How Do I Choose the Right Tattoo Artist?
Choosing a tattoo artist is one of those decisions that feels bigger once you're actually staring down the appointment. You've got a design in mind, maybe a few names bookmarked, and a nagging question underneath it all: how do I know if this is the right person to put something permanent on my body?
I'm Michael Gardner, owner and artist at Tattoo Garden, a private custom tattoo studio in Everett's Lowell neighborhood. I've been tattooing since 2008, and I've also been on the other side of this decision - badly, the first time around. Here's what I've learned about choosing the right tattoo artist, both from my own mistakes and from watching clients navigate the same choice.
The Biggest Mistake: Choosing Convenience Over Expertise
If there's one pattern I see over and over, it's people prioritizing convenience over expertise - picking whoever's closest, cheapest, or has the next available appointment, rather than whoever's actually right for the piece they want. I know this mistake intimately, because I made it myself on my first tattoo.
It's an easy trap to fall into. Booking a consult and comparing artists takes more time than just walking into the first shop you find. But a tattoo is permanent, and the ten extra minutes of research almost always pays for itself.
When Your Vision Doesn't Match Your Artist
Here's a real example that illustrates the risk. I recently tattooed a client who came to me for a koi fish piece - a subject she genuinely loves. She already had an older koi tattoo, done by another artist, that she didn't hate, but didn't love either. As it turned out, that artist had very strong opinions about how a koi fish tattoo should look, and convinced her that his vision mattered more than her own preferences.
After getting tattooed by me, where the goal was executing her vision, not mine; she's now actually considering revising that older piece to finally bring it in line with what she wanted the first time.
This is exactly the kind of mismatch that happens when convenience wins out over the right fit. The artist's technical skill wasn't necessarily the problem; the disconnect between what she wanted and what she got was.
Portfolio or Personality: Which Matters More?
People often frame this as an either/or question, but honestly, both matter. A portfolio shows you the quality and style an artist considers their best work - that's non-negotiable groundwork. But a conversation with the artist tells you something a portfolio can't: whether they care as much about your experience as they do about the tattoo itself.
If something in the portfolio gives you pause, or something about the initial conversation feels off, say something. Ask about it directly. Most artists genuinely want to answer your questions — and how they respond to that question tells you a lot on its own.
The Insider Truth Most People Don't Know
Here's something worth knowing before you book: professionalism isn't mandatory. State licensing covers safety and sanitation, not conduct. Tattooing is a profession, the same as being a doctor or a lawyer, but that doesn't automatically guarantee you'll be treated with respect.
If an artist isn't treating you professionally, don't expect the tattoo or the overall experience to be top quality either. You shouldn't have to tolerate disrespect just to get tattooed properly - and you don't have to.
My Own Regret - And What I'd Do Differently
Yes, I've been on the wrong side of this choice myself. My very first tattoo was a bad experience, because I assumed the first tattoo artist I talked to was simply who I had to go with. I was young, and it genuinely didn't occur to me that I had other options. Looking back, that's the whole lesson: you always have options, and taking the time to explore them isn't rude or inconvenient - it's just smart.
Red Flags Worth Walking Away From
If an artist disregards your questions or tries to pressure you into a decision, that's a real signal it's probably not in your best interest to work with them. Trust that instinct. A good artist wants an informed, comfortable client; not a rushed one.
When Choosing the Right Artist Matters Most
There are situations where getting this choice right carries extra weight. Some people (women in particular) seek tattoos as a way to reclaim a sense of ownership over their own bodies. That can be an especially vulnerable position to be in. In those cases, trusting that both the artist and the environment are genuinely safe isn't optional, it's essential to the entire experience actually accomplishing what you're hoping it will.
The Most Underrated Question to Ask
If you take one thing from this post, let it be this question, and don't be shy about asking it before you book: How long have you been tattooing, and have you done work like this before?
It's simple, but it tells you almost everything you need to know: experience level, relevant style expertise, and how comfortable the artist is being direct with you about their own background.
Ready to Find the Right Fit?
Choosing the right tattoo artist isn't about finding the most famous name or the fastest opening in the schedule — it's about finding someone whose skill and approach actually match what you're looking for. If you're in Everett and want to talk through your idea before committing to anything, I offer free consultations at Tattoo Garden.
Book a Free Consult to see if my style is the right match for your vision.
Have a question about finding the right artist for your piece? Reach out at: 425-418-4644. I'm happy to talk it through, even if we end up not being the right fit for each other.