1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Ask a friend for recs or troll MySpace. Tons of people have professional pages with examples of work they've done, and if you see someone with art you like, ask them for details. Remember, "your body is the artist's canvas. When you're walking around with their ink, you're a walking piece of art," says Verbance.
2. BE PATIENT
If you're not in LA, waiting until you're en route to a big city (Verbance names Seattle, San Fran and Vancouver as good tattoo cities) might be worth it for a top-notch artist. Need we remind you it's permanent.
3. GET A CONSULTATION
Going in for a discussion on what you want gives the artist time to create the best design possible. A custom tattoo is way cooler than a stock hibiscus you pick out of a binder (yikes.)
FYI...all you local LA-ites, Unbreakable Tattoo in Studio City is the place to go to and ask specifically for Dave Robinson. He'll take care of you.
