Our Process: Designing Custom Tattoos Just for You
While everyone has tattoos, and there’s bound to be tattoos that look similar to each other. We want your tattoo to be unique to you. As every tattoo tells a story. Some are deeply personal, some are purely aesthetic, and some are a mix of both. Here at Golden Hours, we believe your tattoo should be more than just ink it should feel like yours. We have our own process of designing custom tattoos for our clients, to bring out the best of their ideas with the visual impact that our artists can deliver. We’ll breakdown our process, so you know what to expect when you come in for your appointment.
Step 1: The Consultation
The start of the tattoo process. We generally request our clients to come in person to consult about their tattoos, although online consults can be done too. You don’t need to come to us with a fully formed vision (although this will be really helpful). Bringing reference photos, sketches, or even just an idea of concept is enough for our artists to get started. Whether you are looking to make a full black and grey darkside sleeve, or a small floral piece on your wrist. Our artists can have something to start making a design with.
During this stage, we’ll talk:
Concept: What kind of aesthetic and style you’re looking to get with your tattoo, along with any symbolism or meaning.
Reference & Ideas: If you have references images and ideas, our artists will take a look at them and see what is suitable for the tattoo and how it can be adapted into the tattoo design.
Size and placement: Our artists will measure and/or mock up the deisgn to fit your body. For larger pieces, we’ll take pictures of the body part. So the artist can design the tattoo design with a mock up to fit your body part.
Step 2: Research & Design
Once our artists have what they need from the consult, they will start with creating your tattoo design. Our artists create their tattoo designs on Procreate. Creating both a clean version of the design to be used as a stencil for the tattoo, along with the mock up showcasing how it will look later on your body. This process can take time especially for detailed, larger pieces such as full sleeves, full backs or torsos.
Step 3: Feedback
Once the design is completed, we’ll send the design to you for feedback. This is where your input is really important to our artists to make sure the design is to your liking. Any changes to the general design or concept should be brought up no matter how big or small. With how permanent tattoos are, we don’t want you walking out with any regrets.
Step 4: Refinement
Once we’ve got your feedback, our artists will work on the revisions on the design. This step of the process can be done either online or on the day of the tattoo. Where our artists can make changes before printing out the final design and stencil for the tattoo.
Step 5: Tattoo Flashes & Custom Designs
While we generally focus on custom tattoos, its worth mentioning flashes. You’ve probably seen sheets of pre-drawn designs hanging on the wall or in binders. These are called tattoo flashes. They’re quick, ready-to-go designs that can be tattooed as-is or tweaked slightly before tattooing. Flashes can be customized, although generally artists prefer if flashes are done as they are designed. As these are more in line with their personal work or style, as a sort of marker of their style or character.
Why People Choose Flashes: Flashes are great if you want something classic, small, or spontaneous like a quick rose, a panther, or a lightning bolt. They’re tried-and-true designs that hold up well and have stood the test of time. They can also be unique pieces that an artist has made for clients willing to adopt them.
Why People Choose Custom: A custom tattoo is made from scratch for you. It’s unique, tailored to your body, and usually more detailed or symbolic than flash art. Although customs pieces generally take more time and attention from the artist to create them.
Step 6: Tattoo Session
This is where the ideas actually become real. Our artists will take the finished design are print out the stencil to fit. We carefully place the stencil on your body so you can see how the design flows with your shape. Once you’re happy, we start tattooing. All that’s left is to sit through the tattoo and enjoy the process as much as you can. Even if it can be painful at some points.
Step 7: Aftercare & Support
Once the tattoo is completed, we’ll provide you with with clear aftercare instructions. As the healing process is just as important as the tattoo session itself. And if you ever have questions or need a touch-up, we’re just a message away. This is where your care and attention to the healing process will determine how the tattoo heals and looks.
Why we recommend custom tattoos
While yes, you could pick a design off the internet, especially with Pinterest and Instagram showcasing tons of tattoo ideas. But if you really want a tattoo that is your own, a custom tattoo ensures you’re wearing something no one else has. It’s a piece that an artist has put time and effort to create just for you. You can look at it and know that this your piece.
Conclusion
Designing a tattoo is more than just an artists making an image, it’s a collaboration between you and your artist. Our process makes sure you end up with a tattoo you’ll love for a lifetime.
Our artists are happy to help with your own custom tattoo design. If you’re looking to get one of your own, we’d be happy to help! Send us a message, through our contact details below or our contact page!
