from a box of Northwest smoked salmon? 
:d&r:
Yea, make some of the double thin lines into a single thick line. Remember that it’s likely that the ink will get fuzzy over time, so if you get one with too many thin lines, too close together like your design, they will eventually become one big blob. Any good artist will modify the design for you, so you will get roughly the design you wanted, but one that will last.
I got this on my hip, above where my pant line is, so it shows above my pants, but is easily hidden. I had wanted one for a long time, and when I met someone who claims she got through five pregnancies without ANY stretch marks by using cocoa butter, I figured my tattoo could probably survive a couple that way, too.
I’ve been seriously wanting a tattoo since I turned 18, but I keep chickening out. However, I recently turned 21 and thanks to some major changes in my life and my psyche, I feel like a new person. So I think I am going to commit already and get a tattoo this summer.
The one I want? A line of poetry from “Emptiness” by Stephen Dunn: “some coiled and luminous god”. The entire line is “some coiled and luminous god/in all of us/ waiting to be born.” I want it done in my own handwriting, across my back.
However, I have a horrible fear of pain, in general, and I really hate the sound those needle guns make, so we’ll see. I think I’d have to smoke a blunt beforehand. 
For me, I think the noise is worse than the feeling (sting more than pain). Maybe you could try headphones & some favorite music to drown out the noise?
Seconding, or thirding? maybe the addictive qualities. I also agree about the out of sight thing. They are mine and if I want someone to see them then I will volunteer. Also on the pain thing it varies (on me at least) where I got them… Right shoulder nothing,well not much. Left shoulder was bigger and higher and much more uncomfortable. right armband(7 Texases,Texi?) all the way around was painful,but most people will tell you that is part of it. wow that was very long winded on my part.
As someone who just had one lasered yesterday (fifth round and they have to up the juice the lighter it gets, so it only hurts WORSE each time) please make DAMN SURE it’s where you want it.
I have a lovely fleur-de-lis on my back (that even the skimpiest thong covers) but the one encircling my ankle (it seemed like such a cool 22nd b-day present from my ex-husband) can’t get gone fast enough.
[/sue’s standard warning]
Mine was self-inflicted punishment and a reminder of bad things I did when I was younger so that I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. I have to live with it now – it’s there for a reason. I don’t see it often because of where it is. I do like it though.
Over the spine, with the lack of meat on my back, it was quite painful and took about an hour and a half.
However, I do not regret it.
I am planning another small one, probably lower on my back, to signify the progress I’ve made in the last four years. But I haven’t decided on the final design yet.
I don’t think I would’ve gotten a tattoo if I didn’t think it would last the rest of my life.
My best friend/band mate in college was a graphic arts major who became a tattoo artist after graduation; after I graduated we both moved to Prague and opened a tattoo and piercing studio. Since I thought I was going to be a rock star the rest of my life I got several really huge freakin’ tattoos, semi-sleeves on both arms (including a graphic depiction of a tornado in a trailer park all down my left arm!), and assorted others. Now I’m going to be a lawyer who has to wear long sleeve shirts to work every day for the rest of his life.
C’est la vie!
The Inuit ‘tattoo’ was from the ‘ethnic’ design series of tailfins on British Airways planes.
Whale Rider
This design is based on the woodcarvings of Joe David who belongs to the Tla O Qui Aht tribe who live in Northwest Canada.
I know what I want, I just don’t know where to put it. I want a lightning bolt through a stormcloud, as I was born in the middle of a thunderstorm. I want it to show, and I want to be able to see it myself (so the back is out).
The coolest places I can think of to get tattooed are also, regrettably, the most painful: tops of my feet, palms of my hands–and I’d love to have a BrunnenG tattoo on my cheek. <pout>
I went to the local Skin Artwork Emporium last night and showed them the printout of the design I want. They said they could do it, as it’s a fairly simple pattern. I chose the Interlace Knot.
I have to leave it with them, along with a $25.00 deposit, and in a couple days or a week, however long it takes for the guy to re-draw it flat and more or less to size, they’ll call me.
I think I’m going to wait until after my wedding anniversary, though. I wouldn’t want a sore chest to interfere with any ahem celebrating.
I’ll throw in a little warning. If you’re getting a tat, find out if the ink they are using is metallic or non-metallic based, and try to get non-metallic if that is an option.
If you ever have to get an MRI, the metallic inks react very badly with the MRI.
I was already a teacher when I got my semi-sleeves (and my back and chest work, and my leg and foot work), so I knew that I’d spend the rest of my life wearing long sleeves to work. I still don’t regret the tattoos; can’t really imagine myself without them. [sings]I gotta be me. . . ![/sings]
I had a couple of MRIs 3 years ago, after all the tattoos. No ill effects, so I assume I’m all non-metallic. I’m curious, though, what are the bad reactions? I’m not familiar with metallic ink. I knew a woman who had a lot of flourescent tattoos. Is that metallic?
I do notice that once in a while, the ink on my arms will get slightly puffy and itch a little, especially the red and the black. Not a problem, just something I’ve noticed. I noticed it long before I had the MRIs, though.
Yes, they’re addictive. I have three tattoos, which have been achieved over 6 sessions (adding to the original designs). And yes, the key is location, location, location - it’s the important factor in whether you will want your tattoo where it is ten years from now, and in how much pain you will feel getting it, and annoyance waiting for it to heal. I have a bracelet tattoo, which was painful as all hell to get and annoying as all hell to keep dry during the healing process. But, I love that tattoo. It’s in plain view, but most people don’t really notice that it is a tattoo. And, I can cover it with a watch or bracelet if I choose to do so. An hour of pain, a week of inconvenience, for a lifetime of a design I love. Works for me.
MrO, I have the same slight puffiness from time to time on only one of my tats, on my lower back. 1% hydrocortisone takes care of it in no time. I don’t know why it’s only that one that does it.
I’ll be adding again this fall 
For anyone planning a new one, keep in mind that fall is a good time for it - gives you three seasons without sun exposure (depending, of course, on your locale).
MrO Flourescent tattoos?!
Water2j You shouldn’t have a problem, unless you are constantly in the sun. Just slap a bit of sunscreen on it.
DAVEW0071, the tattoo artist will be able to fix it. The usually hash out any problems when they are making the stencil.
JJimm, Tattoo’s can only be so intricate, and unfortunately that design of yours, the lines are so close that it would all wash together and look gray. Try and see if the artist can modify it as they are used to modifying designs. Remember people’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes.
IMNATA but I’ve been sitting in a shop every Saturday since November getting my sleeve done, and I’ve learned a few things.
Incidentally did you know they train the apprentices on grapefruits? 
I don’t have any place to put a pic up, but if you go here you can see the style of design. Basically an organic/biomechanical hybrid, but mine has more color then the one in the picture, and it looks better.
Sure! The wife of the guy who did my tattoos in Japan had a full tattoo suit (except head, hands, and feet), and some of the work on her legs and arms was flourescent. She took me into a little booth with black lights, and showed me how they glowed. I’ve heard that the flourescent ink tends to dissipate though, and the tattoos need to be redone after a few years.
Cool - regular colors have to be touched up eventually, too.
I can’t wait to tell hubby!
This makes me reconsider my chicken shit ways.