Trust Your Tattoo Artist: Why Letting Go Leads to Better Designs
You’ve got a tattoo idea. It’s been brewing since that music festival in Stellenbosch, or maybe from that one heartbreak that hit harder than load-shedding at dinner. You’ve doodled it on receipts, whispered about it to your bestie, and now you’re ready. You march into the tattoo studio, idea in hand, confidence in your step, and then…
You tell the artist exactly what to do.
Cool. But let’s chat.
Tattoos Aren’t Vinyl Stickers from the China Mall
Listen, we love that you’ve got a “vision.” But there’s a big difference between a Pinterest pin and something that has to live on your skin forever. Tattoos move. Skin stretches. Your bicep won’t look the same after December’s braai season, and that’s okay.
Tattoo artists in South Africa have seen it all and if you don’t believe us, check out the work showcased at the SA Tattoo Convention. Lion King silhouettes, maps of Africa with the heart over Joburg, even that one guy who asked for a Spur logo (we wish we were joking). They know what works. And more importantly, they know what doesn’t.
South Africans Love to Haggle. But Maybe Not Here?
Yes, we all like a good deal. We ask for discounts at the garage, we price-compare avocados like we’re brokers at the JSE. But when it comes to tattoos? Maybe don’t try to negotiate your way into a half-price sleeve.
Tattoo artists aren’t printing T-shirts. They’re designing something permanent with a machine that literally scratches ink into your dermis. Trust their time. Trust their rate. And trust their vision, especially if you’ve chosen someone whose portfolio slaps harder than a Springbok tackle.
Your Artist Isn’t Just Doing a Job. They’re Crafting a Story.
This part is often overlooked. Your tattoo artist isn’t there to copy your drawing of a compass that “represents your journey.” They’re there to build on that. Maybe the lines need adjusting. Maybe the placement is off. Maybe they’ve got a better idea that’ll make the whole thing look less like a sticker and more like art.
You wouldn’t walk into a restaurant, order the chef around, then complain when the meal isn’t perfect. Same thing here, except your “plate” is your arm, and the meal lasts forever.
Waiting for the Design? Chill, Bru.
South Africans love to plan—but also… we don’t. You’ll wait five days for a Checkers chicken salad to go on sale, but get twitchy if your artist hasn’t sent your design two weeks before your appointment?
Relax.
Many artists do final designs the night before or even on the day of the session. Not because they’re lazy, but because they’re professionals who need to get into the zone. Trust them. They want to give you their best work, not some rushed version of your WhatsApp sketch from 2023.
Say What You Want. Then Listen.
Be honest. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Don’t be that person who nods politely, then leaves with a tattoo they hate and a grudge they’ll take to Twitter.
But also, once you’ve shared your story and your ideas, let go a little. Great ink doesn’t happen through control. It happens through trust.
You’re Not Just Getting a Tattoo. You’re Building a Relationship.
In South Africa, we understand relationships. We call strangers “bru” and talk to petrol attendants like they’re our uncles. It’s a vibe.
So treat your tattoo artist like part of that culture. Respect their skill. Be real. And know that when you trust them, they’ll give you something you can proudly show off next time you’re stuck in traffic on the N1.
Want to understand how giving your artist more freedom leads to better tattoos? Check out this breakdown by Skins & Needles.
