A good brief is the difference between a tattoo that feels exactly right and one that's almost what you wanted. Most people put a lot of thought into the design itself but not nearly enough into how to communicate it. The consultation is where a tattoo is made or lost — and walking in prepared makes the whole process smoother, faster, and more likely to produce something you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.
Here's how to do it well.
Bring references — and bring more than you think you need
References are the single most useful thing you can bring to a tattoo consultation. They don't need to be tattoos — illustrations, photographs, paintings, textures, or anything that captures a feeling or aesthetic you're drawn to all work. The point isn't for your artist to copy what you show them. It's to give them a window into your visual language so they can interpret it in their own way.
A single reference image leaves too much room for misinterpretation. Five or six images that all point in the same direction give your artist a much clearer picture of what you're after. If some of your references contradict each other, that's useful too — it tells your artist where your taste sits and what decisions need to be made. When you sit down with a tattoo artist in Perth or anywhere else, the more visual information you can give them upfront, the better the outcome.
Be specific about what you like within those references. Is it the composition? The level of detail? The shading style? The subject matter? The more precisely you can articulate what's drawing you to a particular image, the more useful it is. The same applies in reverse — if there are elements you've seen in similar work that you definitely don't want, say so clearly. Artists aren't mind readers and clear direction saves everyone time.
Know your placement and have a sense of sizing
Placement and size affect everything — how a design is composed, how much detail is possible, how it will age, and how long the session will take. Come to your consultation with a starting point in mind, even if you're open to your artist's recommendations. Knowing you want something on your outer forearm, roughly palm-sized, gives your artist something concrete to work with from the beginning of the conversation.
If you're genuinely unsure about placement, say so. That's a perfectly valid thing to bring to a consultation. A good tattoo artist will look at the subject matter, the style, and your body and make a recommendation based on what will actually work best — not just what sounds good in theory. That kind of guidance is part of what the custom tattoo process is built around.
Share the meaning if there is one
Not every tattoo needs a story behind it. But if yours does — a personal reference point, something specific you want the piece to communicate, or a reason this particular subject matter matters to you — share it. Artists who understand the meaning behind a piece are better equipped to make decisions that serve it. The details that matter to you are often the ones that elevate a tattoo from well executed to genuinely considered.
A brief is a starting point, not a specification. Your artist will take what you've given them and interpret it through their own skill and creative sensibility. The best outcomes come from clients who give their artist enough direction to understand the vision and enough trust to execute it properly. If something about the design isn't right when you see it, say so. If you love it, say that too. That's what the process is for.
Ready to start the conversation? Reach out to the Main Street team and let's figure out what you're after.
