Tattoo artists do more than ink skin; they consult, design, advise, and guide you through the full process safely and artistically. From style selection to healing support, learn what makes a great artist and why choosing the right one (like Aloha Tattoos) really matters.

Whether you're a first-timer exploring your first design or a collector planning a full sleeve, understanding what tattoo artists actually do helps you choose the right one, and avoid costly mistakes.

In this guide, you'll learn:

What tattoo artists handle beyond tattooing
How their work changes by client type (first-timer vs enthusiast)
What makes a great tattoo artist (and red flags to avoid)
Answers to common questions and fears clients have

Want to know what really goes on behind the chair? Keep reading, we’ll break it all down for you.

What Does a Tattoo Artist Actually Do?

A tattoo artist is more than someone who applies ink, they’re a trained professional who blends artistry, anatomy, and technical skill to create meaningful, lasting body art. From start to finish, their work is equal parts creative design, technical execution, and client care.

Core Duties of a Tattoo Artist

Consultation: They start by listening, understanding your story, preferences, and vision. Whether it’s your first tattoo or your fifth, this step helps align design, placement, and expectations.
Custom Design: Tattoo artists create original artwork or adapt existing ideas to fit your body’s natural flow. They ensure the design fits the placement, size, and style that suits you best.
Technical Tattooing: Using sterile equipment, they apply the tattoo with precision, adjusting needle depth, machine voltage, and ink flow based on your skin type and the tattoo’s detail level.
Hygiene & Sanitation: Cleanliness is non-negotiable. Artists follow strict sanitation practices, using gloves, disposable materials, and properly sterilized equipment to protect your health.
Aftercare Education: Once the ink is in, the job isn’t done. Tattoo artists walk you through healing instructions, product recommendations, and what signs to watch for during recovery.

What Are the Duties of a Tattoo Artist?

Tattoo artists consult with clients, design custom artwork, tattoo with professional tools, maintain strict hygiene standards, and provide aftercare guidance.

Tattoo Artist vs. Tattooist: What’s the Difference?

You’ve probably heard both terms, tattoo artist and tattooist, used interchangeably. And while they technically describe someone who applies tattoos, there’s a meaningful difference in how the terms are used in the industry.

Tattoo Artist: Creativity Meets Craft

A tattoo artist is typically someone who:

Specializes in creating custom, original artwork
Has completed a formal apprenticeship or mentorship
Builds a strong portfolio of healed work
Is deeply involved in design, placement, and style choice
Often blends fine art training with tattooing techniques

These artists often work in reputable studios, use professional-grade equipment, and emphasize cleanliness, aesthetics, and long-term results.

Tattooist: A Simpler Term

The term tattooist can refer to:

Anyone who performs the act of tattooing, whether self-taught or formally trained
Individuals who may focus more on applying pre-designed flash tattoos rather than creating custom work
People with a wide range of skill levels (from beginners to pros)

It’s not necessarily wrong, it’s just broader and less specific.

While both apply tattoos, a tattoo artist is typically more focused on original design, artistic vision, and formal training, while a tattooist may simply refer to someone who performs tattoos, regardless of artistic background or style depth.

How Tattoo Artists Adapt to Different Client Types

No two clients are alike, and neither are their tattoos. Skilled tattoo artists know how to adjust their approach based on who’s in the chair. Whether you’re nervous, sentimental, design-focused, or on your fifth sleeve, a good artist tailors the experience to you.

Here’s how they adapt across common client types:

First-Timers

Tattoo artists take extra care with beginners by:

Explaining every step of the process, from prep to healing
Recommending simpler designs with cleaner linework
Offering calming, supportive energy throughout
Teaching aftercare in detail to prevent infection or fading

Tattoo Enthusiasts

Artists working with heavily tattooed clients are:

Comfortable with full-day or multi-session projects
Fluent in style blending (e.g., combining realism with linework or geometric)
Focused on continuity and flow across the body
Ready to suggest future expansion (sleeves, back pieces, etc.)

