Tattoo Design Trend

Tattoo removal is a complicated and often impossible task. Contrary to common beliefs, laser removal does leave a trace and doesn't necessarily remove the tattoo completely. Depending on the size and part of the body, scars will be more or less visible. Keep in mind, however, that tattoos fade over time. If you wear a tattoo of your ex-love, you might wish to do a cover-up instead. Various tattoo removal creams circulate in the market but, save for being expensive, they usually can't help much.

Tattoo Removal Methods

Laser removal is the most common tattoo removal method. Laser affects the ink with laser light pulses, causing your immune system to clear the ink away. Rarely is one laser removal treatment sufficient for complete tattoo removal. Usually it takes up to 10 treatments, depending on the skin sensitivity and size of the tattoo. The catch is - the more treatments you undergo, the more damaged your skin gets. Laser rays penetrate the skin leaving blisters, which will eventually turn into scars. However, with the ever-advancing technology, scarring is minimal, but cannot be avoided. Laser removal treatments are quite expensive. The price varies from $250 to $850 per treatment, and none can guarantee positive results. Note that laser removal is quite painful, since it penetrates and burns your skin.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) is a similar method, though less common. It uses high intensity light instead of laser light, but the removal process is more or less the same. Instead of a laser, a wand emits light pulses. The only advance of IPL is that it's less painful (though it also leaves scars) and indeed much more expensive. The price is calculated based on number of pulses applied, and a single pulse may cost up to $10. IPL also takes more treatments, depending on the tattoo size and skin sensitivity.

Other methods are quite ineffective and leave much deeper and uglier scars. An example would be the so-called excision, a surgical method used to cut the tattoo away and sew the skin afterwards.

Cover-ups

It often happens that a person gets a tattoo in a fit of emotion. Common examples are tattooed names (boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, child... ) or current idols. Some less lucky souls get tattoos from inexperienced tattoo artists, resulting in ugly images. The truth is, unless the tattoo is completely covered in black ink, a good tattoo artist may always do a nice cover-up. The term "cover-up" is used to describe two processes:

1. Redoing of the old faded tattoo (with or without new elements);
2. Replacement of the tattoo with another image.

When you make an appointment for laser tattoo removal, you give yourself the wonderful opportunity for a clean slate along a certain part of your body. There are several reasons to want to get rid of markings on the body but if you want it done right, it is important to pay attention to all instructions given to you by a professional. Despite what you already know about the procedure, there are still plenty of questions that most clients have about the experience.

How does the procedure work?

In laser tattoo removal, powerful equipment is used to remove the ink from the skin by breaking it into tiny pieces. The skin around the tattoo goes untouched and unaffected. The body's immune system then takes the ink and removes it from the body. Eventually the markings fade until they are no longer as visible. It takes multiple treatments to remove ink and the larger the marking, the more treatments it will require.

Is it painful?

Like many procedures involving this type of equipment, there is some pain associated with laser tattoo removal. Previous clients have likened it to a lot of bee stings all at the same time or multiple rubber bands snapping the skin. Depending on your pain threshold, you can choose to have a cold compress added to the area to make it numb. You might also consider also taking an over-the-counter- pain medication.

How can a person prepare?

Talk to the professional about your options for managing pain in advance. Also, get an idea of how many treatments you will need and how far apart they should be scheduled. You definitely want to know how much the procedure will cost. Most of the time the cost directly correlates to the size of the marking as well as the amount of ink used.

How can I take care of the area after the procedure is complete?

You are going to feel pain in the area that can be likened to sunburn. You need to make sure that you keep the area covered and allow it to heal. If you don't there is a chance of complications and you could be delaying your results. Stay out of the sun and be aware of your physical limitations. If any type of strenuous activity is going to involve the area affected by laser tattoo removal, be cautious and if you feel pain, stop immediately.

Ahhhh... that first tattoo. It's a moment you'll never forget, and it's not just because you'll carry the reminder of it on your body pretty much forever.

Choosing your first tattoo should never be a rushed decision, yet many people have made this mistake regardless. Whether it was a rush to be the first in their circle of friends to get one, or it was a "dare" between friends... or it was simply a decision that was made when in a not-so-sober state - tattoo regret is nothing to take lightly.

