State of The Art International Tattoo Convention - Derby UK

Picking a Design
Choose what YOU like! You have to live with your decision for the rest of your life. Discuss the size and colouring with the artist to achieve the look you want. Sometimes it is better to leave the artistic aspects of your tattoo up to the wisdom and experience of your chosen artist.

Placement of a Design
Give the location of your tattoo considerable thought. It is there forever. If you are concerned about the level of discomfort or pain involved, talk to the artist. S/He should be happy to discuss this with you. You won't be the first!

Choice of Artist
This is probably the most personal of all aspects of receiving a tattoo. If you are considering a tattoo, find the artist that fulfils your needs, artistically as well as in professionalism, personality and price. You should feel comfortable with all the aspects of your choice.

Paying the Price!
DO NOT SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST PRICE!! Remember you are buying a piece of art, not a fridge! Tattooing is trade in which you should see examples of the artist's work and question their knowledge. This is not a trade where you barter. You should agree a price or an hourly rate for the time and expertise of your artist.

Tattoo Safety Advice
With the advent of many communicable diseases, some fatal, it has become necessary to institute certain isolation and sterilisation procedures in the tattoo process to assure the public of a safe, risk-free tattoo. The following has been prepared by professional tattoo artists working with local, area and national health authorities.

Always insist that you see your tattooist remove a new needle and tube set-up from a sealed envelope immediately prior to your tattoo.
Be certain you see your tattooist pour a new ink supply into a disposable container.
Make sure your artist puts on a new pair of gloves before setting up tubes, needles and ink supplies.
Satisfy yourself that the shop furnishings and your tattooist are clean and orderly in appearance.
Feel free to question the tattooist about his sterile procedures and isolation techniques. Take time to observe them at work and do not hesitate to enquire about their experience in the tattoo business.
If the tattooist is a qualified professional, they will have no problem in complying with the standards above and beyond theses simple guidelines.
If the artist or studio does not appear up to these standards or if they become evasive when questioned, seek out a PROFESSIONAL tattooist.

So You Want To Be Tattoo Artist?
What you need to know
In this day and age, there is an increased awareness of infection controlling the tattoo studio environment. Both artist and client are adapting to today's higher standard of health through education. To become a professional tattooist it certainly helps to have an artistic background. It is imperative that you be educated in health matters; in particular blood-borne pathogens.

What's at Risk?
Nowadays there are more health hazards. You need to take precautions against spreading diseases. We're talking about deadly organisms that can be present without you ever suspecting them! For example, 20 years ago there were only 4 known sexually-transmitted diseases, today there are more than 28!! Skin is a host or carrier to many potentially harmful bacteria. Tattooing opens this barrier and makes you susceptible to greater risks.

When and Where?
The general consensus of professional tattooists is that an apprenticeship is the best way to learn this trade. The best way to prevent costly mistakes is to learn form a professional in a highly technical and multi-faceted industry. When looking for an artist to teach tattooing, you should follow the same criteria for finding an artist to tattoo you!!

The information contained therein is based on information from the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, a non-profit educational organisation that promotes health and safety in the tattoo business. APT- Dedicated to Professional Tattooing

Disclaimer
This web site is aimed at providing the latest news about the Annual State of The Art Tattoo Convention. We hope that through the information contained on the site you will be able to make the most of your visit to the show.

We cannot be held responsible nor will we accept any responsibility for any of the advertisers or artists on our site. We are promoting a show, which in turn promotes safe and professional tattooing and piercing. You have a responsibility to ensure that you are responsible in your choices.