Sentimental Seekers

Emotionally driven tattoos require:

Thoughtful consultation around memorials, names, or tribute pieces
Delicate techniques like fine line, micro realism, or black and grey
A space where clients can express emotion without pressure or judgment

Aesthetic-Focused Clients

For those who prioritize beauty, symmetry, and flow:

Artists use body mapping to align designs with anatomy
Emphasize clean lines, balanced placement, and color harmony
Offer advice on flattering areas and styles based on shape and movement

Cover-Up Clients

Cover-ups are technically and emotionally complex. Artists:

Use layered styles like neo-traditional or realism to mask old work
Rework design elements to integrate the past into something new
Set honest expectations around what’s possible in one or more sessions

A great artist won’t promise miracles, they’ll explain what will actually hold up on your skin. Tattoo artists aren’t just technicians, they’re problem-solvers, listeners, and collaborators. The right one meets you where you are, no matter your story or style.

Behind the Scenes: What Tattoo Artists Do Before You Arrive

Before any ink touches skin, your tattoo artist is already deep in preparation. The tattooing process begins hours, or sometimes days, before your appointment, ensuring both your design and safety are handled with care and expertise.

Design Sessions & Revisions

A quality tattoo starts with a collaborative design process. This often includes:

One-on-one consultations to discuss your story, concept, and style preferences
Custom sketching or digital rendering of the artwork
Multiple revisions to fine-tune details, placement, or symbolism

In many professional studios, especially those with high demand or custom work, a non-refundable drawing or deposit fee is standard. This covers the time spent crafting original artwork tailored to your vision, even if you decide not to proceed.

Artists are designers, not just technicians. Paying for a drawing respects their time and ensures the work is truly one-of-a-kind.

Stencil Prep & Planning

Once the final design is approved:

The artist prints a custom stencil scaled to your body proportions
Placement is carefully mapped and aligned to flow with your natural movement and anatomy
Adjustments are made as needed to fit areas like shoulders, ribs, or limbs

This is crucial, what looks good on paper doesn’t always translate perfectly to skin. A professional artist makes sure it does.

Hygiene & Equipment Setup

Tattooing is a medical-grade procedure that demands strict hygiene standards. Prior to your arrival, the artist will:

Sanitize all surfaces and prepare a sterile work zone
Set up fresh, single-use supplies including needles, gloves, razors, and ink caps
Adjust tattoo machines for the specific linework, shading, or style of your design

According to industry best practices and local health regulations, setup alone can take 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the tattoo and size of the equipment station.

Reputable artists prioritize safety just as much as style. If you see an organized, clean setup, it’s a good sign you’re in the right hands.

Tattoo artistry begins well before the first needle buzz. From custom art prep to sterile equipment checks, these behind-the-scenes steps are a hallmark of professionalism and care

The Tattooing Process: From Machine to Masterpiece

Once you’re in the chair and the machine powers on, your tattoo artist shifts from designer to technician, translating art into lasting skinwork. Every step of the tattooing process requires precision, awareness, and adaptability.

Adjusting Tools for Precision

Before the first line is drawn, the artist will:

Select the right needle configurations for lining, shading, or color packing
Adjust machine voltage and depth to suit your skin type and the tattoo’s complexity
Test consistency and ink flow to avoid blowouts or uneven saturation

Professional tattoo artists often train for years to master these variables, ensuring every mark is deliberate and safe.

Reading Skin & Managing Pain

Experienced artists don’t just tattoo, they observe your skin in real-time. They watch for:

Swelling, redness, or excessive bleeding that may require technique adjustments
Your body’s pain cues and posture changes
Areas where skin tension affects line sharpness or ink absorption

If needed, they’ll suggest breaks, apply numbing products (with your consent), or change pace to keep you comfortable without sacrificing quality.