To avoid tattoo regret, it is best to take things slowly and do your research beforehand. Getting a tattoo is a major life decision, and just like any other big decision, you must put a lot of thought towards it and outweigh the pros and cons. Here are some questions that may help.

First off, before taking the plunge in finding a perfect tattoo, ask yourself "is a tattoo really what I want?" As silly as it may sound, just because you really, really want a tattoo today, does it mean you're gonna still want it tomorrow, or next year, or 10 years from now? For some people, a tattoo was simply a "phase of their life," and something their older selves don't jive with anymore. Google "tattoo removal" sometime and see how big of a market that is! My advice? Let that tattoo idea percolate a little while longer - picture yourself 5-10 years down the road with your tattoo - if say, a year from now, you still have this burning desire to get inked, go for it. If not, well maybe it's not meant to be.

Secondly, keep your mind and your options open. If you've decided that you're going to get permanently inked, make it a good one. This means taking your time to not only research different flash ideas, but to also research different tattoo artists in your area. The Internet is wonderful when it comes to research, and I definitely recommend starting here. Google "tattoo design ideas" or "tattoo artists" or "dragon tattoo designs" - you get the idea. There are way too many ideas to go through in your lifetime, but the more specific you are in your search query, the better information you'll get. After you spend a bit of time with Google, you'll begin to get a good idea of who's who and who's not!

As good as the Internet is, remember, it's just a start. Keep track of what appeals to you, and even print out designs you like. Mull them over for a while. Again, picture having this tattoo 5 or 10 years down the road. Ask, "will this look good even in a few years, or is it simply a trend right now?" Remember, a trend is just that, until something else comes along and replaces it.

Now it's time to add some human touch. Although your tattoo design idea is your decision in the end, it doesn't hurt to get other opinions on it. See what your close friends (or even family) think of it. Talk to other people who actually have tattoos. See what they think (and make sure their tattoos don't suck, first!). While you're at it, ask them who they recommend as a good tattoo artist, and why. Check out a tattoo convention or two. Get yourself out there and asking important questions.

By now you've chosen a tattoo that is unique to you, have talked to others, and have decided on your tattoo artist. Now what? Well, if you haven't already, decide exactly where on your body you'll be inked forever. Do you want everyone to see it, or do you want it in a more inconspicuous area of your body? Is this area going to be ultra-sensitive to a tattoo needle? Will this area heal fairly quickly, or will it be constantly rubbed against? Again, how about a few years down the road? Talk it over with your tattoo artist, and when you're ready to take the plunge, let the fun begin!

These are just some of the basic tips to help you when considering your first (or even your next) tattoo. Of course, if you have any medical issues that may affect getting a tattoo, discuss them with your doctor AND especially your tattoo artist. I hope this little bit of information will help you in making one of your life's big decisions. Better yet, I hope it helps you to AVOID tattoo regret!

Tattoos are more popular and acceptable now than ever before, but in some cases regret starts to creep in, which has resulted in another booming industry and that relates to tattoo removal. Even though it can be extremely difficult to remove a tattoo, there is now a wide-range of procedures which might be used to tackle this problem. Irrespective of the reason for wishing to have a tattoo removed, some of the most popular techniques consist of -

Tattoo Removal Cream - the specially formulated creams for tattoo removal are the easiest, most convenient, and cost-effective option on the market. Two main types of creams are available; the first is a temporary solution to merely cover the tattoo and doesn't have any long-term impact on the appearance of a tattoo. The second type of cream is designed to help fade the appearance of a tattoo. Using cream is a slow process, which will need a good couple of months to start showing positive results. A cream is certainly able to lighten the tattoo, but shouldn't be seen as a solution to completely eliminate all signs of it; further more aggressive steps will be needed to do that. This technique is however low-cost and available to perform at home.

Laser Light Therapy - a more common process for tattoo removal is the highly effective laser light therapy, which relies on a beam of focused light. This has the potential to break down the ink into tiny pieces. After that, the immune system is able to gather those small broken down particles and effectively clear them away. In order to work, this treatment will run over the course of multiple sessions, with each stage of the process slowly clearing more and more. Due to the need for repeat visits to have the treatment professionally carried out, it can turn out to be quite expensive. But, if you really wish to have a tattoo removed, it will cost to have things put right.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy - is another of the effective steps which can be taken to eradicate an un-wanted tattoo. Similar to the laser light therapy, this technique also relies on light, but instead of using a laser to breakdown a tattoo, a high-intensity light is used. A tattoo is covered with a specific type of gel and then light is transmitted via the use of a wand. It is less costly than going the route of laser treatment, but might be more expensive to complete the treatment in full.

