Tattoo Placement?

Sugargirl1019

So DH and I have been talking about this for a few months and I have been thinking about it more recently, and I wanted to know yalls expert tattoo opinion on a location for this one!

I would probably want it smaller in size because giant ones scare me. I'd want it more concealed (so not my arms or behind my ears or neck). I need some more convincing about the spot where it's at now in the picture. Give me pros cons opinions!

DH gave me a diamond bow ring that look similar to this, and I love it, and we thought the lace bow tattoo would be a great design for me.

JennyColada

Ouch!

But other than that, it is cute. If it's smaller you could set it down about a half an inch lower (just to ensure that regular shirts cover it).

sarawifenow

I like that placement. You would be able to show it off if you want and keep it hidden if you don't. I have two tattoos, a small one on my ankle and a pretty large on on my thigh. Have you thought about a thigh tattoo?

redoryx

I have a tattoo on my back, just above the bra strap line. It's a good place for it because I can easily conceal it with regular shirts but when I wear something with a key-hole back it's visible.

VulgarGirl

How often do you want it to be hidden? Because if you wear a bikini ever...it'll show at some point on your back.

If you just need to keep it hidden at the office, between your shoulders (a little lower then it is now) should keep it hidden in most shirts. In less it's a see through or halter shirt you're wearing to work.

I will say I have one on my spine...it hurt. But I have ones on my shoulders, didn't hurt much at all. But frankly, if you want a tattoo, the pain shouldn't matter. It's a tattoo, it's gonna hurt, you put up with the pain to get the tattoo. Kind of like childbirth. It's gonna hurt, but you kid a get in the end. Except you will never clean up your tattoo's vomit.

jdluvr06

That is a nice spot but if you want it concealed then have a couple inches lower like the PPs have said. 

Will this be your first tattoo? Like @magicink said it is a tattoo it will hurt. I have a pretty big piece on my back and it was pretty painful but in the end it was so worth it.

novella1186

My tattoo that people see the least is on my hip/upper thigh and extends up my side. You could do your hip. I think that would be cute.

People also hardly ever notice the tattoo on my foot but lemme tell ya, I have lots of tattoos and a high pain tolerance and the one on my foot FUCKING HURT.

doeydo

I guess it depends on if you pretty much always concealed or just easily concealable for work or what have you. I have never gotten a tattoo, so I can't say what areas are less painful than others.  Some other placement ideas:

On the side/under breast: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/2c/b1/c7/2cb1c7947ed03d19989895f3489f988e.jpg

On the back of your thighs: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/1a/65/4a/1a654a75e0b6268736d960a2d0266171.jpg

On your shoulder:  http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/72/69/7f/72697f6abcc5b07a99eb06f03a80a1e8.jpg

Sugargirl1019

Yea, it would be my first if I decide to get it. Okay so upper back pros: easily concealed with long hair, covered by shirt. Cons: painful!

I would probably get it smaller.

Where on the thigh? I have seen some bows on the back of the thighs (both legs) but you would see these when wearing shorts and I think a little sexy for everyone to see.

hellosweetie1015

I think that one is gorgeous where it is. Drop it a couple inches, and you should be perfectly fine - so long as you realize that in swimsuits/low-backed dresses, it's gonna show, which really is the point to my tattoos - I think they're beautiful an want to show them off a much as possible.

Regarding the pain level: I've got four, one on the side-arch-ish of my foot, one on my calf-ankle, one behind my ear, and one on my collarbone. The foot one was my first, and it didn't hurt for me much at all. The collarbone was my last, and it hurt like hell. I THINK that was because I hadn't eaten and hadn't really expected it to hurt as badly. So I'm going to do science on the other collarbone for my next tattoo, and try eating first. My point is, pain tolerance is different for everyone. The one behind my ear (according to the internet, one of the most painful places) didn't hurt at all for me.

Eta - the ONLY one I don't think my boss knows about is the one behind my ear. It's hard to see if you aren't being shown or at exactly the right angle, and with my hair down it's completely invisible. Just a thought.

