A good artist can only work with what you give them. Spend five minutes preparing what to say and you will walk out of Kuta with something that actually matches what was in your head.
Start with the idea, not the finished design
Bring your raw concept, not a polished sketch you expect the artist to copy line for line. The artists at Downunder Tattoo Bali take your pictures and ideas and build a custom design that is entirely unique to you. That process works best when you hand over your inspiration honestly rather than a rigid brief. A screenshot from Instagram, a photo of something personal, a rough sketch on your phone, even a mood board of colours and textures gives the artist real material to work with. Tell them what drew you to each image, because that feeling is often more useful than the image itself.
Be specific about placement and size
Placement changes everything about how a design reads on the body. A fine line piece that looks stunning on a flat forearm can lose definition on a curved rib cage if the proportions are not adjusted. Tell your artist exactly where you want the tattoo and show them on your own skin, not just a photo of someone else. Give a rough size in centimetres or a comparison to something real, like the palm of your hand. If you are planning a half sleeve or a full sleeve across your trip, say so from the start so the artist can build something that will flow rather than filling in gaps later.
The style you want matters more than you might think
Styles matter more than most people realise before they get their first tattoo. Blackwork, fine line, realism, neo traditional, dotwork, Balinese, oriental and engraving each have their own technique, their own look at scale, and their own way of ageing over time. The studio covers all of these, with artists matched to their speciality. If you are not sure of the name of the style you like, that is completely fine. Bring pictures that show the look and let the artist name it. What you want to avoid is describing a fine line piece and walking out with heavy blackwork because nobody asked the right question.
Existing work your artist needs to see
Show existing work in person, not just mention it. If you want a cover up of an old or faded tattoo, the artist needs to see the actual piece, not a filtered photo, to judge the ink density and what can realistically be placed over it. Reworking old or faded tattoos is a service offered at the studio, but a successful rework depends entirely on the artist understanding what they are working with before they start. Scars, stretch marks and areas with uneven texture also affect how ink sits, so point those out too, even if they are not the focus of the design.
Elements and colours you do not want
Artists are not mind readers. If there is a motif you dislike, a colour that does not suit your skin tone, or a symbol that carries meaning you want to avoid, say it plainly in the consultation. This is not about being difficult; it is about saving everyone time. A free consultation exists so you can have exactly this conversation before a design is drawn. Negative preferences are just as useful as positive ones, and a good artist will ask for them anyway.
Do I need to mention skin sensitivities before my session?
Yes, and the earlier the better. Tell your artist about any skin sensitivities or relevant conditions before you sit down, not partway through a session. Mentioning things like a tendency toward keloid scarring or a past reaction to certain pigments gives the artist the information they need to have an informed conversation with you about your options. Your artist is the right person to speak to about anything specific; they can advise on whether to proceed and adjust their approach accordingly. Fresh needles and cartridges are used for every client at the studio, and the furniture is adjustable, so if you have a mobility consideration or need a particular position to sit comfortably for a longer session, mention that at the start too.
Session length and your honest pain tolerance
A realistic conversation about session length saves you from committing to a sitting that is longer than you can manage. Most experienced artists will break a larger piece across more than one appointment, especially if you have a few days in Kuta or are travelling back through Bali. If pain tolerance is a genuine concern, raise it at the consultation so the artist can plan accordingly. The studio is open every day from 10am to 10pm, and walk ins are welcome, so you have a real range of options when it comes to timing your sessions around your holiday. If you are ready to lock in a date, book an appointment and request a quote through the studio before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have my design finalised before I visit?
No. Free consultations are offered, and artists build custom designs from your pictures and ideas during the session at the studio. Bring references and a rough concept and the design work happens from there. You do not need to arrive with a finished drawing.
What if I do not know the name of the style I want?
Bring photos. The studio covers a broad range of styles including fine line, realism, blackwork, dotwork, neo traditional, Balinese, oriental and more, and artists can identify the style from your reference images and match you with the right person for that work.
Can I discuss a cover up or rework during a free consultation?
Yes. Bring the existing tattoo in person so the artist can assess the ink and condition of the skin. Cover ups and reworks of old or faded tattoos are offered at the studio, and what is achievable depends on what the artist can see in front of them.
How far in advance should I book if I want a custom design?
Booking before your trip is a good idea so you have your preferred date secured. Custom designs are built from your pictures and ideas during the consultation at the studio, so arriving with strong references ready means you can make the most of that conversation from the moment you sit down. You can book an appointment and request a quote directly through the studio to lock in your date.
What if I want a sleeve done across multiple sessions during my trip?
Tell the artist at the first consultation. Full, half and quarter sleeves are offered at the studio, and knowing the full scope from the start means the artist can plan the composition to flow correctly rather than building it in isolated pieces. Session spacing and healing time between sittings are also worth discussing upfront.
Sources
This article draws on the following pages.
