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BASIC GUIDELINES FOR
GETTING A TATTOO
 A.P.T., Inc
215 West 18th. Street, Suite 210
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Office 816-979-1300
Fax 816-979-1310
Email: info@safetattoos.com
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Choose what you like! You have to live with your
tattoo for the rest of your life. Discuss size & color with
your artist to achieve the look you want. Sometimes it is better to leave
artistic aspects of your tattoo up to the wisdom and experience of your
chosen artist.
Give the location of your tattoo considerable thought. It
is there forever. If your concerns are for the sensation and level of
discomfort involved, your artist should be happy to discuss these aspects
with you.
This subject is probably the most personal of all aspects
of receiving a tattoo. If you're considering a tattoo, find the artist
that fulfills your needs art-wise as well as in professionalism, price and
last but not least, personality. All should make you feel comfortable.
Absolutely don't shop around for "the best price". This
is a trade in which you should see examples of the artist's work and
question their knowledge. This is not a trade to be bartered with, you pay
an hourly rate for time & expertise!
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With the advent of many communicable diseases, some
fatal, it has become necessary to institute certain isolation and sterilization procedures in the tattoo process to assure the public of
a safe, risk-free tattoo. The following advice has been prepared by
professional tattooists working with local, state and national health
authorities.
1. Always insist that you see your
tattooist remove a new needle & tube set-up from a sealed envelope
immediately prior to your tattoo.
2. Be certain you see
your tattooist pour a new ink supply into a new disposable container.
3. Make sure your artist puts on a new pair of disposable
gloves before setting up tubes, needles and ink supplies.
4. Satisfy yourself that the shop furnishings &
tattooist are clean & orderly in appearance; much like a medical
facility.
5. Feel free to question the tattooist as to
any of his sterile procedures & isolation techniques. Take time to
observe them at work & do not hesitate to inquire about their experience & qualifications in the tattoo field.
6. If the tattooist is qualified professional, they will
have no problem complying with standards above & beyond these simple
guidelines.
7. If the artist or studio does not appear up
to these standards or if they become evasive when questioned, seek out a
professional tattooist.
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"APT" or the Alliance of Professional Tattooist is
a non profit educational organization that promotes health and
safety in the tattoo business. Our interest (and yours!) is to keep
ahead of changes occurring in our business field so we can continue to
create works of ART, albeit in a safe manner! It’s that simple.
Read on to find out more!
Officially incorporated June 29, 1992, the Alliance began
accepting membership applications. Many had already sent funds to activate APT and set the ship in motion...here we are years later, with a
successful education program. Over 1400 artists have participated with
more to come in the near future! We offer an insurance program as a
benefit, previously unheard of in the tattoo business. "What? Insure a
tattoo studio? CLICK!" We heard many "clicks" until Ray Pearson of the
O.S. Bruner Agency and APT found each other. We signed a risk purchasing
agreement in 1993 and have been able to insure many studios at a reduced
rate. People from all walks of life have inquired about the Alliance. We
log an average of fifteen to twenty calls per day! Most are from
tattooists and fans, but we receive calls from health departments who have
heard about our program of continuing education and how this benefits both
the tattooist and the community. We also receive calls from legislators (Senators and Congressmen / women, and Representatives)
who are interested in what APT is doing. We have provided many
artists with the tools necessary to deal effectively with health
department officials, legislators, zoning department officials and public
hearings on issues that affect their business practices. Through our
seminars we can help artists with difficult times. Our widely known and
regarded "Preventing Disease Transmission in Tattooing" has helped
many artists understand why infection control and the implementation of
set, professional standards is preferable to being in the dark about
disease transmission.
Membership Categories
Professional (P): an artist with 3 or more years
experience tattooing in a fixed location, as full time career. References
required. $150.00
Cosmetic Tattooist (CT): same as (P).
$125
Associate Tattooist (AT): an artist with fewer than 3
years experience tattooing, or serving an apprenticeship. References &
Sponsor required. $100.00
Associate (A): anyone closely
allied with the tattoo business but not an artist (ie, a receptionist or
studio personnel). Must provide name of studio affiliation or sponsor.
$75.00
Supporting (S): one who has concern for the promotion
of tattooing as a professional business (ie a collector of tattoos, a
member in an academic research field). $50.00
Patron (PT):
anyone who supports the goals of the APT (ie your Mom, brother, or curious
observer!) $20.00
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