Make sure you show the artist your drawing or sketch if you have one, so they can estimate how long it’ll take (as well as how much it’ll cost). If it’s a pretty large-sized tattoo, the artist may recommend splitting it up into several sessions.

Otherwise, once you get in that chair, you’ll be there until the tattoo is finished, so be prepared to go with the flow. “It’s best to plan your day around your tattoo and not your tattoo around your day, as it’s kind of a big deal,” says Saigh.