How to Compare Tattoo Try-On Placements and Prepare an Artist Brief

FIELD NOTE / 01

Set up two clearly labeled options

Choose one design and label your placement candidates A and B. Keep the original design unchanged for this first comparison so you are choosing between locations rather than between different artworks.

Where possible, use photos with similar lighting and a relaxed posture. Keep enough of the surrounding body area visible to identify the location. Label each reference with the body side and placement, such as “A: left inner forearm” and “B: left outer upper arm.” If your tool cannot save a labeled version, keep the labels in a separate note beside the references.

Aim for a similar intended physical size in both options. Matching the design’s size on your screen is not a measurement of its size on your body. If you have not chosen dimensions, write “undecided” rather than estimating from the image.

FIELD NOTE / 02

Write down the preference behind the picture

For each candidate, record the location, provisional orientation, desired dimensions, what appeals to you, and one unresolved question. Describe orientation with a body reference: “stem toward the wrist” is clearer than “upright,” which could mean different things to you and your artist.

Separate a preference from a question. “I want to see the design easily” explains your goal. “Would this design need changes here?” asks for the artist’s judgment. Neither requires you to claim that one placement is technically better.

Choose a current favorite and give a specific reason. If you are undecided, name the trade-off: “A suits my wish to see it often; B suits my wish to keep it less prominent.” That is a useful consultation starting point, even without a winner.

FIELD NOTE / 03

Worked example: one botanical design, two placements

This fictional planning example uses a leafy botanical sprig. It illustrates a decision record, not a product test or a rendered result.

Candidate A Placement: Left inner forearm. Provisional orientation: Stem toward the wrist, leafy tip toward the elbow. Desired dimensions: Undecided; ask the artist to recommend a length and width for this design and location. Personal preference: “I want to see the design easily, so this is my current favorite.” Open question: “What size and position would you suggest within this area, and would you change any of the leaves?”

Candidate B Placement: Left outer upper arm. Provisional orientation: Stem toward the elbow, leafy tip toward the shoulder. Desired dimensions: Undecided; ask whether the same proposed dimensions would suit this location. Personal preference: “I like this as an alternative because I would prefer the design to be less prominent when wearing sleeves.” Open question: “How would you position the sprig here, and what should we check against my usual sleeve length?”

Recorded decision: “A is my current preference because seeing the design matters more to me than keeping it covered. B remains an option if the consultation changes my view on size or placement.”

FIELD NOTE / 04

Turn your notes into a short artist brief

Bring the original design reference, both labeled placement references, and your written preference. Lead with what you want, then identify what is still open to advice.

For the botanical example, the brief becomes:

“I am considering this botanical design on my left inner forearm or left outer upper arm. My preference is currently A, the inner forearm, because I want to see the design easily. I prefer the stem toward my wrist and the leafy tip toward my elbow. I have not settled on dimensions. Please advise on final size, orientation, and any design changes needed for the chosen placement. B is included as an alternative.”

Ask your artist: What dimensions would you recommend? Would you adjust the composition or detail for this location? How should we confirm the position and orientation in person? Record the answers separately from your initial preferences so you can see what changed and why.

FIELD NOTE / 05

If you still need to explore a design

If the design itself is still undecided, choose a direction before making more placement comparisons. Otherwise, a change in artwork can obscure what you liked about the location.

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When you have two placement candidates, use the record below to turn them into a clear consultation brief.