Unlike before, when not many people had tattoos, today, tattoos serve as a fashion statement for the younger generation. Tattoos have become part of a lifestyle, in which some people like to show what they call their eccentricity to the world, which is why custom tattoo design has become the vogue. Custom tattoo designs are very much different from traditional designs with their uniqueness and significance to the owner.
All the tattoo fanatics, tattoo hobbyists as well as neophytes, in the tattoo art world have images in their minds suitable for tattoo designs. Sometimes these ideas overlap, so, using this overlap, a really original design can be realized.
Before you decide to have your drawing inked on your skin, you should make a custom tattoo design stencil. Tattoo stencils are the ones placed onto your skin as a guide for applying tattoos. So, it serves as a preview of the actual tattoo.
Not only tattoo artists can make tattoo design stencils; you could also make your own. All you need is to be creative. What is so good about this is you have the liberty to create the image that you want. Before you start sketching, you should decide on the theme of your image and choose something that has meaning in your life. Remember, tattoos last your whole lifetime, and you do not want to have something that would remind you of a bad decision.
Here are some simple guidelines to follow about how to make a custom design stencil.
1. Draw. Draw your desired tattoo design on a blank sheet of white paper. If you have no idea about style and theme, you can search online and check out various designs. Use a regular pencil to do your drawing, so you can erase any mistakes.
2. Scaling. A tattoo design is not simply drawing lines; you should understand each intricate detail of your design. Take your time to carefully construct every line and detail. Creating balance in your design is important.
3. Transferring. You need carbon paper and stencil paper and some pencils or markers of different sizes. Place your drawing on top of the carbon paper; it should be ink side down on the stencil paper. Then, carefully trace over the pencil lines with a marker, putting pressure so as not to miss any line or detail. If your lines are thick, use a broader marker to trace. Remember to tape together all the edges of your sheets of paper to avoid any misalignment while you trace.
4. Cutting out and get inked. After you have done the tracing, cut out your design carefully around its edges. Be careful not to cut over the edges of your design. Once this is done, you are ready to be inked. Allow a professional tattoo artist to transfer your stencil onto your skin.
All tattoos are now required to have a stencil to avoid any messy mistakes. Only those who are highly experienced tattoo artists can do it "freehand" on your skin. "Freehand" means to draw directly on to the skin without using any guide or pattern.
Creating your own stencil is fun and challenging, but if you are not confident in your drawing skills, consult someone who knows how. Better yet, hire a tattoo designer and let him or her create a custom tattoo design for you. Always remember that tattoos are something personal, so choose something that is close to your heart.
Kristen Dunn is a tattoo enthusiast and professional tattoo designer who has created thousands of thought provoking, elegant, and funky tattoos for her clients.She has a vast collection of custom designs to her credit. Winner of several awards and accolades, Kristen is now a founding member of the world's largest custom tattoo design community at CreateMyTattoo. View her tattoo collection or read more on her blog here.