Balancing Design Flow & Body Movement

Great tattooing isn’t just about lines, it’s about how the design lives on a moving, breathing body. During your session, the artist may:

Reposition your body to stretch the skin
Continuously check symmetry and flow
Adjust their hand pressure based on contour and elasticity

This ensures the tattoo heals evenly and looks natural in motion, not just on the table.

Post-Session Monitoring & Healing Timelines

After the tattoo is complete, the artist will:

Apply a protective wrap or dressing
Provide personalized aftercare instructions based on the area, style, and your skin type
Explain the healing timeline, which varies from 7 days to 4+ weeks, depending on tattoo size and placement

Can They Tattoo Over Scars or Stretch Marks?

Yes, but with care. Skilled artists can work over scar tissue and stretch marks, though it requires specialized technique:

Softer shading and slower needle movement to protect sensitive areas
Adjusted pigment layering for even saturation
Honest consultation about texture and ink retention expectations

If you're considering tattooing over healed scars, bring this up early so your artist can assess the skin in person.

The tattooing process is more than just ink, it's an active collaboration between your body, your artist, and their tools. When done right, the result is art that moves with you for life.

Aftercare & Emotional Support

A tattoo artist’s role doesn’t end when the machine stops buzzing. Once the art is complete, they shift into a new role: healer, guide, and emotional support, especially when the tattoo carries deep meaning.

Aftercare Instructions That Protect Your Ink

Proper healing is critical for the tattoo’s longevity and appearance. Professional artists will:

Gently clean and wrap the area immediately after finishing
Explain how long to keep the wrap on and when to remove it
Recommend fragrance-free moisturizers or tattoo balms to use during healing
Share signs of concern: excessive redness, swelling, or infection

Clear aftercare isn’t just for your safety, it also protects the artist’s work and ensures the design heals exactly as intended.

Emotional Support: A Quiet but Crucial Role

For many clients, tattoos mark grief, transformation, or recovery. Artists often serve as:

A patient, nonjudgmental presence during vulnerable moments
A witness to personal stories that unfold as the tattoo takes shape
A source of comfort through calm energy and affirming conversation

Tattooing can be emotional, especially with memorial pieces or designs tied to trauma. A good artist understands this and gives space for it, without pressure.

Educators, Not Just Technicians

Artists aren’t just applying ink, they’re teaching you how to care for it. They’ll help you:

Understand how different skin types and placements affect healing
Know what to expect day-by-day (like peeling, itching, or scabbing)
Choose products that support both skin health and pigment retention

Top-tier professionals empower you to take ownership of the healing process with clear guidance and realistic expectations.

When you leave the chair, you’re not just walking out with art, you’re walking out with knowledge, support, and peace of mind that your artist will be there if you have questions or concerns down the line.

Beyond the Chair: Hidden Parts of the Job

While clients usually see the design and tattooing process firsthand, much of a tattoo artist’s work happens when the studio is quiet and the gloves are off. Behind the scenes, professional artists are constantly balancing creative output with business logistics, client communication, and industry leadership.

Booking, Content, & Client Follow-Up

Tattoo artists often manage their own:

Booking calendars through apps, email, or social media
DMs and inquiries from potential and existing clients
Instagram portfolios and story highlights, used to showcase style, healed results, and daily studio life
Follow-up check-ins to see how tattoos are healing or if touch-ups are needed

Capturing well-lit, healed tattoos is part of the job, it builds trust and demonstrates how their work holds up over time.

Business Ownership & Studio Upkeep

Many tattooers are also small business owners or booth renters. Outside of sessions, they’re responsible for:

Tracking income, expenses, and taxes (yes, even artists do accounting!)
Ordering and stocking eco-friendly supplies, gloves, needles, inks, and wraps
Maintaining strict studio hygiene protocols to comply with health regulations

These aren’t side tasks, they’re essentials that ensure your safety and the studio’s professionalism.

