How the Custom Tattoo Design Process Works in Burlington, NJ
Custom tattoos do not start with a needle. They start with a conversation. Here is exactly how the process works at Mr. Tattoo in Burlington City - from your first idea to finished ink.
What "Custom" Actually Means
A custom tattoo is one designed specifically for you - your concept, your placement, your body, your story. It is not pulled from a flash sheet or copied from Pinterest. It is built from scratch by the artist based on a real conversation about what you want and what will work.
Custom work takes longer to prepare than flash. It requires a consultation, a design phase, and often revisions before anything touches skin. That process is exactly what separates a tattoo you'll love for 30 years from one you'll regret in 5. At Mr. Tattoo in Burlington, NJ, every custom piece goes through this full process.
Step 1 - The Consultation
The consultation is the foundation of the entire process. This is where you bring your references - photos, sketches, screenshots, anything that communicates what you're going for - and have a real conversation with the artist about your concept.
During the consultation, the artist will ask about:
- Placement - where on the body, and how much space is available
- Size - how large the piece needs to be to hold the detail you want
- Style - which aesthetic direction fits the concept
- Longevity - what will age well versus what will break down over time
- Budget and session structure for larger pieces
The consultation is also where the artist will push back if something won't work. That honesty is a feature, not a problem. A shop that tells you yes to everything is not doing you a favor. You can book a tattoo consultation at Mr. Tattoo directly online.
Step 2 - The Design Phase
After the consultation, the artist begins the design. This is not instant. A proper custom design takes time - the artist is building a composition that fits your specific placement, incorporates your references, and translates well to skin. Rushing this step is how you end up with a tattoo that looks nothing like what you had in mind.
The design is typically shown to you before the session. You review it, ask questions, and request adjustments if needed. Minor changes are normal and expected. Major overhauls are a signal that the consultation did not establish a clear enough direction - which is why that first conversation matters so much.
The artists at Mr. Tattoo - including Jason, Dave Mek Klama, and Gaige - each bring distinct design sensibilities. Matching your concept to the right artist makes the design phase faster and the result stronger.
Step 3 - Stencil and Placement
On the day of your session, the artist creates a stencil of the design and applies it to your skin before any tattooing begins. This step is critical. It lets you see exactly how the piece will sit on your body - the size, the angle, the position relative to your natural contours.
Do not skip reviewing the stencil carefully. Stand in front of a mirror. Move around. Look at it from different angles. If something feels off - the placement is too high, the size is not right, the angle is not working - say so before the tattoo starts. Once the needle touches skin, adjustments become much more complicated.
A good artist will take the time to get the stencil right. At Mr. Tattoo, repositioning the stencil until the placement is correct is standard practice.
Step 4 - The Tattoo Session
The session itself varies in length depending on the size and complexity of the piece. A small custom piece might take one to two hours. A large detailed piece might require multiple sessions spread over weeks or months to allow for proper healing between stages.
During the session, the artist will typically outline the piece first, then add shading and color. For large pieces done in multiple sessions, the artist may complete the outline in one session and return for shading and color in subsequent sessions. This approach allows each layer to heal properly before the next is added.
You can book your appointment at Mr. Tattoo online. Walk-ins are also welcome for available artists during open hours.
Step 5 - Aftercare and Healing
The tattoo is not finished when you leave the shop. The healing process takes two to four weeks for the surface to close and several months for the deeper layers to fully settle. How you care for the tattoo during this period directly affects how it looks when it is fully healed.
The artists at Mr. Tattoo provide specific aftercare instructions for every piece. Follow them. The basics are consistent: keep the tattoo clean, moisturized, and out of direct sun. Do not pick at peeling skin. Do not submerge in water during the healing period.
If something looks wrong during healing - unusual swelling, discharge, or signs of infection - contact the shop. The contact page has all the information you need to reach the team directly.
Where to Start If You're in Burlington County or Camden County
Mr. Tattoo is located at 673 High St in Burlington City. The shop serves clients from across Burlington County - including Mount Holly, Hainesport, Bordentown, and Florence - as well as Camden County towns like Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and Maple Shade.
The custom process starts with a single conversation. Book a consultation and bring your ideas. Everything else follows from there.
Burlington, NJ - 673 High St
Start Your Custom Piece
Book a consultation and bring your ideas. The artists at Mr. Tattoo will take it from there.