What to Expect at Your First Tattoo Appointment

Getting tattooed for the first time involves a lot of unknowns. What does the process actually look like? How much does it hurt? What should you bring? How long will it take? We’ve answered these questions hundreds of times in consultations, so here’s the full walkthrough — from the morning of your appointment to the moment you walk out the door with your new tattoo.

Before You Arrive

Eat a proper meal 1-2 hours before your session. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach drops your blood sugar, which can make you feel lightheaded or nauseous — especially if the session runs long. Drink water the day before and the morning of. Wear or bring loose, dark clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand — it thins the blood and affects how ink sits in the skin. Get a good night’s sleep. It sounds simple, but fatigue makes the pain more intense and your mood harder to manage.

When You Arrive

You’ll meet your artist, review the final design, and discuss any small adjustments. Most studios will print a stencil — a temporary transfer of the design — and place it on your skin so you can see the size, positioning, and orientation before anything permanent happens. This is the moment to speak up if anything feels off. Too high, too low, slightly rotated — these things are all easy to adjust at stencil stage and impossible after. Once you’re happy with the placement, you’ll sit or lie down depending on the location, and the artist will begin. The first stroke often feels like a surprise — a sharp scratch rather than the burning pain people expect. Most people find they settle into it within the first few minutes.

During and After

Sessions at Kafka INK are calm, with breaks available whenever you need them. Bring headphones, a book, or just talk to your artist — most clients find conversation helps. When it’s done, your artist will clean the area, apply a thin layer of protective wrap, and walk you through aftercare. Follow those instructions closely for the first two weeks: keep it clean, moisturised, out of the sun, and out of water. Avoid scratching or picking the flaking skin as it heals. If you have any questions during healing — redness that spreads, unusual swelling, anything that doesn’t look right — contact us. We’d rather answer a hundred unnecessary questions than have someone not ask when something actually needs attention.