Mentorship & Industry Growth

Experienced artists often give back through:

Training apprentices in art fundamentals, hygiene, and ethics
Teaching proper tattoo techniques, client interaction, and long-term care
Helping shape the next generation of artists with integrity and skill

Many artists view mentoring not just as a responsibility, but as a way to keep the culture of tattooing strong, safe, and respectful.

Great artists don’t judge skin, they adapt to it with skill and respect.

Tattooing is a profession that demands creativity, discipline, and adaptability. The work continues long after the machine stops buzzing, and it’s this behind-the-scenes dedication that separates a good artist from a truly great one.

Why Work With Aloha Tattoos

When it comes to tattooing, your artist matters just as much as your idea. At Aloha Tattoos, the experience is as thoughtful as the art itself, because we believe tattoos should be done with care, not shortcuts.

The Aloha Advantage

Why clients keep coming back, and send their friends:

Experts in all styles: From fine line and geometric to bold traditional and hyper-realism, our team covers the full spectrum of tattoo artistry.
Patient, collaborative approach: We listen first, design with intention, and make sure you're 100% comfortable every step of the way.
Clean, eco-conscious, inclusive studio: We prioritize your health and the planet, using eco-friendly supplies in a judgment-free space for all bodies and skin tones.
No egos, no pressure, just results: You'll never feel rushed or talked down to. We walk you through aftercare, offer touch-up support, and price everything transparently.

Why DIY or Cheap Isn’t Worth It

We’ve seen too many people come in asking for cover-ups on tattoos they regret getting from untrained, low-cost artists. Here’s what usually goes wrong:

Bad ink = scarred lines, fading, and infection risk
Cheap pigments and poor technique can permanently damage your skin.
No consultation = mismatched, meaningless, or misaligned designs
You deserve art that fits your story and body, not a rushed decision.
Rushed work = poor placement, uneven lines, messy healing
Time matters. A rushed tattoo doesn’t just look bad, it stays bad.

“Wish I’d spent extra for someone experienced the first time.” , Real feedback we hear often

If you’re ready to get tattooed with clarity, artistry, and support, we’d love to meet you.
Book a consultation with Aloha Tattoos and take the first step toward a tattoo you’ll love for life.

Final Tips Before You Book

Getting a tattoo is personal, and permanent. These quick tips will help you start your journey with confidence, clarity, and respect for both the art and the artist.

Do this before you commit:

Review portfolios, especially healed tattoos: Fresh ink looks great on Instagram, but healed results show the artist’s true skill.
Ask about style fusion and custom work: Many artists can blend influences to make your design uniquely yours.
Bring inspiration, not Pinterest pressure: Reference images are helpful, but avoid demanding exact copies. Let your artist make it yours.
Plan ahead and respect the process: Great tattoos aren’t made in a rush. Be flexible with timing and open to design refinement.
Book a consultation to get started: This is where ideas become plans. You’ll discuss style, size, placement, and expectations before any ink is touched.

FAQs

Will this hurt my job prospects?

Visible tattoos like hands, neck, or face may still carry stigma in certain industries. A good artist can help you choose placements that are easy to cover for work or interviews, without sacrificing the integrity of your design.

Can I ask for a style without sounding rude?

Yes! Tattoo artists expect you to come with ideas, references, and preferences. The key is to frame it as a conversation, not a demand. Most artists appreciate when you know what you like and are open to their expert input.

What’s considered rude during a session?

Showing up late without notice
Asking for exact copies of someone else’s tattoo
Not disclosing health issues, allergies, or medications
Bringing an uninvited guest
Critiquing the work mid-process before it’s finished

Respect the artist’s space, trust the process, and ask questions respectfully, tattooing is collaborative, not transactional.

These client worries are common, valid, and easily addressed when you choose the right artist, someone who creates a welcoming environment, communicates clearly, and prioritizes your experience as much as the art.

What does a tattoo artist do? | Career Guide, Roles, Jobs