FranchescaHere are 3 things I think to myself as soon as I walk into the
parlor:
1. The first impression you get from the studio and its employees
-Is the studio in a clean and orderly manner?
-Are the employees and artists friendly or responsive to assisting
you if they aren’t too busy?
-How busy is the studio?
-What are present customer’s reactions to the studio’s procedures?
-Do they seem happy or satisfied?
2. Are the studio’s policies, licenses, certificates, and other
important documentation posted up for the general public to view?
-Can you take a look at the studio’s credibility to run their
business?
-Have they received a ‘clean bill’ from the appropriate state health
officials reinforcing that the studio operates and offers their services
according to stringent practices put in place?
-Are they using all the required sterilization equipment necessary
to make sure that each Customer’s health is protected as best
they can?
-Do they have an age requirement and how do they ensure that this
is not breached?
-What types of legal documentation or consent forms must each
customer sign BEFORE a tattoo is given?
3. Are the studio’s artists’ work examples available to view?
-Are there portfolio folders (usually photo books or 3 ring binders)
that you can look through to view a particular artist’s work?
-Are there pictures posted about the studio of past customers’
tattoos? What do they look like? Do you see any of these past
works that look similar to something you are interested in getting?
-Is there a pretty good range of tattoo sizes? Colors? Styles?
You can tell how much experience your artist has by simply asking
for his or her portfolio. Look at the quality, attention to detail and
not just the thickness. You’ll be needing their skills when you’ve
got a really cool tattoo design that you want!
I hope that’s given you enough to think about for now 
