How to Reach Out to a Tattoo Artist via Email

A succinct subject line helps the artist understand your request immediately. Tattoo artists receive numerous emails regarding bookings and consultations. When contacting an artist, begin your email with a subject line that is brief yet descriptive, allowing the artist to quickly grasp your inquiry. Here are some effective subject lines you can use:

• “Tattoo Inquiry”
• “Request for Booking”
• “Appointment Request for Tattoo”
• If the artist is on a limited-time tour, include specific dates in your subject line, such as “Tattoo Availability July 1–10?”
• Refer to the artist’s social media or the tattoo shop’s website for any specific subject line requirements.

A warm greeting sets a positive tone for your message. Begin by saying hi or hello to the artist and express your admiration for their work. Let them know that you're interested in having them create your next tattoo.

• “Hi there, I'm Ava Smith, and I've been following your incredible work on Instagram. I'd be thrilled to have you tattoo me if you have availability.”
• “Hello James! I'm Pablo and I'm interested in discussing a potential tattoo design with you. Your artistic style really resonates with me, and I'd love to collaborate on a meaningful piece.”

A detailed description helps the artist understand your vision clearly. If you've already selected a tattoo design, outline the key elements you want to incorporate so the artist can assess if it aligns with their expertise. Keep it concise, allowing room for the artist's creativity.

• “I'm looking for a monarch butterfly design with intricate kaleidoscope patterns on the wings.”
• “I have a concept for a lifelike portrait of my mom, accompanied by the quote ‘Do good things’ in her handwriting below the portrait.”
• “My idea involves a lighthouse with Kraken tentacles wrapped around it, complemented by crashing waves against the rocks below.”

Include your preferred tattoo style and color to help the artist understand your vision. Different artists specialize in different styles, so mentioning your preferences upfront can help them determine if they're the right fit for your tattoo.

• “I envision this as a colorful neo-traditional piece.”
• “I'm looking for a black-and-gray realistic style for this design.”
• “This design would look great as a vibrant new school tattoo.”
• If you want the artist's specialty style, no need to mention it in the email.

Tattoo size and placement affect the complexity of the work. Let the artist know where you want the tattoo and if there are existing tattoos nearby. Also, provide an estimated size as larger tattoos require more time.

• “I'm thinking of getting this on my left shoulder, around 4 inches tall.”
• “I want a small tattoo, about the size of a quarter above my ankle.”
• “I'm open to discussing the best placement for this tattoo, as I'm not sure yet.”
• If it's a cover-up tattoo, inform the artist so they can plan accordingly.
• If you're unsure about size or placement, it's okay to mention that for the artist's recommendations.

Provide potential dates and times when you're free for a consultation or tattoo session. Let the artist know your available hours, including weekends if applicable, to help them find a suitable time slot.

• “I'm free after 4 PM on weekdays and fully available on weekends.”
• “Weekdays are busy for me, but I can come in any Saturday this month.”
• “I'll be in town from August 12–19 and would like to schedule during that period if possible.”

Address any concerns or queries you have before your appointment. If you're new to tattoos, it's natural to have questions. Your artist wants you to feel at ease, so don't hesitate to ask anything you're unsure about, whether it's about pain levels or aftercare.

• “I'm curious about the pain level since this will be my first tattoo. Can you give me an idea of what to expect?”
• “What's your policy on touch-ups once the tattoo has healed? Do you offer them for free within a certain timeframe?”
• “Could you share a bit about your experience as a tattoo artist? How long have you been practicing?”

Your artist will need your contact info to discuss and finalize the tattoo details. Provide your phone number and email address, expressing your eagerness to hear back so you can move forward with the design process.

• “I'm looking forward to working with you on this tattoo. Please reach out to me at (555) 555-0123 or via email at [email protected] to discuss further.”
• “Excited to hear from you soon! You can contact me at (555) 555-6789 or [email protected].”
• “I'm eager to continue our conversation about this tattoo. Feel free to reply to this email or give me a call at (555) 555-3456.”

Express gratitude to the artist for their time and consideration. Being polite and appreciative in your email will make a positive impression on the artist. Let them know you're eager to continue the conversation and thank them for their attention before signing off with your name.

• “Thank you for taking the time to review my request. Looking forward to hearing back from you!”
• “I appreciate your consideration of my tattoo idea. Excited to work with you soon!”
• “Thanks for considering my design. Can’t wait to see what we can create together!”

Visual aids assist the artist in understanding your vision. Provide images of tattoos you admire from the artist's portfolio or social media, as well as examples from other artists if relevant. Additionally, include a photo of the placement on your body to aid the artist in envisioning the final piece.

• Avoid requesting an exact replica of another artist's work; allow your artist to add their unique touch.
• Double-check your attachments before sending the email.

Wait for the artist's response before discussing pricing. Avoid mentioning cost in your initial email; instead, wait for the artist to express interest in the project. Most artists determine pricing based on tattoo size and complexity and can provide an estimate after reviewing your design idea.

• “Could you provide information on the payment process for this tattoo?”
• “Can I get an estimated cost for this design to plan my budget accordingly?”
• “I'm curious about your pricing structure for tattoo designs like this. Could you share more details?”

Subject: Tattoo Inquiry Hello Tommy, I'm Ellie Smith, and I've been admiring your artwork on Instagram. I'm interested in getting a tattoo from you if you have any available slots. My idea is to have an American traditional clipper ship with a pirate flag on my thigh, approximately 6 inches tall. I don't have any other tattoos on my leg. I've attached some reference images from your portfolio for your reference. I'm free on weeknights after 3 PM and all day Saturdays for appointments. As this is my first tattoo, I'm a bit anxious about the pain level on the thigh. Could you advise on that? Please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or by phone at (555) 555-2468. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response! Ellie Smith

• Some tattoo artists prefer to be contacted through their booking procedures instead of email, so check their social media for preferred contact methods.
• Make sure to proofread your email for spelling and grammar before sending it out.