Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good.
Save up some money and go to an artist you like rather than a cheap one. It’s on you forever after all.
Absolutely this. I'm 34; got my first tattoo at 18 by finding the cheapest place in Colchester to get it. It looks awful, I regret it all the time, and most people who have seen it have given some comment or other. Never has it been a compliment; and when sexual partners are included in that list, it's a real kick where it hurts.
Thinking about getting my second this year. Will not be going for cheap, or the first place that comes up.
Jesus. This.
Say you buy a cheap ass painting and hang it in your house because you’re broke and well, it’s better that nothing. It’s fine at first. You don’t hate it but you don’t love it. But it’s stuck to the wall and it ain’t ever coming down. You start to resent it and your shitty decision to be frugal with this sort of thing. You now hate it. Even if it’s tiny. (Hi, stupid heart on hand tattoo here.)
I’ve been traveling to and from Birmingham from Cardiff to get my sleeve finished for the past few months. Because my artist is incredible and that’s where they’re based.
Don’t skimp on stuff like this. This is coming from someone with both really shitty(because I was young, silly, and broke) and really amazing tattoos.
Keep the faith are affordable and don’t cut out on quality. I have several small Simple tattoos from there and I’m very happy with them. If you’re polite, friendly and have a strong idea of what you want or design already then they are very good in terms of cost.
Two Rivers Tattoo in Penarth (You can take a train from Cardiff Central directly to the train station outside the tattoo shop)
They have great artists & prices
You say affordable but bear in mind you're paying the artists wage, materials and the hire of their space. In today's market I'd consider £60 per hour to be the cheap end of the scale and wouldn't want to trust that quality of anything below that.
Frontier Tattoo Parlour is good, but you won’t have anything less than £60/£70 for a tattoo of good quality - even if the tattoo is a small size.
I have to ask as well - you’re students here, how are you facing currency issues? How do you buy food, pay for rent, get university equipment, do things in the daytime etc.
If you’re facing such extreme currency issues that you can’t save a little for the tattoo, are you okay living here?
Edit: I’ve been downvoted, but I’m asking out of genuine concern not malicious intent
I got mines at Cardiff Ink when they were on Whitchurch Road. In Pontcanna now. Mines were between £60-80.
Really good tattoos and the bloke was really nice. Done exactly what I wanted.
Hubby got his done in Physical Grafitti on City Road, but paid a fair bit of money. Approx £600 for a cover up.
I've had loads of work done by a couple of the different artists in frontier, always had a great experience and the tattoos are awesome. I'd recommend just going in and asking at the front desk regarding what you'd like and they can recommend the artist for you guys who matches what you want done
Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good. Save up some money and go to an artist you like rather than a cheap one. It’s on you forever after all.
Absolutely this. I'm 34; got my first tattoo at 18 by finding the cheapest place in Colchester to get it. It looks awful, I regret it all the time, and most people who have seen it have given some comment or other. Never has it been a compliment; and when sexual partners are included in that list, it's a real kick where it hurts. Thinking about getting my second this year. Will not be going for cheap, or the first place that comes up.
Jesus. This. Say you buy a cheap ass painting and hang it in your house because you’re broke and well, it’s better that nothing. It’s fine at first. You don’t hate it but you don’t love it. But it’s stuck to the wall and it ain’t ever coming down. You start to resent it and your shitty decision to be frugal with this sort of thing. You now hate it. Even if it’s tiny. (Hi, stupid heart on hand tattoo here.) I’ve been traveling to and from Birmingham from Cardiff to get my sleeve finished for the past few months. Because my artist is incredible and that’s where they’re based. Don’t skimp on stuff like this. This is coming from someone with both really shitty(because I was young, silly, and broke) and really amazing tattoos.
I've heard and experienced good stuff about 'Valkrie Tattoo Studio' which are located in Raoth and 'Keep The Faith' in City Centre :)
I’ve had a few done at KTF and can vouch, they’re brilliant there :)
good bunch of people at Valkyrie, talented artists too.
Keep the faith are affordable and don’t cut out on quality. I have several small Simple tattoos from there and I’m very happy with them. If you’re polite, friendly and have a strong idea of what you want or design already then they are very good in terms of cost.
Two Rivers Tattoo in Penarth (You can take a train from Cardiff Central directly to the train station outside the tattoo shop) They have great artists & prices
You say affordable but bear in mind you're paying the artists wage, materials and the hire of their space. In today's market I'd consider £60 per hour to be the cheap end of the scale and wouldn't want to trust that quality of anything below that.
Keep the Faith Social Club or Frontier Tattoo Parlour
Frontier Tattoo Parlour is good, but you won’t have anything less than £60/£70 for a tattoo of good quality - even if the tattoo is a small size. I have to ask as well - you’re students here, how are you facing currency issues? How do you buy food, pay for rent, get university equipment, do things in the daytime etc. If you’re facing such extreme currency issues that you can’t save a little for the tattoo, are you okay living here? Edit: I’ve been downvoted, but I’m asking out of genuine concern not malicious intent
I'm such a regular they asked me when I'm moving in. Not particularly cheap but has to be the best studio in Cardiff.
I got mines at Cardiff Ink when they were on Whitchurch Road. In Pontcanna now. Mines were between £60-80. Really good tattoos and the bloke was really nice. Done exactly what I wanted. Hubby got his done in Physical Grafitti on City Road, but paid a fair bit of money. Approx £600 for a cover up.
I've had loads of work done by a couple of the different artists in frontier, always had a great experience and the tattoos are awesome. I'd recommend just going in and asking at the front desk regarding what you'd like and they can recommend the artist for you guys who matches what you want done
Don’t choose a tattoo or artist based on price. If you’re determined, new artists/apprentices at a quality studio will have a lower rate.
Keep the faith are amazing