Are You Getting a Tattoo — or Commissioning an Artist?
Tattooing often gets talked about as if it’s one single experience. One industry, one process, one expectation. In reality, there are two very different ways people get tattooed, and understanding the difference helps you choose the experience that actually fits what you want. This isn’t about better or worse. It’s about what you’re buying.
Getting a Tattoo: A Transaction-Based Experience
This is the model most people are familiar with, especially in street shops and walk-in studios.
What to expect:
You choose a design or bring a reference
Imagery is often recognizable, repeatable, or trend-based
Designs may be flash, lightly modified, or directly referenced
Pricing is usually straightforward and lower
Turnaround is fast
The tattoo is largely decided before the appointment
In this model, the product is the tattoo itself. You’re paying for technical execution and efficiency. The process is simple: pick → place → tattoo. This experience works well when you already know exactly what you want and prefer a predictable outcome.
Commissioning an Artist: A Creative Service
Commissioning an artist is less about choosing a design and more about hiring someone to design for you.
What to expect:
You research artists by style, not just availability
You choose them because you trust their visual language
You provide a concept, not a finished idea
The artist makes decisions about composition, flow, and details Designs are built specifically for your body and placement
Pricing reflects design labor, experience, and originality
Timelines are longer and more intentional
Here, the product isn’t just the tattoo — it’s the creative process. Trust is central to this experience. You’re not directing each step; you’re allowing the artist to interpret, edit, and solve the design. The process looks more like: concept → interpretation → execution.
How the Outcomes Differ
Because the processes are different, the results are different. A transactional tattoo tends to:
Look familiar and recognizable
Be easily comparable to similar tattoos
Be quicker and more budget-friendly
A commissioned tattoo tends to:
Be harder to replicate
Reflect the artist’s specific strengths
Have more cohesion and longevity
Cost more due to design time and specialization
Neither outcome is “better.” They simply serve different goals.
Choosing Intentionally The key is recognizing which experience you’re actually looking for. If you want to select a design and move quickly, a transactional tattoo makes sense. If you want an artist to interpret an idea through their own lens, commissioning an artist is the better fit. Understanding the difference allows you to book confidently — and to appreciate the process you’re choosing.
