YOUR FIRST
TATTOO.
You don't need a perfect design. You need to know three things — what, where, how big — and to be calm. The rest is our job. Here's everything you'd want to ask before your first tattoo, without feeling awkward.
The design: where to start
Start from the why, not the what. A face, a date, a place, a phrase, something you like simply because you like it — all fine. Collect 3–5 images that speak to you (Pinterest, Instagram, photos) and send them. We won't copy any of them; we'll understand what you like about them and design your own. First-tattoo ideas that always work: a fine-line flower or branch, a date or word in clean lettering, a small animal, a symbol that means something to you — for visitors, often something Greek: an olive branch, a wave, a word in Greek letters.
Placement: how much it hurts and how much it shows
Gentle spots, ideal to start: outer upper arm, inner forearm, shoulder, calf, thigh. Medium: wrist, collarbone, nape, upper back. Intense: ribs, sternum, foot and ankle, fingers, elbow, knee. Think about visibility too: hand and neck show everywhere; inner arm and back are yours. And ageing: fingers and feet rub and fade faster.
- Gentle: arm · shoulder · calf
- Medium: wrist · collarbone
- Intense: ribs · foot · fingers
Size: bigger than you think
The most common first-tattoo mistake is 'as small as possible'. Lines spread a little over the years, details get lost, tiny letters turn into a smudge. We'll show you the stencil in two or three sizes on your skin — and almost always the slightly bigger one is right.
Before the appointment
Sleep well. Eat a proper meal 1–2 hours before — a sugar drop is why some people feel faint, not the pain. No alcohol the night before, no aspirin: they thin the blood. Moisturised skin in the days before, no sun or sunburn on the spot. Wear something that leaves the spot free and that you don't mind getting stained. Bring ID, water, headphones if you like.
- Sleep
- Food
- No alcohol
- No sun
- Comfortable clothes
- ID
The day, step by step
You arrive and see the design printed. We shave and clean the spot, apply the stencil, you look in the mirror — position, size, angle. Changes happen now, as many as you want. We open the needle in front of you. We start with the line, then shading or fill. Breaks whenever you need them. Finish: clean-up, photo, film, written instructions, and a chat about aftercare.
How much it hurts, honestly
Less than you fear, more than 'nothing'. Like a continuous scratch or a hot scrape — annoying, not unbearable. Linework is felt more than shading. The first minutes are the worst, then the body gets used to it. A small fine-line piece is over before you adjust. Breathing, music, conversation — and if you need a break, say so.
What it costs and what to ask
A small first tattoo has a fixed price you know before you come. Ask anything: whether the design will last at the size you want, what cream to buy, when you can swim. No question is stupid — the ones that go unasked are the problem.
After
You leave with written instructions. Two weeks of care — sun, sea, scratching — and then it's yours forever. Sunscreen from then on. And if anything worries you, a message is enough.
Do I need ID?+
Yes — bring ID or a passport. Tattoos from 18; for minors, whatever the law allows applies, ask us before you come.
Can I bring someone with me?+
One person for company, yes. The workspace is small.
Can I change my mind at the last minute?+
Before the needle touches, yes, always. Better one tattoo fewer than one you didn't want.
How much is a first, small tattoo?+
It has a fixed price you know before you come. See the prices page and send the design.
What shouldn't I do before a tattoo?+
Alcohol the night before, aspirin, sun or sunburn on the spot, and coming on an empty stomach.
What's the least painful spot for a first tattoo?+
Outer upper arm, inner forearm, shoulder, calf. Gentle spots that heal easily and age well.
Can I get a tattoo with sensitive skin or allergies?+
Usually yes — tell us what applies and, if in doubt, ask your doctor first. For diabetes, bleeding disorders or pregnancy, medical advice first.
How do I choose a tattoo artist in Patras?+
Look at healed work in the style you want, see the space in person, ask about single-use supplies — and notice whether they answer honestly or just say yes to everything.
What should I know before my first tattoo?+
Three things: placement decides pain and ageing, size should be a little bigger than you think, and aftercare in the first two weeks is your job. The rest is in this guide.
How long does a first tattoo take?+
A small fine-line piece, under an hour including preparation. You'll know before you come.
TELL US
WHAT'S ON
YOUR MIND.
The appointment is confirmed by the studio.