What should I wear to a tattoo appointment?
Loose, dark clothing that gives easy access to the area, and layers. You will be sitting still for hours, ink gets on things, and a room that felt warm when you arrived will not by hour four.
By placement
Think about what has to move out of the way, and whether you can get home comfortably afterwards.
Upper arm or shoulder · a loose vest, or a shirt you can take off entirely.
Forearm or hand · anything with sleeves that push up past the elbow and stay there.
Thigh or hip · loose shorts. Not the ones you would wear out.
Back, ribs or chest · something that opens at the front rather than a top you have to pull over a fresh tattoo.
Foot or ankle · shoes you can get off, and something loose to go home in.
The things people forget
Four small ones that make a long sitting easier.
Dark colours. Ink and plasma mark fabric and it does not always come out.
Layers. Sitting still lowers your temperature more than you expect, and shivering is not helpful for either of us.
Nothing tight over the area for the journey home. A waistband across a fresh hip tattoo is a long drive.
A jumper or coat you do not mind not wearing over the tattoo afterwards.
What else to bring
Snacks and something sugary for anything over a couple of hours, headphones, a charger, and your ID. Blood sugar dropping is the most common reason somebody feels faint in the chair, and it is easily prevented.
Related frequently asked questions
How should I prepare for a tattoo?
Turn up rested, fed and hydrated, and do not drink alcohol beforehand. Good preparation genuinely reduces how much it hurts, cuts down bleeding and helps the skin take the ink cleanly.
Read the full answer › Do tattoos hurt?
Yes. Every tattoo involves some discomfort · that is the nature of the work. How much varies from person to person and depends heavily on the part of the body being tattooed.
Read the full answer › How long does a sleeve tattoo take?
Several full-day sittings spread over months, not one long appointment. A half sleeve is commonly two to four days of work, a full sleeve four to eight, with three to four weeks between sittings so each section heals before the next begins.
Still want to ask somebody? That is what the first conversation is for.
- Written and checked by
THRONE , a tattoo studio in Northampton.
Last checked 28 August 2026 .