The art of tattooing has evolved with humans. You probably would have heard that tattoos aren't the newest addition to body art; they have been around for quite a while now. And so are the infections. It is one of the downsides of getting a tattoo if it is not carried out correctly, it could leave you with bad memories and most probably a scar. So, before you follow the trend and get inked, you should think about it, read about it and ask about it.
It is no secret that body tattoos have their own risks. You can get infected, develop allergies or skin problems and there is a possibility that you won't be allowed to get an MRI because of the ink burns when you get under the machine. There is a lot to be learnt about tattoos from how it is done, where it is done and how to take care of it. Start with the most obvious question - do you want one? If yes, what do you want and where can you get it?
Experts always suggest that you never try it at home and go to a professional studio. Not only is it safer but it is the best way to get what you want. If you are worried about the money they are going to charge you, think of it this way - spending a few bucks on a professional tattoo artist is better than spending a fortune on medicines and treatments if something goes wrong. Also, a tattoo artist can educate you about the tattoo aftercare which is the second step to a good tattoo. Aftercare of the tattoo can make it last longer and with a better effect. You should know when to apply water on it, how to clean it, which ointments to use and the everyday dos and don'ts. Following the instructions of your tattooist is the best possible way to care for your tattoo and if there are any doubts, you can always use the internet to confirm the expert's opinions. Whenever you think it hurts too much or it isn't healing properly, consult a dermatologist without wasting any time. You can never be too careful with your tattoo.
It might not look like that to everybody but it is a huge thing to get a tattoo. If it is permanent, you will have to live with it whether you like it or not. It is true that you can get it removed surgically but that would be wasting a lot of money and time. Not to forget, it never goes away permanently especially if it has bright colors. So if you get back home one day and you don't like your tattoo, it just might be too late. Take your own sweet time before getting under the needle. And when you are certain this is what you want, get it but take care of your body. If you won't, no one else will. You owe it to yourself to be accountable and responsible.

tattoo designs

Are you searching for free cool tattoo design ideas for men or women? If you've searched for various tattoo ideas, you may have already wondered what makes a tattoo special and cool, and what on the other hand, makes a common average one?
The good news is, finding creative unique tattoo patterns can be a simple skill to gain. And in this free guide you are going to find a few helpful ideas and methods to help you find the coolest tattoo idea that matches you the most.
Top 3 Tips to Choose a Cool Unique Tattoo Idea
Whether you are looking for pattern ideas for men or women, there are similar ways to find trendy popular ideas for a cool design.
1. Take a Look at Your Favorite Celebrity Tattoos
Simply by checking out which patterns and designs your favorite admired celebrities have, you can gain access to a wide collection of free creative design ideas for your own tattoo.
As you know, celebrities are always under the spotlight. So they spend a lot of time and attention on choosing which tattoo looks the coolest. And you can use the fruit of their efforts to get some creative ideas for yourself.
You can simply do a simple search in Google to find the photo galleries of top celebrity tattoo designs - whether male or female.
2. See Which Tattoos Are Considered Cool in Your Social Group
We all like to be accepted and admired among our friends and within our social circle. So when choose a tattoo idea, it is helpful to look and ask around and see which styles are the most popular.
For example for men, sometimes a celtic tribal cross tattoo may be considered cool in one social group, while it may be considered too religious in another circle. So it is a wise idea to see which types of tattoos are cooler in your own circle.

