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YOUR DESIGN
A custom tattoo: from inspiration to a design of your own
A custom tattoo does not always start with one clear image. You may have a story, three very different references and a feeling that something between them is right for you. A personal design can grow from that.
In this article
Explain what you like about a reference
A reference can mean many different things. You might send a photograph for an animal’s pose, a tattoo for its line work or a painting for its colours. Explain which part matters so the artist understands your intention.
Use examples to give direction to your own design. If you bring several images, they do not all need to appear literally in the tattoo. A shared feeling or a single detail may connect them.
Separate a wish from a possible solution
“I want to remember my grandfather” is a wish. “It has to be a clock with this date” is already one possible solution. Share both, but explain how much room there is to explore other directions.
Say what is fixed and what is still open. The handwriting may be essential while the surrounding composition is flexible. Placement may matter more than the exact subject. Knowing this gives the artist more useful freedom.
Build around a clear starting point
Put your idea into a few sentences: the meaning, key elements, preferred placement and approximate size. Add the styles you enjoy and anything you would rather avoid. This is a practical starting point for a conversation.
A design does not need to contain as much information as possible. It is about choices that work together as one image. Ask how the artist interprets your story and which elements could take the leading role.
Discuss the process before your appointment
Ask when you will review the design together and how to give feedback. Explain any concerns in terms of what you hoped to achieve: more space, a different emphasis or a missing personal detail. That is more specific than simply saying something feels wrong.
At Bunker Tattoo, we use your idea to explore the right artist and approach. Price and scheduling depend on the design and the time involved. Share your practical preferences too, so the next step is clear before you decide.
See how a personal story becomes an image
One concrete example from our published stories is Chava’s tattoo for the Grote Kerk project. Her design brings together a cat and flowers. The complete story explains what those elements mean to her. Roger tattooed the piece. The result shows how recognisable subjects can form a distinctive image together.
Use an example like this to reflect on your own wishes, without borrowing the design. Which subjects belong to your story? What should be recognisable, and which details can carry a meaning only you know? Explore more stories from the Grote Kerk project to see how different the results can be.
Turn references into useful feedback
Add one sentence to each reference explaining what you mean. For example: “I like the open space here”, “This subject connects with my story” or “This repetition appeals to me”. It helps an artist understand your preferences without copying an existing tattoo.
Roos works with dots and repeating patterns, while Roger draws inspiration from comics, mythology and art, among other things. Explore an individual drawing style you enjoy, then discuss the translation to your placement, size and story. An enquiry with your idea and references is a useful start.
Keep exploring
Which ideas would you like to bring together?
Share your idea, preferred placement and any references. We will discuss the next step together.
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