Sugargirl1019

The more I think about it, the more I like the upper back, just low enough that most shirts cover it. I like the idea of showing it off when I want to - not when family is around haha. I'm okay with it showing in a bikini.

Idk If I'll do it this year or wait longer... I'll probably be that old lady that gets her first tattoo. Lol

beethery

Sugargirl1019 said:

Yea, it would be my first if I decide to get it. Okay so upper back pros: easily concealed with long hair, covered by shirt. Cons: painful! I would probably get it smaller. Where on the thigh? I have seen some bows on the back of the thighs (both legs) but you would see these when wearing shorts and I think a little sexy for everyone to see.

I have one at the top of my left thigh, it hurt the worst out of all of them. Partially because I didn't realize how sensitive that area is, and partially because it was one of my friend's first tattoos that he did during his apprenticeship and he was kinda heavy handed then and didn't have his machine on the right setting.

I have a pretty big one on the outside of my thigh, a couple inches below that one and it felt almost tickly and then like nothing. I fell asleep during the line session and again during the shading session.

jenna8984

A lot of good artists like to do their own work, so if you go to someone really good (with a few month wait list) they might prefer to draw it up a little different on their own. Would that be something you are ok with, or do you want it identical to the picture? Just something to think about if you've never gotten one before. Make sure you look through tons of portfolios and ask friends where they have gone, you don't want to get your first from a hack job. 

Anyways, I like that spot. I personally won't do any on my hip area because I don't want it to get trashed if I'm able to get pregnant one day. So I always aim for areas that don't really stretch with weight gain, and that would be a good spot for that on the upper back. Another spot I'd consider for you is the tricep (back of upper arm) because it show more often but I think still be acceptable for work. I have many that are visible because I'm like "I went through that pain, people might as well frigen see it!". That's one draw back to the spot you chose, it won't be seen a lot. 

Sugargirl1019

jenna8984 said:

A lot of good artists like to do their own work, so if you go to someone really good (with a few month wait list) they might prefer to draw it up a little different on their own. Would that be something you are ok with, or do you want it identical to the picture? Just something to think about if you've never gotten one before. Make sure you look through tons of portfolios and ask friends where they have gone, you don't want to get your first from a hack job. 

Anyways, I like that spot. I personally won't do any on my hip area because I don't want it to get trashed if I'm able to get pregnant one day. So I always aim for areas that don't really stretch with weight gain, and that would be a good spot for that on the upper back. Another spot I'd consider for you is the tricep (back of upper arm) because it show more often but I think still be acceptable for work. I have many that are visible because I'm like "I went through that pain, people might as well frigen see it!". That's one draw back to the spot you chose, it won't be seen a lot. 

Yea, I'd be okay with an artist doing their own version of a lace bow. For sure.

novella1186

Sugargirl1019 said:

A lot of good artists like to do their own work, so if you go to someone really good (with a few month wait list) they might prefer to draw it up a little different on their own. Would that be something you are ok with, or do you want it identical to the picture? Just something to think about if you've never gotten one before. Make sure you look through tons of portfolios and ask friends where they have gone, you don't want to get your first from a hack job. 

Anyways, I like that spot. I personally won't do any on my hip area because I don't want it to get trashed if I'm able to get pregnant one day. So I always aim for areas that don't really stretch with weight gain, and that would be a good spot for that on the upper back. Another spot I'd consider for you is the tricep (back of upper arm) because it show more often but I think still be acceptable for work. I have many that are visible because I'm like "I went through that pain, people might as well frigen see it!". That's one draw back to the spot you chose, it won't be seen a lot. 

Yea, I'd be okay with an artist doing their own version of a lace bow. For sure.

A few things, find an artist with good reviews. Do NOT under any circumstance go to an apprentice. My friend did this to save money. The tattoo turned out fucking awful. It was a mess.

