Are Name Tattoos A Good Idea? The Pros and Cons of Inking One on Your Client
16/08/2018
Name tattoos
have been a popular request of the tattooing world ever since its inception. The
craze – which admittedly has been around for generations after initially
picking up steam during World War One – generally sees clients opting for the
name of their current partner. However, it’s not uncommon for people to pay
homage to someone they have lost, or to a family member when choosing the ink.
The question is: should you support someone’s decision to have a name permanently tattooed
on their skin? As the artist – not to mention the one in possession of the
tattoo supplies
necessary to make the design – you have an obligation to decide where you stand
on name tattoos. With this in mind, here are some pros and cons to weigh up as
you consider your stance.
Pros
1. Duty of Care
Every tattoo artist has a duty of care towards their clients. This generally covers
the likes of injury and negligence, rather than saying ‘no’ to every design
that you don’t approve of. There is an element of trusting the decision your
client has made – even if you wouldn’t choose it yourself. Don’t forget, each
customer is another opportunity to grow your business and build a client base,
so you should generally try to be respectful and keen to oblige with what they
have decided upon.
2. Optimism
You have probably experienced clients regretting their choice of ink in your
time as an artist. People’s tastes change with time, and a design or tattoo
choice they had done years ago may seem a mistake now; however, the process of
getting a tattoo should be one that’s happy and exciting. Getting a name tattoo
is a deeply personal choice, and behind many of these tattoos is a story worth
telling.
3. Reconsideration
When inking a client, the worst case scenario is that they come to regret the
tattoo. This can be deflating for you as the artist – not to mention
frustrating for the customer down the line. Luckily, name tattoos – which can
be small and simple – are generally amongst the easiest to redesign.
Look no further than Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, who previously had the names of his
exes, Amber Heard and Winona Ryder, tattooed on his skin. He managed to change
both without needing all the ink to be removed, so your clients could also go
down this route if worse comes to worse.
Cons
1. Expertise
Never underestimate your experience as a tattoo artist. You’ll have picked up a
lot of invaluable knowledge about the world of ink during your career –
something that your clients should really take into account. You could, for
instance, suggest alternative designs for people to consider. For example, how
about a symbol to acknowledge someone rather than an actual name? Offering a
creative alternative helps you to do your job more effectively
2. Reputation
Your clients are a walking/talking portfolio of your work. They are arguably the
best way to extend your brand and build your reputation in the industry. Due to
this, allowing someone to get a tattoo that you don’t really endorse can lead
to your name being damaged down the line. This could hinder your opportunity to
grow and progress in your career
So Where Do You Stand?
You should try to have a clear idea of where you stand on name tattoos as you
try to build your brand and improve your reputation in the community. That said,
you can always assess each client on a case-by-case basis. In the meantime, be
sure to get hold of all the equipment you need for your tattoo business by
checking out the stock at Body Shock.
For more information, feel free to contact us today.
