Pre-Drawn Designs
My pre-drawn designs are original concepts I create because they’re projects I genuinely want to tattoo. They’re already composed, refined, and visually solved before anyone books them.
That means:
*the concept is already strong the composition is already worked out
*the major design challenges are already solved
*clients can see exactly what they’re getting
*the appointment moves more efficiently
There is still some customization at the appointment to fit the body properly, but the foundation is already there.
For me as an artist, these projects are especially rewarding because I’m tattooing original work I created from the ground up.
Custom Designs
Custom work can be great, but it requires a very different level of prep. With a custom request, I’m often starting from scratch and balancing multiple moving parts:
*the client’s idea and vision what will actually work
*visually how it fits the body part
*gathering the right references
*building a strong composition
*solving technical issues before tattooing even begins
That process can take a significant amount of time before the appointment ever happens. Then on appointment day, custom projects often need additional adjustments, revisions, or feedback in real time—which can slow the tattoo session itself.
Why I Limit Large Custom Sleeves
Large custom sleeves are the most demanding version of that process. They involve long-term planning, multiple elements, body flow, readability, and making everything feel cohesive over time. When too many large custom requests stack up, it creates a heavy design workload behind the scenes and pushes timelines out for everyone. That’s why I’m selective with those projects.
Pricing Differences
Because custom work requires more design labor, planning, and revision time, it isn’t priced the same way as a pre-drawn design. With pre-drawn projects, much of the creative work has already been completed in advance. With custom projects, a large part of the service is the development process itself.
The Bottom Line
I still take on select custom work, but I’m intentional about what I accept. My main focus will continue to be pre-drawn designs and projects that align closely with that approach—because it leads to stronger art, a smoother experience, and better results overall.
