Journal - Booking
What to ask at a tattoo consultation
Consults are short, so go in knowing what to ask and what to bring.
Nov 10, 2026 - 2 min read
What a consult is for
A consultation is a short chat, in person or on video, before a bigger custom piece. The artist gets to see the spot and hear the idea, and you get a feel for whether you like working with them.
Smaller tattoos usually don't need one. Those get sorted over a booking form or email.
What to bring
- Reference images, and a note on what you like about each one
- Any tattoos you already have near the spot
- A rough budget
- The days you're free
Questions people wish they'd asked
You won't need all of these.
- How many sessions do you think this will take?
- What's the deposit, and when does it stop being refundable?
- Would you change the size or placement?
- Can I see healed photos of something similar?
- How do touch-ups work?
When the artist pushes back
If they say the design is too small for the detail you want, or that a spot will blur over time, they're probably right. They've watched their own work heal for years. Ask what they'd do instead before you go looking for someone who'll just say yes.
Afterwards
Most artists send a quote and a deposit link after the consult. Paying the deposit is what holds the time, so don't sit on it if their books are filling up.
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