A custom tattoo is not a straight copy of an image you found online. It is a piece shaped by your story, your taste and your body, one that no one else wears. So how does a vague idea in your head become a stencil ready to go on your skin? In this post we walk through the steps of a custom tattoo design one by one.
The first form of the idea: starting to describe it
Everything starts with an idea, and it doesn't need to be clear. It could be a word, a memory, a flower, an animal you love, a city or simply a feeling. What matters is describing it as clearly as you can:
- What does this tattoo mean to you?
- Which style feels closest: fine line, minimal, realistic, blackwork, ornamental?
- Where would you like it, and roughly what size?
- Are there reference images you like but don't want copied exactly?
If you are struggling to pin your idea down, making a list of the things that matter to you can help. Colours you love, symbols that describe you, an image that stayed with you from a book or a film; any of them can inspire a design.
The appointment form is a good starting point for this first step: you can note the area, size, style and a short description, and attach reference images. You can also bring your own design; the artist can develop it to make it work as a tattoo. When sharing references, say what you like about each one: perhaps the linework of one image, the composition of another and the mood of a third.
The consultation: shaping the idea together
Once the idea is shared, it is time to talk. At this stage the artist asks questions, suggests possibilities and sometimes steers you in an unexpected direction. For example, they may tell you that a detailed scene won't read at the small size you had in mind, or that the area you chose doesn't suit the flow of the design. As a Bursa tattoo artist, we see this stage as the heart of the process, because this is where the tattoo's character takes shape.
Price usually becomes clear at this point too. It depends on the design's detail, size and the time it takes, and a firm figure is mostly given once the design is finalised. Noting your budget range on the appointment form helps plan the design accordingly. It is also worth knowing that a deposit may be requested to confirm your booking.
Sketch and revisions
Based on your conversation, a first sketch is prepared. This is the first visible form of the design, a starting point rather than a final version. The sketch sets the composition, proportions, line weights and shading density. With custom work, it is the first chance to see whether the idea truly reflects you. If the design includes lettering, check letters, names and dates carefully at this stage; a small typo becomes permanent in a tattoo.
When you see the sketch, you may want to change a few things: lengthen a leaf, switch a font, soften the shading. That is completely natural. Being open during revisions is the key to being happy with the result. Don't hesitate to say what you don't like, but also listen to your artist's view on whether a change would upset the balance of the design. Sometimes removing one element is more powerful than adding three new ones.
The stencil: the first touch on skin
Once the design is final, it is turned into a stencil. The stencil is a copy that temporarily transfers the main lines of the drawing onto your skin and shows the path the needle will follow. After it is placed, you check it in the mirror from different angles. A design that looks perfect on paper may need to sit a little higher, at a slightly different angle or a little larger on your body. Reapplying the stencil a few times at this stage is completely normal; don't rush it.
Once the stencil is approved, tattooing begins. Timing depends on size, detail and design; larger pieces may need more than one session. Being rested, having eaten and not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the day all help the session go well.
Let's turn your story into a design
For Esra Nur Ürekli, every tattoo is part of a journey created together. To turn your idea into a design at our Özlüce tattoo studio in Nilüfer, Bursa, fill in the appointment form, and browse custom pieces on the portfolio page.