Look through their portfolio. They don't need to have done a bow before, but specifically look at how clear the details on their past tattoos are, and how even and straight their lines are. Lines should not vary in thickness (unless this is done on purpose for a particular effect). Depending on your area, a good artist will charge at least $100 per hour. Don't search for a bargain. Pay for quality.

My theory has always been, there are three things that are ALWAYS worth paying more to ensure quality so you NEVER search for a bargain: plastic surgery, sushi, and tattoos.

Sugargirl1019

How many hours do you think it would take to do this tattoo in black? I'll have to start budgeting for this baby if I go through with it!

jenna8984

Very true- depending what part of the country (I think you're in TX?) $100- $200 per hour for someone who is worth it. Texas probably on the lower end of that. The size shown possibly 3-4 hours because of the small lace detail.  

hellosweetie1015

Never buy cheap sushi. Ugh.

Mine were all shop minimum, which is $50 in my area, plus $10 tip. The longest one was the behind-the-ear, and I'd say it took an hour and a half start-to-finish.

Sugargirl1019

Thanks! Now if only you guys could magically help make a decision for DH that'd be great. (He wants one but doesn't know what he wants. He mentioned a super cheesey one and I was like um no you are a grown man.)

Sugargirl1019

Another question, can you get a tattoo while pregnant or is it not advised?

jenna8984

Sugargirl1019 said:

Another question, can you get a tattoo while pregnant or is it not advised?

Infection from a reputable shop is highly unlikely but I'd still think it seems too risky.... @magicink? 

hellosweetie1015

I probably wouldn't advise it just in case. I know a good shop will typically be completely 100% safe, but I'd be too nervous that some ridiculously improbable thing would happen.

VulgarGirl

jenna8984 said:

Sugargirl1019 said:

Another question, can you get a tattoo while pregnant or is it not advised?

Infection from a reputable shop is highly unlikely but I'd still think it seems too risky.... @magicink? 

Our shop won't tattoo or pierce pregnant or nursing women. Too high of a risk for infection. In fact I don't know of any shops that will and I generally recommend against it.

jenna8984

sugargirl, black is a good choice if you don't have any. Mine are all bright colors (pics on the other thread) and it's a fucking bitch to slather them in spf50 all summer. The sun does a number on color and fades the shit out of them. When I go to the Caribbean, I actually wrap a bandanna around my arm because it protects better than sunblock. But black does not fade, my husband has never put sunblock on his black ones and they look brand new 15 years later. Most men have black because it's much less maintenance. Even with my craziness for protecting mine, I'll probably still need it touched up with color in 10 years. 

novella1186

Sugargirl1019 said:

Thanks! Now if only you guys could magically help make a decision for DH that'd be great. (He wants one but doesn't know what he wants. He mentioned a super cheesey one and I was like um no you are a grown man.)

He (or anyone else) should never get a tattoo unless they've spent some time being 10000000% sure of what they want. There have been times where I think I want a particular tattoo so I think about it for while. Then I take a black sharpie and draw it on. And then I walk around with it for a while and look at it. Sometimes I end up being like "omg ew no. SO glad I didn't go through with it."

Sugargirl1019

novella1186 said:

Sugargirl1019 said:

Thanks! Now if only you guys could magically help make a decision for DH that'd be great. (He wants one but doesn't know what he wants. He mentioned a super cheesey one and I was like um no you are a grown man.)

He (or anyone else) should never get a tattoo unless they've spent some time being 10000000% sure of what they want. There have been times where I think I want a particular tattoo so I think about it for while. Then I take a black sharpie and draw it on. And then I walk around with it for a while and look at it. Sometimes I end up being like "omg ew no. SO glad I didn't go through with it."



That's what I told him, he needs to have one idea in his head for a long time before he gets it done! But this is the man who wants instant gratification. See a car, wants it immediately will do everything possible to try to get it.. Saw a ring for me.. Now he really wants to buy it for me even though we don't have the money for random jewelry lol. He's bad with waiting. That's a good idea though, drawing with a sharpie. I'll do that on him tonight.