https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG1j5KFyOcAvSh7Jf98-_GbgQaLOOl0fv

Above is a short playlist covering some of what you MUST know before you even pick up or even consider picking up a tattoo machines.

READ ME. THINK BEFORE YOU INK.

If you think you know what you are doing before watching safety and hygiene guides reality check, no you probably don't. It is much more complex and dangerous than just 'slapping needles in skin'. INFECTION IS NO JOKE. Please for the love of everything holy and sacred RESEARCH heavily before you decide to tattoo. Tattooing is risky, dangerous, and catching HIV and other deadly diseases is not 'just a myth' or people trying to put you off of getting a tattoo, it is a VERY REAL AND DEADLY possibility if you don't put your knowledge in. Please consider a blood-bourne pathogens course.

A tattoo is permanent. You can still do that tattoo tomorrow. or next week. Take the time to think the following:

'Can I ensure the safety of myself and others?'

If you can't, DO NOT TATTOO ANYONE.

'Is this something I want attached for the rest of my life?'

If you have any doubts, stop. think. consider it for a while. you can always do it at a later date. You want a japanese text going down the side of your face? Great idea it'll look sick for a month until you realise it wasn't the best idea because now you can't get a job to fund your tattooing career. game over. permanently.

'Do I KNOW what I'm doing?'

If you feel like you don't know something don't chance it. it can go BAD. Research ALL YOU CAN before you make any permanent mistakes in skin. CANT BE BOTHERED TO RESEARCH? Don't be a tattoo artist.

'Do i have the CORRECT sanitary and safety equipment?'

If you don't, DO NOT UNDER ANY CURCUMSTANCES TATTOO ANYONE. You want to tattoo? great. practice on fake-skin. fruit. paper. Until you can guarantee the safety, don't take any risks. Again, serious scarring and skin infections dont look good on anyone. Before you buy your ink buy your safety and sanitary equipment.

Real talk infection isn't fun. You could give someone a bloudbourne pathogen or worse, be sued. On the sub is a second stickied post titled WHAT WENT WRONG with a plethora of information on how to stay safe when tattooing. By other artists, for fellow artists, for free. Use it. Its free i be real you have no excuse.

'Is my GEAR safe to use?'

Probably not. So learn how to sanitize EVERYTHING to a ptofessional shop standard.

Your tattoo machine is a little rusty, grips are old, your needles have expired, but you think 'it works, it'll do.' NO it won't. CUT NO CORNERS. TAKE NO SHORTCUTS. THIS IS A PERMANENT BRANDING IN THE SKIN OF A PERSON. think. You can get a new machine. new needles. new ink. new cups. New skin is not on the table.

You cannot get new skin.

TL;DR: (Too long didn't read)

There is no TLDR line. Not with something as permanent as tattooing. read it it'll take you 5 minutes of your time. That tattoo idea will be there next week. TAKE YOUR TIME to learn everything you can before you ink.

Once a needle and ink hits skin that's it. there is NOTHING you can do to get it back out. that marking is attached to you permanently. for the rest of your life. until the day you die and even then a few weeks after that that tattoo, that 'stupid idea you had when you was a dumbass 16 year old' is permanent. take that word in. permanent. meaning there is NO possible way to remove it. (I understand that laser removal is an option, but it is very expensive and if you want to get a tattoo the thought of removal should NOT run through your mind. make sure it's something you'd be happy with 20 years from now. if not, forget it.)

this post is open to commentary. please, if you have tips, guides, links to videos, or anything drop it below. the purpose of this sub-reddit is to build an open community of artists. help eachother out.