Your First Tattoo: What to Expect at a Tattoo Appointment (Complete Guide)
- Joshua Chatwin
- Aug 17
- 6 min read
So you’re finally ready to get your first tattoo—hell yeah! Whether you’ve been dreaming about it since you were 15 or you woke up this morning and said, “Screw it, it’s time,” that first appointment can feel like a trip to the principal’s office.
We've noticed an uptick in first-timers and first of all, thanks for trust! Secondly, we're sure there's some nervous anticipation, sweaty palms, maybe a little voice in your head saying, “This is gonna hit my permanent record, dude.”
Simmer down. Getting your first tattoo isn’t nearly as scary as your brain wants you to think. In fact, once you know what to expect, you’ll see it for what it really is: a rite of passage, a personal milestone, and one hell of a story you’ll be wearing and telling forever.
Here’s your complete, no-BS guide to what happens at your first tattoo appointment.
Step One: Prepping Like a Pro for your First Tattoo
If you roll into your tattoo appointment hungover, starving, and dressed like you’re hitting Coachella, you’re already making it harder on yourself. Don’t be a dummy. Here’s how to prep like a champ:
• Eat a light but filling meal about 30min beforehand. Unless it’s a very, very small tattoo, getting tattoo is essentially a mini marathon for your body. Show up fueled, not fasting.
• Hydrate. Your skin loves water, and hydrated skin takes ink better. On that note, keep the tanning to a minimum for a week or two before your appointment and for the love of God, don’t come in with a fucking sunburn.
• Dress smart. Think comfy clothes that allow access to the area you’re getting tattooed. No one wants to wrestle skinny jeans for an ankle piece. Getting your ass tattooed? Make sure we can get to it and you can cover up any bits you don’t want seen around the shop.
• Bring the essentials. Valid ID (seriously, no ID = no tattoo), payment (Cash Preferred, but we take the other crap), any reference images you’d like your artist to see, and any snacks to keep you docile and happy.
• Skip the booze and painkillers. They thin your blood and can make things messy real fast. NO numbing cream unless specifically discussed and approved by your tattoo artist!
Think of it like battle prep: the better you take care of yourself before the appointment, the easier the whole experience will be.
Step Two: The Consultation
Before needle meets skin, we are going to have a little heart-to-heart. This is where the magic begins. Generally most of this will be hashed out before your appointment via our easy-to-use online appointment request forms, an email/text with your artist, and maybe an in-person consultation, but there will always be a little chat before your tattoo starts where you'll see your design and discuss sizing and placement specifics and any changes we've made or you want. And if you’re a walk-in (which we take daily) this all happens on the fly – a beautiful tango of ideas. During this consultation, expect to talk about:
• The design. Your ideas, your references, and how your artist will make it actually tattooable.
• Placement & size. Where you want it and how big it needs to be to last. If we say it’s too small, it’s too fucking small. We aren’t trying to upsize or upcharge you, we are trying to make sure your tattoo looks good until you’re 6 feet under.
• Budget & timing. No one likes surprises when it comes to money or time. But remember, these are all just estimates and things can change day of for any number of reasons. Transparency is key.
This is also where you should be brutally honest about things like pain tolerance, proclivity of passing out, or skin sensitivities and allergies you have. A good artist isn’t just drawing on you—they’re guiding you through a big, meaningful decision that is essentially a minor medical procedure mashed up with timeless rituals.
Pro tip: if you vibe with your artist, the whole experience is smoother. If you don’t… find someone you click with. Tattoos are forever, and so are bad memories of awkward conversations.
Step Three: The Setup—Clean, Sterile, Chill
NO 1/2 stepping here. A professional studio is clean, sterile, and designed to keep you comfortable. Here’s what goes down:
You’ll be required to fill out a consent form. This gather’s all important information about you, your design, any allergies and overall health, and specific potential risks associated with getting tattooed—make sure to read and fill this out accurate and truthful.
You should observe:
Fresh, single-use needles every time with sharps containers for used needles at each station.
All pigments dispensed from original bottles into single-use ink caps.
Gloves, barriers on surfaces, bottles, machines and grips, cords, etc.
