What to expect when getting a tattoo?

There are many reasons people get tattooed.  And everyone, is a first-timer at some point in their tattoo journey.  Whether it’s a one & done experience or tattoo collecting for a lifetime, it is still important to have an idea of what to expect when you are going to get a tattoo.

Here are some general expectations and etiquette that are good for anyone to know!

1.  Have an idea.  Just telling your artist that you want a tattoo is going to get you nowhere.  You absolutely have to have an idea so that the artist can guide you in choosing a style, a template, flash, or in her/his own efforts to create a custom tattoo for you.
2. Have more than an idea?  Bring pictures.  A picture will help further refine the idea that you like.  Telling your artist you want a bird and knowing what type of bird, how it looks, will go a long way in creating a satisfying piece.
3. Make an appointment.  Though walk-ins are always welcome at most shops, if you want to guarantee your space and time, an appointment will go a long way.
4. Listen and be respectful.  Your artist is a skilled professional who has put in years and hours upon hours to be where they are at.  They know more about the art and its placement on the human body than your novice eyes.  If they tell you something about where a piece will look best, they know.
5. Take care of the tattoo.  You spent money, time, and energy in getting a tattoo.  Your artist worked hard.  Listen to what s/he has to say about tattoo after-care and take care of it.  While touch-ups are often free, a properly cared for tattoo will heal great and last.

These are just a handful of general tips to factor in along your tattoo journey.  Now let’s get you inked!  Our Waikiki tattoo studio is open 7 days a week, 10a – 10p.  Walk-ins are welcome, appointments guarantee your space, and we offer free consultations.

Come on down to 434 Tattoo!

434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adamsiehr@gmail.com
1-808-391-8287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rules of the Game – Tattoo Etiquette Revisited

Tattoo etiquette might often be overlooked but it is one of the most important things to consider before and after you set foot in a shop.  So here are a few rules of the game to consider as you continue or take your first step along the tattoo journey.

1. Do your research before even coming into the shop about the tattoo artist and the artwork offered.  Know her/his style of artwork and if that’s the style you want before going into the shop.  If you haven’t done that yet, then our Owner & President, Tattoo Adam says: “Shop around, look at portfolios and get to know the artist.”
2. Have a clear idea of what you want, look into the subject of artwork, send it to the artist or have it ready to share with the artist before you even come in.
3. If it’s a really big piece, bring your own towel.  “It’s a custom that traces its roots back to Japan.”
4. Take care of the tattoo.  Check out 434Tattoo.com for some tattoo after-care tips and ask your artist for info when you’re in the shop. Every artist can tell you their view and many have the info on their cards or printed out for you to take home.  We also sell after-care our Waikiki tattoo studio located at 434 Ena Rd. in Honolulu, HI.

These are just a few of the unspoken rules that are important to factor in any time you are getting a tattoo or looking for something new with a new artist.  Learn the rules, play the game fair, and let us take care of making it beautiful and fulfilling for you.

So come on down and get your ink on!

434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto: adamsiehr@gmail.com
1-808-391-8287

The Stencil

The idea is the first step in heading in the right direction of your custom tattoo.  If you can decide on an idea, share it with your tattooist.

After the idea is determined, then the next thing is for the artist to draw up the design.  The design, depending on detail, size and complexity, can be drawn in a few minutes, or will be sketched out in between the time you schedule your appointment after the free consultation.

When you come in for the appointment, we will go over what we put together with you.  If there are any modifications that need to be made, just give us a few minutes to rework the idea and you’re good to go.  If it’s good to go, then let’s boogie!

From there we get the stencil ready and place it on you.  Of note, relax when the tattoo is being put on you.  One customer had this to share about his first tattoo experience before coming to us:

“I had to take my shirt off to get the tattoo on my ribcage and there were some hot chicks in there so I was flexing my abs.  But I didn’t realize that would change how it laid out on my body…” 

No worries, if you aren’t satisfied with the placement of the stencil, we can wash it off and reset it.   It’s important that you be happy with what’s going forward because you are the one who has to wear the custom tattoo piece for the rest of your life. And while we also specialize in tattoo cover-ups, who really wants to do that?

Looking forward to creating art with you!

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

First Tattoo Tips

If you have never got a Tattoo and have been thinking about getting one, then read on!  If you have one or got bit by the tattoo bug and have many then read on as well!

From Hawaiian Tattooing to Asian Tattooing, there is just so much to choose from at 434 Tattoo, our Waikiki Tattoo Parlor.  Add in the unique vision and skills of a custom tattoo artist and sometimes it is hard to know where to start.