When it comes to finding that unique cool tattoo design idea that fits you the most, you may noticed it is like shopping in a huge shopping store. You see so many options, colors, and flavors, and that doesn't make it any easier to choose what you like the best.
Same with cool tattoo ideas, you have a wide variety of choices - from which body part you are going to apply the tattoo on, to which shape and colors to pick. So this free guide is going to help you through this process step by step and make it a whole lot easier for you.
So here are 3 steps to take when choose a cool unique idea for your tattoo design...
1. Animals or Symbols? It's Your Choice
The first step to finding your special tattoo idea, is to decide whether you'd like a symbol or an animal. These two are the most common styles you can choose from.
For example a cool animal tattoo could be a lion, wolf, scorpio, spider, or simple something cute like a butterfly tattoo design.
And a unique cool symbol design can be the yin yang peace sign, tribal symbols, zodiac signs, or a meaningful Chinese or Japanese character.
So once you choose which animal or symbol you like the most, here comes the next step...
2. Which Size Is the Best for Your Tattoo?
Depending on where you would like to have your tattoo, the size of the design plays a big role. For instance, when on your lower back, the tattoo shape can be quite large because there is plenty of space for it. But if on your wrist or neck, the tattoo should be quite small in order to look cool and great.
So the question is, where would you like to have your tattoo designed?
3. Find a Clear Stencil for Your Tattoo Idea
And here we reach the final part, which is a very important one. Nothing is more important when it comes to having a cool unique tattoo design, than a clear helpful stencil.
A stencil is the basic black and design that enables your tattoo artist to draw the shape perfectly and precisely. Without a clear stencil, designing more complex tattoos on your skin might turn out a bit tricky.

For many years now, body art has been a popular art form. While at one point in time body art had special meanings, such as leadership, status, and even ownership, today tattoos are more of a fashion statement that portrays uniqueness. If you want to get a tattoo, no doubt you want to get a great design that is uniquely you. So, how can you come up with great tattoo design ideas? The following are a few tips that will help you come up with the best tattoo design ideas for you.
Tip #1 - Take a Look at Other Tattoos - One way that you can come up with great tattoo design ideas is to take a look at other tattoos that other people have. While you don't want to copy exactly what someone else has, taking a look at other tattoos can definitely give you some great ideas. Be sure to be creative but take the designs you see on other people into consideration as well.
Tip #2 - Check Out Books, Stickers, Posters, Stationary, Etc. - Believe it or not, inspiration for your tattoo could be almost anywhere. If you want some great ideas, take the time to check out books, stickers, poster, stationary, and anything else you can get your hands on. It doesn't have to be a tattoo already to be a great idea, so remember that inspiration for your tattoo can be just about anywhere you look.
Tip #3 - Consider Color or Black and Grey - Another thing you need to consider when you are trying to come up with good tattoo ideas is whether or not you want to go with a tattoo that is done in black and grey or a tattoo that is very colorful. Either can look wonderful, depending on the tattoo you choose, so take both options into consideration.
Tip #4 - Get Creative with It - You will also want to take the time to get creative with the tattoo. More than likely you won't want to do something that everyone else is doing. You'll want to make sure that the tattoo design that you choose is unique and creative, so let your creativity and imagination run wild.
Tip #5 - Remember You Have to Live with It - When you are trying to come up with the best tattoo designs for you, be sure that you remember that you are going to have to live with this tattoo for some time. Sure, there are methods of removal, but they are expensive and painful as well. So, think about a design that you are still going to enjoy and appreciate 10 years down the road.
Tip #6 - Find a Design with Meaning - Whatever tattoo design you choose, you will want to be sure that you find one that has special meaning for you. Whether it is a special image that you like or the name of an important person that you have lost, make sure that the design you pick out has meaning for you, whether anyone else understands or not.
Tip #7 - Go with a Design that Fits Your Particular Personality - Each person has a different type of personality and you'll want to go with a tattoo design that nicely reflects your personality. There are many great designs out there, and whether you choose from an existing design or you make the design yourself, you'll want the design to match your particular personality.

I often get asked by people looking to get a tattoo how much do you think this will cost? Of course each person has their own unique design in mind and everyone wants to know exactly how much their design is going to cost them. However, pricing tattoos is very difficult. You can not give a simple answer to a question like that. The price of a tattoo can vary on a lot of factors. However, here is a general guide so you know some of the factors and some price ranges that would be considered decent.
First Factor: The Shop
Every shop has it's own pricing guidelines and even every tattoo artist in the shop might have their own ways of pricing a tattoo. The more famous the shop or artist is the more expensive the tattoo will be. Also the price can change depending on how busy the shop is at the time you go in. If they are packed up with clients then they are going to quote you a much higher price then if they are looking for work.
Second Factor: The Design
Another factor that goes into the final price of the tattoo is the design itself. If you have a really large tattoo design in mind and you want the art work to be drawn by the tattoo artist it is going to cost a significant amount more then if you have some flash design that you found at their shop on the wall. So the size of the design and the difference between custom drawn and flash will significantly change the price.
Third Factor: Time

