The session
What happens in the studio, what your rights are and why DIY tattoos deserve a closer look.
OlyaGuide author · Tattoo artist · 7+ years of experience
This section is for anyone preparing for their first session or simply wondering what happens in the artist’s chair, from applying the stencil to covering the finished tattoo with film.
A separate article covers rights and responsibilities: what you’re entitled to ask of your artist, where the line is, and what depends on you.
There’s also an article on hand-poked and DIY tattoos: how a hand-poked tattoo done by a professional differs from one done by a friend at the kitchen table, and why the distinction matters.
All articles on this topic
3 articles
6.1How a tattoo session worksWhat happens during a tattoo session, from arriving at the studio to having your fresh tattoo covered with film: the stages, timing, pain and breaks.
6.2Tattoo client rights and responsibilitiesWhat you can expect from your artist, what your artist can expect from you, and what to do if something goes wrong during the session.
6.3Hand poke and DIY tattoosHow professional hand poke differs from a tattoo done at home with a needle and ink, and why a DIY job ends up costing you more in the long run.