"Micro" Tattoos Pt. 2: This is how it do or else.
I stated my feelings concerning micro tattoos in “Micro” Tattoos Part 1. This is an addendum as I am always wrestling to achieve amazing tattoos in all forms. I dislike saying “no” to people, but I have to to accomplish a product that best represents my work and my overall mission. The issue is the pigments that make up your design stay a liquid. This means that as you age and your skin changes, so will the tattoo. Tattoos that have solid linework, and color fill will age the best. The lines hold the color in place, and the color holds the lines. I’ve questioned for a long time how to achieve a better tattoo overall, and this would also entail micro tattoos as well. I have purposefully not stocked fine line needles as to avoid tattoos that were too small.
As of January 2021, I am now carrying fine line needles to use along side my other needle groupings to create more dynamic art. I am focusing on making all my work in the Sticker Style direction as it not only creates a tattoo that will age extremely well, but is visually sharp and appealing. It “pops off the skin” is what I always say as well as my clients. You can view these techniques under Sticker Style in porfolio HERE.
With that said, as well as what I have stated in Part 1, these tattoos require multiple layers of linework, as well as color fill. The colors can be normal colors, True Grey (seen HERE), or colors similar to the clients skin to give a transparent effect. What I see as a deal breaker for clients is the cost vs. size. I see some clients feel that small tattoos are overpriced; our shop minimum is $100. In order to do these micro tattoos would cost $150-200. They are still a full color tattoo just like any of the others in my Sticker Style, except much smaller. This might cause your frontal lobe to quiver but understand, just because it’s smaller doesn’t make it any less labor or easier to do. In reality, it actually makes it more difficult. Theoretically, exponentially more difficult for a plethora of reasons. This is also why I always say, “Just get a real tattoo.”
I am writing this and providing examples because I want to provide as many options to my clients as possible, as well educate. If you’re adamant about getting a micro tattoo, here’s the option I will provide so you get the tattoo you want, under the quality I demand of my work. If you’re not cool with this, you have two options; 1. Get the tattoo bigger (which you might as well, it’s the same cost), 2. Find another artist that’s willing to do it another way.
In the picture below are examples of Color, True Grey, and Flesh. The tattoo result will still be the same as any other tattoo, just smaller. The Flesh is a solid color that I will attempt to match with the tone of you skin. Please understand one of the biggest risks of micro tattoos is the increased chance of overwork. What happens with overwork is a larger chance of blurring, fading, and scarring. Tighter the area, the more the needles hit the skin.
The style of design shown will increase the chances of longevity, but it isn’t full proof. Everyone’s skin is different, everyone’s health is different, and every exposes themselves to sun differently. These are all variables that can effect healing as well as aging.