Another factor that always goes into pricing the tattoo design is the amount of time it will take to do the work. A large back piece is going to take a significant number of hours over a small wrist tattoo. If you are looking for something really big like a full back tattoo or a body suit you are going to be spending lots of hours over multiple visits to the tattoo shop and it is going to cost a huge amount of money. You should easily spend thousands of dollars for a full back tattoo. However, small designs that can be done quickly in one sitting of 30 minutes to an hour are obviously going to cost much less.

So, you've made the decision to get a custom tattoo. What do you do next? Call a tattoo shop? Search for custom tattoo designs online? Actually, you should do a little of both. Call and then visit your local tattoo shop and check it out and make sure that it is clean, hygienic, follows the latest techniques and is fully equipped with the best tattoo equipments. Take a look at the designs created by their artists to check if their skill matches your expectations. Also, speak to some of the tattoo enthusiasts who have got themselves inked from that very studio.

Once you are done with your local visit, check tattoo design websites to see what they have to offer in terms of styles and trends in tattoos. Most of the top sites have a group of talented tattoo designers who can provide you with some best designs. You can even start an online tattoo design contest where you invite tattoo artists to compete to provide you with the most creative custom tattoo design based on your tattoo idea and preferences.

It's critical that you know what you want in a tattoo design to be able to explain it to the designer. When going through the designs, or starting a tattoo design contest, you must have a clear picture of the design in your mind. Without absolute clarity, no tattoo designer will be able to provide you with the design that exactly matches your expectations.

The designers should have the idea about design, size of the tattoo, the color scheme, and the place on your body where you want the design to be tattooed. These choices determine how the tattoo designer designs your tattoo. For example; size of the custom tattoo design is important because there's only so much detail that can be put in a small place and over time it will have a tendency to blur. So the designer will match the size to the intended design.

Make sure you consider the implications of having a tattoo that's visible with respect to your work place policies. While some professions do not allow their employees to sport tattoos at workplace, there could be work place regulations that stop people from showing off their tattoos in the office. If this could be the case, consider getting a tattoo design that can be easily covered up at work.

Another important thing to keep in mind before you leave for the tattoo studio to get yourself inked is food. Yes, food! Make sure you've eaten relatively soon before your appointment so that you are comfortable and full. As a first timer, nerves can get the better of you and the amount of time it could take to get your tattoo finished could do all sorts of nasty things on an empty stomach. Don't risk the comfort because you're too nervous to eat and risk your blood sugar dropping dangerously low.

And, finally, make sure you follow the after-care tips after your tattoo is done. You spent a lot of time and money to get a custom design tattoo and not following your after-care would be foolish. Protect your tattoo from the sun for at least two weeks, avoid swimming in chlorinated water for some time and don't scratch the tattooed area.

Steps to Start Your Own Tattoo Design Contest

For a tattoo enthusiast, who wishes to have a custom tattoo design created especially for him, based on his/ her ideas and preferences, one option available is to start his or her own tattoo design contest. There are many tattoo related sites that allow people to get a tattoo design that matches their personality the best.

To begin with, one needs to find a website that offers these contests online. For this, start with short listing a few sites that you like. Then, go through the process of launching a tattoo design contest offered by all these short listed sites. Check the marketplace designs to get an idea of the kind of designs that the sites offer. Make sure that the process is smooth and the guidelines are clear. Also see that the site is trustworthy and after the contest is closed, payment is processed in time. Also, it is necessary to confirm the credibility of the site because, at times, you may have to extend the contest or close it altogether if the designs offered by the designers are not up to your liking and expectations.

Once you have read all the requirements and have decided to go ahead and start a contest, it is relatively easy to get going. The next step is to register with the site that you think suits your requirements the best. You need to sign up for an account, which should be free, and follow the site's steps for creating the contest. Once registered, you can start with adding the instructions for the designers who will participate in the contest. You must enter a title for your custom tattoo design so it can be referred to by name.