Disinfectants and single use paper towels.
Wipeable and moppable surfaces.
Each tattoo artist should have their county and/or state license displayed at their station. This confirms they are trained in blood borne pathogens, aseptic technique, and prevention of cross-contamination.
You’ll also notice the vibe: music playing, artists chatting, and that low hum of machines. It’s part ritual, doctor’s office, part punk rock show.
Step Four: The Tattooing Process
Alright, the moment you’ve been waiting for. This is where people either say, “That’s it? Not bad at all,” or, “Oh shit, what did I get myself into?” Here’s how it usually goes:
1. Stencil placement. Your artist will shave the area and transfer the design onto your skin so you can approve it.
2. The first line. That first buzz of the needle can feel like a cat scratch, a bee sting, or a spicy sunburn. But is doable and damnit, you’re doing it. For 95% of people, the outline is the worse part. Get through it and it's all downhill, baby.
3. Shading and color: and if you’re tattoo artist isn’t a dick, you’ll start getting some Bactine every now and again. This reduces irritation, is an antiseptic, and most importantly, has some Lidocaine to take the edge off.
4. Breaks. Need to stretch, grab water, or just breathe? Speak up! We’d rather take a quick break than pick you up off the floor.
The pain isn’t as bad as you think—it’s mostly hype. And the more relaxed you are, the easier it is. Some people even fall asleep mid-session. Those people don’t have feelings, but they do exist so there’s hope for you.
Step Five: Aftercare—Where the Real Work Begins
Congratulations, you survived! Now comes the crucial part: keeping your tattoo looking fresh for the long haul. The first few weeks of healing determine how your tattoo looks for life. Your artist will give you aftercare instructions, but here’s the gist:
• We will Bandage your tattoo. This bandage is to be worn OVERNIGHT, followed by a sweet, gentle washing in the morning. No washrag, loofa, or abrasives while washing or drying and running water only for the first few weeks.
• Moisturize, but not like you’re frosting a cake. A thin layer of unscented ointment or lotion is enough. The tattoo needs to breathe – less is more. We prefer and recommend Aquaphor for a healing ointment and liquid Gold Dial soap for washing until healed (3-4 weeks).
• Expect the weird stuff. Peeling, itching, even a little flaking. It’s all normal. Don’t pick, don’t scratch, don’t peel.
• Avoid the sun and swimming. Chlorine and fresh ink do not mix, and neither does UV damage.
Healing usually takes 2–4 weeks, but your tattoo will keep settling for months. Long-term? Sunscreen is your new best friend. Nothing fades a tattoo faster than pretending you’re immune to the sun.
For full aftercare instructions read THIS
Final Thoughts: Your First Tattoo is Just the Beginning
Here’s the thing—your first tattoo won’t be your last. Almost everyone says, “I’m just getting one.” Then two months later, they’re back in the chair while plotting their next two tattoos and thinking of a back piece. Tattoos are addictive in the best possible way because they allow you to take autonomy and decorate your temple.
The key is choosing the right studio. At Fox and Sparrow Tattoo, we take every tattoo seriously and give our all to create something special just for you—guiding you through the whole experience, from nervous first-timer to seasoned collector.
So if you’re ready to make the leap, book your appointment today or just stroll your ass in during business hours (Tuesday–Saturday 1PM–8PM) and we’ll walk you through every step, answer your questions, and make sure your first tattoo is one you’ll be proud enough to take to your grave.
Further Reading:
Modern Primitives, Vale, V. & Juno, Andrea.1989.
Bodies of Inscription: A Cultural History of the Modern Tattoo Community, DeMello, Margo.2000.
Written on the Body: The Tattoo in European and American History, Caplan, Jane (ed.)2000.
Tattoo Archive: (history, culture, flash references).
Joshua Chatwin, tattooing since 2010, owns Fox & Sparrow Tattoo with his wife and fellow tattooer, Samantha Chatwin. They live in and love Muncie Indiana with their daughter, Olivia, and two Papillon dogs, Honey Bear & Maple Wolf. Give him a good book, a good cigar, and about 30 in the sauna and he's happier than a pig in shit.
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