Everything to know before, during and after your tattoo.
48 guides on styles, placement, prices, artists and aftercare.
Have a question the guides don’t answer? Ask Hardy, our AI tattoo assistant →
Getting your first tattoo?
The four guides that answer most first-timer questions.
Get a reading list made for you.
Three quick questions. We pick the guides and tools that fit where you are.
- 1Where are you in your tattoo journey?
- 2What do you need help with most?
- 3What size are you thinking of?
Browse by topic
Styles
The main tattoo styles in one place: what each looks like, how it ages and how to find an artist who does it well.
All 13 guides →- Japanese Tattoos (Irezumi)6 min read
- Tribal Tattoos6 min read
- Fine Line Tattoos6 min read
- Minimalist Tattoos6 min read
- Chicano Tattoos6 min read
- Realism Tattoos5 min read
- Blackwork Tattoos5 min read
- Geometric Tattoos5 min read
- Traditional Tattoos5 min read
- New School Tattoos5 min read
- Dotwork Tattoos5 min read
- Neo-Traditional Tattoos5 min read
- Watercolor Tattoos5 min read
Placement
Pick the right spot: visibility, pain, healing and how the design fits the body.
All 3 guides →Choosing an artist
How to read a portfolio, what to ask, and the red flags to walk away from.
All 5 guides →- How Much Does a Tattoo Cost? Prices by Size, Style and Placement7 min read
- Hourly vs Flat Rate Tattoo Pricing6 min read
- Tattoo Deposits5 min read
- How to Save Money on a Tattoo Without Cutting Corners5 min read
- How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in Greece?5 min read
- How Much Should You Tip Your Tattoo Artist?4 min read
First tattoo and ideas
Everything before your first session, and ideas for what to get.
All 6 guides →Cover-ups and scars
Covering old ink and tattooing over scars: what works and what to expect.
All 2 guides →Quick answers
Still have a question? Talk to us →
How much should I tip my artist?
15 to 20% is usual in the US, and 10 to 15% in Europe. More on tipping
Can I exercise after a session?
Wait 48 to 72 hours before hard exercise. Exercise after a tattoo
Does colour ink fade faster?
Yellow and white fade faster than black. Protecting it from the sun matters most. Colour vs black ink
What is a consultation for?
A meeting with the artist to talk through placement, size and design before you book. Tattoo consultations
Are you a tattoo artist?
BookPay is free booking software for tattoo artists with deposits, smart intake forms, and automatic payouts. No monthly fee and no commission.
