Tattoo planning, styles and aftercare
TattooGuide
Clear, practical tattoo advice. No jargon, no sales pitch.
TattooGuide is a free, independent guide to the questions people actually ask before and after getting tattooed, from prices and styles to aftercare and healing. Guides are written and, where relevant, reviewed by working tattoo artists with named contributor profiles.
New to tattoos? Start with our first tattoo guide →
Planning your tattoo
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Getting Your First Tattoo
A practical UK guide to your first tattoo: choosing an artist and placement, understanding the quote and booking terms, preparing for the session and starting aftercare.
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How Much Does a Tattoo Cost in the UK?
A September 2026 guide to UK tattoo pricing, including studio minimums, hourly rates, day sessions, deposits and how to budget for larger work.
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How to Choose a Tattoo Artist
How to choose a tattoo artist by checking relevant portfolio work, healed results, UK licensing and hygiene, communication, reviews and booking red flags.
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Tattoo Consultations Explained
What a tattoo consultation should resolve, what to send beforehand, the questions to ask, and how cover-up or sleeve consultations differ from simpler projects.
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How to Choose Tattoo References
What tattoo references are, what to send before your consultation, why some images work better than others as tattoos, and how to build a useful reference pack.
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How a Tattoo Design Gets Made
How a custom tattoo moves from brief and references to placement, composition, design review, stencil and final approval before tattooing begins.
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Tattoo Placement: A Practical Guide
How to choose tattoo placement based on size, body flow, visibility, movement, future expansion and day-to-day practicality.
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Large Tattoo Projects: How to Plan Them
How to plan a large tattoo project, including concept, composition, references, sessions, budget, healing, existing tattoos and long-term consistency.
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Laser Tattoo Removal and Fading: What to Expect
When laser fading can help before a cover-up, how removal differs from partial fading, why results vary, the main risks and how UK clinic rules differ.
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Tattoo Composition: Focal Point, Flow and Readability
How tattoo composition works, including focal points, hierarchy, negative space, contrast, edges, body flow and keeping complex designs readable.
Styles
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Tattoo Styles and How to Choose One
A plain guide to common tattoo styles, including realism, traditional, fine line, colour, floral, watercolour, blackwork and Japanese, plus how to choose.
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Realism Tattoos: What to Know Before You Book
What to know before booking a realism tattoo: colour vs black and grey, reference quality, scale, contrast, healed work, artist choice and project planning.
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Cover-Up Tattoos: How They Really Work
How tattoo cover-ups are assessed, why old ink changes the new design, when direct cover-up can work and when laser fading may increase your options.
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Portrait Tattoos: References, Size and Detail
How to plan a portrait tattoo, including reference photos, realistic sizing, placement, contrast, colour versus black and grey, and healed results.
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Full Sleeve Tattoos: How to Plan One
How to plan a full sleeve tattoo as one whole-arm project, including focal areas, wraparound flow, elbow transitions, existing tattoos, sessions and budget.
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Floral Tattoos: Placement, Scale and Colour
How to plan a floral tattoo that stays readable, including flower references, scale, body flow, colour choices, placement and long-term ageing.
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Watercolour Tattoos: How They Work and How They Age
What makes a watercolour tattoo work, including structure, saturation, negative space, placement, references and what to expect as the tattoo ages.
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Colour Tattoos: What to Know Before You Book
A practical guide to colour tattoos, including saturation, contrast, skin tone, placement, references, scale and what to expect as colour settles.
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Do Colour Tattoos Fade Faster?
How colour tattoos change over time, why pale or low-contrast areas can soften sooner, and how scale, saturation, placement and sun exposure matter.
On the day & after
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How to Look After a New Tattoo
A practical tattoo aftercare routine covering no-film and healing-film care, washing, moisturising, what to avoid and when to get medical advice.
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Tattoo Healing Stages Week by Week
A practical week-by-week guide to tattoo healing, including redness, peeling, itching, the dull stage, common timelines and warning signs.
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Keeping a Tattoo Looking Good Long Term
How to care for a fully healed tattoo over time, including sun protection, moisturising, ageing, touch-ups and realistic expectations.
Who runs this site
TattooGuide was created and is editorially maintained by Vladimir Vishar. Contributor profiles separate the professional subject areas of Vladimir Vishar and Kristina Vishar, while each guide keeps its own author and review credits. Read more about the site and editorial approach →