You should then describe your tattoo idea and explain the size, location, style, colors and text and any other pertinent information you feel is necessary for the designer to understand and interpret exactly what you're looking for. The more clear the instructions; greater will be the number of tattoo designers that participate in your contest.

You should also put in a short, two or three sentence summary description to explain your custom design tattoo idea and grab the designer's attention. Follow the directions the site has for setting up the contest and complete your entry.

These sites require you to put up minimum prize money to start any contest. For example; to launch a contest, you may have to pay a minimum of $35-$50 at least. Remember, you are looking for the best tattoo design and for that you should be ready to shell out some good amount of money as well. Also, you are required to provide feedback about the designs provided by tattoo designers on a regular basis and give them a star rating. This will allow you to get interactive with the participating designers and exchange ideas with them.

Once the contest starts, it's just a matter of monitoring it and conforming with the requirements of the site until you find the perfect custom design tattoo provided to you by one of the designers participating in the contest. You get your tattoo design and stencil and the artist gets the prize money.

How To Take Advantage Of Tattoo Design Contests

The sites that offer tattoo design contests are actually doing a great service to the budding as well as experienced professional tattoo designers. A design contest is where a site hosts a contest for a customer to offer prize money for a custom design that best matches their ideas and personal preferences.

Any number of artists can opt to join in and submit their designs. Once the person behind the contest selects the winning design, the contest is over and the prize money is handed out and the design and stencil is forwarded to the new owner. Not only does it test the abilities of a designer, it is a format that is both fun and informative.

If you aren't quite sure of what type of custom tattoo design you want, other than generally, you can list as many attributes you're looking for in a design and let the tattoo designers get to work. They are the ones with the creativity and if they are provided with enough information, a good designer can come up with a variety of things. Once the client sees a design drawn out, it gives you a clear idea to start with. They can recommend changes, share ideas and let them know the special features to tailor the custom tattoo design into a perfect design for them.

Since there is no limit to the number of designers who can participate in the contest, and the number of samples that they can submit to suit the client's taste and special requirements, the client gets to choose from a huge variety of designs. This is especially advantageous because one is offered so many options that they are bound to find the design they want.

Additionally, when a tattoo design contest is started, the customer selects the 'prize' money, or the amount that they're going to pay out to the winner. Obviously it needs to be attractive enough for the designers to take part and give their best to win the contest. So, when you're selecting the amount to pay as prize money, think about what you want the final outcome to be when the contest closes. A good, profitable amount will bring out the best work from designers and they will do their best to give the best custom designs they can create.

Using tattoo design contests is one of the smartest ways to find a tattoo designer who has similar tastes in designs that can also turn out to be a long term relationship with the clients. Once you find an artist that provides you style and designs you like, there begins to develop an understanding between the two becoming a fruitful working affiliation in the future.

Tribal Tattoo Designs - Promoting Culture

Art can be divided into many different fields and has a multitude of manifestations. Regardless of culture and views, art enjoys a universal value and is considered an import part of culture such as tribal tattoos. It is argued that art is the vessel in which culture is captured, highlighted and transmitted. Beyond this sociological view, art is simply an expression of human creativity that is tangible and appealing to the aesthetic taste of other members of the community. Tribal tattoos are good examples of this.

Among the most famous forms of art is that which involves the human body. Bodily, art takes the artistic expression to a whole new level. Aside from the radical means by which it is created it is unique in the sense that it uses the human body as the medium of expression. In many cases, the skin is more durable and interesting to work with compared to canvass and paint or marble. Modern social practice even considers body art as notable involvement promoting creativity. However, the use of tribal tattoo whose patterns and designs are more than just manifestations of creativity and the personal taste of the recipient of the tattoo.

Tribal tattoos and the use of tribal patterns, designs and images are not only stylish. They are powerful means of promoting of the culture they belong to. For example, the sun or the interwoven curve and jagged lines are representative of specific ethnic groups. The sun image is prominent in Latin American culture. This originates from their Aztec, Mayan and Incan cultures, which placed great importance on the sun.

Similar figures can be seen in their ruins. The interwoven curve and jagged lines can be seen in the bodies of certain tribes residing in some Pacific islands today. What is surprising is their culture also practice body art and pioneered the use of the same pattern. Male members of these tribes can be seen to have tribal tattoos.

