10 Things Clients Do That Piss Off Tattoo Artists

A large part of the job of a tattoo artist is customer service, which means working with all types of people. And while many tattooers are equipped to handle anyone that walks through their door, most have similar pet peeves when it comes to inappropriate client behavior. And because we care about our readers, we thought we’d help you out by going through 10 things clients do that piss off tattoo artists. Are you guilty of any of these tattoo sins? Find out by taking a look at the list below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section on Facebook.

10. Clients Who Can’t Sit Still

While artists are generally considerate of small twitches that a client can’t control, artists HATE clients who can’t sit still during a tattoo. It’s tough for an artist to be able to pull a straight line on a moving canvas, so it’s important that clients stay still so that they will end up with the best tattoo possible. Also, the more you move, the longer it will take to complete the tattoo which means more money out of your pocket.

9. Clients With Bad Hygiene

When you’re getting tattooed, it’s extremely important to shower, brush your teeth and wear deodorant before an appointment. Tattoo artists work in extremely close proximity to their clients, meaning that they can smell any body odor coming from the armpits, mouth, genitals and feet. Keep it clean guys, we’re begging you.

8. Clients Who Complain Too Much

While tattooing is painful, some clients can be a bit too dramatic. No one likes to hear someone bitch and moan, especially an artist who is just trying to do their job. If you can’t handle to pain, maybe a tattoo isn’t right for you.

 7. Clients Who Want Total Control of the Design

There needs to be a healthy balance of control between an artist and the client with each and every tattoo. It’s important to understand that artists do this for a living and they know what they’re talking about when it comes to size or placement. It’s important for clients to be reasonable with their artists and learn to comprise on a design.

6. Clients Who Bring an Entourage

While it’s okay to bring a friend along to an appointment, it’s inappropriate to bring an entire squad to your tattoo. A shop is an artist’s workplace and a large crowd can be extremely distracting. Keep it to one or two people max, if you need to bring anyone at all. Additionally, many shops have a no kids policy and this is an important rule. If you can afford to get a tattoo, you can also afford a babysitter for a few hours.

5. Clients Who Can’t Make Up Their Minds

Tattoo artists can’t stand clients who can’t make up their minds about a tattoo, especially if that means redrawing or restenciling a design over and over again. If you’re not sold on the design when you get to your appointment, maybe you’re not ready for a tattoo. And if you’re not satisfied with the designs that your artist comes up with, they probably weren’t the right artist for your from the start.

4. Clients Who Price Haggle

Price haggling is a big no-no in the tattoo industry and it’s a huge sign of disrespect to a tattoo artist. Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good, so be ready to cough up some dough for a quality piece that you’ll wear for the rest of your life.

3. Clients Who No Show Their Appointments

It’s important for clients to be respectful of a tattoo artists’ time and let them know ahead of their appointment if they’re not able to make it. If an artist isn’t tattooing, then they aren’t making money—therefore, it’s important to let your artist know ASAP if you need to cancel an appointment so that they can fill up your slot. There’s no greater sign of disrespect to an artist than a no call/no show, so keep it professional.

2. Clients With Unrealistic Expectations

While tattoo artists are talented people who create stunning works of art, they’re still human beings and even the masters of the industry have hard limits. Clients need to be reasonable and understand that some things just aren’t possible. For example, you’re not going to see one artist complete a full back piece or a sleeve in one sitting session. Additionally, a dark and bold tattoo cannot be covered with a light colored piece without laser removal. Clients need to understand the reality of tattooing and be prepared to accept the consequences as they come.

1. Clients Who Show Up Intoxicated

Last, but not least, don’t show up to your appointment drunk or high. Intoxication not only makes the tattoo process difficult, but it’s also dangerous and illegal. Some artists are lenient when it comes to marijauna, however, that comes on a case by case basis. However, you should never come to a tattoo appointment drunk under any circumstances.

What do you think about our list of 10 things clients do that piss off tattoo artists? Have you broken any of these rules in the past? And if you’re an artist, what do you hate that clients do that we missed on our list? Let us know your thoughts, opinions and questions in the comments section on Facebook.