There are some really good Instagram accounts to follow that aren’t dedicated to a single artist. Some focus on a style, while others are more general, but they’re all excellent ways to find artists and inspiration.

Don’t forget to do some digging on Google too. Look up online reviews and see what people have said about an artist’s work. You’ll want to know about their hygiene as well as their talent.

Once you’ve found an artist you dig, reach out. Most of them will let you know how they prefer to be contacted on their Instagram page (usually it’s by email). Do they have a website you can browse? Is there detailed info about their preferred contact methods?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to other tattoo artists as well. Shoot them an email with as much info as possible, but try not to lead with “How much will XYZ cost?” because asking about price right off the bat can sometimes discourage artists.

Start by explaining what you want and provide as many details as you can. Talk about the size, style, and the body part you want to get inked. When the artist responds, you’ll have a good sense of whether they’re the right fit for you. They might love your idea and build on it, or they’ll be upfront and say it’s not their thing.

Keep in mind that tattoo artists are super busy, and answering emails might take a little time, so cut them some slack if they don’t reply right away!

There’s also the old-school face-to-face method. If they’re local, drop by and say hi. It’s understandable that a first-time client might be a bit more nervous than someone with more experience, so getting to know the artist can ease those newbie jitters.

Word of mouth is another awesome marketing tool. Ask your friends (the ones in the know about the industry) if they can recommend someone, specifically someone who does the tattoo style you want. Think about what’s important to you when you find an artist and see what others have to say about them. What’s important to you can be anything from how skilled the artist is to how patient they are. If it’s your first tattoo, you might want someone who makes you feel comfortable.

Finally… don’t rush it. Enjoy the process of finding the right tattoo artist and make sure you’re completely happy with your choice.