After you find the right shop, it’s always best to call and set up a consultation or an appointment, says Oafenhammer. This is the time to ask all of your questions, including:

• How long have you been tattooing? Tattoo artists usually apprentice for a year before they’re allowed to tattoo on their own, so if they’ve been doing it for at least two years, that’s usually long enough for them to be experienced.

• Is this a tattoo that you’ll enjoy doing? (Keep in mind, some artists have their own specialties. For example, some artists are better at black and white than color, while others focus on traditional Japanese art or portraiture.)

• Do you have any thoughts on what will make this tattoo look even better than the idea I’ve given to you? Remember, you don’t have to pick something off the wall or out of a book, nor do you have to bring in a photo. Most artists are happy to sketch out ideas but you may have to make another appointment for the actual tattooing.

• Do you use disposables? If not, how do you sterilize your steel tools? (Both are acceptable, but if they don’t use disposables, they must have a “clean room with an ultrasonic and autoclave in it” to sterilize their steel,” says Oafenhammer.