Do some research into whether other customers were happy at various tattoo shops near you. Pay attention to comments about the tattoo artists' customer service to get a better sense of how you'll be treated at each location.

If you want them to create a custom design, you'll need to choose someone whose aesthetic matches yours. And if it means traveling to another city, do it.

Yes, dropping some extra coin for a good tattoo is worth it — but you don't want to go in blind. Check out pricing information from friends and online reviews, and always get a quote before you start.

If you're worried about chickening out, telling someone (or multiple people) can be a good game plan. But if you do change your mind, no shame. You should never feel pressured into getting anything on your body you don't want.

Many people choose tattoos that have a significant, often sentimental meaning. And that's great — but it's totally chill to just get a tattoo for aesthetic reasons, too.

It's always important to listen to the artist's suggestions, however, you should be honest if there's something you don't like about the stencil or positioning. You're the one who's going to be showing off the tattoo, so it should be exactly what you want.

If you've put a lot of thought into the tattoo design you want, don't overlook the shading and colors. There are many factors to consider, including your skin tone, how tan you may or may not be, and how the color will change over the years.

Not all tattoos will hurt depending on where you get one. That being said, focus on the final product rather than the pain. (And if the pain really does get to be too much, you can ask your artist to give you a quick break before finishing the tattoo.)