You’ve decided to get some fresh ink, and you’re pretty excited about it. Your first step was browsing different designs, tattoo styles and body placement ideas online, and now you have a pretty good idea of what you want to get inked. But have you thought about which tattoo parlours in Mississauga to pay to have it done? Just like any other big decision, you should do your research first. Aimlessly walking into the first tattoo shop you lay eyes on could spell potential disaster if the shop is not reputable or the tattoo artist is careless and doesn’t follow best practices. Not to mention, but we will anyway, tattoos are permanent. As such it really is worthwhile to do your homework and take time to find the good tattoo shops in Mississauga before going under the needle. At Chronic Ink Tattoo, our team has been inking masterpieces on skin since 2008, and having won over 90 awards for our excellent service, artistry and professional best practices, we’d like to think we’re one of the best options around. If you’re thinking about your first (or next) tattoo, give us a call or drop by our conveniently located Mississauga shop today. We’d love to learn more about what you had in mind and how we can help turn your vision into reality. Here are some helpful tips to help you find good tattoo shops in Mississauga…

Pick a tattoo shop that is experienced with the type of work you want

It’s important to note that most tattoo shops are capable of tattooing in a variety of styles, but that doesn’t mean that they’re stellar at it. If you want fine-line work done, for example, go to a shop that is known for mastering intricate pieces using fine-line strokes. If you want a tattoo with realism, go to a shop that is experienced in this type of style. Whatever style you choose, make sure the tattoo shop is great at bringing that particular style to life. At Chronic Ink Tattoo, we work with only the most talented tattoo artists, each with varying specialties to ensure the outcome always surpasses customer expectations.

Make sure the tattoo shop is clean and safe

Top tattoo places in Mississauga will only have licensed tattoo artists at their establishment for a good reason. You don’t want an amateur working on your tattoo and handling critical sterilization techniques, you want a professional who knows what they’re doing. If you’ve found a few tattoo places and you need to narrow it down to one, you need to ask some important questions about their practices. What kind of ink do they use? Ask where they source their ink from. Some inks contain harmful metals and solvents which could be detrimental to your health. What do employees use to sterilize equipment? Make sure they use disinfectant with bleach. This is super important because tattooing has a lot of exposure to blood. Ask to shadow a tattoo artist. Asking to shadow a tattoo artist while they are working could be helpful and tell you a lot about the shop’s reputation. Make sure they are wearing new disposable gloves (and throws them in the trash when tattooing a new client), using needles from sealed containers, and a sterilization machine to completely disinfect equipment. At Chronic Ink Tattoo, we take our profession and your health, safety and satisfaction seriously. Each of our tattoo artists is licensed, highly experienced and trained on utilizing industry best practices with regards to sanitation and more.

Get recommendations from real people

Reading reviews online about people’s experiences at different tattoo shops in Mississauga could give you some insight on where to go. But meeting real people who’ve had work done from the tattoo shop you’re considering is even better. You’re able to see their tattoo in-person and ask questions about their experience. Reach out to some friends who have some tattoos and ask them if they know of anyone who has a tattoo with the style you’re thinking of. You may be able to find a reputable tattoo shop through networking.

Meet and get to know your tattoo artist before the procedure

At Chronic Ink Tattoo, we firmly believe that getting a tattoo is all about the experience. Once you’ve located a tattoo shop that has done the type of work you’re looking for, see how well you connect with your tattoo artist during the consultation. You don’t want to pick someone that you don’t get along with. Ask them some questions to get to know them a bit better so you can judge if they’re the right person to bring your vision to life.