When walking into a tattoo shop, you’ll notice many designs on the walls to choose from, which we call Tattoo Flash.  You can also look through our artists’ portfolios to see pictures of work that we have done in the past.  You can find some of our custom work at our website and also learn more about our Professional Staff .

It is a really good idea that you all ready have a concept in mind before walking in to our Honolulu Tattoo Shop, because that way when the Tattoo artist asks, “was there something you were looking for?” you can then reply, “yes i had a dream about a jaguar, but a black jaguar crawling up my arm.”

If you walk in and have no idea what to do or get, that is very common as well.  And if that is the case, 434 Tattoo recommends you look at everything available on the walls and books in the studio. Sometimes a tattoo design will Jump Out at you, as we like to say, and if that happens, tell the artist, and we can start designing your future Custom Tattoo!

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

Hawaiian Custom Tattooing Not Our Only Cultural Tattoos…

While Hawaiian Custom Tattooing is a specialty at 434 Tattoo, Tattoo Adam has been focusing on the traditional aspect of Japanese Tattooing and many other cultural asian tattoo designs .

Adam has traveled to Japan over a dozen times to learn about Asian culture and the awsome Tattoo lifestyle culture, one that is very taboo and is still considered a part of the underworld of Japan.  Today, there are many street shops in Japan who take walk-ins and do Americano Style Tattoo Designs .

In Hawaii, Adam is doing the opposite…

Adam is reaching out to the local community, finding out their heritage and designing tattoos that relate to the local heritage.  When considering to design your next tattoo , it is suggested that you make a consultation appointment first to discuss your options and to hear Adam’s professional advice on how to create a masterpiece.  His years of dedication and honesty in working with clients in coming up with someone that the client can be proud of for years to come is a part of the legend that is developing around his work.

For the past 11 years, having started from scratch, Adam has worked his way up from the bottom, working hard to get to the top and is now noticed as a traditional asian tattoo designer in his Honolulu Tattoo Parlor.  He is sought out from people all over the world looking for a quality Asian piece or custom Hawaiian tattoo.

Please visit our 434 Tattoo website to learn more about our team of talented artists, our Waikiki Tattoo Shop and the progression we have seen over the years.

And keep on tuning in!

Adam Siehr, President and Proud Owner
434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC.

Directions:
434 Ena Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
96815

Contact:
mailto:adam@tattooadam.com
1-808-391-8287

Tattoo Etiqutte Tip of the Day

The other day a customer had walked in to Our Studio and wanted a back Piece done of a Image known by many and a symbol worth wearing and believing in . Because 434 Tattoo is A busy Walk In studio , it may be very hard to understand how a custom Tattoo is done .

A Custom Tattoo Most of the time can not be done in one sitting , like a one point (as the Japanese call it ) , a small tattoo , almost every design on the wall to choose from can be done in a single sitting , but a Custom Large design , requires a few sessions of quality time with your artist .

When deciding to choose your artist before asking him or her to have you design something for them , here are a few words of advice .

First make sure the shop you walk in to is clean , and friendly . Then after getting comfortable , ask to see some portfolios. After finding the style of art that catches your eye , and you would like to have design some thing for you , Ask who’s portfolio is this , and is he or she here now ? Introduce each other and tell that artist your ideas, ask him if you need a consultation first , or can we start a design and have them call you to look at when its
ready ?

After that , wait for the call , and check out the art after . It is recommended you always make a appointment and not walk in and expect to get your Custom Design on the spot , that hardly ever happens anywhere , Please call and make appointments so every thing runs smooth .

Contact US :

434 Tattoo
Custom Tattooing LLC

434 Ena Road
Honolulu ,Hawaii
96815

adam@tattooadam.com

1-808-391-8287

TATTOO ETIQUETTE

Tattoo Etiquette inside the studio , and what to say .Do you have any questions about Tattoo Etiquette ?today is about the basics . Are you new and do not not know how to communicate to your artist ?

My suggestion is , first look through the artists photo albums ,in the shop or before you go down on the internet , follow there back

Tattoo etiquette

round from there bio , and when you do go into the shop , make sure your treated with the level of respect you deserve , if not , walk out …

If your new and not sure about the correct tattoo etiquette when first walking in , simply tell the artist who you have gone to see , I AM A BEGINNER AND NEED YOUR HELP . from there the artist will not expect you to know all the answers he/she is going to ask , and will be very helpful and a trusted guide in explaining how everything goes down in the word of tattoo etiquette .

we will explain more in the future , got any comments …