How to Tell if a Tattoo Artist is Actually Good

Instagram Followers Don't Mean Skill

A popular social media presence doesn't guarantee quality. Some of the best artists have modest followings. Some heavily promoted artists produce mediocre work. Learning to evaluate actual skill protects you from regret.

Here's how to look past the marketing and assess real ability.

Line Quality Tells Everything

Lines are the foundation. Look closely at portfolio images for:

• Smoothness: Lines should flow without wobbles or hesitation
• Consistency: Line thickness stays even unless intentionally varied
• Confidence: No scratchy, overworked areas
• Clean intersections: Where lines meet, they're intentional and clean

Shaky, inconsistent lines indicate lack of experience or poor technique. Even simple designs should have clean, confident linework.

Saturation and Color Packing

Solid areas should be solid. Look for:

• Even saturation: No patchy spots or gaps in black areas
• Smooth gradients: Shading transitions without harsh lines
• Color consistency: Same color looks the same throughout
• No blowouts: Ink stays crisp at the edges, doesn't bleed out

Patchy color or uneven shading often looks worse after healing. If fresh work already shows problems, healed work will be worse.

Healed Work Is the Real Test

Fresh tattoos are forgiving. Redness and swelling mask imperfections. Healed work reveals true quality.

Ask any artist you're considering to show healed photos. Good artists are proud to show their work at 6 months or 2 years. If they only have fresh photos, be cautious.

In healed work, look for:

• Lines still crisp and defined
• Colors still vibrant (or appropriately faded for the age)
• No excessive blurring or spreading
• Details still readable

Style Specialization Matters

Great realism artists might struggle with traditional. Amazing Japanese artists might not do fine line well. Look for artists who specialize in your desired style with deep portfolios in that area.

• 10+ examples of your style in their portfolio
• Variety within that style showing range
• Consistent quality across all examples

Professionalism Beyond Art

Technical skill is only part of it. Good artists also:

• Communicate clearly about design, pricing, and timeline
• Listen to your ideas without being dismissive
• Offer honest feedback if something won't work
• Keep their workspace clean and organized
• Follow up with aftercare guidance

An artist who's difficult to work with or dismissive of your input will make the whole experience stressful, regardless of skill.