What Tattoo Artists Won’t Do? To A Client?

Tattoo artists do have their professional and ethical limitations when it comes to what they will and will not tattoo.

Some Designs, Placements, or Requests Will Be Declined for Different Reasons

1. Hate Speech or Hate Symbols

Most serious tattoo artists won’t tattoo hate speech, racist symbols, or offensive symbols. Tattoos of violence, discrimination, or extreme ideologies are normally declined outright.

2. Hands and Faces

Some artists are reluctant to tattoo hands and faces, particularly for new customers. These locations are very exposed, and some artists do not want to perform them unless the customer is very conscious of the social and professional repercussions.

3. Inapt or Explicit Imagery

A few tattoo artists shy away from sexually explicit, crude, or obscene designs, especially if they are not comfortable with it or if it will harm their reputation.

4. Thoughtless or Trend-Driven Tattoos

If a client wants a tattoo that they haven’t considered—a trendy thing now, a celebrity’s name, or a joke tattoo—some artists will not do it because they know the individual will come to regret it down the road.

5. Medical and Unethical Requests

Tattooing over moles, stretch marks, or scars can be unsafe, and several artists will not proceed without a doctor’s clearance. Requests to tattoo drunkards won’t normally be accepted on grounds of consent and safety.

6. Copying Another Artist’s Work

Most artists are interested in originality and will not replicate another artist’s work verbatim. They might instead offer to design an original version based on the requested artwork.

7. Too Young Clients

Laws regarding tattoos differ by state, but most artists will not tattoo minors without a parent’s permission, and some won’t tattoo them at all, even with a parent’s approval.

Tattoo artists are responsible for maintaining ethical standards and having clients make informed choices regarding their body tattoos. Their refusal to perform some tattoos is frequently due to moral, professional, or health-related reasons.

This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Looking for Tattoo shops in St Petersburg Florida? Black Amethyst has you covered! They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.