How long have you been tattooing? Apprentices can provide great work, but some designs are best left to veteran artists.

What are your qualifications? Some artists favor specific styles, even if they can do more general styles.

Can I see your portfolio? A reputable artist will have a portfolio of past work on hand so that you can get a sense of their range and specialties.

Do you guarantee your work? Sometimes small spots of ink or other blemishes can occur during the healing process. Most artists offer one free touch-up appointment to take care of these areas.

What’s your hourly rate? It doesn’t matter if your piece will take 15 minutes or 2 hours — most artists have an hourly rate, or minimum, that must be met before they’ll agree to a piece. Others price on a piece-by-piece basis.

How do you sanitize your equipment? If they can’t answer this question, it’s off to the next one. Poor sanitation practices can lead to an infection or worse.

Do you have latex-free gloves? This is especially important if you have a latex allergy.

What brand of ink do you use? Again, if you have allergies to specific ingredients or materials, now is the time to bring them up.

What placement would you recommend for this design? Maybe you’re determined to get tattooed on the inside of your ankle, but they think the piece would work better on the inside of your calf. You need to be happy with the outcome, but remember that they’re the expert.

What aftercare procedure do you recommend? Reputable artists will have this information ready to go so that you know what to expect after your piece is complete.