First-Timer Guide: From Enquiry to Aftercare (Step-by-Step)
Getting your first tattoo is exciting — but it can feel overwhelming when you don’t know what the process looks like. A good tattoo experience doesn’t start when the machine begins; it starts the moment you reach out, and it continues long after the last line is tattooed.
This guide walks you through my entire workflow, exactly how things happen in my studio — so you know what to expect at every stage.
Whether you have a full concept or just an idea, this will give you clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations for your first tattoo.
Step 1 — The Booking Form: Your Idea Comes to Me
Everything begins with the booking form on my website.
It gives me all the essential information I need to understand your idea:
• your description
• references you want me to see
• the placement you’re thinking about
• the size
• the date you’d like
• anything you want to tell me about the meaning
Once you submit it, I reply within 24 hours — always.
From there, we decide whether to have an in-person consultation or a phone call, depending on what’s easier for you.
Step 2 — The Consultation: We Shape the Vision Together
The consultation is where your idea becomes clearer.
We talk about the meaning behind the tattoo, the story, the symbolism, the size, placement, and what you want the piece to express. If something doesn’t work — whether it’s too small for detail, not suitable for the placement, or simply not flowing well — I’ll explain why. And if something can be improved, I’ll show you different ways to elevate it.
This is also when we discuss pricing and how long the project may take.
Once everything is clear, I will send you a link with all my availability so you can choose the date and secure it by paying a deposit.
Step 3 — The Design: Built Before the Appointment
I design your tattoo before your appointment day — not in front of you in a rush.
Once the draft is ready, I send it to you so you have time to look at it without pressure. You can tell me how you feel about it, ask for adjustments, or clarify details. If I feel the design needs a bit more work, or an idea suddenly clicks, I’ll refine it.
Sometimes I create a few versions of the same concept so you can choose the direction that speaks to you most.
The goal is simple:
You should walk into your appointment confident about what we’re creating.
Step 4 — Appointment Day: Preparation Comes First
We usually meet at the studio around 11:00.
Before any tattooing begins, we walk through the design again. We finalise it together, make last-minute tweaks if needed, then move to sizing.
This part is important.
A tattoo might look perfect on a screen, but the body moves, curves, stretches, and shifts. So we print different sizes, apply the stencil, and see how it flows with your anatomy.
We check:
• how the design moves with the muscles
• how it sits when your arm is relaxed vs flexed
• whether the proportions feel balanced
• if the placement matches your idea
Once the stencil is perfect, we let it dry for 15 minutes, and then we begin.
Step 5 — The Tattooing Process: Comfortable & Structured
Preparation usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the project. Larger pieces — like sleeves or projects covering multiple areas — can take longer.
We tattoo in a structured rhythm:
• every 1.5–2 hours, we take a short break to stretch and reset
• around 14:30, we take a 30–45 minute lunch break
• the pace is always comfortable — never rushed
There is no pressure to “sit through the pain.”
Your comfort determines the session, not the other way around.
Step 6 — The Moment We Finish: Calming & Protecting the Skin
When the tattoo is finished, I wrap it for about 15 minutes to calm the skin down.
After that, we clean it gently, take a few final photos, and apply second skin — a protective barrier that makes the first part of healing much easier and safer.
You’ll keep this on for 3–4 days.
And before you leave, I give you a complete Tattoo Goo aftercare pack containing:
• cleansing soap
• healing balm
• lotion
Everything you need is provided — no guesswork, no searching online for products.
Step 7 — The Healing Process: What’s Normal
Healing is different for everyone, but the common stages are the same.
You may notice:
• dryness
• tightness
• light peeling
• uneven texture in the first week
This is completely normal.
What is not normal is spreading redness, leaking fluid, fever, or increasing irritation. If anything feels off, you can always message me — no question is too small.
Healing is a partnership:
I create the tattoo, and you bring it to its final form.
Step 8 — The Healed Result: The Real Tattoo
Fresh tattoos are deceiving.
They’re shiny, swollen, dark, and dramatic — sometimes even too dramatic.
The healed tattoo — the one you see weeks later — is the real artwork.
This is why I always emphasise healed work in my portfolio, and why the absence of healed work in an artist's profile can be a red flag. The way a tattoo ages is what shows you the quality.
Step 9 — Touch-Ups (Only If Needed)
Not every tattoo needs a touch-up.
If the skin holds the ink evenly, the tattoo stays exactly as intended.
If a small area needs reinforcement, we fix it. There’s no pressure either way — it depends fully on how your skin healed.
Step 10 — Long-Term Care: Making It Last
A well-healed tattoo stays beautiful for years if you take care of it. The biggest enemy of tattoos is the sun. UV light breaks ink down fast, so sunscreen becomes your best long-term tool.
Healthy skin = healthy tattoos.
Moisturise, avoid unnecessary trauma, and you’ll protect your investment for the long run.
Step 11 — Trust, Experience, and What Comes Next
Most first-timers come back — not because they planned to, but because the process becomes easier, clearer, and more inspiring when you trust your artist.
Your first tattoo is the beginning.
The next ones become the story.
FAQs
How quickly do you reply after I submit the booking form?
Within 24 hours, always.
Can I request changes to the design?
Of course. We refine it until it feels right.
Is the consultation free?
Yes — whether in person or over the phone.
Do I see the design before the appointment?
Yes. I send you a draft ahead of time so you can review it calmly.
Do I need to buy aftercare products?
No. I provide a full Tattoo Goo aftercare pack.
What if I’m nervous?
That’s normal. The preparation, pacing, and environment make the experience easier than you think.
🔎 Explore More FAQs:
https://www.roudolfdimovart.com/faq
Ready for Your First Tattoo?
👉 Large Projects:
www.roudolfdimovart.com/large-projects
Bring your story. I’ll shape it into art.
👉 Book a Consultation:
https://www.roudolfdimovart.com/booking
📍 London
✉️ info@roudolfdimovart.com