Do you see your Tattoo Design before the appointment? What’s the standard in 2025?

I know there have been two kinds of artists, the ones who only show the design on the appointment day, and the ones who give drafts / sketches / options to clients for feedback a few days or a week before the appointment.

I observed that a lot of artists are still the former ones, but I am really glad that the number of the latter ones are growing in the industry!

For my experience, I don’t like make decision on the scene, I don’t think I can make a good decision or give good design feedback if you make me do it on the appointment day, because I would feel pressure if I want any small or big changes, and I do not have time to imagine whether the design fit my personal style.

The first two artists I consulted are the former ones, the second one claim they would send design a few days in advance but turns out he drew nothing until the day of appointment. I chased and said he broke the promise of showing designs days before, then he ignores his own promise and claim it is a “common standard”. So I cancelled and just let him keep the deposit.

My third artist is the best, she did a free consultation with me to brainstorm ideas, and she sent me a few options of design weeks before appointments and welcome my feedback, then I did virtual try-on with tatship to see how I would look like with the design, then I made a few minor changes and by the appointment day I was already confident and comfortable with the design.

I hope this becomes the common standard in the industry, anyone else agree as tattoo clients?