Traditional, new school, fine line, Japanese, realism … whatever your preferred style, every good tattoo starts with the right preparation.

Think of your skin as a top-quality canvas. When you get a tattoo, the needle penetrates through the top layer of skin (epidermis) and deposits ink into the second layer (dermis), where the pigment gets trapped by connective tissue.

The better you look after that canvas, the better your results will be. That means no cuts or bruises, no tanning and definitely no sunburn. Moisturise every day in the week leading up to your session and drink plenty of water.

It’s not just about prepping the skin, though. A good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast go a long way in boosting pain tolerance, especially if you’re in for a long session.

Lee from Canberra Ink has been tattooing for more than a decade. Whether it’s a big piece just because or something small and sentimental, he loves seeing people light up when they see an art idea come to life.

But more people show up unprepared than you’d think, and that can be the difference between enjoying a cruisy session and tapping out an hour in.

“Definitely arrive well-fed and hydrated. Bring some sugary snacks with you to keep your energy up, whether it’s some fruit or a soft drink,” Lee says.

“Avoid drinking or staying up late the night before. Wear comfy clothes that let you easily expose the tattoo area.

“Have a shower the morning of your session and gently exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells. Shave the area if it’s easy to reach, but be careful not to nick the skin. We’re more than happy to do that part for you when you get here.”

In for a full day? Bring some headphones, a book or your laptop to keep you occupied. You might want to bring a blanket or pillow for comfort. Many artists are happy for you to bring a friend, but check first.

Getting tattooed can be far more painful if you’re sick, tired or menstruating, so keep that in mind.

Gabby Riley has owned Canberra Ink since 2019. She recently expanded the business to keep up with demand, taking on Tattoo Extreme Fyshwick, now called Canberra Ink Tattoo Extreme, in September this year.

“It’s wonderful to see tattoos more accepted these days. Everyone should be able to express themselves with no judgement,” she says.

“People get tattooed for all kinds of reasons. Some people just love the art, and others have designs that represent their family, culture or profession – we see a lot of first responders and military folk.”

A full makeover was on top of Gabby’s to-do list for the new studio. She went all in with modern renovations, new furniture and Canberra Ink branding to create a relaxed, family-friendly space.

Canberra Ink Tattoo Extreme has since added piercing to its services and introduced discount days and flash sales to keep tattoos accessible despite the high cost of living.

“I think everyone’s feeling stressed about finances at the moment, but we still deserve to enjoy and invest in high-quality body art,” Gabby says.

“Canberra Ink does a lot of work in the community, sponsoring school groups, sports clubs and charity work. This helps dispel cultural stereotypes about tattoo artists and people with tattoos, and it also supports our local economy.

“If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, get it done in Canberra. Spend your money and time here, make connections with others in your community, and show support for local artists doing absolutely awesome things.”

For more information, get in touch with Canberra Ink.