Tattoo Mistake #8: Choosing The Wrong Tattoo Design...

While this is related to Mistake #1, it is subtly different and is something you must give separate consideration to. 

While Mistake 1 deals with making sure you are comfortable with your design, this one is focused on what mistakes to avoid when picking a design. 

Tattoos are individual, unique pieces of art, and copying is bad. 

This is especially true if you ask a tattoo artist to copy a competitor's work, or to perfectly mimic the tattoo of your favorite actor, athlete or celebrity. 

While it's fine to draw inspiration from an exceptionally radical design you saw, make sure you and your artist work to personalize it.  Your tattoo should say something about who you are, more than just what image you happen to like. 

You will also want to consider size.  If you're a big guy, a small design may look like a rubber stamp.  If you're petite, a intricate, large tattoo may look too large for your body. 

A final consideration: many gangs use tattoos to mark their members, so if you are interested in an urban style or a particular symbol, make sure you aren't making any claims to membership in a group of which you aren't a part. 

To learn more, check out my book of tattoo ideas.

Wishing You Awesome Ink,

Tattoos Unlimited