First Tattoo Guide: What to Know Before You Get Inked

A first tattoo goes best when you slow down on three decisions: the design, the placement and the artist. Then take care of the basics on the day. This guide walks through each step for Seattle, including what the law requires, what it costs, and what to expect in the chair.

Are you old enough?

In Washington you must be 18, with no exceptions. RCW 26.28.085 makes it a misdemeanor to tattoo anyone under 18, and a parent's permission or presence doesn't change that. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID to every appointment. Studios have to record each client's age, and artists are only protected if they checked picture ID. Our Washington tattoo laws guide covers the details.

How do you choose a design?

Start a folder of everything that catches your eye on Instagram, Pinterest or artists' websites, and keep adding to it for a few weeks. Patterns appear quickly. Maybe you keep saving fine-line botanicals, or bold traditional flash. That tells you which style, and which artists, to look for.

A few things to weigh:

• Meaning versus aesthetics. Not every tattoo needs a story, but you should still like it in 20 years. Living with a design idea for a few months before booking is the simplest regret test.
• How the style ages. Bold outlines and solid black, as in American traditional, Japanese and blackwork, hold up best over decades. Fine line, watercolor and micro-realism look delicate when fresh but soften faster and need more upkeep. Our style guides rate how each style ages.
• Size. Detailed designs need room. Shrinking a complex image to fit a small spot is the most common reason tattoos blur. Let your artist size it.

Where should you put your first tattoo?

Placement affects pain, visibility, healing and how long the tattoo stays crisp. Fleshier areas generally hurt less, while spots with thin skin over bone or lots of nerve endings hurt more. Healthline lists the forehead, neck, spine, ribs, hands and fingers, ankles and tops of the feet among the most painful.

Think about work, too. Washington's anti-discrimination law doesn't protect tattoos, so private employers can set dress codes. Easy-to-cover placements keep your options open.

How do you find the right artist?

Pick the artist, not just the studio. Most tattooers specialize, and the best traditional artist in the city may not be the right person for a fine-line portrait.

1. Study portfolios. Look for consistency: clean lines, smooth shading and saturated color across many pieces, in the style you want.
2. Look for healed photos. Fresh tattoos always look sharp. Healed work, ideally a year or more old, shows real skill.
3. Visit the studio. A good studio is clean and organized, and its staff answer questions without rushing you. In Washington, the shop's license should be posted at reception and each artist's license at their workstation.
4. Verify the license. Search the artist and the shop on the Department of Licensing License Lookup. Washington licenses tattoo artists through DOL, not the health department.
5. Read reviews, but weigh them alongside the portfolio.

Seattle's studios cluster in a few areas, including Capitol Hill's Pike/Pine corridor, Belltown, Fremont, Greenwood, the U District, Lake City and the West Seattle Junction. Go where the right artist is, not just the nearest shop.

What happens at a consultation?

A consultation, in person or by message, is where you share references, placement and budget. The artist explains what will work on skin. Good artists are honest: they may suggest making the design bigger, simplifying details or moving it to another spot. That's experience, not upselling. You'll usually leave a deposit to book, typically $100 to $200 in Seattle. Deposits are almost always nonrefundable and come off the final price.

How much will it cost?

Seattle studios publish shop minimums of $100 to $250, most often $150, and hourly rates of $150 to $300, mostly $175 to $250. Typical first tattoos cost:

• Tiny (under 2 inches): the shop minimum, about $100 to $250
• Small (2 to 4 inches): about $150 to $500
• Palm-sized (4 to 6 inches): about $350 to $900

Add 10.55% Seattle sales tax and a 15–25% tip. Our price guide has a calculator and the published rates of studios around the city. Don't shop on price alone. A cheap tattoo from an unlicensed artist often ends in a costly cover-up.

How should you prepare for your appointment?

The days before:

• Sleep well, eat normally and stay hydrated.
• Moisturize the area, and keep it out of the sun. Washington rules bar artists from tattooing skin with visible lesions or infection, "including sunburn" (WAC 246-145-015).

The 24 hours before:

• Skip alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen, which can thin the blood. Healthline advises avoiding them for 24 hours. Licensed artists also can't tattoo anyone who appears to be under the influence. Ask your artist before taking any pain reliever, and don't stop prescribed medications without talking to your doctor.

The day of:

• Eat a real meal an hour or two before.
• Wear clothes that give easy access to the placement and that you don't mind getting ink on.
• Bring your photo ID, water, a snack, headphones and a layer.
• Arrive on time. Studios can forfeit your deposit if you're very late.

Expect paperwork: Washington studios keep a record of every client's name, age, address, the procedure and a signature for at least two years.

What does getting tattooed feel like?

Most people describe it as a hot scratching or stinging sensation, and fleshier areas are easier than bony ones. Adrenaline helps at first, and many people settle into it after the first several minutes. Talk to your artist: ask for a break if you need one, and speak up right away if you feel faint or nauseous. Our tattoo pain guide has a placement-by-placement breakdown and coping strategies.

You can also watch for good hygiene while you're in the chair. Needles should come from sealed, single-use packages opened in front of you. Your artist should wear fresh gloves, use a new ink cup, and cover equipment with barrier film.

What happens after?

Your artist will cover the tattoo and give you aftercare instructions. Follow them closely: wash gently with fragrance-free soap, moisturize thinly, and keep the tattoo out of the sun, pools, lakes and Puget Sound until it heals. Our aftercare guide explains each step and the warning signs of infection.

Take your time with every decision. A tattoo you planned carefully is one you'll keep enjoying.