How to Choose a Tattoo You'll Love Forever

Choosing a tattoo can be stressful because it's so permanent, and making the wrong decision can be painful, costly, and inconvenient. There are many factors to consider before making your final decision, including size, color, design, meaning, style, and placement, as well as which artist to choose to get exactly the tattoo you want.

The bottom line is to take your time and do all your research before choosing.

Here, you'll find a list of steps to follow when choosing your tattoo design and helpful tips for making your decision. Here's everything I've learned from my own tattoo-choosing experience and what I've heard from other people, as well.

I love my tattoo, and I hope you end up loving yours, too!

10 Tips for Getting a Tattoo You Love

1. After you find an idea you like, you can change or alter any design you find to suit your personal taste. For example, you might find a picture of a tattoo you really like, only you might only want a part of it, or you might want to change the colors.

2. If you want something completely original, a good tattoo artist is available to design one for you if you want . . . don't be afraid to ask for help creating your unique design.

3. Your imagination is the limit! Spend some time brainstorming creatively. Don't settle on your first impulse.

4. Consider how your tattoo might be perceived across cultures. Will it offend anyone? Does its symbolism mean something negative to anyone?

5. Of course, if you want something written in Asian characters (in hanzi, kanji, or hanja, for example), choose very carefully and double-check your design. Not only might your idea of what that character means be completely wrong, there might also be a double meaning or some other aspect to it you haven't considered. Do your research first; don't trust the interpretations on the shop walls.

6. Think about the kind of tattoo or design you would have gotten 10 years ago and ask yourself if you'd like that now. If not, then take this fact into serious consideration. Can you avoid changing your mind about your design later? How can you anticipate your future tastes? It might turn out that you're too changeable or finicky to choose a design you'll like forever.

7. Aside from homemade tattoos, the number one tattoo type that people usually want removed or covered up are names. Unless the name belongs to your child or a dead loved one, avoid having any name tattooed on your skin!

8. You might want to get a tattoo with another family member (friends might be too temporary to chance) that matches or go together. You might also want a tattoo of a family symbol, such as a crest or last name.

9. Your tattoo doesn't have to have a deep meaning. Don't be afraid to get a cartoon character if you really love it!

10. Keep in mind that it costs more to get foot, hand, and face tattoos because they need more touch-ups and require more time and attention to heal. Some artists may also refuse to do these types of tattoos, especially if you don't already have tattoos in more visible areas