Sleeve tattoos can look amazing, but careful planning is needed to make sure they look great, are finished without running out of funds, and are still going to be something you like years into the future. Jumping into getting a sleeve tattoo is never a good idea, since there is a lot that can go wrong without taking the time to plan it out and make sure it’s going to be something you love.
Ready to get a sleeve tattoo? Use the tips here to start planning it and make sure you don’t forget about any important parts of the process, from the design to the budget, before you get started. This way, you’ll love how it turns out, and it’ll be something you can be proud of for years to come.
How to Get Started
How should I start a tattoo sleeve? The very beginning of the process should include thinking about whether this is the right choice right now. After all, this is something that’s not as easy to cover up. It’s also permanent, so it’s crucial to think about whether it might impact professional or other life goals. Tattoos are more mainstream today, so many people will have no problem with their careers or future, even with a full sleeve, but it’s still a good idea to think about that when considering whether to get a sleeve tattoo and when planning the design.
Finding the Right Artist
There are tons of amazing artists who do tattoos, but just picking one randomly is never a good idea. Even if the same artist has done other tattoos for you, they may not be the best fit for a full sleeve tattoo. Instead, it’s important to consider the design and the tattoo artist’s work to make sure it’s going to be a good fit. Look for talent, affordability, time to do the work, and other factors, but don’t forget to make sure they’re a match for the type of design you want.
Half-Sleeve or Full-Sleeve?
A sleeve tattoo doesn’t have to be a full sleeve. A half-sleeve can look amazing, too, depending on what you want. Plus, there’s always the option of starting with a half-sleeve now and extending it later on as you work further on the design. When deciding between a half-sleeve and a full one, there is no right or wrong answer. Think about what you want, how much space the design you want will take, and whether you may want to add on or make changes later on.
Ensuring the Design is Cohesive
Sketch out the design. Get your ideas on paper, whether that’s a basic outline or something a little more detailed. There’s no need to be an artist – the actual artist will handle the fine details. It’s still a good idea to see the design planned out on a piece of paper. Make sure the design looks cohesive and has everything you need. Does anything look out of place? Does it look like it was done all at once, or are there bits and pieces that don’t fit with the rest of the design?
Carefully consider where different parts of the design will fit on your arm. Think about how large each part of the tattoo will be, whether it’s on the inside or outside of the arm, and how it fits with everything else to create the overall design. If you want something to be easier to show off, it may be a good idea to place it on the outside of the upper arm, where more people might notice it.
Once you have an idea of what you want, schedule a consultation with the artist. They can sketch up a more detailed plan so you’ll be able to see your ideas come together and get an idea of what it’ll look like once it’s done. They may have different ideas to help make your tattoo look stunning or be able to help bring your ideas to life, so you’ll love how it looks when it’s done. Work with them, not against them, to create the finalized design to ensure it’s going to look stunning.
Lightly Colorful or Bold? Black All Over?
Tattoos can be black and white or full of color. They can be mainly black with a splash of color to make certain parts stand out, too. Colors can be more toned down or more bright and vibrant, helping the tattoo stand out. There are many different techniques for adding a bit of color to the design or colorizing everything, so work closely with the tattoo artist to make sure the design will match your preferences. Look at some of their previous work to see how they incorporate color, if it’s desired, so you can get a better idea of what your tattoo might look like with color added.
Plan for a Long Time in the Chair – Multiple Times
Once the design is finalized and ready to go, it’s important to plan for getting the tattoo itself. They do take time, especially if you’re getting a full sleeve, so it’s a good idea to plan for a long time in the chair. Depending on the size and the detail in the design, a sleeve tattoo can take anywhere from 12 to 80 hours of work to complete. Make sure to plan for this.
Work with the artist to determine how long it might take to complete the tattoo and how long you’ll sit for each day. This can vary based on the artist’s availability, whether they’re working on a more sensitive part of the arm, like the wrist, or for other reasons. During each session, there should be opportunities for you and the artist to take a break as needed, but it is a good idea to limit these to avoid taking up too much time.
Then plan for the next session. Since a sleeve tattoo can take so long to finish, there will need to be multiple sessions planned out. Leave time between each session for the tattoo to start to heal, and follow the recommendations and schedule of the artist for when to plan the next session.
Budgeting for Each Session
Pricing varies drastically based on the artist doing the work, the amount of work that needs to be done, the details in the work, and other factors. This makes it hard, but not impossible, to budget for each session. When reviewing the design with the artist, talk about the total cost of the sleeve tattoo. In most cases, you’ll pay a part of the total at each session, making the final payment following the final session. This helps you budget for the tattoo and ensures the artist gets paid for all the work they’ve done, even if you decide not to finish the sleeve after all.
Pain Management for Tattoos
Pain is different for everyone, but with a sleeve tattoo, there will be work done on areas that tend to be more sensitive, like the inner arm or wrist. It’s important to think about pain management ahead of time to minimize how much it might hurt. There are a number of techniques to consider, including the following. Of course, you can always try them out to see what works best for you.
- Numbing Creams – Numbing creams can help prevent pain during a tattoo, but the effectiveness can vary.
- Over-The-Counter Medications – Over-the-counter medications like aspirin can help prevent some pain, but they can also cause your blood to thin, increasing the chance of bleeding.
- Breathing Techniques – Slow, deep breathing and focusing on breathing can help reduce pain during the session.
- Distractions – Listening to music or watching TV can be distracting enough that the pain isn’t as noticeable.
After-Care for Tattoos
The tattoo artist should provide instructions for care, but it can be helpful to know what to expect ahead of time. It will require some care and may mean changes in your routine until the tattoo is healed. Within a few hours after the session is done, you’ll want to remove the bandage. Make sure your hands are washed before doing this, and then gently wash the tattoo. Don’t scrub. Pat it dry and add a thin layer of ointment.
Over the following days, it’s a good idea to clean and moisturize it two to three times a day. Wear loose clothing to avoid potential irritation and let the tattoo breathe. It’s important to avoid soaking it for at least the first few days and to avoid direct sun exposure, as it can impact the tattoo’s healing process. Once it is healed, it’s a good idea to use sunscreen to prevent it from fading.
Your sleeve tattoo should be a reflection of yourself, something you enjoy and that you’d love others to see. It’s an art piece you’ll wear every single day, so it’s important to make sure it’s exactly what you want and that it’s done perfectly. Use the tips here to start planning your tattoo sleeve to ensure it’s going to look just as amazing as you envision.
