The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Tattoo in London
Everything you should know before your first tattoo, your next tattoo, or choosing the right tattoo studio.
Introduction
Getting a tattoo is exciting.
It can also feel overwhelming.
With thousands of tattoo artists across London, endless styles to choose from and advice coming from every direction on social media, it's difficult to know who to trust or where to start.
At The Good Fight Tattoo in Camden, we've spent years helping people through that process. Some clients arrive knowing exactly what they want. Others simply have an idea, a feeling or a story they want to turn into a tattoo.
This guide brings together the questions we're asked every day in the studio. Whether you're planning your first tattoo or adding to a growing collection, we'll explain what matters, what doesn't, and how to make decisions you'll still be happy with years from now.
Contents
In this guide
Choosing the Right Tattoo Artist
The single biggest factor in whether you'll love your tattoo in ten years isn't the latest trend or the studio with the biggest social media following.
It's choosing the right artist.
Every tattoo artist develops different strengths, interests and ways of working. Some specialise in anime, others in blackwork, fine line, Japanese-inspired or neo-traditional tattooing. While many experienced artists can work across several styles, you'll nearly always get the strongest result by choosing someone whose portfolio naturally matches your idea.
When you're comparing artists, don't just look for one impressive tattoo.
Look for consistency.
Can they repeatedly produce clean linework, balanced compositions and tattoos that still look great once they're healed? Do they communicate clearly? Do they seem interested in your idea rather than simply fitting you into the next available appointment?
Finding the right artist isn't about finding the "best" tattooist. It's about finding the person who's the best fit for your tattoo.
Which Tattoo Artist Is Right for You?
Finding the Right Tattoo Style
Many people start by asking:
"What style should I get?"
In reality, that's often the wrong question.
A better question is:
"What style best suits my idea?"
Some designs work beautifully as bold traditional tattoos, while others need the softer detail of illustrative work or the elegance of fine line tattooing. A portrait requires a completely different approach from a Japanese sleeve, and an anime character demands different skills again.
Rather than trying to force your idea into a particular style, spend time looking through artists' portfolios and noticing which work you keep coming back to.
At The Good Fight Tattoo, each artist has developed their own styles. If you're unsure who would suit your project best, we're always happy to recommend the artist we think is the strongest match.
From the Studio
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is people believing every artist in a studio produces the same type of tattoo.
In reality, choosing the right artist within the right studio often makes more difference than choosing the studio itself.
Understanding Tattoo Pricing
Tattoo pricing can seem confusing because no two tattoos are exactly alike.
The cost depends on factors such as the size, placement, complexity of the design, how long the tattoo is likely to take and the individual artist creating it.
While it's completely reasonable to have a budget, it's worth remembering that a tattoo isn't simply something you're buying on the day.
You're investing in years of experience, design time, technical skill and something you'll hopefully wear for decades.
Very cheap tattoos often become expensive cover-ups or laser removal.
At the other end of the scale, paying significantly more doesn't automatically guarantee a better tattoo either.
The goal is finding an experienced artist whose work justifies their pricing.
Read our guide to understanding tattoo pricing in London.
Walk-in Tattoos or Appointments?
Walk-in tattoos are perfect for spontaneous ideas, smaller designs and visitors exploring Camden.
If one of our artists has availability, we'll always do our best to fit you in.
Larger/custom pieces are different.
Projects like sleeves, cover-ups or highly detailed tattoos benefit from time to discuss ideas, prepare reference material and create artwork specifically for your body.
Neither option is better—they simply suit different types of tattoo.
Read our full guide on walk-in vs appointments and then needs for both here
Preparing for Your Tattoo Appointment
Preparing properly makes a surprising difference to your experience.
Before your appointment:
Eat a proper meal.
Stay hydrated.
Get a good night's sleep.
Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed.
Avoid excessive alcohol the night before.
Let your artist know if you're feeling unwell.
Take care of your skin before your appointment. (sunburned skin can’t be tattooed)
Being well-rested and comfortable makes long sessions much easier and helps you stay relaxed throughout the tattoo.
