Community Archive
Browse Forum Topics
Every topic in the TattooNOW forum archive — tattoo aftercare, healing problems, machines, apprenticeships, business, and styles. Pick a topic to read 20+ years of community Q&A, or jump straight to matching tattoos in the gallery.
Discussion topics
- Apprenticeships & Tattoo Schools · 2 threadsGetting into the tattoo industry — apprenticeships, tattoo schools, and breaking in.
- Finding the Right Artist · 2 threadsHow to choose a tattoo artist, vet a shop, and find someone for your idea.
- Tattoo Business & Shop Life · 2 threadsRunning a shop, pricing, clients, shop politics, and the business of tattooing.
- Allergies & Health · 1 threadInk allergies, medical conditions, blood, MRI, and health questions around tattoos.
- Artists & Portfolios · 1 threadDiscussion of specific artists, their work, websites, and portfolios.
- Design Ideas & Meaning · 1 threadTattoo ideas, symbolism, lettering, placement, and design feedback.
- Healing Problems & Skin Reactions · 1 threadBumps, scabbing, peeling, swelling, and other skin reactions during healing.
- Models & Collaboration · 1 threadTattoo models, photo shoots, collaborations, and call-outs.
- Supplies & Sourcing · 1 threadWhere to buy supplies, deals, samples, and sourcing gear.
- Tattoo Aftercare · 1 threadHow to care for a new tattoo — products, dos and donts, and the healing routine.
- Tattoo History & Legends · 1 threadOld-school artists, tattoo history, and the legends of the craft.
- Tattoo Ink · 1 threadInk brands, color, white ink, fading, vegan inks, and ink questions.
- Tattoo Machines & Equipment · 1 threadCoil vs rotary, machine tuning, power supplies, needles, and gear reviews.
- Conventions & EventsTattoo conventions, guest spots, seminars, and industry events.
- Cover-Ups, Fixes & RemovalCovering old tattoos, fixing bad work, touch-ups, and laser removal.
- First Tattoo AdviceAdvice for getting your first tattoo — what to expect, how to choose, and prep.
- General DiscussionCommunity conversation that doesnt fit a specific topic.
- Learning to TattooPractice, drawing, building a portfolio, and improving as a tattoo artist.
- Products & ReviewsReviews and recommendations for tattoo-related products.
- Tattoo InfectionsSigns of infection, when to worry, and how to handle an infected tattoo.
- Tattoo Pain & PlacementHow much tattoos hurt, the most and least painful spots, and managing pain.
Tattoo styles & subjects
- Foot · 1
- Abstract
- American
- Animals
- Ankle
- Architecture
- Arm
- Asian
- Back
- Back Piece
- Bicep
- Biomechanical
- Black & Grey
- Blackwork
- Body Suit
- Calf
- Celestial
- Chest
- Chest Panel
- Chicano
- Collaboration
- Color
- Cyber Sigilism
- Dogs
- Dotwork
- Face
- Fantasy
- Fine Line
- Finger
- Flash
- Floral
- Flowers
- Food
- Forearm
- Full Sleeve
- Geometric
- Half Sleeve
- Hand
- Head
- Hearts/Love
- Hip
- Illustrative
- Insect
- Japanese
- Leg
- Leg Sleeve
- Lettering
- Mandalas
- Marine
- Micro
- Minimalist
- Music
- Mythology
- Nature
- Nautical
- Neck
- Neo-Traditional
- New School
- Old School
- Ornamental
- Pets
- Pop Culture
- Portrait
- Portraits
- Realism
- Religious
- Ribs
- Script/Text
- Shoulder
- Side
- Skulls
- Space
- Sports
- Stomach
- Surrealism
- Thigh
- Traditional
- Trash Polka
- Tribal
- Vehicle
- Watercolor
- Weapons
- Wrist
- Zodiac