Tattoo illustration

Most Common Questions

• What is a custom tattoo design service?

  A custom tattoo design service creates original artwork based on your idea. A professional tattoo illustrator draws the design from scratch. You receive high-resolution digital files. Then you take those files to any tattoo artist and get inked. This is a design service, not a tattoo shop. We create the artwork. Your tattoo artist applies it to your skin.

• Can I bring my own design to a tattoo artist?

  Yes. Most tattoo artists welcome custom designs brought by clients. It saves them time and gives them a clear reference to work from. Your custom tattoo design is delivered as high-resolution files with clean line work. Your artist uses those files to create the stencil. Many tattoo shops actually prefer working from professional illustrations because the transfer is cleaner and faster. But just to be sure, you should always ask your tattoo artist first.

• How much does a custom tattoo design cost?

  Custom tattoo designs at Aleksandra Ink start at $30. A simple line design with one element costs $30. A full design with shading and details costs $60. Complex designs with more than 3 elements, sleeve designs, and large-scale work cost $150. Full sleeve concepts and highly complex work are quoted individually. All prices include digital file delivery and revision rounds. For comparison, design agencies and premium freelancers charge $200-$500 for similar custom tattoo drawing work.

• What styles of custom tattoo design do you offer?

  Available styles include geometric, minimalist, micro, fine line, blackwork, Japanese, traditional, old school, tribal, black and grey, botanical, and religious or symbolic designs. The most requested custom tattoo styles are geometric tattoo design, minimalist tattoo design, and micro tattoo design. If your style isn't listed, describe your vision and we'll discuss whether it's a good fit.

• How long does a custom tattoo design take?

  Turnaround depends on complexity. Simple line designs are sketched within 3 days. Full designs with shading take 5 days. Complex multi-element designs and tattoo sleeve designs take 7 days or more. Rush delivery may be available. Contact to discuss your timeline.

• How do I describe my tattoo idea to the artist?

  Start with the basics. What style do you want? What elements or symbols should be included? Where on your body will it go? How big should it be? Share any reference images that capture the feeling you're after. Mention what you don't want too. The more detail you provide, the closer the first sketch matches your vision for your custom tattoo design.

• How many revisions are included?

  Simple line designs ($30) include 1 revision round. Full designs with shading ($60) include 2 revision rounds. Complex designs ($150+) include 3 revision rounds. Each round lets you request adjustments to layout, sizing, details, or elements. Additional revisions beyond the included rounds can be arranged at an extra cost.

• What files do I receive with my custom tattoo design?

  You receive JPEG, PNG, and Adobe Illustrator source file with layers. All files are high-resolution and stencil-ready. Your tattoo artist can print the design directly for transfer. The layered Illustrator file lets your artist adjust individual elements if needed. Files work for any tattoo application method: thermal stencil, freehand trace, or direct print.

• Is this a tattoo shop? Do you tattoo?

  No. This is a custom tattoo design service. We create the artwork. We don't apply it. You receive digital illustration files and take them to any tattoo artist of your choice, anywhere in the world. You pick the shop. You pick the artist. You control the entire process from design to ink.

• Do I own the custom tattoo design if you make it?

  Yes. Full copyright ownership transfers to you upon completion and final payment. The design is exclusively yours. It will never be resold, reused, or given to another client. You can reproduce it, modify it, or use it however you choose.

• What if I don't like the design?

  That's what revisions are for. You review the initial sketch before any detail work begins. If the direction is off, we adjust early. Every package includes revision rounds specifically for this reason. We work with your feedback until the custom tattoo design matches your vision. Communication throughout the process keeps surprises out of the picture.

• Will my tattoo artist be able to work with these files?

  Yes. Every custom tattoo drawing is delivered at high resolution with clean line work and proper separation between elements. Professional tattoo artists work with these file types daily. The PNG and JPEG are print-ready for thermal stencil transfer. The Adobe Illustrator file lets your artist resize or adjust without losing quality.

• Custom tattoo design vs. AI tattoo generator. What's the difference?

  AI tattoo generators produce images fast and cheap. But they have consistent problems at tattoo scale. Lines waver. Symmetry breaks. Fine details blur. Text distorts. Small elements merge together. Your tattoo artist needs clean, precise line work to create a good stencil. AI can't deliver that. A hand-drawn custom tattoo design is built specifically for ink on skin. Every line is intentional and production-ready.

• Can you design a tattoo from a photo or rough idea?

  Yes. Many clients start with a photo, a rough sketch, a screenshot from Pinterest, or just a description in words. That's enough. Describe the concept and share any visual references. The tattoo illustrator interprets your idea and creates a professional custom tattoo drawing from scratch. Your reference material is a starting point, not the final product.

• Can you design matching or couple tattoo designs?

  Yes. Matching tattoo designs for couples, siblings, friends, or family members are a common request. The designs can be identical, complementary, or pieces that connect when placed together. Each person receives their own set of files. Matching designs count as separate commissions, one per person.

• How do I know the right size for my tattoo design?

  Share the body placement you have in mind: forearm, wrist, shoulder, ribs, thigh, calf, or wherever you want it. Your custom tattoo design is illustrated at the appropriate scale for that body area. The layered source files let your tattoo artist resize if needed without losing quality. If you're unsure about sizing, we discuss options during the discovery phase.