From the Studio
People often worry they'll do something wrong before their appointment.
The truth is that most appointments go smoothly when clients simply arrive well-rested, well-fed and ready to communicate honestly if they need a break.
Does Getting Tattooed Hurt?
The honest answer is:
Yes.
But probably not in the way you're imagining.
Most people describe tattooing as uncomfortable rather than unbearable.
The amount of discomfort depends on where the tattoo is, how long you're being tattooed for, how well you've slept, whether you've eaten and your own pain tolerance.
Areas with thinner skin or closer to bone usually feel more intense than fleshier parts of the body.
**For those it concerns** It’s worth considering where you are in your menstrual cycle, this can make a big difference regarding how much tattoo pain you can tolerate
The good news is that most people cope getting tattooed much better than they expected.
Click here to read our full guide on Tattoo pain
Healing and Aftercare
A great tattoo doesn't end when you leave the studio.
How you look after it during the following weeks has a huge impact on how it heals.
Keep your tattoo clean, follow your artist's aftercare advice (every artists advice will be slightly different) and resist the temptation to pick scabs or scratch itchy areas.
Avoid swimming, prolonged sun exposure and anything that risks introducing dirt or bacteria while your tattoo is healing.
Good aftercare helps preserve crisp lines, smooth healing and strong colour.
Click here for our full guidance on aftercare and tattoo healing.
How Tattoos Change Over Time
Every tattoo changes as it ages.
That's completely normal.
Skin changes throughout your life, and tattoos change with it.
Good tattooing isn't about creating something that only looks impressive on the day it's finished.
It's about designing something that will continue to look balanced, readable and attractive years later.
Choosing appropriate sizing, spacing and contrast plays a huge role in how well a tattoo ages.
Click here to read our full and thorough breakdown on how and why tattoos age
From the Studio
One of the biggest differences between an experienced tattoo artist and an inexperienced one is that experienced artists are often designing for how the tattoo will look ten or twenty years from now—not just how it'll look in an Instagram photo today.
AI and Tattoo Design
Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly common part of tattoo consultations.
Many clients now arrive with AI-generated images to help explain their ideas.
We think that can be a positive thing.
AI can be an excellent communication tool, especially for people who struggle to visualise their ideas.
What it shouldn't become is the finished tattoo.
Great tattoo artists use AI in exactly the same way they use photographs, paintings or sketches—as inspiration rather than something to copy.
The final design should always be adapted to fit your body, your idea and how tattoos actually work in skin.
Read our guide to AI in tattooing.
Cover-up Tattoos
Cover-up tattoos can completely transform older work, but they require careful planning.
A successful cover-up depends on the size, colour, age and placement of the existing tattoo.
Sometimes the best solution is incorporating the old tattoo into a new design.
Other times, a few laser sessions beforehand create far more possibilities.
Every cover-up is different, which is why a consultation is usually the best place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, although space can sometimes be limited depending on how busy the studio is. If you'd like someone to come along for support, just ask when booking.
Can I use numbing cream?
Some numbing creams work well, while others can affect the skin and make tattooing more difficult. Speak to your artist before using one so you can choose the best option for your tattoo.
Can I exercise after getting tattooed?
It's usually best to avoid intense exercise for the first few days, particularly if it causes heavy sweating or friction against the tattoo.
Can I go swimming?
No. Pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea should all be avoided until your tattoo has fully healed.
Can I sunbathe?
Fresh tattoos and direct sunlight don't mix. Keep your tattoo protected while it's healing and use a high-quality sunscreen once it's fully healed to help preserve the artwork.
What if I'm nervous?
You're not alone.
Many of our clients feel nervous before their first tattoo. We'll always take the time to answer questions, explain the process and make sure you feel comfortable before we begin.
Final Thoughts
Getting a tattoo should never feel rushed.
Take your time, ask questions and choose an artist whose work you genuinely connect with.
At The Good Fight Tattoo, we believe the best tattoos come from good conversations, honest advice and matching every client with the artist who's the right fit for their idea.
Whether you're planning your first tattoo or your fiftieth, we're always happy to help you make an informed decision.