This is the most practical page in the preparation guide. Pack the night before. Run through the checklist. Arrive 15 minutes early. Get tattooed. The list below covers what we see clients consistently forget plus what makes the difference between a tight session and a comfortable one.

Studios provide all the tattoo supplies. Needles, ink, machine, gloves, sterile materials, aftercare for after the session. You do not need to bring any tattoo equipment. The bring list is everything else that makes the appointment work for you personally.

The Non-Negotiables

Photo ID

UK studios require photo ID at every appointment for age verification. UK passport, driving licence, provisional licence, EU/EEA passport, biometric residence card. Expired passports within 6 years are usually accepted. Forget the ID and most studios will refuse to start.

Payment Method

Confirm with the studio what they accept. Most take card and cash. Some take only cash for the final balance. Some accept bank transfer. If cash only, withdraw before arriving because cashpoints add a stressful errand to the day. Bring slightly more than the quote in case the session runs longer than estimated.

Booking Confirmation

Screenshot or printed email confirming the appointment. Useful if the studio has multiple artists with similar names or if there is any confusion at reception. Not always needed but worth having.

Deposit Receipt

If you paid a deposit at booking, bring proof. The studio should have it on their system but a backup avoids any discussion at payment time.

The Comfort Items

Water Bottle

1 litre minimum for any session. 1.5 to 2 litres for sessions over 2 hours. Sipping water throughout keeps hydration steady. Dehydration during a session makes pain perception sharper and increases fainting risk. Pick a bottle with a wide opening so it is easy to drink from in different positions.

Snacks for Sessions Over 2 Hours

Bananas, granola bars, trail mix, nuts, apple slices, dark chocolate, beef jerky, a small sandwich. Anything combining quick glucose with sustained energy. Avoid messy foods that get on the working area. Avoid loud crinkly packaging that disturbs other clients.

Phone and Headphones

Charged phone with downloaded music, podcasts or audiobooks. Headphones are essential because not all studios play music you enjoy and you may want quieter focus. Wireless earbuds work best because cables can catch on the working area. Have content ready before arriving rather than scrolling during the session.

A Hoodie or Warm Layer

Studio temperature varies. Adrenaline and stress can also cause body temperature swings. Bring a hoodie or warm layer even in summer. Easier to remove if too warm than to be cold for hours.

Lip Balm

Studio air is often dry. Lips chapping is a small but persistent discomfort. Easy to forget. Worth keeping in your pocket.

Small Pillow or Cushion

For sessions over 3 hours, a small pillow to support the area being tattooed or your head if you are face-down. Not essential but helpful. Some studios provide pillows. Ask at booking.

The Practical Reference Materials

Design References

Pinterest boards, screenshots, printed images of designs you like. Even if the artist has already designed your piece, having references on hand can be useful for small adjustments. For consultation appointments, references are essential.

Sizing References

If size matters specifically (matching an existing tattoo or fitting a specific area), bring a tape measure or ruler. The artist will have these but yours might match your preferred sizing better.

Notes on Discussion Points

Anything you want to raise at consultation. Aftercare questions. Touch-up policy. Booking the next session. Easier to remember if written down because nerves can wipe your mind on the day.

Even for a small tattoo, bring a drink and some snacks. If you booked a day sitting, bring a good lunch, water and sugary snacks. Sugary pop and sweets can be your saviour and really make the difference getting you through your tattoo.
Adapted from professional tattoo industry guidance

What to Wear

Clothing depends on placement. Forearm tattoos need a loose t-shirt or tank top. Calf or shin tattoos need shorts or loose trousers that roll up. Back tattoos need a button-down shirt you can wear open or backwards. Chest tattoos need a low-cut top or a button-down. Hip and thigh tattoos need loose shorts, a wrap skirt or comfortable underwear with a sarong for coverage.

Three universal principles. Loose and comfortable because you may sit in the same position for hours. Dark colours because ink stains. Old clothes you do not mind getting marked. We have a dedicated page on placement-specific clothing in the preperation guide.

What Not to Bring

An Entourage

One supportive friend is fine. Three to five friends turn the appointment into a disruption. Studios prefer minimal additional people in the working area. Check the studio’s policy at booking.

Strong Perfume or Aftershave

Skip on the day. Strong scents linger near the working area and can affect the artist’s focus. Some clients are sensitive to perfumes and you may share the studio space.

Alcohol or Recreational Drugs

Reasons covered extensively in our other prep pages. Reputable studios refuse intoxicated clients. The deposit is forfeit.

Numbing Cream You Have Not Discussed

Tell the artist at consultation if you plan to use cream. Arriving with cream already applied to skin the artist did not approve is a frequent issue. Some artists refuse to work with it.

Pets

Most studios do not allow pets unless they are registered service animals. Check at booking if this might apply.

The Night Before Pack List

Pack the night before to avoid morning panic. Lay everything out on a chair or in a bag. Run through the checklist before bed and again on the morning. Here is the full list.

Photo ID. Payment method (card and cash backup). Booking confirmation screenshot. Reusable water bottle filled. Snacks if session over 2 hours. Phone charger and headphones. Charged phone with content ready. Hoodie or warm layer. Lip balm. Reference materials if needed. Comfortable clothing chosen with placement in mind. Old dark clothes for change after if relevant.

What the Studio Provides

You do not need to bring tattoo equipment. The studio provides needles, machine, ink, gloves, sterile drapes, stencil paper, soap, disinfectant, aftercare product for the initial wrap, instruction sheet for ongoing care. All consumables come from the studio’s sterile single-use supply.

Some studios offer additional comforts. Tea or coffee in the waiting area. Phone charging points. Privacy screens for intimate placements. Pillows or cushions. Music systems if you prefer studio audio. Ask at booking what your studio provides so you can adjust your pack.

Thinking It Through Before You Book

Confirm with the studio what they accept for payment and ID. Plan your outfit around the tattoo placement. Pack the night before. Eat properly 1 to 2 hours before. Arrive 15 minutes early. The session will go significantly better with this routine. Our tattoo Manchester page covers booking and we send a prep brief to every client at booking.

Practical Questions That Come Up

What If I Forget My ID?

Reschedule or go home and get it. Reputable UK studios will not proceed without photo ID. Bring a backup like a student or company ID if you are worried about your main ID not being recognised. The main ID itself is non-negotiable.

Can I Bring My Own Music?

Yes via headphones. Most studios encourage this. Live music or speakers are not appropriate because they disrupt other clients and artists. Bring wireless earbuds for the cleanest setup.

Should I Bring Aftercare Products?

Not for the session itself. The artist applies aftercare before wrapping the fresh tattoo. For the journey home and the days that follow, buy the recommended products before the appointment so you are not scrambling later. Some studios sell aftercare kits. Many recommend specific brands.

Can I Bring Something to Help Me Manage Anxiety?

Yes within reason. Calming items like a stress ball, a small comfort object, a specific playlist or fidget items are all fine. Tell the artist at consultation if you have specific anxiety management needs so they can pace the session accordingly.

For clothing see what to wear when getting a tattoo. For prep see what to do before getting a tattoo. The full tattoo preperation guide covers the rest.

The summary in one line. The essentials are photo ID, payment method, comfortable placement-appropriate clothing, water and snacks for sessions over 2 hours. Add phone and headphones for entertainment, a hoodie for warmth and reference materials if needed. Pack the night before. Arrive 15 minutes early. The studio provides everything else.