The use of tribal tattoos like the ones previously mentioned does not only catch the attention of others. They also showcase the rich heritage of certain cultures. Those who are familiar with the patterns and designs will admire how well they are recreated on the skin of a person. For those who are unfamiliar with the design they will often ask about it. Thus, they will be told of the origin and meaning of the design and pattern. In both these instances, the culture from which the tattoo's design is taken from is promoted and become the subject of discourse.

How To Get The Perfect Custom Tattoo Design?

Getting the perfect custom tattoo design is a lot easier today than it was in the old days. Today you can go online and get in touch with a number of tattoo designers who can work with you to create you that perfect tattoo. Some sites even allow their members to start design contests where artists work on a tattoo based on the client's description and specifications and submit their work samples until the client selects the final and winning design. The winning designer is then awarded with the pre determined prize money. The artist, on the other hand, sends the completed design and matching stencil. The client can then take the stencil/design to a local tattoo studio for tattooing.

So, finding the perfect custom tattoo design starts with finding a site that has a thriving community of talented designers. Some sites have thousands of artists who work with the client to provide them with a design that they have been looking for. Sometimes the designer may create a design that is way beyond the expectations of the client making him extremely happy and satisfied.

The designers, when working with their client, provide them with a few variations of their tattoo ideas so that they can provide feedback to help create a design that matches their preferences and personal style. Some sites even offer their clients up to ten different and exclusive variations of a design.

Being involved in a tattoo design contest can be a fun as well as a rewarding opportunity. The client may have an idea of what they are searching for, and a good designer can bring that idea to life. Experienced designers even make suggestions that clients may be overlooking and create a newer, and better looking custom tattoo design.

There are literally thousands of sites available for finding custom tattoo designs on the web. Each contest has a brief description of what is required in a tattoo and if the designers find the job challenging and the prize money attractive, they can participate and submit original designs created by them.

When searching for the best custom tattoo designs, don't forget to look into the sites that offer online contests where designers will be vying to provide you with the best looking tattoo based on your input and specifications. These contests offer not just best quality and unique designs but also give the client a choice to select the best design from among a collection of the most creatively designed tattoos totally based on individual personality and preferences.

Ambigram Tattoo Designs

An increasingly popular motif in tattoo parlours is the ambigram a graphic figure that can be flipped, mirrored or inverted, yet whichever way the script or the figure is viewed, it still spells out the same thing. It is sometimes referred to as an 'inversion' or 'flipscript', but regardless of the description, most people appreciate it as an optical illusion. The shifting positive and negative spaces can play tricks on our visual perception, casting a spell on the beholder.

For tattoo aficionados, there's a dictionary of ambigram designs to choose from, and a great range of scripts and fonts, from simply elegant to graphically gothic. A design may consist of a single word or an entire phrase. Depending on the ambigram's concept, it can be rotated, reversed, or reflected in mirrors, with the meaning sometimes changing, sometimes remaining the same. Looked at one way, you might see a devil, but turn it around and an angel appears, or at least the way the figure is spelled! The best tattoo artists can create an optical illusion with an intriguing graphic design that never fails to intrigue.

According to practitioner John Langdon, ambigrams were independently invented by himself and by Scott Kim in the 1970s. Kim used the name Inversions as the title of his first collection in 1981. The first published reference to "ambigram" was by Hofstadter, who attributes the origin of the word to conversations among a small group of friends during 1983-1984. The 1999 edition of Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach features a 3-D ambigram on the cover.

John Langdon is truly one of the great ambigramists, his work appearing on the covers of some recent best-selling books. Popularity of the ambigram soared when they were intertwined into the plot of Dan Brown's bestseller 'Angels and Demons', the prequel to The Da Vinci Code. Langdon produced ambigrams that were used for the book cover, and a link to his website from Brown's meant he was "suddenly inundated" with commissions. In fact the name Robert Langdon (the hero from the novel) is also an appreciation to Mr. John Langdon.

Ambigrams are popular with graphic artists, due not only to their unique symmetry but to their mysterious quality so readily appreciated on music albums and book jackets. Paul McCartney is but one of many rock musicians who have featured an ambigram on at least one of his albums.