Top Tips For Getting Great Custom Tattoo Designs

If there is one question that comes to a person's mind when planning to have a tattoo done, it's how to find the best tattoo design. Many people wonder how some people manage to find designs that are unique, very impressive and look just perfect on the body.

Not long ago, the tattoo artists normally used a catalog of designs from which their clients would choose the best available tattoo. Many artists or tattoo studios still follow the same practice. In cases where the client is not able to make a choice, the artist may recommend the designs. In the catalog, one finds the most common designs, ranging from traditional alphabets to tribal designs. But these days, custom tattoo designs have become a real trend. So, tattoo artists have moved away from using their catalogs and have widened the choices for their clients.

Today, there are many online sources that offer great custom tattoo designs. Some are found in the galleries of popular designers, while some are available on tattoo websites. Choosing a great custom design is not easy, as there are virtually millions of great designs available online as well as at local tattoo shops.

So here are the top tips to keep in mind when choosing a custom tattoo design.

TIP #1: Choose the design and location of your tattoo.

The majority of tattoo artists create designs to fit and suit the part of the body on which the client wants the design tattooed. Choosing the location for a tattoo is therefore the first step in finding suitable tattoo designs. However, if you already have a design in mind, you can take the artist's opinion as to where on the body it can be best placed. Tattoos are meant to be with you for the rest of your life so, consider it as a lifetime decision. Be very sure about the tattoo design as well as the body part where you wish to have one tattooed.

TIP #2: Tattoos must reflect your personality.

Tattoo designs reflect your thoughts, your lifestyle as well as your individuality. Pick a design that says something special about you. For instance; many people get their kid's names tattooed on their body or a tattoo design dedicated to a significant person or event in their life. When it comes to personality, also take into consideration the factors like your job profile, work-place restrictions, religious affinity etc before choosing a design.

TIP #3: Consider the color factor.

Tattoos look great, especially during the design phase. Normally, the design appears very bright, especially on paper. The overall appeal of tattoos is their vivid colors. However, you need to bear in mind that tattoos are sure to fade over time. So, it is a good idea to choose a custom design with less color, but one that has an excellent overall appeal. If you're going for a dramatic color scheme in your tattoo design, make sure that you comply with the after-care instructions including regular re-coloring. Just like everything else in life, tattoos too require maintenance.

TIP #4: Choose the artist.

After the tattoo design, its details as well as the body part where it is going to be tattooed has been decided, the next challenge is choosing a skilled tattoo artist to create the magic. It is a very important and a tough decision to make. Remember, a tattoo design is only a part of the plan and you need an expert to execute the design well. Take your time in finding out the best tattoo artist available and be prepared to shell out some money as well, because the best tattoo artists come at a price. In most cases, you will have to pay for the design and the tattoo artist's fee separately.

You can also get some unique tattoo designs at a very competitive price by setting up online contests where the best tattoo artists from across the world showcase their talents and designs. So go ahead and find that perfect tattoo.

Kristen Dunn is a tattoo enthusiast and professional tattoo designer who has created thousands of thought provoking, elegant, and funky tattoos for her clients. She has a vast collection of custom designs to her credit. Winner of several awards and accolades, Kristen is now a founding member of the world's largest custom tattoo design community at CreateMyTattoo. View her tattoo collection or read more on her blog here.