Prepare for Your Tattoo: Expert Tips from Montana
A Thoughtful Guide to Preparing for Your Tattoo
Getting a tattoo is a significant event. It is a collaboration between you and an artist, a moment where a personal idea becomes a permanent part of your story. Here in Missoula, where we value craftsmanship and intention, preparation is the first step toward a beautiful result. Think of it less like packing for a quick trip and more like preparing for a meaningful journey. The right preparation honors the process, respects the artist’s time, and sets the stage for a comfortable experience and optimal healing. This is how we approach it at our studio in Western Montana.
Preparing Your Canvas: Skin Care
Your skin is the canvas. A well prepared canvas accepts pigment cleanly and heals predictably. This begins well before you sit in the chair.
Hydration is fundamental. Drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment is not just a wellness tip. It directly impacts your skin’s elasticity and your body’s overall resilience. Dehydrated skin can be difficult to work with and may affect how the tattoo settles. Think of it as tending to the foundation.
In the week before your session, gently moisturize the area. If the skin is particularly dry or flaky, a light exfoliation can help. The goal is supple, healthy skin. However, on the day of your tattoo, arrive with clean, product free skin. Do not apply lotions, oils, or creams to the area. These create a barrier that can interfere with the tattooing process.
If the area has hair, shaving it a day or two prior is considerate, though your artist will always do a final, sterile prep. This simple step allows them to begin work efficiently.
Fueling Your Body and Mind
A tattoo session is a physical experience. Your body is engaging its repair systems from the first needle stroke. Going into it depleted is a disservice to yourself.
A good night’s sleep is non negotiable. Being well rested lowers your perception of discomfort and helps you remain calm and still. Fatigue amplifies everything.
Eat a substantial, balanced meal before you arrive. Include protein and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Avoid a sugary breakfast that will lead to a crash mid session. For longer appointments, bring water and simple, clean snacks like nuts or fruit. Low blood sugar can make you feel faint, shaky, or irritable. It is a common reason for difficult sessions. We want you to be present and comfortable, not battling a grumbling stomach.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand. It thins the blood, which can lead to excessive bleeding and poor pigment retention. The same goes for aspirin and other blood thinning medications, though you should always consult your doctor before altering any prescribed regimen.
Dressing for the Session
Comfort and practicality are key. Wear loose, soft clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed. If your arm is being worked on, a tank top or loose short sleeve shirt is ideal. For a leg piece, consider shorts or loose pants that can be rolled up securely.
Dark colors are wise, as they are less likely to show stray pigment or antiseptic solutions. Studios can be cool, so bring a sweater or blanket you do not mind getting possibly stained. If you are getting work near the underarm, applying deodorant beforehand is a simple courtesy in the close quarters of a tattoo studio.
What to Bring With You
Beyond your prepared self, a small kit can make a long session more pleasant.
Payment. Confirm your artist’s preferred method cash, card, or digital transfer.
Sustenance. Your water bottle and snacks.
Comfort items. A sweater, a small pillow for support, or headphones for music or a podcast. Some clients find focusing on an audiobook or music helps them relax completely.
Patience and an open mind. The most important things you can bring are not physical.
Do not bring an entourage. One supportive friend is often fine, but a group changes the dynamic of the room and can be distracting for both you and the artist. Check your artist’s policy beforehand.
The Consultation: Your Most Important Preparation
All of this physical preparation rests on the foundation of a good consultation. This conversation is the heart of the process. Reaching out to your artist well in advance with your ideas, reference images, and questions is crucial. For custom work, this allows time for thoughtful design.
Be clear about your vision but trust the artist’s expertise on what will work best for placement, size, and longevity. This is a collaborative dialogue. If you are considering numbing products, discuss this with your artist during the consultation, not on the day of. Some artists are comfortable working over certain numbing agents, while others are not, and some products can affect the skin’s texture during the tattoo.
Ask about their recommended aftercare regimen. Having your gentle, unscented soap and approved moisturizer ready at home means you can begin caring for your new tattoo immediately and correctly.
The Montana Mindset
There is a pace to life here in Western Montana that values preparation. We prepare for a hike in the backcountry, for the shift in seasons, for a project in the workshop. Getting a tattoo is no different. It is an intentional act. The preparation is a form of respect for the craft, for the artist dedicating their skill to you, and for your own body that will carry this work forward.
When you walk into the studio prepared, you are ready to engage fully. You are not distracted by hunger, fatigue, or uncertainty. You can be present in the experience, from the first sketch review to the final bandage. This mindset leads to better art, a smoother process, and a tattoo that heals as brilliantly as it was applied.
It transforms the day from a transaction into a chapter of your story, one you were fully prepared to write.
At Montana Tattoo Company we host independent tattoo artists who run their own businesses and create work with intention. We do not do generic walk ins. Every project starts with a conversation and a vision. Choose the artist whose style fits your idea and reach out directly. Connect with Mickey Schlick, James Strickland, Noelin Wheeler, Nicole Miller, and boldbooking.io" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BoldBooking. Book a consultation, explore portfolios, and bring your idea to life. I have completely automated the studio side. Aftercare, directions, booking links 24 hours a day with completely consistent customer service. At any interaction you are welcome to ask to talk to Mickey directly and you will either be connected to me or I will get back to you asap.
