Sometimes the artist you have followed for years lives in another city or another country. A guest spot is often your best chance to get tattooed by them without traveling. This guide explains what a guest spot is, how to find out when an artist is coming to you, and how to book and prepare so the day goes smoothly.
What is a tattoo guest spot?
A guest spot is when a tattoo artist works for a short time at a studio that is not their own. The host studio gives them a chair, and the artist tattoos clients there for a few days or a few weeks before moving on. Some artists do one or two guest spots a year. Others travel most of the year and go from city to city.
For you as a client, a guest spot works much like a normal appointment. You book with the artist, you get tattooed in a professional studio, and the host studio's hygiene rules apply. The main difference is that the artist is only in town for a short time.
Why do tattoo artists travel to work at other studios?
Artists do guest spots for a few reasons:
- To meet new clients. Many artists have followers in cities they don't live in. A guest spot lets those people get tattooed without traveling.
- To learn. Working next to other artists, in another studio, is one of the ways tattooers swap ideas and pick up new techniques.
- To travel. Tattooing is a job you can take with you, and many artists like to see new places while they work.
- To build their name. A good guest spot can bring repeat visits and new fans in that city.
For the host studio, a guest artist brings in new clients and a different style. That is why you often see guest artists whose style is different from the studio's resident artists.
How to find out when an artist is coming to your city
Guest spots are usually announced a few weeks or months ahead, and the dates are often short. The easiest way to hear about them is to follow the artists you like and turn on notifications for their posts. Many artists post their travel dates and the date booking opens.
On Inkjin, you can tap "Notify me" on an artist's guest spot page. You will get an email when the artist is in your city or when booking opens, so you don't have to keep checking. You can also find tattoo artists by style and city to see who is working near you.
It also helps to follow the studios in your city. Studios that host guest artists usually share who is coming and when.
How to book a guest spot
Guest spot dates fill fast, because the artist has only a few days and often many people waiting. When booking opens, be ready to send your request quickly.
- Have your idea ready. Know what you want, where on your body and roughly how big. Have a few reference images. A short, clear request is easier for the artist to say yes to.
- Check what the artist offers. Many artists bring a set of flash designs for their guest spots. Some take a small number of custom requests.
- Expect to pay a deposit up front. Because the artist only has a few days, most ask for a deposit to hold your slot. It usually comes off the final price. Read the rules on cancelling and moving your date before you pay. Our tattoo deposit guide explains how deposits work.
- Be flexible with your time. You may get a slot on a weekday or at short notice.
Book only with the artist or the host studio, through the channel they name. Be careful with anyone who contacts you asking for a deposit in a different way.
What to expect on the day
Guest spots often suit flash or smaller pieces. The artist has limited time in each city, so a big custom piece that needs several sessions is hard to fit in. If you want a large project, ask whether they can start it and when they plan to come back. Some artists return to the same city regularly, others don't.
Arrive on time, rested and fed, like any tattoo appointment. You will usually pay the balance at the studio when the tattoo is done. If you want to tip, 15 to 20% is usual in the US, and 10 to 15% in Europe, where a tip is welcome but not expected.
Aftercare and touch-ups after the artist has left
Healing a guest spot tattoo is the same as healing any other. Follow the artist's instructions and our tattoo aftercare guide. Take photos of the fresh tattoo and save the artist's contact details before they leave.
Touch-ups are the tricky part, because the artist may be in another country by the time you heal. Ask before your appointment how they handle touch-ups. Some do them on their next visit, some ask you to come to their home studio, and some are happy for a resident artist at the host studio to do a small touch-up. If something looks wrong while it heals, message the artist with clear photos.
