A tattoo salon, more commonly referred to as a tattoo parlor or simply a tattoo shop, is a business where customers may go in order to receive a tattoo from an artist. Most tattoo salons will make appointments as well as serve walk-in clients, and a large number will offer body piercing to clients as well. The tattoo salon will likely have art on the walls known as "flash," which customers may choose to have tattooed on themselves, or they may bring an image themselves or commission the tattoo artist to create one. Before getting a tattoo from any shop or artist, it is important to make sure it is clean and professional.
In many areas around the world, virtually anyone can buy a machine and open a tattoo salon without any sort of licensing or verification process, so it is up to the customer to ensure that the tattoo artist knows what he or she is doing, and follows safe practices. In some countries, such as the United States, tattoo artists are generally required to take a course in the transmission of infectious diseases, and pass an exam to receive a type of license, but this still is no guarantee of safe practices.
A tattoo salon should always be clean, and should feature a piece of sterilization equipment known as an autoclave. The tattoo artist should open fresh ink and new, single-use needles for every tattoo, and should always wear gloves, among other safety procedures. It is a good idea to ask questions and verify that everyone in the tattoo salon follows these procedures. It is also a good idea to look at a portfolio to verify the tattoo artist's artistic ability and tattooing style.
Many customers will arrive at a tattoo salon with a picture of the tattoo they want. Others may describe it to the tattoo artist and he or she will draw it for them, usually for an extra charge. Another option is to pick a design off the wall, known as "flash." Most tattoo salons, at least the reputable ones, will check customer's identification before even allowing them to select a piece of art, since in some regions there are age requirements on getting a tattoo.
Aside from sterilization equipment, ink, single-use needles, and a tattooing machine, there aren't many other products required for a tattoo salon. A comfortable chair as well as a table will be necessary, since sometimes it will be required to lay down while getting a tattoo. For tattoo salons that offer body piercing as well, appropriate needles and body jewelry will be required.
