How to Choose Your First Tattoo : A Beginner's Guide
- May 22
- 6 min read
Getting your first tattoo is exciting. It's also, for a lot of people, genuinely overwhelming — because suddenly there are a hundred decisions to make and everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about what you should do.
I've been tattooing for 12 years, and I've worked with hundreds of first-timers. The questions are always similar, the nerves are always valid, and the good news is always the same: it doesn't have to be as complicated as it feels. Here's my honest guide to choosing your first tattoo.
Start With What You Actually Love
This sounds obvious, but it's where a lot of people go wrong , they start by thinking about what looks cool on someone else rather than what means something to them.
The tattoos that age best, emotionally - not just physically, are the ones with a genuine personal connection. A favourite character from a game you played obsessively as a teenager. A flower that reminds you of someone you love. A symbol from a story that got you through something hard. An animal that just makes you happy every time you see it.
You don't need a deep philosophical reason for your tattoo. "I just really love it" is a completely valid reason. But the more it means to you personally, the less likely you are to regret it, and the more the finished piece will feel like you.
My advice: before you think about style, size, or placement, make a list of things you genuinely love. Fandoms, animals, nature, music, books, games, places, people, memories. Something on that list is probably your first tattoo.
Don't Panic About "Regretting Your First Tattoo"
The fear of regret is the thing that stops more people from getting tattooed than almost anything else. And while I'm not going to pretend tattoo regret doesn't exist — it does — it's much less common than people expect, and it's almost always connected to one of a few specific things:
Getting tattooed on impulse without thinking it through
Choosing a design because it was trendy rather than personally meaningful
Not researching the artist properly
Getting tattooed somewhere very visible before you know how you feel about visible tattoos
None of these is inevitable. A little thought beforehand, which you're clearly already doing by reading this - goes a very long way.
A good rule of thumb: if you've loved the idea for six months or more, you're probably safe. If you thought of it this morning, maybe sit with it a little longer.
Think About Placement Early
Placement matters more than most people realise when they're starting out — not just aesthetically, but practically.
A few things worth thinking about:
Visibility. How do you feel about your tattoo being seen at work, by family, in professional settings? There's no wrong answer, but it's worth thinking about honestly before you commit to a hand or neck tattoo as your first piece. Starting somewhere that can be covered gives you more flexibility while you figure out how tattoos fit into your life.
Pain. Some areas hurt more than others. Ribs, spine, and the ditch of the elbow tend to be spicier. Upper arms, thighs, and calves are generally considered more manageable for first-timers. If you're nervous about pain, starting somewhere a little more forgiving is completely sensible.
The design itself. Some designs suit certain placements better than others. A long, flowing design might work beautifully wrapping around a forearm or thigh, but feel cramped on a wrist. Talk to your artist about what would work best for the specific piece you have in mind.
Future plans. If you think you might want more tattoos eventually, it's worth thinking about how your first piece might sit alongside future ones. You don't need to plan your whole body out, but a vague sense of "I'd like my arm to be a thing eventually" is useful to mention to your artist.
Size: Bigger Is Often Better Than You Think
First-timers almost always go smaller than they should. I understand why - it feels safer, less permanent, less scary. But there are a few good reasons why slightly larger is often the better choice: Fine detail needs space. A tiny tattoo with lots of intricate detail will blur and spread over time as the skin ages. The same design at a slightly larger size will hold its detail much better and still look great in 20 years.
Small tattoos can actually hurt more per minute than larger ones in some cases, because we're going over the same small area repeatedly to get the detail right. And honestly, a lot of people look at their first tattoo a year later and wish they'd gone bigger. Rarely the other way around.
This isn't me telling you to go huge. It's just encouragement to not automatically go for the smallest possible version of your idea. Talk to your artist about what size would work best for the design and placement you have in mind.
Choose Your Artist Carefully
This is the one I feel most strongly about. The right artist makes an enormous difference - not just to the quality of the finished tattoo, but to the whole experience.
Look for an artist whose portfolio genuinely excites you. Not just "they seem good in general" but "I love this specific style and these specific pieces." Every tattoo artist has strengths and specialisms. A brilliant black and grey realism artist isn't necessarily the right person for a bright, colourful anime piece, and vice versa.
Things worth looking at:
Does their healed work look as good as fresh work? (Fresh tattoos always look bright — healed work is the real test)
Do they communicate clearly and make you feel comfortable?
Do they seem genuinely interested in your idea, or like they're just taking your money?
Are their reviews positive about the experience as well as the result?
Don't just book whoever is cheapest or has the nearest availability. A tattoo is permanent. It's worth waiting for the right artist.
Prepare for Your Appointment
Once you've chosen your design, placement, and artist, a little preparation makes the day itself much smoother.
Eat beforehand. A proper meal before your appointment helps keep your blood sugar stable. Going in hungry is one of the most common reasons people feel faint or shaky during a session - and it's entirely avoidable.
Drink water. Hydrated skin is easier to tattoo and heals better. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment.
Wear appropriate clothing. Dress for access to the area being tattooed. Loose, comfortable clothing you don't mind potentially getting a small mark on. Nothing tight over the tattoo area.
Get a good sleep the night before. A tired body is a less resilient body. You'll have a much better experience if you're rested.
Bring snacks and a drink for longer sessions. Even for a shorter piece, having something to nibble on during a break is always a good idea.
It's Okay to Be Nervous
Almost everyone is nervous before their first tattoo. Even people who seem completely calm in the waiting room. It's a permanent thing you're doing to your body - a bit of nervousness is completely normal and nothing to be embarrassed about.
A good artist will make you feel comfortable, answer your questions without judgment, and check in with you during the session. If at any point you need a break, need a minute, or just need to breathe - say so. You're allowed to take up space and have needs during your appointment. Any artist worth their salt will welcome it.
At Mt. Moon, we've shaped the whole studio experience around comfort and low pressure — especially for anxious clients and neurodivergent folks who find new environments a lot.
You're very welcome to message us before your appointment if you have questions or just want to know what to expect. Nothing is too small to ask.
You Don't Need to Have Everything Figured Out
This is the thing I most want first-timers to hear: you don't need to come to us with a fully formed, completely certain plan. Come with an idea - a starting point, a theme, something you love. Your artist's job is to help turn that into something brilliant. That's what consultations are for. That's what the design process is for.
Some of my favourite pieces have started as "I just really love otters and I want something with nature vibes" or "I've always wanted something from Zelda but I don't know what." The conversation is part of the process, and a good artist will always meet you where you are.
If you've been sitting on an idea and just haven't felt ready - you probably are. Get in touch. Let's talk about it.
Tiggy is a colour tattoo artist based at Mt. Moon Tattoo, 4 College Court, Gloucester. Specialising in Pokémon, anime, gaming, nature, and pet portrait tattoos.
Enquire about your first tattoo here
